Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers Odds

The Green Bay Packers (5-3) and the Dallas Cowboys (1-6) were both listed among the preseason favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl after strong 11-5 seasons in 2009. Green Bay looks like it still has a chance, while Dallas looks like it could finish with one of the worst records in the league.

Dallas is in danger of losing its fifth straight game, something that hasn’t happened since 1997. NFL odds makers have projected that Dallas will indeed endure its fifth consecutive loss Sunday, listing the Cowboys as a 7.5-point underdog with the total set at 45.5.

While the Packers are sitting atop the NFC North, they know they must play better if they’re going to make a Super Bowl run. They lost three times in a four week stretch before winning back-to-back games the last two weeks.

Last week’s 9-0 victory over the New York Jets, who entered the contest tied for the league’s best record, appears to be something to build on.

Last week, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense were held to season lows in points and yards, but we should see improvement against a Dallas defense allowing 26.7 points per game (27th in the NFL).

While Green Bay will not have Donald Driver in the lineup, Greg Jennings still provides Rodgers with a top notch target. Jennings has hauled in 18 passes for 288 yards and two scores the last three weeks.

The Green Bay defense may be banged up, but it managed to shut out the Jets while picking off two Mark Sanchez passes. Green Bay boasted one of the most opportunistic defenses a season ago, and it currently ranks third with 12 interceptions.

A ferocious pass rush has forced opposing quarterbacks into many of those picks.  Led by Clay Matthews, the Packers also rank third in the league in sacks with 24.

These teams met at Lambeau Field last November and Green Bay recorded a 17-7 win.

Wade Phillips’ defense was one of the best in the NFL last season, allowing only 15.6 points per game (2nd in the league). 10 starters return from that unit, but they haven’t been able to get the same results. In fact, the Dallas defense has allowed an average of 33.5 points during its four-game skid.

To make matters worse, the offense is without Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo, who sustained a broken collarbone in a 41-35 loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago.

Last week, backup Jon Kitna played well in his first start since 2008, completing 34 of 49 passes for 379 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted three times, but it must be noted that all three of those passes hit the hands of his receivers.

Kitna and the offense will have to clean it up if they hope to have a chance against a Green Bay defense that is only allowing 17.0 points a game.

While Dallas figures to get few calls in pick ‘em pools this week, we probably shouldn’t be too hasty to rule them out against the point spread. After all, the Cowboys are 4-1 against the number in their last five games following a double-digit loss at home. And, the Packers are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games as a favorite.

Bet with confidence in Week 9 by playing the same picks as world champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd!