Up Next for Dallas...The Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field

Well, maybe this time of year Lambeau isn't so frozen but you really can't call it anything else but the "Frozen Tundra". No, rest for the weary. Dallas only got to relish that classic Monday night victory over the Eagles for 1 day because they had to start preparing for their next big test...Green Bay.

Lambeau Field hasn't been all that kind to the Cowboys in the past. This will be their 6th trip up to Green Bay and their record of the previous five meetings...0-5. However, this team is probably the best team they have ever taken up to Green Bay. Here is a brief rundown of the previous 5 times Dallas has played at Lambeau:

1960 - This was the expansion year for the Cowboys in which they went 0-11 on the season.

1967 - This was the famed "Ice Bowl" where the temperature was -15 degrees and the wind chill was -40. That day, the "Frozen Tundra" was just that...frozen. Not many teams would have fared better than the Cowboys did that day.

1989 - This was Troy Aikman's/Jimmy Johnson's first season in which the Cowboys won all of 1 game that year. The '89 team probably rivaled the '60 team as the worst two in Cowboys history.

1997 - The Cowboys went into this game 6-5. The Packers were the reigning Super Bowl champions and were salivating to get to play Dallas in Green Bay. The game was late in the year, the temperature was very cold after a 10-10 half time score, Green Bay torched Dallas in the second half turning the game into a route. Dallas didn't win another game that season, ending up with a 6-10 record, and Barry Switzer was promptly replaced when it ended.

2004 - Dallas visited Green Bay and was led at QB by Vinny Testaverde who was a couple of years shy of collecting social security. This team also ended the season with a 6-10 record.

So, looking at the 5 teams above, it's pretty evident that the '08 Cowboys team is quite a bit better than any of the previous 5 teams Dallas took up there. A big reason for that is Dallas offense, which has been among the best in the NFL the last season and a half.

The offensive line is the key to the success of the offense, just as it was in the early to mid '90's, for Dallas. They are one of the best in football and have been over the last few seasons which is why the Cowboys have risen back to prominence as of late. The offensive line's play give the rest of the offense so many options and way to gash the opposition's defense because, more often than not, Romo doesn't have to worry about blitzing linebackers or getting sacked. The offense is so good that a first round, super talented RB like Felix Jones is the 4th or even 5th option on that offense. For the opposing defense, it really is "pick your poison" because if they double cover TO Owens or Witten or work to primarily stop Marion Barber, they they will leave themselves open for another offensive option. It truly does remind me of the early to mid '90's Cowboys teams.

The defense played well the first game (vs. Cleveland) but played just ok last week vs. Filthy. They gave up 30 pts (7 of the Eagles 37 pts came on a Romo fumble recovery in the end zone, so I don't count that against the defense) and didn't really get consistent pressure on McNabb. They did play well enough to win and looked like their philosophy, at times, was "bend but don't break". However, they did give up that bomb to DeSean Jackson so I'm sure the Packers will look to do the same thing. However, Roy Williams is out with a fractured arm so that actually be a blessing in disguise due to his inability to cover, well, anything that has two legs.

I think tomorrow night's game will be similar to last week's game vs. the Eagles. I believe both offenses will have some success against the opposing defense but I think Dallas' offense will be able to score one more time than Green Bay's will. Aaron Rogers is playing well but he is still learning the game and I think the big stage on Sunday night against Dallas will play into that. I also think that special teams will play a big role in this game with either a punt, a punt return by Pac Man Jones or a kick return by Felix contributing to the outcome.

As good as Dallas is, they aren't going to go 16-0. I don't even think, had Brady not gotten hurt, the Patriots would have done that again either. The NFL season is just too long for a team to stay on top like that week after week. So, Dallas is going to lose somewhere and this game has that potential. Green Bay is a good team, they are at home and probably have a bit of revenge on their minds from what Dallas did to them last year.

So, will I be surprised if Green Bay wins? No. But do I think it will happen? No.

My prediction: Dallas 31, Green Bay 24.