The Dallas Cowboys logged a perfect 8-0 record at home in 2023 and are looking to extend that streak on Sunday when the Green Bay Packers come to town for Wild Card Weekend.
The Cowboys are heavy favorites and are one of just two teams carrying a more-than-a-touchdown advantage on the betting lines.
Dallas’ offense has been dominant all season, particularly in the second half, as quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb have developed superstar chemistry. A brutally opportunistic defense has been complementing the NFL’s number-one scoring offense. ProFootballNetwork ranks Dallas’ defense as the fourth-best in the league.
The Cowboys’ combination of offensive and defensive prowess will be a trying task for the Packers to overcome. The Packers beat the Chicago Bears, arguably one of the league’s worst teams this season, to lock up the final NFC Wild Card spot in Week 17. Green Bay’s strength is its pass defense, which will be put to the task against Dallas’ passing and running attack.
On the ground, the Cowboys are leaning on running back Tony Pollard, who has shown that Dallas was right to put its faith in him this season. Pollard cleared 1,000 yards in 2023 for the second consecutive season, though his averages were down from 2022.
The Packers are one of the worst in the NFL against the run. They gave up 2,181 yards in 2023, ahead of just the Giants, Broncos, Seahawks, and Cardinals. Expect Pollard to have a big day if the Packers cannot gameplan appropriately.
On offense, quarterback Jordan Love will need to get the ball out of his hands quickly to have any success. Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons may not log as many sacks this season as last, but he is drawing regular double teams, freeing up DeMarcus Lawrence and others to apply pressure. Love will also need to be careful with ball placement because corner DaRon Bland is having a stellar season jumping routes and stealing interceptions. An impressive five of his nine takeaways have gone for pick-sixes.
Fans should expect to see Mike McCarthy planning a fast-paced attack with plenty of RPO mixed into power running schemes against the suspect defense of the Packers. If the Cowboys find early success, this game could be over early, as the Packers are not built to play catch-up.
BetMGM has the Cowboys as a +7.5 favorite with an over/under of 50.5 points. Kickoff is Sunday, January 14, at 3:30 p.m. CT on Fox.
