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Rodgers, Packers host Cowboys in rematch

Sep 16, 2008 - 4:46 PM Dallas (2-0) at Green Bay (2-0), 8:15pm, EDT

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- It was during last season's game against the Dallas Cowboys when Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson may have decided that Aaron Rodgers could be the team's quarterback of the future.

Rodgers and the Packers host the Cowboys on Sunday in a rematch of last season's most anticipated regular-season contest.

Green Bay suffered a 37-27 Week 13 loss at Dallas last season - just its second defeat in a 13-3 campaign - but Rodgers played well in relief after Brett Favre suffered a separated left shoulder. He completed 18-of-26 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown in the first significant action of his career.

The Packers named Rodgers their starting quarterback after Favre announced his retirement on March 4. When Favre "un-retired," the team stuck to its guns, eventually trading him to the New York Jets.

Sunday's game is a battle of 2-0 teams coming off impressive offensive displays. The Cowboys outslugged the Philadelphia Eagles, 41-37, and the Packers drubbed the Detroit Lions, 48-25.

The Packers have hardly missed a beat since turning over the reins to Rodgers, who completed 24-of-38 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns against the Lions.

"He's making good decisions and he's being accurate with the football," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "He hasn't taken many chances, and that's all part of good quarterback play."

Rodgers has yet to throw an interception in two games and his quarterback rating of 117.8 ranks fifth in the NFL.

"We have a swagger about us," said Rodgers, who is in his fourth season. "We're confident in our abilities, we believe in each other."

The Cowboys bring their swagger to Lambeau Field after rallying for a thrilling victory over the Eagles on Monday night. Dallas got the winning score on Marion Barber's 1-yard TD run with 4:31 remaining, the game's seventh lead change.

Tony Romo passed for 312 yards - his 12th 300-yard game in just 50 starts - leaving him one shy of Troy Aikman's franchise record.

Terrell Owens had two touchdown receptions for the Cowboys to pass Chris Carter for second on the all-time list with 132.

The Packers never have lost to the Cowboys at Lambeau Field, although the long-time rivals have played in Green Bay only five times. In the last meeting in Green Bay, the Packers posted a 41-20 victory in 2004.