Early lead holds up as Green Bays defense shines

Mike Spofford

GREEN BAY The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 23-13, on Sunday Night Football at Lambeau Field.

Here are five takeaways from the triumph:

1. That's three wins in a row after a rocky 1-2 start.

The Packers are still looking up at the undefeated Vikings atop the NFC North, but at 4-2 they're right in the thick of things, tied with the Bears for second place.

"Man, it feels good," said QBJordan Loveof getting to 4-2. "Definitely feels good to get rolling with some wins but we've just got to keep building upon it, keep stacking."

The hope was that losing the home opener three weeks ago on a Thursday night by three touchdowns would be the season's low point, and the Packers have indeed bounced back.

"We've had some ups and downs obviously, but most teams do in the National Football League," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "It's truly how you respond to the adversity, and if you can face it head on that's the mark of a good team."

2. The defense attacked from start to finish.

Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon dialed up all sorts of blitzes and pressure calls, particularly on third downs, flustering one of the highest-powered offenses in the league.

"That's what we talked about, and that's what we practiced," LaFleur said of staying aggressive defensively throughout.

Dak Prescott & Co. were held to just seven points through the first 59-plus minutes of the game, went 5-of-13 on third down, and threw two interceptions to SEvan Williamsand rookie CBBrandon Cisse, the first of his career.

Prescott managed to take only one sack despite throwing 54 passes and being pressured constantly, but he couldn't gash the Packers down the field. Only one of his 34 completions went for longer than 17 yards, and the Packers stopped a pair of fourth downs in scoring territory as well.

Dallas WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens combined for 15 catches worth 143 yards, but they were targeted a combined 29 times.

"It's hard to throw when you've got stuff in your face, and I thought the coverage was outstanding," LaFleur said. "Our guys challenged them. For the entire game our defense really balled out."

It marked the third straight game the Packers held their opponent to 14 points or less, and this was the most impressive considering the opponent.

3. The offense turned around its third-down woes.

Converting a league-low 27.6% on third downs on offense coming into the game, the Packers succeeded on their first seven straight a team high to start a game going back to at least 1978 and went 9-of-10 in the first half to build a 17-0 cushion.

"I'll look at the tape and see where everything went with the execution, but I think guys just made plays," Love said. "I think we had a good plan coming into it. Third downs, it just comes down to being able to hold up in protection and guys make contested catches."

A few dropped passes a couple that would've gone for touchdowns dampened the evening as Love threw for 276 yards, with one TD to WRMatthew Goldenand one INT. Golden led the way with six catches for 104 yards but could've had a monster night if he'd finished a couple grabs in his hands.

"Would he like to have a couple plays back? For sure," Love said. "But there was a time he came back to me and said, 'Just keep trusting me, just keep coming to me.' That's what you love. You love to see that confidence, that resiliency."

4. The QB hits and penalty problems unfortunately returned.

Love was sacked three times and hit eight times as he stood tall and delivered under duress in some key moments.

"He took a lot of shots," LaFleur said. "He was tough and he keeps battling."

Also, the Packers had cleaned up their game in recent weeks after a rash of early-season penalties, but they were flagged 11 times for 96 yards. In fairness, the Cowboys also had 11 flags for 108 as referee Craig Wrolstad's crew wasn't shy.

Five of Green Bay's penalties were personal fouls two for taunting and three for roughing the passer. As with earlier this season, some of the flags appeared to be questionable at best, but regardless, the emphasis isn't going away.

"These are things we talk aboutconsistently," LaFleur said, emphasizing that last word. "Whether we feel it was justified or not, it doesn't matter. You've got to control your emotions to the best of your ability."

5. Only one injury was reported.

Cisse left the game in the second half with a shoulder stinger and was replaced by CBCarrington Valentine. But that was the only injury announced in the press box.

Both RBMarShawn Lloydand TETucker Kraftleft the game briefly with injuries but returned.