Green Bay Packers upset Dallas Cowboys 17- 7

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              The Green Bay Packers kept their playoff hopes alive beating the Dallas Cowboys Sunday 17-7. The Cowboys were riding high on a 4 game winning streak and momentum was on their side heading into Green Bay. They were met by an intense and highly motivated Packer’s defense. They were without starting OLB Aaron Kampman and his backup, Poppinga. The inspired defense held Tony Romo et al from converting a 3^rd down until the 4^th quarter not to mention while pitching a shut out.

             Jason Garrett, the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator bares most of the blame for this loss. He only called 14 running plays compare to 40+ passes from Tony Romo.  The Packers sacked Romo 5 times -the most times in one game this year. Romo was harried a lot and when he did have time to throw he missed open receivers a few times and Roy Williams had a key drop and another fumble. The Cowboys’ defense held their own for most of the game too, sacking Aaron Rogers 4 times and hurrying him plenty of times. Neither QB had an easy time. The Packers blitzed often and the Cowboys had a hard time picking up the blitzing linebackers and defensive backs.

            Green Bay’s defensive coordinator, Dom Capers, definitely out coached Garrett. Apparently Garrett’s game plan was to throw early and often which led to the Cowboys’ losing this game. Caper’s game plan involved blitzing the Cowboys into oblivion. The Cowboys’ running game was effective but for some reason Garrett abandoned it. Perhaps it was because right tackle Marc Colombo was lost for the game with a broken fibula early in the 2^nd quarter, and Garrett did not believe 2^nd string tackle Doug Free was prepared to play well in the running game. Who knows?

            The officiating crew made some bad calls that affected the Cowboys more so. An official made a controversial hands to the face call on cornerback Mike Jenkins which erased a sack a and fumble recovery by Orlando Scandrick. On a  2^nd half punt, Mat Mcbriar caused a fumble that Dallas recovered near midfield. But after Greenbay challenged the call the replay official ruled the Packer player was down by contact. The third and last nail in the coffin was at the beginning of the 4^th quarter where Romo was sacked and fumbled the ball. An alert Felix Jones fell on the ball while a Packer defender jumped on top of him on the ground causing Jones to cough up the ball while on his back. Packer AJ Hawk recovered the ball and was pushed out of bounds at the Dallas’ 3-yard line. Somehow after the officials reviewed the play they deemed Jones did not have possession of the ball. Very poor officiating day indeed. Oh well, the Cowboys’ next 2 opponents, Washington and Oakland, have to come to Dallas where the Cowboys should win these games increasing their record to  8-3 heading into their December game vs. the NY Giants.