Going into Week 7, the Green Bay Packers are currently sitting third in the NFC North with a 3-2 record while the Dallas Cowboys are in a first-place tie in the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles at 3-3. While the regular season is far from over, both teams will be without some key assets for the next couple weeks which could have an effect on where they stand a month from now.
After initial reports which suggested Randall Cobb could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, Packers beat writer Tyler Dunne is reporting that Cobb "nearly broke the fibula all the way through" and would need 6-8 weeks to heal. With Jordy Nelson and most likely, James Jones available for next week's game against the Cleveland Browns, you may think that the loss of Cobb isn't a big issue, but think again. Cobb is Aaron Rodgers' favorite receiver, evident from his team-leading 44 targets. With games against division rivals, the Lions, Bears and Vikings twice within that time span, the Packers will need their receivers to step up or it's going to be tough when Green Bay hits the home stretch.
As for the Cowboys, the defense, especially the defensive line, is already greatly depleted and the loss of DeMarcus Ware for three to four weeks with a strained quad is pretty much icing on the cake. With a match-up against the Eagles for sole possession of first place, the 'Boys need all the bodies they can get when they encounter head coach Chip Kelly's rapid-fire offense for the first time this season. It's not going to be easy to supplant an impact player like Ware, but as we've seen before in their 99-point affair with the Denver Broncos, Big D isn't afraid to get into a good 'ol fashioned shootout.
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[via Pro Football Talk]
