Green Bay Packers get the WIN at Lambeau Field vs. Dallas Cowboys, 28-7
GREEN BAY -- On a soggy Sunday afternoon, December 13th, the Green Bay Packers face the Dallas Cowboys. 78,369 people were in attendance at Lambeau Field Sunday. This, after a thrilling last-second, Hail Mary win on December 3rd vs. the Detroit Lions on the road.
Lambeau Field ahead of Packers vs. Cowboys matchup (PHOTO: Packers.com)
The following Packers players were declared as inactive for Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys:
7 QB Brett Hundley
36 CB LaDarius Gunter
38 RB John Crockett
53 LB Nick Perry
55 LB Andy Mulumba
63 C Corey Linsley
88 WR Ty Montgomery
Starting lineup change: #73 JC Tretter will start at center for #63 Corey Linsley
Kickoff was set for 3:25 p.m. Sunday. You can watch the game ONLY ON FOX6!
The Packers are 8-4 on the season. The Dallas Cowboys are 4-8 on the season.
This Sunday's game is the Packers' second-to-last home game of the regular season.
FOX reported Sunday morning that Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy would be taking back play-calling duties for this game. Other reports have indicated the decision was made earlier in the week.
Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy resumes play-calling duties in matchup vs. Cowboys
As the game began Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, the Cowboys won the coin toss, and opted to defer. The Packers would get the ball to start this game -- starting at their own nine yard line.
Despite it being in the 50s at Lambeau Field at kickoff -- Packers wide receiver James Jones was again sporting that hoodie.
James Jones in his hoodie vs. the Cowboys
Packers running back Eddie Lacy ran the ball four times for 18 yards, but a third down pass to James Jones was incomplete -- and the Packers would punt after their first possession this game.
The Cowboys took over at their own 24 yard line.
Cowboys running back Darren McFadden broke loose on a 50-yard run to the Packers 12.
Cowboys QB Matt Cassel threw to Jason Witten for 10 yards.
But soon came a Packers interception -- as Sam Shields was able to pick off Cassel in the end zone.
Packers interception: Sam Shields picks off Cowboys QB Matt Cassel in the end zone
The Packers were able to get into the red zone thanks to wide receiver Randall Cobb.
A screen pass to Eddie Lacy for 18 yards made it first and goal for the Packers.
On third-and-nine, Rodgers threw incomplete, but the Cowboys were flagged for holding, and it was first down for the Packers.
Then -- a one-yard run by James Starks into the end zone was reviewed by officials.
One-yard run by James Starks for Packers touchdown, but play reviewed
Following the review, it was determined that the Packers did not score a touchdown -- and it was then fourth and goal for the Packers from the one yard line.
The Packers opted to go for it -- but were stopped short of a touchdown.
The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys were scoreless after the first quarter.
CLICK HERE for a first quarter recap via Packers.com.
As the second quarter began, the Packers defense was able to get the stop -- as DE Letroy Guion tackled Cowboys RB Robert Turbin on third-and-one from the 10.
The Cowboys would then punt the ball.
After the punt, the Packers would begin at the Cowboys 48 yard line.
James Starks began the drive with a nine-yard reception and two runs -- for a total of 12 more yards.
A holding penalty on Davante Adams slowed things a bit -- but Aaron Rodgers threw a 13-yard pass to James Jones, who converted on third-and-10 and got the Packers into the red zone.
The first score this game came in the form of a pass from Aaron Rodgers to James Starks -- for 13 yards.
The extra point would make the score Packers 7, Cowboys 0, with 9:49 left to play in the second quarter.
James Starks Lambeau Leaps to celebrate TD catch vs. Cowboys
The Packers scoring drive included nine plays for 48 yards in 4:14.
Packers cornerback Sam Shields was slow to get up along the Cowboys sideline after making a tackle on Cowboys WR Lucky Whitehead.
Shields was taken to the locker room. According to Packers.com, he is being evaluated for a concussion.
Sam Shields slow to get up on Cowboys sideline
Soon, Coach McCarthy threw a red flag to challenge a third down catch by Dez Bryant over Damarious Randall -- an effort to convert on third-and-five.
It was determined there was no catch, as replays showed the ball touched the ground as Bryant tried to catch it -- and it was then fourth down for the Cowboys, who punted the ball.
Catch or no catch? Coach McCarthy throws challenge flag over Dez Bryant catch over Damarious Randall
Catch or no catch? Coach McCarthy throws challenge flag over Dez Bryant catch over Damarious Randall
During the Packers' next possession, Aaron Rodgers scrambled for 16 yards, and hit James Jones for 16 and Randall Cobb for 14.
A Cowboys penalty made it first down for the Packers in the red zone.
It was Packers fullback John Kuhn on the screen pass for 14 yards -- and it was then first and goal for the Packers, on the three yard line.
An Aaron Rodgers pass into the end zone for Richard Rodgers meant a Packers TOUCHDOWN!
With the extra point, it would be Packers 14, Cowboys 0 with 2:40 left in the second quarter.
Richard Rodgers celebrates TD catch with Lambeau Leap vs. Cowboys
The Packers scoring drive included 11 plays for 81 yards in 4:14.
Then came a three-and-out by the Packers defense.
Packers Micah Hyde was able to tackle Cowboys TE Jason Witten one yard short of the marker. It would be fourth down Cowboys at the two-minute warning, and the Cowboys would punt again.
During the Packers last possession of the first half, Aaron Rodgers was sacked on third down -- and the Packers were forced to punt.
The Cowboys took over on their own 22 yard line with 47 seconds left in the half, and picked up one first down.
The Packers led the Dallas Cowboys 14-0 at halftime.
CLICK HERE for a first half recap via Packers.com.
As the second half got underway at Lambeau Field, the Packers announced Sam Shields would not be returning to the game. He is out with a concussion.
The Packers defense then got to work -- starting the second half with a three-and-out. The Cowboys would punt.
The Packers would punt during their next offensive drive.
A Cowboys touchdown, via a seven-yard run by Robert Turbin and the subsequent extra point brought the score to Packers 14, Cowboys 7 with 8:25 left to play in the third quarter.
It was a four-play, 80-yard touchdown drive by the Cowboys -- including a 45-yard run by Darren McFadden, a 22-yard run by Turbin and that seven-yard TD run by Turbin.
Robert Turbin gets TD for Dallas Cowboys in third quarter
During the Packers next possession, Aaron Rodgers was sacked on third down, and the Packers were forced to punt.
The Packers failed to convert a third-and-one, again, late in the quarter. It left the Cowboys with the ball at their 20-yard line with 1:28 to play.
Eddie Lacy compiled 73 yards rushing heading into the fourth quarter.
CLICK HERE for a third quarter recap via Packers.com.
Packers Clay Matthews got a sack early in the fourth quarter, for an eight yard loss. It was then fourth down for the Cowboys.
The Packers offense went three-and-out, and the Cowboys would begin an offensive drive at their own 28 yard line.
Packers Quinten Rollins tackled Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams short of a first down on third and 13.
The Cowboys would punt again.
During the Packers next possession, Aaron Rodgers was able to break a big tackle on third down and scramble to move the chains.
Cowboys running back Rolando McClain had to be tended to near the sideline after an 11-yard pass to Cobb.
Eddie Lacy was able to get the Packers into the end zone with 11 yards.
The next Packers touchdown came courtesy James Starks -- who was able to run the ball into the end zone -- a 30-yard touchdown run.
With the extra point, the score was then Packers 21, Cowboys 7 with 4:44 left to play.
The Packers scoring drive included 12 plays for 84 yards in 6:34.
James Starks celebrates 30-yard TD run vs. Cowboys
Cowboy's QB Matt Cassel's fourth down pass was incomplete, and the Packers would then take over on downs, with 3:11 left to play.
Eddie Lacy was able to carry the ball for 24 yards, and the ball was ruled down on the one-yard-line.
Lacy then plowed into the end zone from the one-yard-line for a Packers TOUCHDOWN!
With the extra point, the final score was then Packers 28, Cowboys 7.
Eddie Lacy celebrates TD run vs. Cowboys
Eddie Lacy celebrates TD run vs. Cowboys
The scoring drive included four plays for 38 yards in :25.
With less than three minutes to play, came a sack of Cowboys QB Matt Cassel by Jayrone Elliott.
A fourth-down pass was batted down by Elliott -- and the Packers would take over with Scott Tolzien in at QB.
The final score: 28-7.
Sunday's win guarantees the Packers can do no worse than play for the NFC North title on January 3rd vs. the Vikings. The Vikings lost last Thursday, December 10th in Arizona.
The Packers are now 9-4 on the season.
CLICK HERE for more on this matchup via Packers.com.