In their first eight games this season, the Packers beat up on the Bears, Lions, Browns and Rams while losing to Minnesota (twice), Cincinnati and Tampa Bay.

Aside from the Buccaneers, who were 0-7 when they beat Green Bay last week, the Packers have struggled against good teams and have beaten up on the NFL's derelicts this season.

So, you have to consider Sunday's 17-7 victory over NFC East leader Dallas (6-3) at Lambeau Field to be something faintly resembling a reason for optimism.

As has been the case this season, it wasn't pretty. Once again, penalties and a lack of protection hindered the offense, especially in the first half.

Fortunately, the Packers defense was in high gear Sunday; especially cornerback Charles Woodson, who played a big role in stifling the Cowboys' offensive attack with an interception and a pair of forced fumbles.

All three of those takeaways played crucial roles in the game's outcome.

With the clock winding down in the first half, Woodson stripped Roy Williams after the Cowboys receiver hauled in a Tony Romo pass at the Dallas 28. Clay Matthews recovered the ball and thwarted the Cowboys' threat.

Late in the fourth quarter, Woodson sacked Romo, who fumbled. Again, Matthews recovered the ball and the Packers punched in their second touchdown two plays later.

The veteran cornerback iced the game on the Cowboys' next possession, picking off Romo at the goal line and ending a 15-play, 72-yard march.

Woodson spent most of his day covering Dallas tight end Jason Witten, who had a pair of catches for 10 yards until nabbing three more for 37 yards during the game's final minutes.

He also led the team with nine tackles and his sack was one of five for the defensive unit Sunday. The defense also held the Cowboys to 3-for-12 on third-down conversions.

Some other thoughts an points to consider from the game:

• Again, the Packers had the yellow flags flying. Green Bay was tagged 12 times for 100 yards -- including three false start calls in the first half.
• Aaron Rodgers had another good game, completing 25 of 36 throws for 189 yards and a touchdown but again was on the run and was sacked four times by the Dallas defense. He's now been sacked 41 times, the most in the NFL.
• At 5-4, the Packers still have a chance to gain a wild card spot in the NFC. They're now tied with New York and Atlanta for the sixth and final playoff spot (Atlanta holds the tiebreaker).
• While the Cowboys' feast-or-famine offense had much to do with it, the Packers defense didn't allow a Dallas first down from 4:40 left in the first quarter until 8:44 in the third.
• Green Bay's late-third quarter drive resulting in a Rodgers included third-down conversions of 14 and 16 yards. The Packers used 8:36 to move 80 yards on 15 plays. The drive marked the Packers' first trip into the red zone of the day.
• Mike McCarthy's challenge of the call that Jordy Nelson was down a yard short of the end zone made sense, considering that television viewers had the opportunity to see several replays before the flag was thrown. Still, you'd have to think the players would have been able to see that he was down. The call was upheld and Rodgers scored on a keeper on the next play.
• Dallas got shorted when the officials gave Green Bay the ball inside the Cowboys' five-yard line after a Romo sack and fumble. Replays showed Felix Jones was down and in possession of the ball, but despite going under the hood, referee Jeff Triplette said the play could not be reviewed. The play gave the Packers a 17-0 lead two plays later when Spencer Havner scored his fourth touchdown of the season and Crosby converted the PAT.
• Mason Crosby missed field goal in the first half -- a 52-yard attempt -- was his fifth of the season. He put the Packers on the board with a 48-yarder to end the first half. He's 15 for 19 this season and has missed his last four attempts from 50 yards or more.
• Pam Oliver said Mike McCarthy told her that he was concerned about his offense's lack of rhythm in the first half and that he was "sick of 2nd and 15" calls. Pretty sure he wasn't alone in his concern.
• You've got to wonder what all those people screaming for Ted Thompson's and Mike McCarthy's heads after losses to Minnesota and Tampa Bay will be saying this week.

Notes
Havner made his first start of the season. His four touchdowns tie him with Donald Driver for the team lead, and he only has seven total receptions this year. ... Woodson's interception in the fourth quarter was the 41st of his career. ... Roy Williams recorded 100 yards for the first time in 25 games. ... Nick Collins recorded his first career sack when he dropped Romo during the game's first drive. ... Offensive lineman Daryn Colledge had to leave the game but did return and finished the contest.