Nick

Packers-Cowboy Notes: Cowboys: Played from behind the entire game. Dak threw the ball 54 times. Never a good sign for an offense. Cowboys were meh on 3rd down (5/13). Cowboys DL did a good job of stopping the run.

Packers: Both Golden and Watson dropped touchdowns. Drops were a major issue for the Packers offense. Packers defense had incredible endurance. In the second half, they were on the field for long stretches of time and did not give up more than a touchdown.

Packers-Cowboys Analysis: Cowboys: Cowboys need a bit more heft at DT to stop the Packers heavy interior OL (see JLove QB sneak on goalline). Cowboys pass defense is horrific, allowing 185 passing yards. Cowboys attempt to use heavy personnel to establish run and TE pass game. Limited success.

Packers: Evan Williams is the Packers DPOY. He's everywhere, making plays, including a needed pick in the Red Zone. Packers offense is very effective, getting 5.8 yards/play. I've never heard of Coleman Owen, the punter returner before but he was decent, with a 16 yard return.

Packers half-game notes: Bears: * Bears run defense has been solid, only allowing 44 rush yards. * Bears pass rush has been good in spite of Montez Sweat. 4 QB hits including 2 sacks in pivotal moments. * Bears have been unlucky in 1st half and had some dumb mistakes. Otherwise, they're decent.

Packers: * They are calling too many screens that have been very ineffective. That's killing their drives. * Packers are trying to win the time of possession battle, but they're losing momentum as the Bears are getting settled down.

My NFL power rankings after week 4 1. 49ers 2. Chiefs 3. Jags 4. Seahawks 5. Vikings 6. Bears 7. Raiders 8. Ravens 9. Bills 10. Panthers 11. Bengals 12. Giants 13. Cowboys 14. Rams 15. Colts 16. Lions 17. Browns 18. Steelers 19. Patriots 20. Falcons 21. Eagles 22. Broncos 23. Packers 24. Jets ...

NFC North standings 1. Vikings (4-0) 2. Bears (3-1) 3. Lions (2-2) 4. Packers (2-2) Lions are ahead (according to tie-breaker rules) due to strength of schedule. Packers play Bears next week. Packers need to win that game. Vikings play Saints (toss-up). Lions play Cardinals (toss-up).

Halftime Takeaways: Broncos: * In spite of the 49ers low score, Broncos defense hasn't played that well. * They're not getting pass deflections or stopping the run. They were lucky that Shanahan called a dumb QB sneak on 4th and 2.

* Purdy has been very systematic and awesome as a commander of the offense. Shanahan should allow Purdy to uncork the offense in the 2nd half.

Halftime Takeaways: Broncos: * In spite of the 49ers low score, Broncos defense hasn't played that well. * They're not getting pass deflections or stopping the run. They were lucky that Shanahan called a dumb QB sneak on 4th and 2.

Game notes: Packers: * Packers defense played extremely well, only allowing 275 total yards. * Packers run d still has work to do. Against better offenses who can keep it close or take the lead, the Packers run D will have a hard time stopping runs up the gut.

* Bucs don't have a bad roster. They're underperforming relative to their talent across their roster. Bowles will be fired. Not a matter of if, but when. Bucs have some soul-searching to do as a franchise. Packers win in underwhelming fashion. Key players were injured including Edge and Cisse.

Game notes: Packers: * Packers defense played extremely well, only allowing 275 total yards. * Packers run d still has work to do. Against better offenses who can keep it close or take the lead, the Packers run D will have a hard time stopping runs up the gut.

Halftime Impressions: Packers: * Tucker Kraft has been the motor of the Packers offense. 1 4th down conversion, 3 catches for 30 yards. * Packers pass blocking has been really good. 0 sack and only 1 QB hit.

* In spite of this, Packers 1st down success is very low. Not converting on 3rd downs has been a problem for them. 0/6. Bucs: * Bucs D has done a good job not allowing easy underneath completions. * Daniels needs to do a better job protecting the football. He's thrown 2 picks.

So if Matt LaFleur gets fired after this season, he could go be an OC for the Titans and develop Cam Ward like he developed Love and Willis. I'm not sure Brian Daboll is really helping Cam Ward.

His playcalling isn't helping him at all. Why is Ward throwing 36 times in a game and there are only 21 runs (3.9 yards/attempt) in a very low-scoring game? Clearly, Ward is struggling to get his groove. Let the run game help him out.