Cowboys vs. Packers Playoff Preview: Dak Prescott's Blazing Pace, Final Injury Report
FRISCO - The NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys welcome the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers for a Wild Card matchup at AT&T Stadium, where Dallas is a perfect 8-0 this season. ... and they do so with a very clean bill of health.
The Sunday afternoon battle is highlighted by the two quarterbacks that lead the league in passing touchdowns: Dak Prescott (36) and Jordan Love (32.) It's the first-time ever the passing touchdown leaders have met in the first round of the playoffs.
Prescott has had an MVP-caliber season, throwing for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions en route to yet another 12-5 record.
He's also made NFL history; completing more than 80 percent of his passes in four games in 2023, becoming the first QB to ever do so.
Dallas also set a franchise record for most points scored at home in a season, finishing with 299 total points at home in 2023.
The Cowboys defense looks to get after quarterback Jordan Love in his first postseason as a starter. Love lead the team to three-straight victories to get a playoff berth and is fresh off an impressive 316 yards, two touchdown performance in which he completed 84.4 percent of his passes.
Dallas also faces the tough task of slowing running back Aaron Jones, who has been roaring lately. Jones finished the regular season with three-straight 100-plus yard rushing games.
Dan Quinn's unit found its groove in Dallas' regular season finale victory, allowing only 180 total yards to the Washington Commanders. Micah Parsons grabbed his career-best 14th sack and DaRon Bland got his ninth interception.
Watch for cornerback Stephon Gilmore who historically gets hot in the playoffs. In seven career postseason games, Gilmore has two interceptions and 11 career pass breakups. Gilmore is on the Dallas injury list but is among the many expected to play.
Coach Mike McCarthy will face his former team in the Packers, who he coached for 13 seasons. However, Aaron Jones, Kenny Clark and Jaire Alexander are the only Green Bay players suiting up Sunday who played for McCarthy.
Dallas hasn't made it to the Conference Championship in nearly 30 years. If the Cowboys beat the Packers, they will play at home again in the divisional round next weekend.
Dak and Cooks
FUN FACT: CeeDee Lamb finished the 2023 regular season leading all wide receivers in targets (181), receptions (135), yards after catch (680), scrimmage yards (1,862), overall touchdowns (14), 20-plus yard receptions (29) and ranked second in receiving yards (1,749).
RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (12-5) vs. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
ODDS: Dallas is a 7.5-point favorite vs. the Packers
GAME TIME: Sunday, January 14th, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. CT
LOCATION: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas
TV/RADIO: FOX, 105.3 The FAN
THE FINAL WORD
"I'm pretty sure there's going to be a lot of emotions with Coach McCarthy and rightfully so," Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse said. "He's been there, he's won, won a Super Bowl up there and had some great years.
"So to play them in this Wild Card game, I know it's going to be huge for him."
