The first game of the second half of the season starts Sunday for the Cowboys in the primetime afternoon slot against the Green Bay Packers.
The 6-2 Cowboys travel on the road to Lambeau Field to take on the struggling Packers, who sit at 3-6, the worst start of Aaron Rodgers's career.
The Packers are not a good football team this year. The offense is in a funk, and some starters found themselves banged up in the loss against the Lions.
Romeo Doubs suffered a high-ankle sprain last Sunday, typically a 4-6 week recovery. He was in a walking boot and crutches after the game.
The X-rays for Aaron Jones came back negative, and he is expected to play against Dallas, who exited during the third quarter.
The Cowboys had a well-needed bye week to heal up and get some guys rest after an impressive 6-2 start.
Now they sit firmly as the fifth seed in the playoffs, and let's be honest; they have a chance to win the NFC East still regardless of the Eagles' 8-0 start.
Coming out of the bye should have allowed Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Sam Williams, Noah Brown, and Ezekiel Elliott time to rest up and be ready to take on the second half of the year. (Hopefully).
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott, DE Sam Williams and S Malik Hooker will practice today.
LB Anthony Barr will be limited at best.
Cowboys will wait another week to bring back WR James Washington (foot).
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 9, 2022
This Sunday also marks the first time Mike McCarthy will coach in Lambeau field on the other sideline.
McCarthy was emotional during his press conference on Monday about what he misses most about Green Bay. If I were a player in the Cowboys' locker room, I would be ready to run through a brick wall and do anything possible to win this game for him.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy getting emotional while talking about what he misses most about Green Bay
(Video: @dallascowboys) pic.twitter.com/SgcobN6kBc
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 7, 2022
This Cowboys team feels different. They are rallying around him and not folding like many other Dallas teams would have if they found themselves in the situation to start the year as this group did.
This game Sunday is not one they can overlook coming off the bye.
The Packers still have Rodgers, and yes, his QBR is the lowest of his career, but he has a 7-3 record in the regular season and playoffs versus the Cowboys since he took over.
He just finds ways to beat the Cowboys.
With the Cowboys' one weakness on defense being the inability to stop the run, Jones and A.J Dillion will likely be the focal point of the Packer offense but let's be honest, they just scored NINE points against the league's worst defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys should exploit that Green Bay defense, though.
They lost OLB Rashan Gary to a torn ACL against the Lions last week. Gary has been the Packers' most effective pass-rusher, with six sacks and 31 pressures.
Also, keep an eye on Eric Stokes, one of the Packers' corners who could miss this matchup with a foot injury.
On paper, this points in the Cowboys' favor across the board, but you never know what will happen when you play in the Frozen Tundra, but Dallas finally gets the better end of Rodgers and picks up the victory 27-13.
Dez Caught it.
