Dallas Cowboys 2023 opponent preview: 2 Packers to keep an eye on
Packers File
2023 Record: 9-8
Last Meeting: 11/13/2022 31-28 Packers overtime victory (Packers lead all-time series 21-17)
Head Coach: Matt LaFleur (56-27 as a head coach)
Key Additions: S Tarvarius Moore, DL Lukas Van Ness, TE Luke Musgrave
Key Departures: QB Aaron Rodgers, TE Robert Tonyan, DL Jarran Reed
The Green Bay Packers have found their way into the playoffs and found their quarterback of the future at the same time. Jordan Love was able to do something in the final week of this season that NFL veteran Aaron Rodgers was unable to do last year – win and get in. With the season on the line, Love and the Packers were able to hang on to beat the Chicago Bears to propel them into a playoff matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
Next up for Love and Co. is a trip to Dallas on Wild Card Weekend where they are more than a touchdown underdog to Dak and the ‘Boys. They have talent on both sides of the ball to make life hard on the Cowboys. No one in Dallas is taking this matchup lightly and it’s for good reason. Anything can happen in the playoffs and the Cowboys will need to be prepared for it.
The Packers did it again. They have found another quarterback to build around. The franchise that went from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers now feels good about its future while passing the keys over to Love. The young QB has a big arm, has mobility, and has the type of tangibles a team can build around and win with.
On Sunday afternoon the Cowboys defense needs to bring their A-game. Love is unafraid to take the deep shots, and make tight window throws, and if healthy – he has the weapons to do it as well. The Packers may look to help Love out on the ground with their stable of running backs, but make no mistake about it, Love will play a huge factor in the outcome of this game.
Dan Quinn and the Cowboys’ defense better have a plan for Love or it could be an embarrassingly quick exit for a two-seeded Dallas team.
When healthy, Aaron Jones is a problem. He’s a problem that the Cowboys know all too well. Jones has had some of the best performances of his career at AT&T Stadium against the Cowboys and it will be paramount for them to ensure that he does not have another one of those come Sunday.
The Packers will be looking to help their young QB as he navigates his first-ever post-season game and a good running game is typically the answer to do so. Couple that with the fact that the Cowboys have built a reputation for being able to be had on the ground, and stopping Jones becomes crucial this week.
The Cowboys’ defense needs to play like there is no tomorrow, and for the first time this season, if they don’t, there won’t be a tomorrow to speak of if they slip up.