Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Insider: A look at the Cowboys

http://greenbaypressgazette.packersnews.com

A closer look at the Packers' next opponent, the Dallas Cowboys.

Quick facts

Game: 7:15 p.m. Thursday; Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas.

Record: 10-1.

Coach: Wade Phillips (55-39, sixth season overall; first season with Cowboys).

Last week: Playing at home on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys had little trouble with the New York Jets in a 34-3 win.

Series: The teams have split 20 regular-season meetings. The Cowboys lead the postseason series 4-2 and have won eight straight games against the Packers in Dallas.

Last meeting: The Packers scored on their first seven possessions on the way to a 41-20 rout of the Cowboys on Oct. 24, 2004, at Lambeau Field. It was Brett Favre's second win against the Cowboys in 10 tries.

Odds and ends

Cowboys receivers coach Ray Sherman spent five seasons coaching the same position with the Packers (2000-04). … Phillips is 1-1 against the Packers as a head coach. He lost to the Packers in 1993 as the Denver Broncos coach and beat them in 2000 with the Buffalo Bills. … The Cowboys rank second in the NFL in total offense (11th in rushing offense and fifth in passing offense) and seventh in total defense (fourth against the run and 21st against the pass).

Key injuries

The Cowboys will be without receiver Terry Glenn (knee), who has been out all season. Receiver Patrick Crayton (ankle) is expected to return this week. Receiver Anthony Henry (ankle) also is expected to play. They were the only players listed on Tuesday's injury report.

Player to watch: Terrell Owens

Position: Receiver.

Number: 81.

Height: 6-foot-3.

Weight: 218 pounds.

Age: 33.

College: Tennessee-Chattanooga.

NFL experience: 12th season (second with Cowboys).

What to watch for: He'll turn 34 on Dec. 7 but hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. He still has adequate speed and runs good routes. He's strong and tough and hasn't shown any of the bad attitude that has dogged him in the past. He has quickly developed a bond with quarterback Tony Romo, who became the starter last season. Owens is second in the NFL in receiving yards (1,093) and touchdowns (13) behind New England's Randy Moss. Owens has been especially productive of late with 30 catches for 537 yards and eight touchdowns in his last four games. His 85-catch, 1,180-yard, 13-touchdown season in 2006 was his best since 2004, when he had 77 catches, 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Last time against the Packers: In 2004 with the Eagles, Owens had eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown in a 47-17 Philadelphia win. This will be his first game against the Packers as a member of the Cowboys.