GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The Packers scored 14 points in both the second and fourth quarters to put the game away, using many timely runs by both Eddie Lacy and James Starks.
But like all games, there were a handful of plays that could go unnoticed, but yet changed the outcome.
Let's take a closer look at five that affected this game.
McFadden stopped for early loss– Two plays after Darren McFadden busted out a season-long 50-yard run on the Cowboys' opening series, he was back on the field for a first-and-goal from the Packers 2. However, he was stopped cold for a 1-yard loss, pushing the ball back to the 3, which made it more of a passing situation for the Cowboys. An incomplete pass on second down, followed by a forced interception by Matt Cassel on third down erased any chance to get even a field goal. If McFadden can get at least a yard or even back to the line of scrimmage, maybe the play-calling changes down there and even gets the team into four-down territory. His loss affected the next two calls.
Turbin can't covert either– After the Cowboys held Green Bay short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal, they got out 9 yards and had a third-and-1 to start the second quarter. Robert Turbin entered the game and was stopped for no gain, once again keeping the Cowboys from converting a third-and-1. The Cowboys had to punt and the Packers took over with good field position at the Cowboys' 48, eventually scoring a touchdown on their next drive.
Dez doesn't make spectacular catch – It was somewhat ironic that Dez Bryant had yet another remarkable play that was ruled a catch here in Lambeau, but once the Packers challenged it, the call was overturned and ruled incomplete. This time, it was a little clearer that the ball indeed hit the ground, but still, it was a 28-yard catch wiped out. The Cowboys would've had the ball at the Packers' 34 with 7:06 left in the second quarter and trailing 7-0. Instead, the incomplete pass led to a punt and a Packers' 81-yard touchdown drive for a two-score lead, which they took into the halftime locker room.
Dez drop – Depending on your own drop-barometer, Bryant had anywhere from one to three drops in the game. But one that can't be debated as a drop occurred in the third quarter when the Cowboys got the ball back trailing 14-7. On first down, Cassel fired a strike to Bryant, who jumped too early and let the ball get to his body for a drop. The Cowboys couldn't get a first down and eventually had to punt, losing the momentum they had just grabbed.
Rodgers gets loose, extends drive– The Cowboys trailed 14-7 midway through the fourth and had Green Bay in a third-and-9 near midfield. Aaron Rodgers didn't have an initial throw and had to step up to run, and it appeared he was going to be corralled for a sack or short gain. Instead, Rodgers broke free to rush for 11 yards to extend the drive. The Packers eventually scored on a 30-yard run up the middle on second-and-25 to bust the game open for good.
