NFL Week 3: Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers

Young-gun QBs face off as the Dallas Cowboys take on the Green Bay Packers!

Cowboys vs. Packers Preview:

Despite the postseason heroics of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers were the toasts of the NFC in 2007. Both of these powerhouse teams return intact and full of great talent. Brett Favre may be gone, but Aaron Rodgers is already earning his stripes as a leader. Aaron Rodgers will see action against the Dallas Cowboys for a second time in his career and is prepared this time. Both teams enter NFL week 3 with 2-0 records.

Dallas Cowboys Overview:

The paring of QB Tony Romo and WR Terrell Owens has become the ultimate quarterback-to-receiver relationship in the NFL. When defenses shift to cover Terrell Owens, Tony Romo has another target in TE Jason Witten. RB Marion Barber is such an aggressive runner that he often scares opposing defensive players. RB Felix Jones is a speedy weapon in the passing, return, and running games. The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is the size of a few elephants, and the man-beast Leonard Davis leads the gigantic unit.

The 3-4 defense of the Dallas Cowboys is led by OLB DeMarcus Ware, who crushes opposing quarterbacks. Veteran OLB Greg Ellis is another sack monster and pairs well with DeMarcus Ware. NT Jay Ratliff is a rising superstar and stuffs the run with ILB Zack Thomas. CB Terrance Newman returns which allows Pacman Jones to move to nickleback. The only weakness in the impressive Dallas Cowboys secondary is SS Roy Williams who is a great run stopper but is weak against the pass.

Green Bay Packers Overview:

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has surpassed all expectations up to this point, and even the staunchest Brett Favre supporter is beginning to come around. Playing two-straight nearly perfect games has filled Aaron Rodgers with confidence and has also given him a great relationship with wideouts Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. The Green Bay Packers running game has been struggling as of late, but the passing game has made up the slack. RB Ryan Grant must have a big game.

Defensive end Aaron Kampman is the key to the Green Bay Packers front seven and is a great pass rusher. OLB AJ Hawk is the leader of the Green Bay Packers defense and rules the football field at all levels. The CB duo of Charles Woodson and Al Harris is the most physical pair in the NFL and can stuff any WR at the line. S Atari Bigby is a feared hitter in the secondary and has the makings of an All-Pro.

Dallas Cowboys Keys to Victory:

Marion Barber will once again be asked to carry the load for the Dallas Cowboys. The Green Bay Packers have a weakness at defensive tackle and a strong run will hold off the blitz. Getting Terrell Owens one-on-one with a CB will be the key to Tony Romo finding his rhythm. Pressure on Aaron Rodgers from Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Ware will be the top priority of the Dallas Cowboys defense since the Green Bay Packers running game is no threat.

Green Bay Packers Keys to Victory:

Getting pressure on Tony Romo will be the top priority of the Green Bay Packers defense as Romo cannot be left alone. Forcing Tony Romo into making mistakes will allow the Green Bay Packers to get better field position. Protecting Aaron Rodgers will be atop the list for the Green Bay Packers offense since Ryan Grant has been ineffective. If the pass rush can be stymied, then even the talented secondary of the Dallas Cowboys will have difficulty containing the Green Bay Packers receivers.

Cowboys vs. Packers Outlook:

The NFC has become the class of the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers are the cream of the crop. This early NFL season battle will be an important game for the entire season and could decide the top team in the NFL. The inability of the Green Bay Packers to run the football could be their undoing. With the complex blitzes of the Dallas Cowboys 3-4 coming from every direction, Aaron Rodgers is sure to make his first mistakes of the season as he throws under pressure into the talented Dallas Cowboys secondary.