The Packers looked to get back on track after blowing an early 10-point lead at home to the Eagles in week four, losing 34-27. Their task would not be easy, taking on the 3-1 Cowboys in Dallas.
After failing to move the ball on the first possession, the Packers defense was on their heels as Dallas drove down the field. A timely interception by Jaire Alexander at the Packers’ 16 halted a potential scoring drive. Green Bay took advantage, marching the ball 47 yards on five plays, culminating in an 18-yard scamper by Aaron Jones to put the Packers up, 7-0. Following another defensive stand, Green Bay’s offense was in full gear, moving down the field at will, 89 yards with another Jones touchdown run to put the Packers ahead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Continuing excellent defensive play set up the Packers for an impressive, time-consuming 12-play drive in the second quarter. Although failing to cash in with a touchdown, the Packers went up by 17 following a Mason Crosby 20-yard field goal.
Aaron Jones continued to run through the Dallas defense in the third quarter, scoring on runs from five yards and one yard out, giving the Packers a seemingly commanding 31-3 lead. However, the Cowboys defense started to tighten, while the offense got into gear. After a 40-yard strike from Dak Prescott to Michael Gallup, the Packers lead 31-10.
Another offensive sputter by the Packers late in the third gave the Cowboys the ball back and it didn’t take them long to deliver. After five plays and 70 yards later, Ezekiel Elliott found the endzone, cutting into the lead even more at 31-17.
A clutch field goal by Crosby from 38-yards out made it a three-possession game at 34-17 halfway through the fourth quarter. Just two plays later, the Cowboys struck again, this time a 53-yard catch and run by Amari Cooper to cut the lead to 34-24.
Trying to hold on to avoid the biggest single game collapse in league history, the Packers allowed the Cowboys to march 68 yard on 10 plays to get up a field goal to make it a one possession game. Fortunately, Maher missed from 33-yards out. The Packers survived to win, 34-24.
Aaron Rodgers managed the game nicely, going 22-for-34 for 238 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. It was the Aaron Jones show, scoring four times and rushing for 102 yards on 19 carries. Dak Prescott threw for 463 yards but was intercepted three times, while Ezekiel Elliot was kept in check, rushing for 62 on 12 carries.
The Packers keep their lead in NFC North with a 4-1 record. They’re now headed back home to face the Lions Monday night, October 14 with first place in the division on the line.
Cowboys fans knew he was going to miss that FG…they knew it.
Well, I’ll say a few things here:
1. Congratulations on the win.
2. I was actually rooting for the Packers over the Cowboys. Cowboys are a little more hatefully arrogant than are the Packers (and their fans).
3. I did think the Cowboys would win so, again, congratulations.
4. In looking at the Cowboys I think we now know they are not what they seemed. They beat three miserable awful teams including at least one who was trying to lose. None of those three had any wins when they played the Cowboys and two of them still don’t! When faced with anything other than a disaster team they lose. So far. This win is not the tremendous thing it seemed before the game.
5. Random observation. Well, not so random. Rodgers threw like, what, 7 straight goal line incompletions in the Eagles game? And then Prescott threw three interceptions this game. But they are media darlings. Everyone still says they are great and some of the best in the game — some, and I really must chuckle — even think Rodgers is the BEST QB! HA HA! I know! Hilarious, right? What if Kirk Cousins had done the same thing in a game? 7 straight goal line incompletions? 3 interceptions in a critical game? I’ll tell you what: crucifixion.
6. Observation: Aaron Rodgers, among passers with at least 48 passes thrown (hello, arbitrary number) this year AFTER FIVE GAMES ranks 24th in the NFL. The terrible awful cruddy worst QB ever, you say, Kirk Cousins? He is 10th in the NFL. And yet he is much younger than Rodgers with room to improve, has no attitude problem or psychological malfunctions like Rodgers, and also costs 5.5 million less per year. Also more wins this year and last combined! Just saying….
Oh, before you wheel out that whole “it’s a new offense” excuse keep in mind Cousins is also adapting to a new offense this year….
Just saying…. :-)
Thanks for the kind comments. I’m glad you think Cousins is great and I’m happy he is on your team. (and not on mine) I hope he (and his greatness) plays for the Vikings for the next 15 years.
Observation: In a few weeks the Vikings will get to see what the Cowboys really are in their building. Let me know when you find out.