Here’s an instant analysis of the Cowboys/ 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium:
WHAT IT MEANS: The Cowboys, who lost three games all of last season, enter the bye-week under .500 at 2-3 with the possibility that they might lose running back Ezekiel Elliott for six weeks if the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overrules his stay.
TURNING POINT: The Cowboys simply left Aaron Rodgers too much time, when Dak Prescott scored on an 11-yard run with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter. Rodgers had been masterful all game and the Cowboys have not figured out a way to slow him down. Just like he did in the playoffs last season, Rodgers did enough at the end of the game to help his team win.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: It doesn’t matter who he has at receiver, Aaron Rodgers is the epitome of greatness. He was 19 of 29 for 221 yards and three touchdowns. He was masterful on the game-winning drive and threw a perfect back-shoulder fade to Devante Adams for the game-winning touchdown. Rodgers is now 14-2 against Rod Marinelli’s defenses.
KEY STAT: Ezekiel Elliott had a season-high 116 yards on 29 carries for the Cowboys. He had 13 carries for 85 yards in the fourth quarter, and he would’ve been the hero except for Aaron Rodgers.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Cowboys will spend the bye week trying to fix their wretched defense that has allowed touchdown on 14 of the last 18 possessions. This team is 2-3 after the softest part of their schedule and coming off consecutive home losses. Sean Lee will return in two weeks against San Francisco. He should get a contract extension because clearly the Cowboys missed him.
