The Dallas Cowboys are set to begin their pursuit of the sixth championship in franchise history when they host the Green Bay Packers for a Wild Card Weekend matchup at 3:30 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys locked up the NFC East title for the 22nd time in franchise history along with the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a 38-10 Week 18 victory over the Washington Commanders to close the regular season.
Though many of Dallas’ most notables are expected to garner some attention during this upcoming playoff matchup, here are three players that might raise an eyebrow when the Cowboys take the field against the Packers.
Dak Prescott
While it may be cliche to say that all roads to gridiron success are paved through the quarterback, Prescott will be seen as Dallas’ navigator throughout their playoff run. The Cowboys starter completed 31 of 36 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in last Sunday's rout of Washington. Prescott was particularly effective in the red zone, where he connected with his targets for all four of his scoring strikes: two to CeeDee Lamb and one each to Jalen Tolbert and Brandin Cooks. With Green Bay’s top quarterback Jaire Alexander battling an ankle injury, which could either limit him or keep him from suiting up on Sunday, Prescott and the Cowboys passing game should look to attack a vulnerable Packers secondary.
Brandin Cooks
Though Cowboys star wideout CeeDee Lamb will command the majority of the attention of Green Bay’s secondary, Cooks may be in line to parlay a late-season surge into a prominent run in the postseason. The veteran speedster entered this playoff matchup having caught six of eight passes for 39 yards, as well as Dallas' final touchdown of the day on a five-yard pass Prescott against the Commanders. Despite a slow start to his season, the Oregon State product earned eight receiving touchdown — his highest total since 2016. Having caught five scores within Dallas last seven games of the regular season, he may find openings in both the slot and along the perimeter to take advantage the Packers makeshift defensive backfield.
DaRon Bland
Following the season-ending injury to top perimeter corner Trevon Diggs in September, may wondered whether Dallas’ defensive backfield would maintain its ability to seek and take away the football from its opponents. Bland he led to queen any uneasiness quickly, leading the NFL with nine interceptions, and tying for seventh with 15 passes-defensed. Known primarily for his prowess in defending slot receivers, Bland also demonstrates a sound ability to make tackles downfield, and even along the perimeter. As such, the 6-0, 197-pound cornerback should see an increase in his usage in multiple roles when defending Green Bay’s receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, who continues to battle a hamstring injury.
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