Let the hype begin, Packers vs Cowboys

[RashanGary]

The Packers have a lot of injuries. It's impressive that they are winning, even with the constant injuries. It hasn't been a good year iwth health, but they have more depth than in years past so they are still on track.

This is the toughest game of the year. I think the Packers can win it, but even if they don't, I think they could win the playoff game in a few weeks if they have a healthy run late.

[Tarlam!]

The Packers are missing a shit load of people. This list below is before this weeks crap load of new injuries.

I am shocked! Imagine how our team would do if they weren't banged up!!

I am encouraged that our backups still won the Turkey Game. Also, a week between games will seem like they had a bye week, after the 4 day turnaround.

M3 is smart with letting bodies heal etc. And, he has shown that his coaching staff is up to the task of game planning.

We are unbeaten on the road and we have had extremely hostile environments to play in (Denver, KC, Minnie, Detroit, even NYC!), so any advantage is not that big, at least in the minds of the team.

By no means do I underestimate the 'Boys team when I say, I think we will be well prepared and have an opportunity to win in Dallas.

I am a huge fan of M3 and I don't doubt for a millisecond that he will have a plan. I also am a huge fan of the effort the players are putting in and how they have executed to date.

Indeed, I feel "some" confidence.

[RashanGary]

Right Tarlam. That was partially my point. Bulldog stated that all teams are banged up and that Glenn was out all year. Basically saying "no excuses"

It's been true for this team, no excuses are needed because they keep winning with whoever the backup is. However, the packers are going in more beat up than the Cowboys, missing one of the DT's that would have contributed most to stopping the run, one of the DE's taht would have contributed most to getting pressure and our best CB.

The Packers and Colts have the longest injury reports in the league. The Colts are losing (largely because of injuries), so it's obviously a case of injuries mattering and some teams having more than others.

That said, the Packers can still win this game. If they don't win it, they will give the Cowboys a good run for their money and even if they lose (I expect them to), I don't think it means they are going to lose in the playoffs. The Packers are young, they are beat up. They have a cupcake last part of the schedule. They should be able to get healhty, get a rythym and play their besrt football when it matters most, in the playoffs. Right now though, they have their toughest game of the year at the point when they have the most injuires in the league. Top it off, they are on the road on a short week in Detroit, then on the road in DAllas. Dallas on the other hand is in game 3 of a 3 game home stand and is almost fully healthy. It's going to be tough.

[Bretsky]

I thought a bit ago you had said you were not worried about Dallas ? More worried about the Lion game. Either way I just hope this is a very competitive game. I want to see the Packers play well and no blowouts. I don't expect them to win, but if they do it'll be great as well. I do expect a close game.

[b bulldog]

Every player in the league is now banged up and basicly it comes down to how many you want on your injury report. I'm starting to sense an excuse here Nick

[b bulldog]

Woodson and Jolly are the only two that we will miss if they don't play. The others won't be missed or are obviously going to play. At this time of the year, you could put the entire team on the injury report. That Harrell injury will really hurt us won't it Hopefully Collins will still be out also.

[Badgepack]

Somebody needs to remind Favre about the crown of the playing field at Texas Stadium, keep those throws down.

[billy_oliver880]

Somebody needs to remind Favre about the crown of the playing field at Texas Stadium, keep those throws down.

Man now that reminds me of all them stupid playoff games we had against them.

[Joemailman]

The Packers will probably need to score 30+ to win. I think it comes down to whether the Packers can protect Favre with a 4 WR alignment. If they can, I think Packers have a great chance because the Dallas safeties are not particularly good in coverage.

[4and12to12and4]

Woodson and Jolly are the only two that we will miss if they don't play. The others won't be missed or are obviously going to play. At this time of the year, you could put the entire team on the injury report. That Harrell injury will really hurt us won't it Hopefully Collins will still be out also.

Jolly is not a known name in the NFL but he has been a dominant force for us, and one of the reasons that Kampman and the rest of the line have been so dominant, no one can be doubled without using tight ends and rbs. Losing Jolly is big. And, of course, Woodson, he is simply outstanding. If they are both sidelined, we will need to keep the ball and score a lot of points. Ball control and turnovers are key in this game. Stopping their running attack without Jolly or Cole will be tough, because we can't rotate like MM wants. It's the strength of the defense, plus having Woodson and Harris. Losing these guys is huge, and I'd rather see them not play and get healthy for the playoffs, as said earlier, being the #2 seed might be a blessing in disguise. Let the Cowboys play the Giants. Although, I don't want to play the Seahawks either, but, I think we can beat either of them at Lambeau.

[Tarlam!]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AuiKu394FHAP0UDb_UahpGpDubYF?slug=ap-record-settingcowboys&prov=ap&type=lgns

Cowboys' numbers impressive, but beating Packers most important goal now

By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
November 23, 2007

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The records keep coming for the Dallas Cowboys, with more in sight. Good ones, too.

Most wins? The record is 13, and this club is already 10-1, itself a record for best start. Dallas would have to finish 2-3 or worse not to get this one.

Most points? The record is 479, and this club has 358. The Cowboys' season low is 24 points, done only once. They'll have to average that or less to fall short of this mark.

Most touchdown passes? With 29, Tony Romo already has surpassed the greatest seasons by Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach and tied the record set by Danny White. Terrell Owens has been on the receiving end of 13 TDs, one shy of matching that record.

As glorious as it all sounds for a franchise with such a proud history, these milestones will be pretty useless if the Cowboys don't win their next game -- at home, Thursday night, against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, who happen to also be 10-1.

The winner will have a two-game lead in the chase for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs with only four games left. Put more bluntly, the upcoming game could determine whether the conference championship is played at Texas Stadium or Lambeau Field.

"I like Texas Stadium better," Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware said.

A late January game in Green Bay wouldn't necessarily doom Dallas' Super Bowl chances. After all, the Cowboys are 5-0 on the road and, as coach Wade Phillips noted Friday, a game in nasty weather would mean fewer passes and more runs, which probably would benefit his club.

Still, there's something to be said about getting to play at home, like Dallas will do in this potential NFC championship preview.

"The thing that excites me is this team always seems like they've been up for a challenge like this," tight end Jason Witten said. "This is why you play, to be in these situations."

The Cowboys are enjoying their most pleasantly surprising season since 1992, when Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin went from up-and-comers to team to beat.

Like the '92 squad, Dallas came into this season expecting to be good, just not so good that it's rattled off a pair of five-game winning streaks around the lone loss, to undefeated New England. Expectations are now flying despite the team having gone 10 straight seasons without winning a playoff game.

"To see those really hard, lean years, and now to be part of the Dallas Cowboys on a positive side, it's a good feeling," said linebacker Greg Ellis, who arrived in 1998, when the postseason drought was only a year old.

Playing before a national audience on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys offered a pretty good primer for folks who haven't been watching with their 34-3 stomping of the New York Jets.

While it was far from their best performance, they were in control from the start and never relented. Romo didn't dominate, but still completed 75 percent of his passes and had two touchdowns. They ran for another score and had their most yards rushing all season. They didn't allow a touchdown for the first time and won by their widest margin.

"The goal is to continue to get better, continue to work," linebacker Bradie James said.

Taking care of business is never as easy as it sounds in the NFL. In this case, Dallas had to get fired up for a 2-8 team on a short week following a win over rival Washington that closed a 3-0 stretch against division foes. And right before the showdown with the Packers.

"We have done that all year," Phillips said. "We have focused at the game at hand, and I think we will continue to do that. We will certainly focus on this one. ... If we play our best, we are going to do well."

A big part of the buildup for this game will be the quarterbacks, Favre vs. the kid who grew up in Wisconsin cheering for No. 4. It can't be a coincidence that Romo's swashbuckling style is a lot like Favre's.

"I just think it's going to be fun," Romo said. "Any time you play in a big game it's enjoyable. The fact it's the Packers is exciting for me."

Dallas and Green Bay will be only the second 10-1 teams to square off since 1970.

The last time it happened was in 1990, when the New York Giants went to San Francisco and lost to the 49ers. They met again at Candlestick Park in the NFC championship game and the Bill Parcells-coached Giants won the rematch. They went on to win the Super Bowl.

[mraynrand]

The Cowboys are missing Glenn and have a couple guys knocked up.

Terry Glenn got knocked up? Who got her pregnant?

[RashanGary]

KGB, Woodson and Jolly being out are very damaging to this defense.

Jolly is VERY stout against the run.

KGB has been getting consistant pass rush in the 4th becuase he's rested and Kamp isn't. KGB is the #2 sack leader in the NFL

Charles Woodson is playing at a probowl level


SO. . . . .


We're missing our starting DT, the other starter has a knee injury and we're missing our #4 DT.

We're missing one of the leagues top pass rushers

We're missing a probowl CB.

All while going up against the NFL's #2 offense. The Cowboys are going to score. The Packers have to win the ST's and they have to score points. I think the Packers have very good offense and ST's, so the Pack should be in it, but if the Packers are healthy, I think they are the favorite for this game. Because of the injuries, I think the Cowboys win by 7.

[Scott Campbell]

A 2 game lead with 4 to play. In other words, the winner clinches home field for all practical purposes.

I'd call that a big game.

[RashanGary]

If just Woodson isn't in, I'm not freaking out. Crayton isn't going to kill us, even if Tramon Williams and Jarred Bush are covering him.

If KGB is out, I'm more worried. KGB makes our pass rush hard to stop. Nobody is talking about KGB, but losing him means all the oppsoing offense has to do is double kamp and chip Williams and Romo will be able to stand back there all day. Having a 3rd pass rusher made it almost impossible to block. Then combine it with Woodson being out and it could get very ugly.

Jolly is out, and he's the other one that really hurts our defense. Ever since Williams hsa been starting, teams have ran the football down our throat. Jolly was a big part of our stout run D.

Three VERY important members of our defense are out. If the Packers win, they did it under some of the worst possible circumstances.