With the Cowboys pinned deep in their own territory on their next possession, Woodson burst through the line unblocked to sack Romo and strip the ball, allowing rookie outside linebacker Clay Matthews III to recover the ball at the 3.

Phillips tried to challenge the play, saying a Dallas player had recovered the fumble, but officials ruled that the play was not reviewable. That decision didn’t sit well.

“They said because they ruled it a fumble all the way through, that I couldn’t challenge it even though we recovered the ball and our guy was touched and he knew the guy was down,” Phillips said.

Referee Jeff Triplette told a pool reporter recovery of a loose ball in the field of play is not reviewable by rule.

Facing third-and-goal after the turnover, Rodgers threw to Havner for a touchdown — the fourth score of the season for Havner, a former linebacker who switched positions in training camp.

Romo then drove the Cowboys to the Packers 4, where Roy Williams drew a pass interference penalty on cornerback Tramon Williams in the end zone. But Woodson answered again, picking off Romo’s pass on the next play to keep the Cowboys out of the end zone.

Slideshow   Week 17 action Take a look at shots from the NFL's 17th week of play in 2009. NBCSports.com

The Packers generated plenty of pressure despite playing without outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, who is recovering from a concussion. Even when they did allow a big play, Woodson was there, stripping the ball from Williams after a long completion in the first half.

“He’s definitely one of our prime-time players,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

The Packers switched to a 3-4 alignment under new defensive coordinator Dom Capers in the offseason. So far, the new-look defense has dominated some weaker opponents but wilted against Cincinnati and in two games against Minnesota.

McCarthy comes from an offensive background, but said he prefers to win with defense.

“I love this kind of football,” McCarthy said. “Maybe I was a defensive coach wannabe.”

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 3 games JETS 31, DOLPHINS 23: Edwards returns to makes key TD catch  |    Highlights COWBOYS 27, TEXANS 13: Dallas avoids rare 0-3 start  |    Romo excited FALCONS 27, SAINTS 24, OT: Champs miss short FG in OT  |    Saints explain loss TITANS 29, GIANTS 10: Johnson scores 2 TDs  |    Coughlin takes blame EAGLES 28, JAGUARS 3: Vick makes Reid's decision look great  |    QB thrilled COLTS 27, BRONCOS 13: Manning throws 3 TD passes VIKINGS 24, LIONS 10: Peterson's career-long 80-yard TD keys win PATRIOTS 38, BILLS 30: 14th straight win in series for New England SEAHAWKS 27, CHARGERS 20: Washington has two kickoff returns for TDs CHIEFS 31, 49ERS 10: K.C. 3-0 for first time since '03  |    Chiefs confident STEELERS 38, BUCCANEERS 13: Batch shines in first start in 3 years RAMS 30, REDSKINS 16: Only second win in last 29 games for St. Louis RAVENS 24, BROWNS 17: Flacco fires 3 TD passes BENGALS 20, PANTHERS 7: Clausen struggles in first NFL start CARDINALS 24, RAIDERS 23: Janikowski misses 32-yard FG on final play