Green Bay @ Dallas preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2010 ) Dallas 7, Green Bay 45

The Dallas Cowboys are fighting for their playoff lives in the midst of some major defensive struggles, so the last thing that they need to see is Aaron Rodgers under center for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Rodgers' status is up in the air for this weekend's clash in Dallas, although Packers backup Matt Flynn could expect to have some success against the Cowboys, given how Dallas' defense has played of late. The Cowboys are last in the league in yards allowed, having surrendered 333 more yards than any other team in football following last week's hideous effort in which Chicago backup quarterback Josh McCown burned Dallas for four touchdowns and the Bears did not punt all game.

"The Dallas Cowboys' defense is absolutely the worst defense maybe in the history of the National Football League before this is over with," an NFL scout told the (Milwaukee) Journal Sentinel this week. Despite the Cowboys' struggles on that side of the ball, they still sit only a game back of Philadelphia in the NFC East with a chance to sweep the season series from the Eagles in Week 17. The Packers, meanwhile, are a half-game behind Detroit and Chicago in the NFC North even though the Packers went more than a month without a win before last week's 22-21 comeback victory against Atlanta.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cowboys -7. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE PACKERS (6-6-1): If Rodgers (collarbone) is unable to play this weekend, then Flynn will look to build off his season-high 95.6 quarterback rating in last week's win. "We're planning to play the game with Matt," Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters early this week. "That's the way you have to go about it. It's the same way we went last week." Green Bay could be in for a long day against Dallas running back DeMarco Murray, as the Packers rank 25th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (7-6): Tony Romo has thrown more touchdowns than interceptions in each of his last six games, racking up 12 scores and two picks during that stretch. Surprisingly, standout tight end Jason Witten only has 10 total receptions over the last four games and has surpassed 53 receiving yards just once in his last eight contests. The Cowboys are 1-2 against the NFC North this season with their only win a last-minute comeback to defeat the lowly Vikings - part of the team's 5-1 home record this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is the Packers' first game at AT&T Stadium - previously known as Cowboys Stadium - since their Super Bowl win over Pittsburgh in 2011.

2. Since Oct 1., Packers RB Eddie Lacy ranks third in the NFL with 836 rushing yards.

3. The all-time regular-season series is deadlocked at 12-12, although Dallas has won 11 of the last 15 matchups.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 27, Packers 19