By Yann Rivallan — January 15, 2024 at 1:52 a.m.
The Cowboys performed poorly at home. Dominated from start to finish by the Packers, the Dallas franchise collapsed in the first round of the playoffs. Green Bay and its young quarterback Jordan Love are taking advantage.
Dallas Cowboys (2) – Green Bay Packers (7) : 32-48
Packers versus Cowboys this season sounded a bit like David versus Goliath. If the comparison may seem a bit exaggerated, it is surely because Green Bay completely defeated its opponent of the day, even though it was at home. Matt LaFleur’s men have never been worried. They took the lead from the start and never looked back. On the other hand, Dallas continues to disappoint in the playoffs. A non-existent defense and an all-too-predictable attack call everything into question. Should we continue the adventure with Dak Prescott? Exit Mike McCarthy? Many questions we will have to ask ourselves after this painful defeat.
Key moment: Darnell Savage’s pick six
It may not have been the action that sealed the Cowboys’ fate, but it was certainly the one that hurt the most. With his pick six, safety Darnell Savage air-conditioned AT&T Stadium and put a major blow to the morale of the Dallas players. At this point in the game, it’s 27-0 in favor of the Packers. And it’s not even halftime yet.
The gap is such that we sense resignation among the Cowboys. They still managed to get back together slightly with a touchdown before the break. But the damage is done. And they will never come back.
Film you match
The Cowboys’ defense does not give any favors and yet, the Packers manage to find their way from the start of the match. After a long drive of almost eight minutes, Aaron Jones (21 carries, 118 yards, 3 TDs) delivers the first score on a run two steps from the end zone. Opposite, we respond with a punt following a miss from CeeDee Lamb. The Packers didn’t do much better on the following drive.
But the wait won’t be long. Back on attack, Dak Prescott (41/60, 403 yards, 3 TD, 2 Int) was directly intercepted. Cornerback Jaire Alexander dives in front of Brandin Cooks and offers his team a golden opportunity to take off. Less than 20 yards from the Cowboys zone, Aaron Jones continues his very good game with a second touchdown on the ground. Behind, the Cowboys’ attack and their uninspired game plan continue to suffer against a surprising green and yellow defense. New punt.
Conversely, Jordan Love (16/21, 272 yards, 3 TDs) continues to show very good things. He unleashes a superb 20-yard pass down the middle to his receiver Dontayvion Wicks to add six more points to the scoreboard. What about Dallas? It’s the descent into hell. Prescott was intercepted again, this time by Darnell Savage. The defender has free rein and traces 64 yards for a pick six.
DARNELL SAVAGE PICK-6. WOW.
????: #GBvsDAL on FOX
????: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Ut3BRhC2CE pic.twitter.com/ERbaOsRW08— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2024
Two seconds before halftime, Dallas finally made it happen and saved the honor. But the result is there: 7-27 at the break. AT&T Stadium is very quiet. Back from the locker room, the Cowboys don’t act proud but still score a field goal. What to boost their morale? Not really. Green Bay keeps its foot on the accelerator and unfolds both on the ground and in the air. Aaron Jones widens the gap even further with his third touchdown of the match.
Mike McCarthy’s men did not admit defeat and fought back. But they did not even manage to convert the six points scored. And the offensive squad of cheeseheads leaves no respite. This time it’s tight end Luke Musgrave, completely alone, who drives the point home. Green Bay may try to run down the clock, but the franchise continues to score. Romeo Doubs also scores a touchdown. The Cowboys react once again with 8 additional points. But the gap is too big. The Packers just have to manage until the end, despite a good return from America’s team.
The MVP: Aaron Jones
The Packers’ offensive success comes largely from him. Even if quarterback Jordan Love has nothing to be ashamed of for his performance, Aaron Jones had a great game against a defense that was formidable in the regular season. It’s simple, the 29-year-old running back is back at his best, like during his confrontation against the Bears for qualification in the playoffs. Author of 21 races for 118 yards and above all 3 touchdowns, he is the strong man of the day!
Le flop : la connexion Prescott – Lamb
We could also have mentioned the Cowboys defense, which was only a shadow of itself. But the big miss is obviously the connection between quarterback Dak Prescott and his receiver CeeDee Lamb. Both players were prolific throughout the regular season. But against the Packers, nothing worked out the way they wanted. Already, from the first drive, the player’s missed reception cost Dallas potential points. But worse, on Darnell Savage’s pick six, it was Lamb who was the target. Even if in the end the receiver comes out of the game with a solid copy of 9 receptions for 110 yards, his stats are not representative of his game. Just like Prescott and his 403 yards.
At state: 5
This is the number of Dak Prescott failures in the playoffs. Five defeats against two small victories. An alarming statistic that continues to sow doubt on the quarterback’s abilities to materialize in playoff games.
And now ?
The Cowboys are once again held in check in the first rounds of the playoffs. We will have to digest this heavy defeat and question ourselves about the future. The position of head coach Mike McCarthy could be under threat. And we’ll have to wonder if Dak Prescott is the long-term solution at quarterback.
The Packers maintain hope after a benchmark victory for Jordan Love in his first game in the playoffs. The young quarterback continues to progress and confirms his achievements. It remains to be seen if the next step will not be too high: Green Bay will have to face the formidable San Francisco 49ers.
2024-01-15 00:52:59
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