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NFL Playoff Time!
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys squaring off towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the postseason all the time feels private. Second-seeded Dallas vs. seventh-seeded Inexperienced Bay on Sunday would be the ninth time the 2 iconic franchises sq. off within the postseason, tied for essentially the most playoff conferences between two groups all time.
The final playoff showdown between the 2 historic franchises got here when present Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy nonetheless repped the Inexperienced and Gold within the 2016 NFC divisional spherical. Future Corridor of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers led a game-winning drive that allowed kicker Mason Crosby to drill a 51-yard area purpose as time expired for a 34-31 Packers victory, upsetting the top-seeded Cowboys and the then-NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Prescott, McCarthy’s present pupil.
This week, McCarthy is refusing to make a journey down reminiscence lane when involves speaking about that recreation or his Packers feelings usually.
“I’m not reflecting,” McCarthy mentioned Monday when requested about Prescott’s first playoff recreation when McCarthy’s Packers upset the Dallas Cowboys within the 2016 NFC divisional spherical. “An awesome recreation. Dak and I’ve spoken concerning the particulars of the sport time and time once more, and much more so once you undergo completely different conditions. There have been conditions in that recreation that got here up, and now that we’re in the identical offense, he can see the similarities and why we do what we do, and actually the historical past about it. We have talked about that recreation quite a lot of occasions.”
Forward of the 2 groups’ Week 10 final season, McCarthy indulged questions on his Packers tenure since he was getting set to face them for the primary time as the top coach of the Cowboys with the sport set to be performed within the frozen tundra of Lambeau Area on Nov. 13, 2022. His perspective about his homecoming soured after the Cowboys blew a two-touchdown lead within the fourth quarter, 28-14, to lose 31-28 in extra time towards the Packers.
Rodgers, enjoying by means of a damaged thumb on his throwing hand, linked with then-rookie large receiver Christian Watson for 107 yards and three receiving touchdowns, tying him with Corridor of Fame wideout Randy Moss (1998) for essentially the most receiving touchdowns in a recreation all-time towards Dallas. Inexperienced Bay working again Aaron Jones, a fifth-round choose within the 2017 NFL Draft — McCarthy’s penultimate class because the Packers head coach — ran wild for 138 yards and a landing on 24 carries, 5.8 yards per rush.
Jones stays, however Inexperienced Bay’s preeminent Aaron, Rodgers — a four-time NFL MVP and Tremendous XLV MVP — is now a New York Jet after 15 seasons because the Packers beginning quarterback. The current-day Inexperienced Bay squad is now the youngest playoff staff for the reason that 1974 Buffalo Bills — the common age is 25 years, 214 days previous — together with first-year full-time beginning quarterback Jordan love. Its 302 receptions, 3,642 receiving yards and 31 receiving touchdowns by first- or second-year gamers are all essentially the most by a staff in a single season for the reason that 1970 NFL/AFL merger.
In typical Packers vogue, Love is enjoying like one of many league’s finest whatever the youth motion that left many within the soccer world feeling like 2023 was a rebuilding 12 months in Inexperienced Bay. His 32 passing touchdowns this season are 4 greater than Rodgers had in his first season changing Corridor of Famer Brett Favre in 2008, rating second within the league this season behind solely Dak Prescott’s NFL-best 36. That makes Sunday’s contest the first-ever wild card recreation between the top-two outright league leaders in passing touchdowns.
“Love has been enjoying some good soccer in his first 12 months as a starter,” Cowboys security Jayron Kearse mentioned Monday. “Thirty-plus touchdowns. He is being put in nice conditions, they’re scheming some nice issues up. You bought these working backs, A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones, doing an important job of controlling the sport with the run. They positively present a problem. With Inexperienced Bay, they’ve received, they know easy methods to win. It is positively going to be a problem, however one that we’ll positively be up for. Love has been enjoying fairly good. They’ve (Matt) LaFleur, who’s dialing issues up.”
How will the postseason epic play out? We have got you coated.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 14 | Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
TV: Fox | Stream: fubo (try for free)
Observe: CBS Sports App
Odds: Cowboys -7; O/U 50.5
One of many driving forces for Inexperienced Bay’s offense of their Week 10 win day was working again Aaron Jones. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was decided to wear down a Cowboys protection way more well-equipped to defend the move from the beginning a 12 months in the past, calling working performs on 16 of the Packers’ first 21 performs from scrimmage on their first three drives of that recreation.
In three of Dallas’ 5 losses this season, the Cowboys have been bludgeoned on the bottom, permitting at the least 170 yards speeding in all three of these contests. Of their 31-10 debacle on the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, the Cowboys surrendered 266 speeding yards, essentially the most below defensive coordinator Dan Quinn since 2021.
Payments working again James Cook totaled a career-high 179 speeding yards on 25 carries with a landing, a 24-yarder. That got here out to a 7.2 yards-per-carry common in that recreation. Of their upcoming matchup with Jones, the Cowboys protection will face the working again who has been the franchise’s hardest to decelerate: The El Paso native averages 123.3 speeding yards per recreation towards Dallas, essentially the most by any participant with a minimal three video games performed, according to NFL Media Senior Researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno.
Whereas historic developments are good, Jones can be en fuego at this time second. He has three consecutive video games with over 100 speeding yards, the longest energetic streak within the NFL. After coping with a nagging hamstring harm since Week 1 on the Chicago Bears, he’s lastly wholesome.
“Me and Micah [Parsons] have been enjoying nice edge protection this complete 12 months,” Dallas Cowboys defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence mentioned Thursday. “It is actually about, in the event that they need to run it, go forward. We’ll beat them there. It is actually not a factor. It is actually all about us. They’ve to come back in right here and sustain with our pace and our tenacity. Give him [Jones] the ball as many occasions as you need.”
Inexperienced Bay did simply {that a} 12 months in the past, however this time, the Cowboys protection follows Lawrence’s lead. He graded out because the NFL’s second-best edge defender towards the run in 2023 with a 92.4 Professional Soccer Focus run protection grade, barely trailing Professional Bowl Las Vegas Raiders defensive finish Maxx Crosby (92.7).
Ought to Dallas halt Jones on early downs, they will must cope with a quarterback enjoying like one of many league’s finest in Love. The 25-year-old signal-caller had a rocky center portion of 2023, however he completed the common season as one of many league’s finest deep-ball passers. Love’s 40 completions of 25 or extra yards are tied for the second most within the NFL with Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and path solely San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s 47.
Solely Prescott had extra landing passes (19) than Love (18) within the final eight video games of the common season. Naturally, Inexperienced Bay received as many video games in that span (6-2) because it misplaced in its first 9 video games (3-6). Nonetheless, if he drops again trying to throw deep — one thing that may take a bit bit extra time — Love could possibly be in bother.
Cowboys All-Professional edge rusher Micah Parsons is the NFL’s prime quarterback antagonist. In 2023, Parsons led the NFL in quarterback pressures (103), quarterback strain charge (21.8%) and move rush win charge (35.3%), which is when a defender beats his block in lower than 2.5 seconds. That is unbelievable contemplating Parsons was double-teamed on 35% of his pass-rush performs in 2023, essentially the most within the league amongst edge gamers, based on NFL’s Subsequent Gen Stats. No different edge rusher was double-teamed at a 30% or increased charge. Consequently, Dallas move rush leads the NFL in quarterback strain charge (45%) as a gaggle in 2023 .
“He began off scorching, had some trials and tribulations, coated him all 12 months,” edge rusher Micah Parsons mentioned Thursday. “I feel Jordan Love has grown towards this finish of the 12 months, this back-end stretch, into the participant that the Packers thought he could be at that choose they took him. Lots of people questioned why they took him. I feel he had confirmed lots of people flawed. One of many biggest seasons by a Packer as a starter. Jordan Love is doing precisely what he is speculated to do. It is one thing that we talked about within the offseason. He was like, ‘I’ll go on the market and ball out.’ So tremendous joyful for him.”
W-L
3-6
6-2
Comp pct
59%
70%
Yards/Move Att
6.7
7.7
Move YPG
223.2
268.8
TD-INT
14-10
18-1*
* Sixth QB all-time with 18+ move TD & 0 or 1 INT in ultimate 8 video games of a season
These final eight video games offered the Packers with the data that they’ve discovered their future at quarterback in Love. Whereas it may appear hyperbolic to match Love along with his Packers predecessor in Rodgers, the staff’s all-time chief in passing touchdowns with 475, Love’s closing stretch of 2023 resembled Rodgers’ run towards his newest MVP award within the 2021 season. He turned simply the sixth quarterback all-time to throw for at the least 18 touchdowns and one or zero interceptions in his ultimate eight video games of a 12 months. Love completed 2023 with consecutive NFC Offensive Participant of the Week awards in Weeks 17 and 18 on the Minnesota Vikings and towards the Chicago Bears after throwing for 572 yards and 5 touchdowns on 78.5% (51-65) passing.
2023
Jordan Love
2021
Aaron Rodgers*
2019
Drew Brees
2019
Lamar Jackson*
2015
Cam Newton*
2010
Tom Brady*
*Received MVP
One of many key traits of Love’s recreation is his capability to keep up a powerful quantity of zip and arm energy on his passes whereas backpedaling within the pocket and throwing off of his again foot, a signature element of Rodgers’ recreation.
“It is powerful as a result of he is by no means in a compromised place,” Kearse mentioned of Love on Wednesday. “Normally when guys are throwing off their again foot and backpedaling and going off their again foot, it often does not have a lot zip on it. It provides the defensive backs a number of alternatives to get there and make performs on the ball. When he is doing that, there’s nonetheless zip on it. He is nonetheless getting the ball there. That is one thing that is been large after I discuss A-Rod-like issues. That is one of many issues I see.”
Based mostly on that motion and willingness to heave the soccer from quite a lot of arm angles and throwing platforms, he is been a tricky participant to gauge in movie examine throughout the week.
“He is form of unpredictable along with his arm expertise,” cornerback DaRon Bland, the NFL’s interceptions chief (9) and single-season pick-sixes chief (5), mentioned Wednesday.
“Numerous deep pictures,” Parsons added Thursday when requested what stands out about Love. “He makes his reads fairly good, make them fast. He could make any throw. He is fearless again there. And he is good. It may be actual difficult. Numerous kinds. He trusts his receivers to go make (performs). You’ll be able to inform he performed below Rodgers. A few of his mechanics, a few of his actions, reads, and fearlessness, you’ll be able to inform he realized so much from Rodgers. I feel he has that capability (to throw off his again foot) due to his top. Numerous quarterbacks battle due to their top and so they’re not capable of nonetheless see, however his size provides one other issue to how good he’s and the way good he’ll grow to be.”
The perfect gauge of how Rodgers-like Love is could be none apart from Rodgers’ head coach of 13 seasons, present Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. He confirmed what his staff sees when turning on the tape: the Packers’ present No. 10 (Love) seems to be just like the artist previously often called No. 12 (Rodgers), who carried over qualities from the starter previous to him, No. 4 (Favre).
“I have been actually impressed with Jordan,” McCarthy mentioned Thursday. “I feel he is made a number of off-tempo performs, prolonged performs. His capability to hold on the again foot, their downfield passing recreation caught our consideration, and he is an enormous a part of it. I feel he is positively doing a hell of a job, and I feel identical to something whether or not your soccer staff is youthful or not so younger, you need to see progress by means of the 12 months. Clearly, the quarterback place is an enormous a part of that. He is accomplished that and I feel he is doing a hell of a job. There’s stuff that carried over there (between Rodgers and Love). That is an enormous profit. That is the third time it is occurred up there (in Inexperienced Bay).”
Dallas possesses the very best scoring offense within the NFL (29.9) factors per recreation, and Dak Prescott has a reputable NFL MVP case, main the league in passing touchdowns (36) whereas rating within the prime 5 in quite a few metrics throughout the board.
Completion Pct
69.5%
2nd
Move Yards/Att
7.7
sixth
Move TD
36
1st
TD-INT
36-9
2nd
Passer Score
105.9
2nd
A lot of that manufacturing got here with 24-year-old large receiver CeeDee Lamb on the opposite aspect of Prescott’s NFL-best 410 completions. Lamb broke Corridor of Famer Michael Irvin’s staff, single-season data for catches (135) and receiving yards (1,749) in 16 video games whereas main your entire NFL in targets (181), catches (135) and catches of 20 or extra yards (29, tied with Dolphins All-Professional Tyreek Hill).
Prescott and Lamb mark the primary time the identical staff has had each the NFL’s chief in landing passes and catches in the identical season on the identical staff. The final squad to have each was the 2007 New England Patriots with future Corridor of Fame quarterback Tom Brady and Wes Welker. That group received their first 18 video games of the 12 months earlier than falling simply brief within the Tremendous Bowl.
Targets
181*
1st
Receptions
135*
1st
Receiving Yards
1,749
2nd
Scrimmage Yards
1,862
1st
Scrimmage TD
14
1st
Receptions of 20+ Yards
29*
T-1st
*Leads NFL
Within the matchup towards the Packers a 12 months in the past, a 31-28 extra time street loss in Inexperienced Bay, Lamb went off for 150 yards and two receiving touchdowns on 11 catches. He will probably be in line for one more huge day on Sunday. Nonetheless, he and Prescott will look to be way more linked on a route-by-route foundation since each of Prescott’s two interceptions in that Week 10 defeat final season will be attributed to communication points.
“Yeah, and they’re nonetheless consuming at me,” Lamb mentioned Thursday when requested about his function in Prescott’s two interceptions towards the Packers final season. “We have been watching the movie all week really, and I nonetheless keep in mind these two performs. Simply making it clear for him [Prescott], so he does not have any uncertainty. Taking part in quick and having him know precisely the place I’ll be earlier than I will be there and me being there like he trusts me to be. Simply being on the identical, all that offseason work is what we would have liked to indicate up. We now have to be nice….Numerous issues have transpired since that and a number of messages and data has been handed on between us two since that. It needs to be good.”
The dynamic duo of Prescott and Lamb is most deadly on the cash down, third down. Prescott led the NFL in completion share (69%) and passer ranking (116.7) on third down this season. A lot of that manufacturing clearly went Lamb’s means as he was focused 46 occasions on third down, tied for the second-most within the NFL behind solely Bears wideout D.J. Moore. He got here away with a catch for a primary down on 29 of these targets, 63% first-down conversion charge. That is tied for the second-best third-down conversion catch charge within the league with Dolphins All-Professional Tyreek Hill and trailing solely 49ers large receiver Brandon Aiyuk‘s 66.7% charge (18 third-down conversion receptions on 27 third-down targets).
“That simply goes to the communication that I’ve talked about all 12 months lengthy of Coach [McCarthy] defining precisely what the play is for, what it is constructed for, how it will beat the opponent, the playcaller’s function and people guys understanding the place they have to be, their routes, their depths, their pace, their spacing, being tied into my ft,” Prescott mentioned Thursday. “So it is actually in a way, evening and day once you’re speaking about my confidence and the place these guys are being, their understanding of what I’ll do, the place I am throwing the ball and from there every thing works out. Whenever you obtained a man like CeeDee Lamb, actually does not matter the place you set him, what matchup you set him in, the arrogance is large and he is earned that. He is confirmed he is one of the best receiver within the recreation in the event you ask me. And this will probably be one other alternative for him to go and try this towards an excellent cornerback and an excellent younger secondary and protection.”
As a staff, the Cowboys transformed on third downs at a 48.3% charge, the second-best within the NFL trailing solely the Bills‘ 49.8% charge. In the meantime, the Packers protection — typically criticized for lining up defensive backs too far off the road of scrimmage in zone protection on third downs — allowed opposing offenses to transform third downs into first downs at a 41.1% charge, the eighth-highest charge in your entire NFL. That is an enormous edge in Dallas’ favor.
The best way Love is enjoying at present and the way in which Prescott has performed all 12 months point out this can be a matchup during which each offenses can go rating for rating. Finally, this recreation will come to all the way down to which protection could make the large play and pressure a takeaway or a punt in a key spot.
The unit with Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland on it definitely is the one most definitely to do this. Plus with this recreation being performed at AT&T Stadium, a constructing during which the Cowboys have received 16 video games in a row relationship again to final season, Dallas is primed to precise revenge for its earlier struggles towards Inexperienced Bay.
Rating: Cowboys 34, Packers 24
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