The Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys meet Sunday in NFL Wild Card Round playoffs action from AT&T Stadium. Green Bay finished the regular season on a three-game win streak at 9-8 overall. The Packers beat the Bears in their latest outing. As for Dallas, they went 12-5 this year and are coming off a win over Washington. Let’s get into our Packers vs. Cowboys prediction. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a rollercoaster of a run this year. Green Bay started out the year on a rough 3-6 run, but then won six of their final eight games to bag a 9-8 record and a Wild Card berth. Those victories came versus the Chargers, Lions, Chiefs, Panthers, Vikings and Bears. In the regular season campaign, the Packers averaged 22.5 points per game while giving up 20.6 points on the other side.
In the Week 18 Bears matchup last Sunday, the Packers held a 7-6 lead at halftime. Green Bay outscored Chicago 10-3 from there and powered out the win 17-9. QB Jordan Love posted 316 yards with two scores, while Aaron Jones led the rush on 111 yards. Jayden Reed topped the team in receiving with four catches for 112 yards.
Green Bay Packers Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Packers’ last four games at AT&T Stadium.
- The Packers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs following a Division win.
- The Packers have won the first half in each of their last six road games against NFC opponents.
- The Packers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last eight games.
- The Packers have won the first quarter in each of their last five road games against NFC East opponents.
Dallas Cowboys
Over on the Cowboys’ side, they started the season at 5-3, but then finished off with a 7-2 run. Dallas took out the Giants, Panthers, Commanders (twice), Seahawks, Eagles and Lions in that time. The Cowboys have generally been great on both sides of the ball, averaging 29.9 points per game and giving up just 18.5 points on defense. An average of 258.6 yards per game, 36 touchdowns and 10 interceptions have come via the pass.
Matched up against the Commanders in the last week of the season, the Cowboys didn’t have a lot of trouble. Washington scored 14 points in both the second and third quarters on the way to a 38-10 blowout victory. Dak Prescott threw for four scores and 279 yards with one pick. Two of those TDs went to CeeDee Lamb, who caught 13 passes for 98 yards.
Dallas Cowboys Team Facts
- The Cowboys have won each of their last 16 games at AT&T Stadium.
- The Cowboys have covered the spread in each of their last six Sunday games as favorites.
- The Cowboys have won the first half in each of their last six Sunday games as favorites.
- The Cowboys have won the first quarter in each of their last eight games at AT&T Stadium.
- The Cowboys have scored the first touchdown in each of their last nine Sunday home games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cowboys ranked 1st in the NFL in points per game during the reg. season (29.9).
- The Cowboys ranked 32nd in the NFL in average punt return during the reg. season (5.4 yards).
- The Packers ranked 1st in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game during the reg. season (46.1).
- The Packers ranked 1st in the NFL in Q3 points per game during the reg. season (6.8).
ANDREW’S FREE PACKERS VS COWBOYS PREDICTION
I’ll probably stick with Dallas in this one. The Cowboys are fresh off a big performance versus an overmatched Washington team, bagging 31 first downs and 440 total yards (309 passing) in the win. The defense generated three turnovers and gave up just 12 first downs, so it was a nice all-around effort. Dallas hadn’t cracked 20 points in three consecutive games prior to that; they’ll certainly need to get into the end zone a few times in order to have some breathing room against a scrappy Packers squad.
Speaking of Green Bay, they managed 24 first downs and 432 total yards (308 passing) against the rival Bears in the final week of the regular season. It’s been a white-knuckle ride along the home stretch for the Packers; seven of the last nine games have been decided by eight points or fewer. You could make a case for Green Bay here if they can keep Dallas’ offense off the field, but I don’t think they’ll quite get into a cover. It’ll be a fun matchup regardless.