Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys: Full Dallas Game Preview

Back at the scene of the crime.

The last time the Dallas Cowboys set foot on Lambeau Field, it was the NFC divisional round of the 2014 playoffs. In a back-and-forth game, the Cowboys weren’t able to generate enough pass rush to slow down MVP Aaron Rodgers in the second half, and they fell behind 26-21. Late in the fourth quarter, a clutch Dez Bryant touchdown was overturned after perhaps the most controversial call since the “tuck rule,” resulting in a Cowboys loss that would end their magical season.

There are plenty of storylines for this game, so here’s what to watch for on Sunday.

Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Time: 4:25 EST

TV: Fox

Week 13 Results and Recap

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

Games between NFC East teams are always extremely competitive regardless of the records of the teams involved. The Week 13 matchup between the Cowboys and the Washington Redskins lived up to this billing. After both teams looked completely inept on offense for over 58 minutes, each finally managed to get in the end zone in the last two minutes, and the Cowboys were able to get in position for a Dan Bailey field goal with under 10 seconds left to win the game.

The Cowboys defense continued their string of stellar performances in Washington and effectively shut down Kirk Cousins and the Redskins offense. The Cowboys offense struggled to move the ball consistently, but they were able to make several explosive plays and overcame three fumbles to do enough at the end of the game to get the win.

NFC East Standings

Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

Washington Redskins (5-7)

New York Giants (5-7)

Dallas Cowboy (4-8)

News and Notes

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Back to the Scene of the Crime

Dez Bryant made what could have been one of the great plays in recent football history on 4th-and-1 in the divisional round of the playoffs in 2014. He leapt into the air around the 5-yard line, secured the ball, moved it to his opposite hand, took three steps and dived toward the goal line. As he landed across the goal line, the ball hit the ground while cradled in his arm and bounced out before he quickly recovered it. Unfortunately, according to the wording of the rule, when the ball popped loose it negated all of the work Dez had done, making it an incomplete pass.

In the time since the game, there has been almost endless discussion about the call, revision to the wording of the rule and ongoing criticism about the ongoing interpretation of the rule.

Dez was asked about returning to Lambeau Field and is excited about the opportunity, per David Helman of DallasCowboys.com: “I can’t wait, man. I’ve got that catch behind me, it’s behind me. It’s nothing that I can do. Why dwell on it? You can’t dwell on something that you can’t change, so it is what it is.”

Latest Injury News

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

Dez Bryant

The Cowboys injury report has shrunk significantly over the last couple of weeks, and the primary story related to injuries remains Dez Bryant.

After being a full practice participant all week for the first time all year, Dez showed signs in Week 13 of being closer to fully recovered from the foot and knee injuries with which he has struggled throughout the season.

Following up the Monday night game with a full practice on Wednesday is a great sign and makes it likely that his production only continues to increase as his practice reps with Matt Cassel increase.          

X-Factors and Matchups to Watch

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Matchup To Watch: Cowboys Secondary vs. Packers Receivers

The injury suffered by Jordy Nelson in the preseason has hurt the Packers offense in a number of ways. Primarily, with the downfield threat of Nelson not on the field, it has allowed defenses to play very tight coverage on the Green Bay receivers, and the Packers haven’t had an answer.

If the Cowboys’ defensive backs can stay tight with their men, Aaron Rodgers will be forced to hold the ball an extra second, which should give the defensive line time to get him down.

X-Factor of the Week: Dez Bryant

Dez Bryant finally looked like Dez Bryant against the Redskins, and it seemed as though Cassel discovered in the fourth quarter the type of weapon Bryant can be. I would expect to see Cassel look to get Dez involved in the game early and often from multiple alignments as Green Bay’s Sam Shields attempts to match up. 

If Dez can harness the fire that will surely be there stepping back on the field in Green Bay, and Cassel can get him the ball early, Dez could have the kind of game that makes the Cowboys offense much more dangerous and give them a great chance to win.

Prediction

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

I predict Bryant has one of “those” games, and really dominates from start to finish. The defense is able to play sticky coverage on the Green Bay receivers, and although Rodgers has a decent second half, the Cowboys come away with a win.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Packers 21