DALLAS vs. Green Bay
Kickoff: 3:25 p.m., Lambeau Field
TV: 3:25 p.m., FOX
Radio: 12:30 p.m., 105.3 The Fan
Records: Dallas 4-8, Green Bay 8-4
Series: Series tied, 16-16
Last meeting: Green Bay, 26-21 (2015, in Green Bay)
Betting line: Packers -5
Weather: 54 degrees, 100% chance of rain
It's amazing what one victory can do. Last week's win over Washington has the Boys one game out of first place in the NFL East and thinking about the playoffs again. There's nothing like playing in Green Bay in December with the weather a huge factor to bring you back to reality.
Let's see how these two teams matchup:
Dallas offense vs. Green Bay defense
Matt Cassel got his first victory as a Cowboy after five attempts. He finished the game with 223 yards and his third-best QB rating as a Cowboy (80.1). Most importantly, he didn't throw an interception for the second straight game. The team still had three turnovers thanks to fumbles by McFadden (2) and Devin Street.
The offense without a strong running game is a mixed bag. McFadden was able to find the endzone for the team's lone touchdown, but he did have the two turnovers and only 53 yards on 14 carries.
The Packers defense is 19th in yards allowed, but sixth in points allowed (19.8). Similar to Dallas, Green Bay does not create a lot of turnovers as they are 22nd with 15 takeaways.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix leads the team in tackles with 87. He also has two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble on the season. 35-year-old Julius Peppers leads the team in sacks with seven. After collecting 11.5 sacks last season, All-Pro Clay Matthews only has 4.5 sacks this season. As a team, Green Bay is tied for seventh in sacks with 33.
Cassel needs to take some chances and find a way to get the ball in Dez Bryant's hands if this team is going to pull off the upset.
Edge: GREEN BAY
Dallas defense vs. Green Bay offense
Believe it or not, the Cowboys defense now ranks fifth in yards allowed. Dallas allowed only 266 yards to Washington including only 2.8 yards per carry. DeMarcus Lawrence had two sacks while Sean Lee lead the team with 13 tackles including a sack.
From the outside looking in, the Packers seem to think Aaron Rodgers is on the decline as well as Eddie Lacy. Rodgers is tied for fourth in touchdowns (26) and eighth in QB rating (97.3). The QB rating would be the second lowest of his career if the season ended now.
As for Lacy? He has been limited to 517 yards and two touchdowns after rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.
Five Packers players have at least 31 receptions: Randall Cobb (57), Richard Rodgers (48), Davante Adams (36), James Starks (35) and James Jones (31). Cobb, Jones and Rodgers have combined for 19 touchdowns on the season.
While Mr. Discount Double-Check is having a "down" season for him, he his still very effective and a should be considered a top 5 QB.
Edge: PUSH
Key matchup
Darren McFadden vs. Green Bay front seven: McFadden has only one 100-yard game in his last four and only 64 yards rushing over his last two games. Prior to the Washington game, he hadn't fumbled all season so perhaps we can mark it as a fluke.
The Packers rank 20th against the run and have allowed 4.2 yards per carry.
Edge: PUSH
Special teams
Dan Bailey made all four field goals last week including the 54-yard game winner as he was named the special teams Player of the Week by the NFL. Also, Lucky Whitehead made us all forget about Dwayne Harris as he had a 46-yard kick return to set up the game winning kick and averaged more than 10 yards per punt return.
Packers' kicker Mason Crosby is 19-22 on field goals this season, while Jeff Janis averages more than 35 yards on kick returns.
Edge: PUSH
Intangibles
Both teams are coming off improbable wins as Green Bay won on a last second Hail Mary in Detroit and Dallas won without Romo under center. The Packers are currently tied for the division lead with Minnesota, but have lost two in a row at home.
At 4-8 Dallas is still not in a must-win situation, believe it or not.
Edge: GREEN BAY
Prediction: Green Bay 28, Dallas 13
Eddie Middlebrook can be reached on Twitter @emiddlebrook.
