Separating from the Pack
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by Cheezer
The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Green Bay Packers 37-27 at Texas Stadium last night. During the game, Packer starting quarterback, Brett Favre (5/14 56yds 2int) was lost to injury.
Dallas outperformed Green Bay in pretty much every aspect of the game. Most importantly, they dominated the trenches as the Packers were unable to control the Cowboy pass rush or get any pressure on Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo (19/30 309yds 4TD 1int). The Cowboy pass rush applied numerous pressures to the Packer QBs and finished the night with 3 sacks. Meanwhile, Romo had time to make a sandwich as he waited for his receivers to get clear. Which, based on the performance of the Packers secondary, didn’t take very long anyway.
As of last night’s press conference, Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy was non-committal with regards to the extent of Brett Favre’s injuries. The only thing he told the press was that Favre has elbow and shoulder injuries. When asked if he were concerned that Favre would not be ready for the game against Oakland on 12/9, he said, “No, Brett Favre, I think, has a great chance to play against Oakland.”
McCarthy was very happy with the performance from back-up QB Aaron Rodgers (18/26 201yds 1TD). Rodgers has had 3 years to prepare and he stepped into the huddle and took command. He kept his head and lead Green Bay to within 3 points before they finally were beaten. McCarthy stated that because of Rodger’s performance, the Packers were able to stay within the game plan and not simplify things. McCarthy also stated that if this were a playoff game, injured cornerback Charles Woodson would have played. The secondary would have performed completely differently had Woodson been in there.
Green Bay did a fine job considering the players missing due to injury. The aforementioned Charles Woodson, safety Aaron Rouse, DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to name a few. Many others were hobbled and not playing at 100%. The three games in 10 days has really taken it’s toll. The secondary was completely discombobulated in the first half due to the loss of Woodson and the fact that Nick Collins was back after missing the last 3 weeks.
McCarthy did a good job of recognizing some weaknesses and shoring things up in the second half. He noticed that starting guard Daryn Colledge and nickelback Jarrett Bush were definite liabilities and he got them out of there.
This game demonstrates that Green Bay is still a developing team with much potential. Remember that they are the youngest team in the NFL. . . and that’s with a 38 year old quarterback.
The Packers played nose to nose with a Dallas Cowboys football team that the guys at www.Football Outsiders.com are calling historically good. According to the proprietary statistical metrics employed at FO, the 2007 Cowboys are a top ten team when compared with all teams since 1996. Other teams on that list are the 2007 Patriots, the 1999 Rams, the 1998 Broncos, the 2001 Rams, and the 2005 Colts to name a few.
This Packer fan, for one, continues to enjoy the journey.
