Zielinski: Packers face daunting challenge

By DAN ZIELINSKI

The first round of the NFL Playoffs features so many intriguing playoff storylines. One of those is connected with the Packers, as they will take on the Dallas Cowboys led by former highly-successful Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

On Sunday afternoon, the No. 2 Cowboys (12-5) host the No. 7 Packers (9-8). The Cowboys have Super Bowl aspirations, while the Packers are thriving at the right time, winning three straight, and capable of pulling off a surprising upset.

It won’t be easy to knock off the Cowboys, though. The Cowboys are 8-0 at home this season. They are the only team to not lose at home this season. 

Packers quarterback Jordan Love is legit (as I have said since draft day). He can elude pressure, push the ball downfield, and has avoided mistakes in the second half of the season. 

With Love playing well and running back Aaron Jones performing at an elite level, I’m not worried about the Packers’ offense. They will score points as long as the offensive line does its job and they don’t commit turnovers.

This game will come down to the Packers’ defense. The Cowboys can score in various ways and feature an explosive offense centered around QB Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb. 

Prescott led the league with 36 touchdown passes and regularly connected with Lamb, who posted a league-high 135 receptions for 1,739 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

The Packers will need to shut down the rushing attack to make the Cowboys one-dimensional. They don’t have the talent at cornerback to stop Lamb, but they can slow him down by generating pressure on Prescott.

The Packers are the youngest team to make the playoffs since 1974. It won’t be easy for the Packers, who are facing one of the league’s best. Can the Packers play a clean, efficient game offensively? Can they force Prescott to commit turnovers? It might be close, but the Cowboys will move on.

Prediction: Cowboys 31, Packers 24