GREEN BAY, Wis. -- From a miserable tailspin one week to solid playoff contenders the next, that's been the tale for the Green Bay Packers the past couple of weeks.

"We know that November and December games -- those are the ones that get you to the playoffs," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "Teams that often go deepest in the playoffs are the ones that get on a run here."

But, the Packers know one big win against Dallas won't mean much if they take a step backward in either of the two winnable games they'll play in an upcoming five-day stretch, home against San Francisco on Sunday and at Detroit on Thanksgiving.

"Hopefully, (the Dallas) game will give us some momentum going into next week -- another home game -- you have to protect your home field advantage," Rodgers said. "Hopefully we can come out next week with the same energy -- the same enthusiasm and urgency and get another big win."

The Packers are tied with Philadelphia, Atlanta and the New York Giants at 5-4. The four teams are competing for the final two spot wildcard spots.

If the Packers hope to continue to make a run at the playoffs, the team will need to continue to play the kind of defense they played against the Cowboys.

"We really put it upon ourselves after a lackluster performance (against Tampa Bay), that we needed to get after it individually. A lot of people will say it's scheme or we should be doing this or that, but when it comes down to it, our defense has lost every game," said rookie linebacker Clay Matthews. "When they've scored, it's been our fault, in one-on-one matchups and whatnot. We have to take advantage of that and I thought we did that."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, tight end Jermichael Finley and inside linebacker Brandon Chillar are expected to return from injuries.

Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins and wide receiver Greg Jennings have nagging injuries that could cost them practice time. Fullback John Kuhn broke his hand and his availability is unclear.