The Packers head south to Dallas looking to end their losing ways in Irving as these clubs square off for the first time since 1997 and the 10th time (including playoffs) in the 1990s.

Including playoffs, while the Cowboys own a 13-11 overall edge in the series standings (including a 4-2 advantage in 6 postseason encounters), the Packers rolled to a 45-17 victory at Lambeau Field in 1997 in the most recent battle between the teams.

Including playoffs, the Packers have dropped seven straight at Texas Stadium dating back to 1993 (outscored a combined 233-128 in those contests and losing all 7 games by 10 or more points), their last visit to Irving resulting in a 21-6 setback on a Monday night in 1996.

Numbers: In eight career games vs. the Cowboys (including playoffs), Packers QB Brett Favre is 1-7, completing 179-of-309 passes (57.9 percent) for 1,972 yards, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions and been sacked 16 times, plus rushed 14 times for 70 yards and two scores. Since 1995 (82 games, including playoffs), Favre is 59-23, throwing for 145 touchdowns and just 46 interceptions in his 59 wins compared to 30 scores and 40 interceptions in 23 losses. Favre has thrown for 20,828 yards in those 82 games. The Packers have scored 108 points in four wins, 45 points in four losses in '99. They have forced 13 turnovers in four wins, but have totaled just nine takeaways in four losses in '99. The Packers have committed seven turnovers in four wins, 14 turnovers in four losses in '99, and have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games.

Including playoffs, in 14 games vs. NFC East rivals dating back to '98, the Cowboys are 11-3, totaling 362 points and 38 offensive touchdowns in those 14 contests. In 11 games vs. the rest of the NFL dating back to '98, Cowboys are 3-8, totaling 225 points (20.5 PPG) and 23 offensive touchdowns. Including playoffs, Cowboys CB Deion Sanders has scored 22 touchdowns in six different ways (8 interceptions, 6 punt returns, 3 kickoff returns, 3 receptions, 1 rushing and 1 fumble recovery) in 11 NFL seasons (1989-99). Including playoffs, the Cowboys have allowed 25 TD passes in their last 16 games dating back to '98, this after giving up just nine touchdown passes in their first nine contests in '98. They have outscored the opposition a combined 57-6 in the first quarter in eight games in '99.

Things to look for: Who would have thought that the Packers and Cowboys would be fighting to avoid a sub-.500 mark at this stage of the season. But reality has set in as Green Bay has struggled with a less-than-100 percent Brett Favre while Dallas has fallen hard following a promising 3-0 start. Chan Gailey has some major work to do and it won't be easy, especially without RB Emmitt Smith.

Etc.: Since 1992 (including playoffs), the Packers are 12-27 on artificial turf (7 of those losses at Dallas, 6 of those losses at Minnesota, 6 of those losses at Detroit). However, three of those victories came at New Orleans, including Super Bowl XXXI. Including playoffs, Dallas is just 14-16 in their last 30 games after opening 6-5 in 1997.