Cowboys vs Packers: Wild Card round matchups to watch for the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are 8-0 at home this year with an average victory margin of 21.5 points per game. And Dallas is currently favored by 7.5 points. While that’s all fine and dandy, it doesn’t mean the Green Bay Packers are just going to roll over and play dead in the Wild Card matchup at AT&T Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Green Bay is a team that has found a groove as of late and is currently riding a hot streak. They are definitely a team Dallas can’t afford to take to lightly, because they are talented enough to put an end to any Super Bowl aspirations this year. Despite all of that though, the Cowboys are the better/more talented team and are favored for a reason.
Today, we are going to take a look at a few key matchups to keep a close watchful eye on that could help sway the game in the Dallas Cowboys favor, or not. There are of course other matchups in all three phases the game that could alter this game in some form or fashion, but the ones listed below can be the difference between a “W” or “L” for Dallas.
Cowboys’ WR CeeDee Lamb vs. Packers’ CB Jaire Alexander
CeeDee Lamb is arguably the hottest WR in the entire league heading into the playoffs. His last two games alone he’s caught 26 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns, bringing his total for 2023 to 135 receptions, 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. While no one has really been able to contain him this season, the highest-paid CB in the NFL, Jaire Alexander, may be the one tasked to do so. He hasn’t played up to his usual Pro Bowl standards battling through back and shoulder injuries that has limited him to just seven games this year. Because of that, this should be a matchup that favors No. 88.
Cowboys’ DE Micah Parsons vs. Packers’ LT Rasheed Walker
Micah Parsons will be a man on a mission in the playoffs and will be moved around accordingly to find the right matchup to exploit. Against the Packers, that matchup is probably against their left tackle, Rasheed Walker. Walker has allowed six QB sacks this year and committed nine penalties in 851 snaps, as opposed to Green Bay’s RT Zach Tom, who has allowed just two sacks in 1,068 snaps. While the Packers will no doubt try to get Walker some extra help, this is a matchup that heavily favors No. 11, who led the league in QB pressures (103) and finished seventh with 14.0 sacks in 2023.
Cowboys’ LB Markquese Bell vs. Packers’ RB Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones has been a thorn in the Dallas Cowboys side in the past and could be so once again in this Wild Card round matchup. Just last season when these two teams met both he and A.J. Dillon combined for 203 rushing yards at 5.5 yards per carry that helped them pull off the upset over the Cowboys at Lambeau Field. While it’s true Jones has battled injuries this year, he’s now healthy and eclipsed 100 rushing yards in last three games, leading the NFL with 358 ground yards and explosive runs of 10 or more yards in that time. To help contain him as both a runner and receiver, Markquese Bell will need step up and have a big game.