Cowboys crash out

MIAMI (AFP) — The Dallas Cowboys crashed out of the NFL playoffs with a humiliating 48-32 defeat to the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers in the wildcard round on Sunday, Jan. 14, while the Detroit Lions advanced with a 24-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Packers, the youngest team in the NFL who snuck into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season with a 9-8 record, totally dominated the Cowboys before allowing two late touchdowns.

The Lions won a playoff game for the first time in 32 years with quarterback Jared Goff leading Detroit to a tight victory against his former team.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who took over in Green Bay this season after the departure of Aaron Rodgers, threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns in a stunning playoff debut.

Running-back Aaron Jones had three rushing touchdowns and put up 118 yards on the ground and the Packers earned a clash with the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers.

Dallas gave up the most points in a playoff game in franchise history while quarterback Dak Prescott threw two costly interceptions in a nightmare first half which saw the home side fall 27-0 down in the second quarter.

The manner and scale of the defeat are likely to raise questions over the future of Cowboys head coach Mike Mccarthy, a former Super Bowl winner with the Packers who was hired to end the wait for another Cowboys NFL championship, which has now stretched to 28 years.

Green Bay's confidence was evident from the outset as they elected to receive and scored a touchdown on their first drive - Jones rushing in from three yards.