Packers (9-8) at Cowboys (12-5)
Sunday, 4:30 ET, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: Fox/Fox Deportes
Spread (BetMGM): Cowboys by 7.5
Packers’ keys to victory: A clean performance from QB Jordan Love, more production from RB Aaron Jones and a dominant performance from the defensive front. Love finished with five straight games of multiple TD passes, zero interceptions and a passer rating over 100.0. Can he make it six? He’ll need more help from Jones, who finished with three straight 100-yard rushing games. While injured for much of the season, Jones has returned looking fresh and explosive. To combat the Cowboys’ explosive offense, the Packers must consistently win at the line of scrimmage. OLB Rashan Gary and DL Kenny Clark need star efforts. Cowboys’ keys to victory: Get QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb cooking and produce a takeaway or two. Can the line protect Prescott long enough for Lamb and the offense to carve up the Packers secondary? The Cowboys must pressure Love and force him into making big mistakes in his first playoff start. LB Micah Parsons will get matchups against two second-year tackles (Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom). Dallas is 6-0 when forcing two or more takeaways.
Matchup to watch: Packers RT Zach Tom vs. Cowboys LB Parsons. Parsons is one of the most disruptive players in football. Can Tom, who has quietly become an excellent pass blocker, keep Parsons away from Love?
Who wins? The Packers have won four straight games over the Cowboys, including an overtime thriller last year, but Prescott will be too much for Joe Barry’s defense. Expect plenty of points.
Cowboys, 31-24