Game 5: Packers @ Cowboys - Sunday, October 6th 3:25PM

[homer]

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I like the Packers. Good QBs seem to have places they just always play well and Rodgers seems to do so in Dallas. Fitting, since that was his first real game action when Favre got hurt and people started to think he might be good.

 

Hoping to see a bounce-back game defensively but I think it'll be the offense's best game to this point.

[FVBrewerFan]

Would feel better if Dallas wasn't coming off a loss as well, oh well. If they haven't fixed run fefense, Cowboys will run for 800 yards.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I anticipate that happening but Dallas has trouble getting out of its own way sometimes and will probably still throw 30 passes.

[Point Beer Is Best]

I would feel pretty good about this game if both Adamses (Tae & Montravius) were healthy. But after seeing what the run D looked liked and the passing offense looks like with those two out, it could be a long day.

 

Historically it seems like Garrett usually shoots himself in the foot with his playcalling against us, so hopefully that trend continues.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

This is the kind of game they always seemed to play well in under McCarthy. An overpowering offense on the road, people generally down on the team's last performance and then they come out firing. I don't think Dallas is all that. There's no excuse for losing to Teddy Bridgewater and scoring 10 points with the offense they're supposed to have.

 

As an aside, the home field advantage in Dallas is probably the worst I've ever witnessed among visits to 12 opposing stadiums. The place just doesn't make noise. Some of that has to be acoustics. Go back to the Super Bowl and it just never gets very loud. I was at the Matt Flynn game and it just seems like the sit and clap all day. My buddy is a Cowboys fan and goes every year, he refer to it as Library Stadium.

 

I am worried about the Packers rush defense but I would rather be tasked with figuring that out between now and January than have a coverage unit that is clearly awful. In the 3rd quarter Wentz had 68 yards, it was just a bunch of situational stuff that made them look worse than they were. Anyone claiming that unit isn't better is delusional. No matter the results, you are still seeing guys in position to make a play, making tight coverage, vs. the defenses of old where nobody is within 10 yards of a WR.

 

You can scheme your way into a rush defense much more easily than you can mask a terrible secondary.

[pacopete4]

Win this game and a lot of people on the fence about this team become believers. Lose and the doubt starts to creep in a bit.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

The Cowboys will almost certainly be missing all-world LT Tyron Smith, and could possibly be missing RT La'el Collins as well. Not having either would be enormous losses for them, but not having both against a good pass rush like the Packers' could very well be a backbreaker. Elliot is a terrific RB, though, and the Packers' suspect run defense could very well be a problem. I expect BJ Goodson to play quite a bit, and the Packers to stack the box against the run, forcing Prescott to beat them through the air. I expect Alexander to lock down Cooper. Hopefully Cobb won't hurt them too much.

[Point Beer Is Best]

Yeah, if they are missing both of their starting tackles (Tyron Smith will be out for sure), there really is no excuse for not getting pressure. That would force, hopefully, their gameplan to shift towards shorter passes which will allow the LB/Safety group to play closer to the LOS which also helps against the run. Dak should be made uncomfortable all day.

[HiAndTight]

This is the kind of game they always seemed to play well in under McCarthy. An overpowering offense on the road, people generally down on the team's last performance and then they come out firing. I don't think Dallas is all that. There's no excuse for losing to Teddy Bridgewater and scoring 10 points with the offense they're supposed to have.

 

As an aside, the home field advantage in Dallas is probably the worst I've ever witnessed among visits to 12 opposing stadiums. The place just doesn't make noise. Some of that has to be acoustics. Go back to the Super Bowl and it just never gets very loud. I was at the Matt Flynn game and it just seems like the sit and clap all day. My buddy is a Cowboys fan and goes every year, he refer to it as Library Stadium.

 

I am worried about the Packers rush defense but I would rather be tasked with figuring that out between now and January than have a coverage unit that is clearly awful. In the 3rd quarter Wentz had 68 yards, it was just a bunch of situational stuff that made them look worse than they were. Anyone claiming that unit isn't better is delusional. No matter the results, you are still seeing guys in position to make a play, making tight coverage, vs. the defenses of old where nobody is within 10 yards of a WR.

 

You can scheme your way into a rush defense much more easily than you can mask a terrible secondary.

 

 

One thing that has become more obvious about the Packers defense is they're starting to push it a bit with Clark. Yeah, he's a stud, but they're lining him up outside as a 5 technique at times, he's trying to get upfield instead of occupying blockers. That can really take you out of a play and even if you pick the right lane, you're not covering guys up for the LB'ers. And the Packers do not have physical LB'ers. So I agree, that can get better.

 

The secondary is far-far better. Savage looks like a great pick and does not seem to be tentative at all.

 

I'd still like to see the Packers be one of the teams in on Peterson when he comes back from suspension. King can't really be counted on. But still, sooo much better than when you had Dix and then nobody else in the secondary. Gunter as your #1 CB? That was just terrible.

[HiAndTight]

Win this game and a lot of people on the fence about this team become believers. Lose and the doubt starts to creep in a bit.

 

 

The doubt STARTS to creep in a little bit? Did you read last weeks game vs Philly? Our team is awful! Rodgers is only 16th in the league in one of the most wildly mis-leading stats(4th quarter comebacks) we can't stop anyone...I don't know, a litany of other things as well.

 

 

The Cowboys are pretty loaded when healthy. I think Dak's vastly overrated, but they've got a vastly improved defense, Byron Jones has taken off, LVE is a Urlacher type LB'er and Jaylon Smith has been good for them.

 

I just want to see what Pettine does to try and fix the run D. We've got a good enough DL that we shouldn't be getting gashed like that. It looked more like the DL was trying to get up-field instead of eat up blockers for the backers and safety's to come in.

 

If they make changes and still can't slow down the run game a bit, maybe go out and sign Mike Pennel. Bring that monster of a human being back to Green Bay. Throw him out there with Clark and Lowry on running downs. Wouldn't cost you much and he was a really good run defender with the Jets. Especially if you plan on moving Clark around on the line. Fine, play Clark at the 5. Plug Pennel in as a guy to just occupy the center and the guard and keep them off our LB'ers.

[MrTPlush]

If we win I’d guess the story line will be more about how much the Cowboys are “pretenders” than it is about us being “contenders”.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Which I think is fair to this point. Dallas has not been impressive at all. The Packers have chances to prove if they're for real. The Lions have a good team this year, and that trip to Kansas City is a great midseason test.

[pacopete4]

Win this game and a lot of people on the fence about this team become believers. Lose and the doubt starts to creep in a bit.

 

 

The doubt STARTS to creep in a little bit? Did you read last weeks game vs Philly? Our team is awful! Rodgers is only 16th in the league in one of the most wildly mis-leading stats(4th quarter comebacks) we can't stop anyone...I don't know, a litany of other things as well.

 

 

The Cowboys are pretty loaded when healthy. I think Dak's vastly overrated, but they've got a vastly improved defense, Byron Jones has taken off, LVE is a Urlacher type LB'er and Jaylon Smith has been good for them.

 

I just want to see what Pettine does to try and fix the run D. We've got a good enough DL that we shouldn't be getting gashed like that. It looked more like the DL was trying to get up-field instead of eat up blockers for the backers and safety's to come in.

 

If they make changes and still can't slow down the run game a bit, maybe go out and sign Mike Pennel. Bring that monster of a human being back to Green Bay. Throw him out there with Clark and Lowry on running downs. Wouldn't cost you much and he was a really good run defender with the Jets. Especially if you plan on moving Clark around on the line. Fine, play Clark at the 5. Plug Pennel in as a guy to just occupy the center and the guard and keep them off our LB'ers.

 

I don't think it's wise to judge opinions based on an IGT. Those are usually too emotional of reactions. I know you are pretty excited about this team and the direction of it but I think you have to understand that not everyone sees it that way. We have really struggled in a lot of ways this season and that 3-1 record could very well be a mirage for what's to come. OR, as you have said, we are plugging away and will continue to improve as we go.

 

Areas I'm concerned about are with the offensive line and lack of WR/TE talent. I think these two areas could keep our offense from really taking off. Another area that seems to rear its ugly head is our rush defense. If that doesn't improve, it will really affect this season. We've taken a beating on our D-line.

[HiAndTight]

I don't think it's wise to judge opinions based on an IGT. Those are usually too emotional of reactions. I know you are pretty excited about this team and the direction of it but I think you have to understand that not everyone sees it that way. We have really struggled in a lot of ways this season and that 3-1 record could very well be a mirage for what's to come. OR, as you have said, we are plugging away and will continue to improve as we go.

 

Areas I'm concerned about are with the offensive line and lack of WR/TE talent. I think these two areas could keep our offense from really taking off. Another area that seems to rear its ugly head is our rush defense. If that doesn't improve, it will really affect this season. We've taken a beating on our D-line.

 

 

I don't get the OL concern. The Packers have one of the best in the NFL. WR\TE depth, I can see that. They're raw there. Run defense, they've been bad there. Even CB, they've got Alexander, a guy who's been injured a ton and then a 38 year old CB as their top 3. But OL? There one of the top 4-5 units in the league there. Especially now with Jenkins taking over for Taylor. The OL and QB is really the strength of the team.

 

And yes, I'm excited about this team. But it's more in a they're back on track type of excitement than they're ready right now. You don't beat the Vikings, Bears and Bronco's by being a mirage to start the season. You just can't fake it that much in the NFL. But they're still looking at one of the toughest first half schedules(first 9 games to be exact) as I can ever remember. And I'm not asking everyone to see the Packers the same way I am, though I think they should maybe have a little perspective. They're 4 games into a whole new offensive system and they're 3-1 and they're young. Did people really expect the offense without any pre-season to come out and be the 89 49'ers? Did they expect a complete 16 game 2001 Ravens like defense when it's been a sieve the last several years?

[HiAndTight]

If we win I’d guess the story line will be more about how much the Cowboys are “pretenders” than it is about us being “contenders”.

 

 

Weren't the Packers just #2 in the power rankings before their loss to the Eagles? It's not like the Packers are a team that gets ignored much.

 

But this game would say more about Dallas than the Packers. Dallas would have beaten 3 bad teams, lost to a Saints team without Brees and then lost at home..whereas the Packers would still have 2 good wins and then two losses to two of the top 4-5 teams in the NFC.

[nodakfan17]

I’ll take the Cowboys 31-23.

 

I’m 3-1 in my BF picks (I had the Vikings beating the Packers in Week 2). A Packers’ win wouldn’t shock me. I think they’ll come out with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after being run over last week, but I worry about Zeke and that line. Maybe Dak will be good for a TO or two?

 

Enjoy the game, BF. GPG!

[HiAndTight]

I’ll take the Cowboys 31-23.

 

I’m 3-1 in my BF picks (I had the Vikings beating the Packers in Week 2). A Packers’ win wouldn’t shock me. I think they’ll come out with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after being run over last week, but I worry about Zeke and that line. Maybe Dak will be good for a TO or two?

 

Enjoy the game, BF. GPG!

 

 

I'd say given the injury situation, this is probably fair. No Adams. Some other huge pieces are questionable. If Bulaga can't go the whole game, Lawrence is going to terrorize the Packers backfield.

 

 

I'm more interested in HOW the Packers play than if they get the W or not to be honest. Can they stop the run when they KNOW they're facing a great back and a very solid line(I say solid because without Smith it's no longer great).

 

This is a game where they need a guy like Gary to step up. The Smith's have been exactly what we wanted. They didn't get paid to be a Mack type player or a Clowney type player, they got paid to be good, reliable players. But they're not beating the tackles in 2 seconds and just blowing by them. Gary at least has that ability. Dak's hard to bring down, so you need some free shots at him.

 

Also....Kevin King, just get on some PED's dude. I don't care if you're suspended 4 games next year as long as I don't have to read about a new injury every week. So frustrating to watch such a talented player always dealing with these nagging injuries. I feel bad for the guy.

 

 

I'm gonna guess the Packers end up losing 30-24. MVS will make some plays, but if they shadow him with Byron Jones, that's gonna be tough on him(though they play so much zone, I doubt they do). Otherwise, we need Kumerow, Tonyan to get going. Maybe this will force Rodgers to look to Tonyan 1st. I've seen several plays this year where it appeared from my view(behind a TV) that he had Tonyan and was locked in on Adams or someone else and missed him. If you can get Tonyan going, that could change your entire offense.

 

 

So win or lose, I want to see Rodgers distributing the ball, getting some chunk plays and I want to see how we can run the ball with that Cowboys LB'ing core that might be the best in the league. At least in terms of stack LB'ers and coverage backers(which may not bode well for Tonyan with that freak LVE covering him).

 

Man...that Adams injury really hurts though. Glad they're not rushing him back....but that's a killer.

[nodakfan17]

I hated that call on Bak. He clearly responded to the defender’s movement.

[adambr2]

Glad to get the turnover, but it was a total gift. They were moving the ball pretty effortlessly, so we'll see what happens. No idea how Cooper didn't catch that one.

[young guns]

It is LOUD for the packers down there. Crazy.

[Zad Fnark]

Cowboys can't stop the run either.

[young guns]

I like this start. Let's keep it going.

[young guns]

This defense might still have some issues with the run but they are stepping up to play today!

[pitchleague]

Well, well, well, another turnover! Time to capitalize, boys!