Packers vs Cowboys Preview and Prediction
Three teams in the NFC North are separated by just a half game at the top. The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears sit atop the division with matching 7-6 records, with the Lions owning the tiebreaker between the two. The Green Bay Packers are just a half game back at 6-6-1.
Today the Packers face the Dallas Cowboys in a game with huge playoff implications for both teams. Green Bay is looking for its first cover since Aaron Rodgers their star quarterback went down with a broken collarbone. Dallas on the other hand looks to avoid yet another December nosedive.
Rodgers has been ruled out this game. It is the sixth consecutive game he has missed since his collarbone injury on November 4. That means that Matt Flynn will once again be calling the plays under center for Green Bay.
This will be Flynn’s third straight start. Last week Flynn threw for 258 yards and one touchdown in the Packers come from behind win 22-21 against Atlanta.
Flynn could have big numbers in Sunday’s game versus Dallas. Last week, the Dallas defense gave up four touchdowns to Chicago Bears backup quarterback Josh McCown and could not force Chicago to punt the ball the entire game. The Dallas defense is allowing 442 yards a game and ranks last in that category in the league.
Green Bay, which is 6-6-1 SU and 5-8 ATS has not covered a game since Rodgers was injured. Dallas is 7-6 SU and 8-5 ATS, but is 1-4 ATS over its past 5 games played.
Without Rodgers in the lineup for Green Bay, the line has Dallas favored by 6.5 points with the point total sitting on 49.
The two teams have not played head to head since 2010, when Green Bay routed Dallas at home 45-7, as a favorite by 7 points.
Over the past 10 head-to-head meetings between the two teams, the home team has a record of 9-1 ATS. The Packers are 2-6 ATS over their past eight games on the road. However, Green Bay is 15-7 ATS over its past 22 games against teams with a winning record.
The Cowboys are 5-12 ATS over their past 17 games at home, and just 8-20 ATS over their past 28 games played in December.
Eddie Lacy the rookie running back for Green Bay sat out practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. However, trainers are optimistic Lacy will play Sunday.
Green Bay’s defense is No. 21 in total defense and No. 20 in points allowed. The defense did not give up any points against Atlanta in the second half last week. However, on Thanksgiving Day against Detroit the defense missed numerous tackles in a 40-10 loss.
Sean Lee the middle linebacker for Dallas will not play due to a neck injury. That will leave Dallas with a big hole to fill.
The duo of quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant have been quiet of late for Dallas, which could change in this game.
Even with a backup quarterback playing on the road, the Packers should cover getting 6.5 points. Smart money takes Green Bay and the OVER.
