After 18 weeks of the 2023 NFL regular season, now begins the business end of term, as Super Wildcard Weekend sees 12 franchises looking to book a spot in the Divisional round.
As both top seed Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers put their feet up, six tantalising match-ups are on the slate Saturday through Monday.
Sunday’s second of three games sees the Dallas Cowboys host the Green Bay Packers.
The 12-5 Cowboys sealed the NFC East crown after the continuing troubles of Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, and their reward is a home tie in Arlington.
Unbeaten at AT&T Stadium this season and on a 16-0 home winning streak, Dak Prescott’s side are a formidable opponent.
However, as tall a 3/1 price Green Bay are this coming weekend, Jordan Love has guided his own charges to winning the last three regular season games – victorious in five of the last seven also.
Dallas are strong favourites to book an NFC showdown later this month, but the Packers are a side in form and have beaten the ‘Boys four times in the playoffs.
With the record at 4-4, could Matt Lafleur mastermind a win for the ages in a NFC classic match-up?
Continue the Love Story
As the Packers have rolled into the post-Aaron Rodgers era, QB Jordan Love has led Green Bay’s transition effortlessly.
Belying his 25-years-of-age, the Utah State collegiate, California native, has drawn comparisons with former GB great Brett Favre.
Having thrown 250+ yards eight times this season, Love has not thrown below 200 yds since Week 8, and last time out against the Bears averaged 9.9 yds.
Just like last term, the Pack’s surge to the playoffs is an almost mirror image still then with the arm of Rodgers.
Arguably, Love is the hottest QB in the NFL right now and he guides his side into the post-season in the same rude health.
But could the Packers stop the Cowboys in their tracks and become the the youngest team in history to win a playoff game?
With Jayden Reed having broken the record for rookie receptions in a season and Dontayvion Wicks coming into the game with back-to-back TD games, the Pack are prime.
Packers must run the football; unleash Jones
However, it is the run game where Green Bay must dominate Dallas at AT&T.
As the final weeks of the season ticked around, the pieces in the Green Bay puzzle have come together.
Shorn of number one RB for large chunks of the season, the return to fitness and form of Aaron Jones has been impressive and vital.
In Dallas this weekend, with AJ Dillon likely out – as per CBS Sports – GB must put Jones in the frame.
Having missed six games this campaign, the 29-year-old’s best return prior to Week 16 was against the Rams in Wk 9.
However, a focal point of the Packers’ three-and-0 in closing the season, Jones notched 110+ scrimmage yds in each game.
Given Dillon’s status, Emanuel Wilson has been activated off injured reserve on Sunday and can give the Pack a little extra if needed.
But Jones has the power to cut through the Cowboys and in particular, the rampaging Micah Parsons.
Silence the Lamb
Whilst the Packers lean on carrying the football, the Cowboys will be looking down the field to CeeDee Lamb.
Second only to Tyreek Hill in receiving yds this season (1749), and TDs (12), the Cowboy’s star WR is tied with the Cheetah on 20+ yd receptions (29).
In his last two games, the Louisianan has 13 receptions, and closed out the year with 4TDs.
Lamb has gone over 100+ yds this term and against a defense with the fewest turnovers of all remaining playoff sides, Green Bay are up against it.
The Pack cannot forget the red-hot Brandin Cooks in the RedZone, but for sure, the underdogs must silence CeeDee.
Packers Props
If a 3/1 shot for a Packers win doesn’t appeal, both QBs should be a safe bet.
To throw 249+ yds, Jordan Love is 10/11, whilst Dak Prescott to go 277+ is 22/25 – both with BetUK.
Given their chances in the run game, we’d be looking at Green Bay to carry; therefore for Prescott to throw 250+ yds and Aaron Jones to notch 105+ scrimmage yds, a play of 37/20 with 888sport looks reasonable.
The Dallas Cowboys face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday 21:30GMT/4:30pm ET.
