NFL · 1 year ago

How the Cowboys Can Beat the Packers: 5 Keys to Wild Card Victory

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

5. Protect the Football
Following a year in which he led the league in interceptions, Prescott responded with the best season of his career, tossing an NFL-best 36 touchdowns with just nine picks. That will need to continue come Sunday as the 30-year-old has thrown five INTs in six career playoff games, including two in last year's NFC Divisional Round. Limiting turnovers and enjoying an opportunistic defense can leave the Cowboys in good stead.
1. Force Feed CeeDee Lamb
Lamb was a one-man wrecking crew during the regular season, notching career-highs in catches (135), receiving yards (1,749), and total touchdowns (14). The 24-year-old draws an enticing matchup against a Packers secondary that struggled mightily down the stretch and finished the year ranked 23rd in EPA. Lamb should have a field day, and Dallas should continue to target the stud wideout early and often.
2. Slow Down Aaron Jones
Less than a month ago, the Cowboys were steamrolled by Buffalo Bills running back James Cook for 179 rushing yards. Dallas has another problematic challenge this week in the Packers' Aaron Jones, who closed out the year with three straight 100+ yard performances, looking fully healthy after battling some nagging injuries for much of the season. Green Bay will no doubt look to control the clock to keep Dallas' high-octane offense off the field. That should mean a heavy dose of Jones, making it paramount that the 'boys do not let history repeat itself.
3. Establish the Run
As bad as Green Bay's pass defense has looked at times, its run defense has been even worse. The Packers finished the regular season allowing 128.3 rush yards per game, fifth most in the NFL. Dallas has struggled to run the ball effectively this season. Still, if Mike McCarthy's group can establish the ground game in an advantageous matchup, it should open up plenty of opportunities for big plays down the field.
4. Generate Pressure
Perhaps no player demonstrated more improvement throughout the season than Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Across the final eight weeks, the former first-round selection tossed a remarkable 18 touchdowns with just one interception. Critical to Love's success has been the play of his offensive line. The 25-year-old was blitzed a league-high 212 times during the regular season yet only faced pressure on 119 of those dropbacks. After finishing the year second to Dak Prescott in touchdown passes (32), Love looks like the real deal. Dallas can thus ill-afford to allow him too much time in the pocket.
5. Protect the Football
Following a year in which he led the league in interceptions, Prescott responded with the best season of his career, tossing an NFL-best 36 touchdowns with just nine picks. That will need to continue come Sunday as the 30-year-old has thrown five INTs in six career playoff games, including two in last year's NFC Divisional Round. Limiting turnovers and enjoying an opportunistic defense can leave the Cowboys in good stead.
1. Force Feed CeeDee Lamb
Lamb was a one-man wrecking crew during the regular season, notching career-highs in catches (135), receiving yards (1,749), and total touchdowns (14). The 24-year-old draws an enticing matchup against a Packers secondary that struggled mightily down the stretch and finished the year ranked 23rd in EPA. Lamb should have a field day, and Dallas should continue to target the stud wideout early and often.

How the Cowboys Can Beat the Packers: 5 Keys to Wild Card Victory

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