In beating the Detroit Lions in Week 17, the Dallas Cowboys secured an undefeated record at home for the 2023 regular season. Their splits away from AT&T Stadium have been a cause for concern, but with the NFC East title in hand, that’s a late-January problem, should the Cowboys be fortunate enough to get there.
For now, the focus is on the Green Bay Packers, who will visit Dallas on Sunday in a Wild Card Round matchup destined to continue a rivalry renewed by Aaron Rodgers. From winning the “Dez Caught It” game to Rodgers’ strike to Jared Cook, America’s Team has been burned by the green and gold before. With quarterback Jordan Love under center, a new chapter will be written in Jerry World.
Dallas’ home-field advantage has been crucial to their success in big games this season, even if its most notable impact has been on the Cowboys’ confidence. Having taken down the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles in front of the Dallas faithful, AT&T Stadium’s playoff atmosphere is already locked and loaded. But what makes it so potent?
Veteran receiver Brandin Cooks gave his thoughts on the matter before Sunday’s contest.
“Our fans. No doubt about it,” Cooks said. “They show up every game, no matter the time. No matter what’s going on, they’re in there from start to finish. A lot of love to them … We definitely need them this week again.”
Dallas is encouraging its fans to wear white, matching the uniforms the team will wear. As the Cowboys look to extend their home winning streak, Cooks is dealing with some home-road splits himself.
Cooks’ five most productive games (by receiving yards) have come in the comfort of his own stadium, including a nine-catch, 173-yard performance against the New York Giants. On the year, his production has been modest – 54 catches for 657 yards – but he has eight touchdowns to his name.
He may not be as potent a vertical threat as he was expected to be, but he has become a trusted target in the red zone for quarterback Dak Prescott, who has repeatedly shown out in front of the home fans.
The confidence that comes with the Cowboys’ home record, along with the advantages the crowd will give them, makes Jerry World an adversarial place to play for Green Bay. A win on Sunday would lock in another home game.
It’ll be on Cooks, Prescott, and an amped-up Dallas roster to overcome their recent woes against the Packers and send them packing. Kickoff for Sunday’s action is at 3:30 p.m. (CT) on FOX.
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