Dallas Cowboys-Green Bay Packers: 5 Keys To Victory

The Cowboys come into Sunday night's game trying to save what is left of their dismal season while the Packers try to stretch their lead in the NFC North. 

Cowboys

1. Stop the Run

The Cowboys have been horrible against the run this season giving up 121.9 yards per game, and if the Packers can establish the run they'll use it to keep the pressure off of Aaron Rodgers. Luckily for the Cowboys, the Packers are 22nd in rushing this season at 97 ypg. 

2. Limit Mistakes

The Cowboys have gotten their penalties down the last two weeks, but they're still making tons of mistakes. The tipped passes for interceptions has to stop as well as blown assignments in the secondary. The Cowboys haven't played a mistake-free game all season, now is a good time to get one in. 

3. Establish the Run

The Cowboys have been as bad running this season as they've been stopping the run. The Packers defense is an aggressive bunch in the front seven and in the secondary. If the Cowboys want to keep Jon Kitna alive, they'll need to average more than two yards a carry and keep feeding the ball to their running backs. The good news is the Packers are worse than the Cowboys at stopping the run (123.6 ypg against).

4. Feed Jason Witten and Dez Bryant

Bryant and Witten were Kitna's favorite targets last week and they should be again this week. Both have the size to get in front of their defenders and screen them from making a play on the ball and at the same time have the speed to run past their defenders. If Kitna can get some time in the pocket you can bet he'll be looking at these two. 

5. Win the Special Teams Game

The Cowboys have improved their coverage units, but are dead last in the league in kick returns. This week they'll need a big play in the return game. They also need David Buehler to step up this week and hit his field goal attempts. 

Packers

1. Pressure Kitna

The Cowboys love to throw the ball and even if their running game is successful this week, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will always go back to the pass. The Packers must get pressure on Kitna and force him to make errant throws that the Packers secondary can take advantage of.

2. Run the Ball...a Lot

The Packers are missing Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley this week. This means they'll have to try running the ball more and against Dallas' poor run defense they should get a lot of yards if they stick with it. Like the Cowboys, the Packers love to air it out, but whoever gets it going on the ground will win this game.

3. Stop Miles Austin

Austin has had some career games in against the Packers in recent years, but last season he was held to just four catches and the Packers won decisively. They'll need to do that again and not underestimate Austin, who's been one of the best receivers in the league the past year. 

4. Force Turnovers:

The Cowboys are turnover-prone and the Packers aggressive defense has 15 turnovers this season. If they want to put this game on ice early a turnover or two that results in points will do just that as the Cowboys will give up like they did last week against the Jaguars.

5. Use the Crowd

The Packers will be home for this game and while they don't need to score on every possession, they'll need to force the Cowboys to go three and out in order to keep the crowd in the game. Despite the Cowboys' record they've been good at sustaining drives with short passes and runs, so the Packers will need to keep the Cowboys offense off the field as much as possible.