NFL
By: Greg Rector
The Green Bay Packers are the youngest team in the NFL. They aren’t the Green Bay Packers of Aaron Rodgers any longer. The Dallas Cowboys of the 2023 NFL season aren’t the same either. Let’s look at this wild card game. I get the whole Mike McCarthy era talk out there but it’s meaningless chatter.
Dallas Cowboys Defense
Putting the Dallas Cowboys’ defense at home has been tremendous and they had best be the same way come Sunday afternoon. Jordan Love has played great down the stretch for the Green Bay Packers but has yet to face a defense like the Dallas Cowboys.
The defense showed up on the road against the Washington Commanders, which was not a big surprise considering the Commander’s record. Micah Parsons set a new career high for sacks and Donovan Wilson and Daron Bland (league-leading 9th) both had interceptions against Sam Howell. As has been the case all season long and for the last 15 straight games played at AT&T Stadium this Dallas Cowboys defense must attack the young Green Bay Packers quarterback and offensive line.
The secondary must also be very aware of the Packers receivers as Jayden Reed Romeo Doubs and tight end Tucker Kraft have all played very well down the stretch for the Packers. Stephon Gilmore (shoulder) has to be out there we hope in Cowboys Nation.
I fully expect the Dallas Cowboys defense to shut down Aaron Jones and the running game as they should be out in front of the Green Bay Packers either from a defensive TD or the offense gets the Dallas Cowboys an early lead.
Pay attention to the run gaps which have not been a key far enough in my opinion and force Jordan Love to throw the football for the Packers to keep up with the scoring. If that happens then I fully expect to see the Dallas Cowboys beat this young Packers team.
Dallas Cowboys Offense
Hi Joe Barry. You’ve been under the gun for the play of the Green Bay Packers defense. Say hello to Dak Prescott who led the NFL in touchdown passes with 36 of them and CeeDee Lamb who has been the best wide receiver in the game since week six. Lamb finished just 50 yards behind Tyreek Hill in receiving yardage and has scored at least one TD in nine straight games.
I did enjoy seeing Rico Dowdle play much more against the Commanders and he should be the lead back while Tony Pollard goes back to where he succeeded as the second option. This will matter much more after the first wild-card game.
With Dak Prescott playing as well as he has this season, especially at home the Green Bay Packers defense is about to be tested unlike against any other opponent. When Ceedee Lamb isn’t the number one option for Dak because of coverage there’s been Jake “The Enforcer” Ferguson and the former Wisconsin tight end has been remarkable and will be huge in the wild-card game. Brandin Cooks has been so good when needed and despite not getting much out of Micahel Gallup Jalen Tolbert has stood up and been counted as the number three receiver.
Dak Prescott should have both Zach Martin and Tyler Smith back so the two guards will be key in both the running game and the pass protection which has been great for the Dallas Cowboys. The offensive line wasn’t tested against Washington but having both veteran guards back is going to be a very good thing.
My Prediction
This game is going to be a test for Jordan Love and the young Green Bay Packers who I believe are about to get their butts kicked. No Aaron Rodgers playing QB for Green Bay anymore and while I insisted that Jordan Love would succeed as the next quarterback for the Packers his time in the NFL Playoffs is going to be a short and not-so-sweet experience. This Dallas Cowboys roster is too deep and ready to roll. I have the Dallas Cowboys beating the Green Bay Packers 34 to 13.
