Here's the tale of the tape from the Packers' 17-7 win over Dallas on Sunday:

On the line, part I

For all the credit given to the Packers' linebackers and defensive backs, and the game balls given to CB Charles Woodson and ILB Nick Barnett, the impact of the line on the defense's production shouldn't be underestimated.

This is what Dom Capers' defense is all about up front -- eating up blockers, opening holes for the other guys and then making that handful of big plays when they're presented.

LE Johnny Jolly (49 snaps) tipped two passes, ripped the ball out of RB Felix Jones' hands when Jones seemed to have a fumble secured, destroyed backup RT Doug Free to drop RB Marion Barber for a 1-yard loss and delivered a huge hit on Cowboys QB Tony Romo.

RE Cullen Jenkins (44 snaps) twice caught a running back from behind, once sniffing a screen to stop RB Tashard Choice just short of a first down, and he seems to be benefitting from giving some snaps to rookie B.J. Raji (26 snaps), who visibly is playing with more confidence as his role expands.

NT Ryan Pickett (12 snaps) barely played because the Packers ditched their base defense and went with stronger subpackage rushers once Dallas abandoned the run in the second half. The four combined for only one QB hit, but they cleared more than enough space for the blitzers who recorded a season-high five sacks.

Both of Barnett's sacks came on nickel crossdogs -- inside blitzes that won't work if the defensive tackles can't work the guards' outside shoulders to isolate the center and running back. In turn, Barnett later commanded two blockers on the overload slot blitz that turned loose Woodson for his key strip-sack. Raji made three blockers work frontside as FS Nick Collins came backside to halt Dallas' opening drive, and ROLB Clay Matthews was singled up with LT Flozell Adams on his sack because Jenkins was doubled next to him.

It all fits together, and the big men did their part.

On the line, part II

With yet another new lineup and a rookie right tackle, the offensive line might have turned in its best game.

Dallas NT Jay Ratliff was a focal point in the Packers' scheming, and often-uncovered RG Josh Sitton played a huge role in rendering him almost invisible (two tackles, no QB hits). They ran a lot at the three-technique, allowing C Scott Wells to serve as the setup man on combo blocks -- which were better than they've been in some time -- and Sitton to finish the job by grinding all 317 pounds on the smaller Ratliff (6-4, 303).

Sitton also was rock solid in protection, allowing no pressures and continuing the progress he's shown after a somewhat rocky start. RT T.J. Lang was surprisingly steady as well, considering he had only three practices at his latest new position.

The Cowboys often shifted top rusher WLB DeMarcus Ware to Lang's side in subpackages and the rookie gave up pressure only twice, plus a hit to SLB Anthony Spencer when he got shoved back on the Packers' third series -- the same drive on which Lang had a false start. After that, Lang made an adjustment to his stance and settled in.

Dallas did finish with four sacks, but only one can be laid on the line -- a second-quarter takedown when Ratliff got an inside push against Wells, forcing QB Aaron Rodgers to step up and run into Ware, who had shed TE Spencer Havner at the edge.

An up-tempo week of work against a relentless scout team certainly seemed to pay off for the line. A short passing game and increased protection -- the Packers chipped extensively and protected with five straight up on only 11 of 39 dropbacks (28.2 percent) -- didn't hurt either. But Lang gave coaches plenty to think about whenever more experienced but less athletic veteran Mark Tauscher (knee) is ready to return.

Playmakers

* Third-down RB Brandon Jackson (19 snaps) continues to make the most of his limited opportunities. He broke one of his three catches for a 14-yard gain on a screen. He also once again was flawless in protection, highlighted by a ridiculous pancake chip on Spencer in the second quarter and an A-gap pickup to facilitate TE Donald Lee's key third-down catch on the Packers' long TD drive.

* Rookie LOLB Brad Jones played well for a first-time starter, though he did allow two late completions in coverage. His best play came when he shed Pro Bowl TE Jason Witten for one of his seven solo tackles. Capers didn't do much differently with Jones than veteran Aaron Kampman (concussion), and Kampman will get the nod this week because of his superior pass-rushing ability. Jones rushed 28 times and got near the quarterback only twice, one of them a false pressure on a screen.

* With Dallas all but abandoning the run, Capers sent five or more rushers on 18 of 47 snaps (38.3 percent) and a blitz pattern with one of seven inside linebackers or defensive backs on 28 snaps (59.6 percent). Perhaps the most surprisingly effective blitzer was dime CB Jarrett Bush, who came five times and had two pressures, one of them off a nifty spin against Choice.

* Want more evidence the offensive line held its own up front? Look at Rodgers' 1-yard TD plunge, on which Sitton and Wells wiped Ratliff and Colledge got through to MOLB Keith Brooking. The only that wasn't textbook was Rodgers' rolling, nose-up path across the goal line.

Playbreakers

* Rodgers' decision-making was solid as usual on at least three run-pass option throws, plus three pass plays that appeared to be designed to mirror zone-run action. He did get burned twice, though, fumbling his way into an intentional grounding penalty on the opening drive and taking a sack on the long TD drive when Ware played pass all the way and covered the lane to Driver.

* The Jackson screen was the only one that worked, but the Packers ran plenty of them -- and missed some shots for big plays. RB Ryan Grant got only 2 yards early because LG Daryn Colledge was too deep, then had a 14-yarder nullified because of a correct holding call on WR Jordy Nelson. RB Ahman Green had all sorts of room up the sideline in the third quarter, but LT Chad Clifton missed Brooking, who dropped Green for a 4-yard loss. Another screen to Jackson lost 2 when MILB Bradie James sniffed it out. Several others were called but Rodgers threw elsewhere.

Dot ... dot ... dot ...

With WR Greg Jennings limited to 42 snaps by a bruised knee, James Jones (57) played a ton opposite Driver (66) but only managed three catches for 17 yards. Jordy Nelson played 25 in his first game back from a knee injury and joined Jennings and Driver with four receptions each. ... Barber gained 13 yards on his first carry, a counter on which Barnett and Matthews both were engulfed, and had four carries for 27 yards in the first quarter. That was it, though. With RT Marc Colombo (broken leg) out, the Cowboys gave the ball to Barber only one more time -- the one Jolly blew up against Free -- and then in essence went into a 2-minute drill for an entire half. They only called four designed runs, including a QB sneak, after the break. ... Rodgers gets the blame for the strip sack in the second quarter, when he held the ball too long and DE Stephen Bowen eventually got upfield on Wells. The fourth sack is on Lee, who got walked back by ILB Bobby Carpenter early in the third quarter. Lee also was called for holding on the play, one of two such flags he drew. Both penalties were declined.