'SNF' takeaways: Packers defense becoming a problem after dominant win over Cowboys

Before halftime, rookie Brandon Cisse picked up his first interception as the Cowboys were driving once again, helping Green Bay preserve a 10-0 lead.

It was not that long ago that Green Bay was 1-2 and in deep trouble after struggling mightily in a 35-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons back in September. Although they faced a rookie backup QB in Jalon Daniels and backup Tyson Bagent, the Packers allowed a combined 21 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears, respectively, the last two weeks.

Throw in Sunday night's defensive onslaught against the Cowboys, and it was more of the same for the Packers. They still need a better run game, which could potentially receive some help if Josh Jacobs is able to return, but the defense continues to make a strong statement.

Game MVP: Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers

The defense deserves a lot of attention, and rightfully so, but let's give some credit to the second-year wideout Golden. He led all Packers with six catches for 104 yards and a TD.

He set the tone from the opening drive with a 37-yard grab before hauling in the game's first score a few plays later.

Love did his part to account for the lack of a run game by going 23-of-41 for 276 yards with one TD and one interception, plus another score on the ground, but Golden was a big part of that success.

He may have only had six receptions on 13 targets, but a lot of that was due to some drops. It was clear that Golden was going to have his way with this defense early on, and he continued to make the Cowboys pay all night long.

Play of the Game: Green Bay's fourth-down stop late in the fourth quarter

Although the Cowboys would tack on a late TD in the final seconds before the Packers sealed the deal by stopping the two-point conversion attempt, the play of the game occurred on the previous Cowboys possession.

By virtue of multiple penalties handed down to Green Bay, Dallas had a chance to get back within a score with five minutes remaining, only for Prescott to throw the ball out of the back of the end zone and the Cowboys to turn it over on downs.

If the Cowboys could have taken advantage of those penalties and made this a one-score game at that point, it is fair to wonder if they could have made one last run. Instead, the Packers would not break despite the penalties and continued to make life difficult for QB Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense.

Quote of the night: "The defense is, they're balling right now. Big shout out to them. ... They're playing at a high level right now." 

When speaking to NBC Sports sideline reporter Melissa Stark after the game, Love had nothing but good things to say about his defense.

Between the key plays defensively and Love's heroics offensively with no run game to back him up, the Packers put together a solid all-around performance. The defense, though, definitely deserves its flowers after another statement.