Streak Hangs Over Pack

By T.J. SIMERS

Nov. 21, 1997 12 AM PT

Both teams are desperate to keep pace in their division races. The Packers, losers of eight straight to the Cowboys, go to Minneapolis next week for an NFC showdown with the Vikings, and then get on a plane for another must game with Tampa Bay.

The Cowboys, on the verge of extinction for several weeks now, have nonetheless put themselves in the position of still having a chance to win the NFC East. Each game is important, though, because they lack tiebreaking advantages.

Green Bay’s offense, which has been as erratic as the Dallas’, undoubtedly will have trouble attacking the Cowboys’ corners, putting a greater emphasis on running back Dorsey Levens.

This is the game all of Wisconsin has been waiting for because the Packers have had to play in Texas the last seven times, losing their frozen tundra advantage.

The line: Green Bay by 6 1/2

5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1) Does Brett Favre lose his poise against Dallas? Favre, like the Packers, has struggled recently and now has upset some local fans.

Favre signed about 550 copies of his book this week at a Milwaukee book store, then left after an hour and 12 minutes, leaving a lot of people waiting in line.

At the same time, Coach Mike Holmgren discontinued Favre’s weekly news conference.

“I think it’s about time I did that,” Holmgren said. “As well-meaning as he is, he might say something that I don’t want him to say.”

2) Playing time for Reggie White. White, 35, sat out 13 plays last week because of a sore back, which he hurt before training camp. White had an MRI, which was compared to one taken earlier this year, and there was no change.

3) Emotions to run high in Green Bay. There was a lot of finger pointing last year after the Cowboys had Chris Boniol kick an NFL record-tying seventh field goal in the closing seconds of Dallas’ 21-6 win.

Said Dallas Coach Barry Switzer: “If Troy Aikman . . . needed a touchdown to tie an NFL record, nothing would have been said. But an insignificant player was significant that night. I gave him a chance to do something that means a lot to him and his family.”

4) The game-time temperature in Chicago. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 0-16 in games in which the temperature is 42 degrees or lower. The forecast calls for temperatures hovering around 42 degrees.

5) Dennis Green’s quote this week to appear on the 49ers’ bulletin board before the game Dec. 7 between Minnesota and San Francisco:

“We are not a team like the San Francisco 49ers that’s been all hiccups and giggles,” the Minnesota coach said. “They’ve had no pressure applied on them. . . . That’s not been the case with us.”

ON TV

* Miami (7-4) at New England (6-5), 10 a.m., Channel 4: The Patriots’ last stand? New England has taken a nose dive and quarterback Drew Bledsoe has been hammered by critics for his poor play. The Dolphins continue to squeeze out victories, more often than not by relying on their defense.

The line: New England by 5 1/2

* San Diego (4-7) at San Francisco (10-1), 1 p.m., Channel 4: A replay of the Super Bowl a few years ago, although most people will immediately say, “The Chargers were in the Super Bowl?” They haven’t done anything since but tear apart that team and probably will get trounced again by the 49ers.

The line: San Francisco by 14 1/2

* New York Giants (7-4) at Washington (6-5), ESPN, 5 p.m.: The first of several huge games for the Giants, who will be asked to prove over and over again they are not flukes. The Redskins lost their own huge game against the Cowboys last week, so there will be questions about them rebounding.

The line: Washington by 5 1/2

SUNDAY’S OTHER GAMES

* Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

The line: Pittsburgh by 3

* Buffalo at Tennessee, 10 a.m.

The line: Tennessee by 3 1/2

* Indianapolis at Detroit, 10 a.m.

The line: Detroit by 8 1/2

* Minnesota at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.

The line: Jets by 1 1/2

* Arizona at Baltimore, 10 a.m.

The line: Baltimore by 4