ARLINGTON, Texas – The Packers jumped on the Cowboys early and eventually built an insurmountable lead, knocking off Dallas 48-32 in the NFC Wild Card playoffs on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Here are five takeaways from the impressive triumph:
- The Packers are ignoring the doubters.
A No. 7 seed beat a No. 2 seed for the first time in the four years of this playoff format, but it wasn't just those numbers that spoke to the Packers' attitude.
They weren't given much of a chance by the national experts in this one, and while they heard all the chatter, they ignored it at the same time.
"We've been counted out a lot of the season, but everybody keeps battling, keeps competing," quarterback Jordan Love said.
"I think it's just noise on the outside. We're not worried about it. We keep coming out here and showing what we're about, and that's what we're going to do."
No one would've guessed by their play the Packers are the youngest team in the playoffs in about 50 years, but that's become sort of the point.
"I think there's a little bit of freedom with that, in terms of how you go out and play," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said of the lack of expectations outside their own team. "These guys, they went for it, and that's exciting to see."
- The final score didn't do the dominance justice.
When safety Darnell Savage raced the other way with a pick-six off Dak Prescott late in the second quarter, the Packers were up 27-0.
They eventually pushed the lead to 48-16 before the Cowboys scored two late touchdowns.
The performance was as dominant as it gets, starting with an opening-drive touchdown that took nearly eight minutes off the clock.
An interception by cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was a game-time decision with an ankle injury, set up the second score in the first quarter and the Packers were on their way.
"It feels great," Love said. "I'm trying to hide some smiles. It's a party in the locker room right now. It feels great, that's all I can really say."
- Love couldn't have played any better in his first playoff start.
Until throwing an incomplete pass with just over two minutes left when the Packers were trying to get one last first down, Love had a maximum 158.3 passer rating, which obviously would've tied the NFL playoff record.
Instead, he finished 16-of-21 for 272 yards with three TDs and a 157.2 rating.
"It started up front, started with the run game, pass protection, the O-line stepped up big," Love said. "Guys were out there making plays."
None more than Love, who was making the Cowboys pay anytime they blitzed, selling play fakes to get throwing lanes on the edges, and timing his passes as his receivers broke into open spaces downfield.
"Man, Jordan Love, wow, that's about all I can say, is wow," LaFleur said. "What he did and the poise he shows and the command he shows …"
Check out photos from the NFC Wild Card playoff matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.
- The offensive veterans were the other stars.
The Packers went 14 games this season without a 100-yard rusher, and now Aaron Jones has four 100-yard outings in a row. He had 21 carries for 118 yards and three scores, continuing an absolutely stellar run of games in his career against the Cowboys, especially in Dallas.
The Packers also went 14 games this season without a 100-yard receiver, and now three different pass catchers have hit the mark in the last four games, the latest being Romeo Doubs.
The second-year pro found openings all game, particularly over the middle, in catching six passes for 151 yards and a TD. He was the team's second-leading receiver in the regular season behind rookie Jayden Reed, but Doubs was Love's go-to guy in this one.
"It was awesome, just how locked in Rome was this whole week," Love said. "Obviously with the performance he put on … I'm proud of Romeo and the way he's continued to battle. He's probably not getting as many completions or balls his way as he wanted to, kept working and made some plays tonight."
It was the first 100-yard game of his career, and it came in the playoffs. His touchdown provided the Packers' last points of the game, which tied the franchise record for scoring in a postseason contest (2010 NFC Divisional at Atlanta, also 48).
LaFleur also called a timeout in the second quarter prior to a key third down after Doubs had subbed out. He wanted to run a particular play for him and made sure he was in the game for it. The result? A 39-yard reception.
"Rome, he was on one tonight," LaFleur said. "You could see it. Man, he's got great hands. He's got an unbelievable mindset, and it was really cool to see that come to fruition."
- The NFC's top seed awaits in San Francisco.
The No. 1 seed 49ers had a first-round bye and now get the Packers at home in the divisional round.
"Really excited about our next opportunity, playing against one of the best teams in the NFL," LaFleur said. "We'll have our work cut out for us.
"Assuming it's going to be on a short week, we'll have to rest up."
Alexander did leave the game in the second half with what might've been a recurrence of his ankle injury. LaFleur said outside linebacker Kingsley Enagbare sustained a significant injury as well.
The 49ers will be as rested as it gets, having sat their starters in Week 18 when they had the top seed wrapped up. Meanwhile, the Packers are as hot as any team could be coming to challenge them.
"They're a very talented team," Love said. "It's all about how we get back to work next week, get in the film room, see what they're all about.
"We've got to get our bodies back and get back to it."
