Welcome to the playoffs! After all of the trials and tribulations of the common season, that is the place issues actually begin getting actual. It has been mentioned that the common season solely exists to find out playoff seeding, however the playoffs are the place the true soccer begins.
This isn’t a brand new expertise for the Cowboys, being within the postseason. Mike McCarthy has taken this group to the playoffs three years in a row now, the primary time for the reason that 90’s for this franchise. Whereas that’s all effectively and good, it actually doesn’t matter a lot when contemplating the Cowboys are 1-2 in these video games, having been eradicated by the 49ers each instances.
The Cowboys should go on a deep playoff run for this season to matter. Whether or not or not they will lastly clear the hurdle that’s the 49ers, the Cowboys’ first take a look at begins at house in opposition to the Packers. They’re heavy favorites, with the second largest level unfold for the Wild Card spherical, and that’s for a couple of causes. For starters, they haven’t misplaced a recreation in Dallas for the reason that season opener final 12 months. The Cowboys have been one of many league’s finest groups all 12 months, however they’re particularly good in AT&T Stadium.
One other issue is the state of this Packers group. They moved on from the Aaron Rodgers period within the offseason and longtime backup Jordan Love grew to become the starter below heart. Not solely have been the Packers breaking in a brand new quarterback with minimal expertise and most expectations, however the surrounding solid was extraordinarily younger. With a median age of just below 26 years previous, the Packers have the youngest roster in soccer.
As you may anticipate, there have been rising pains early on. Inexperienced Bay began out 3-6 and, in the midst of November, lifeless within the water. Love, specifically, had been very mistake inclined and gave followers few causes to think about the long run. However whereas the roster could be very younger, the teaching employees is skilled. Head coach Matt LaFleur, who additionally calls the offensive performs, received 13 video games in every of his first three seasons. That wasn’t an accident.
LaFleur started to get a really feel for his offense, one of the best ways to make the most of them, and easy methods to get one of the best out of his younger quarterback. The Packers instantly began scoring with consistency they usually completed the season 6-2 to sneak into the playoffs. Over these remaining eight video games, they have been second in EPA/play and really led the league in EPA/dropback.
After all, that doesn’t paint the entire image. The Packers lit up the scoreboard to complete out the 12 months, however additionally they received all however a kind of video games by one rating. That highlights the Packers’ largest weak spot: their protection. Inexperienced Bay ranks twenty third in EPA/play allowed and twenty seventh in defensive DVOA; they gave up 30 factors to the Panthers, a group that (exterior of that recreation in opposition to the Packers) scored 33 factors of their final 5 video games mixed.
Not solely is the protection an enormous downside for Inexperienced Bay, however there exists the chance that the offensive fireworks have been a little bit of a mirage. Except for the Chiefs, a recreation that featured a really controversial ending, the Packers didn’t face a single protection that completed the 12 months within the prime 10 in defensive DVOA. The Packers nonetheless deserve credit score for these performances, however it’s not like they have been shredding nice defenses.
Therein lies the issue for the Packers, and the explanation for such optimism across the Cowboys. Inexperienced Bay should journey into an setting by which no person however the Cowboys have received all 12 months and put their Swiss cheese protection up in opposition to one of the environment friendly offenses within the league. On the similar time, the Packers shall be asking their younger quarterback to try to win a shootout in his playoff debut in opposition to one of the fierce move rushes and most opportunistic defensive backfields.
None of meaning the Packers haven’t any probability, however the odds definitely aren’t of their favor. The Cowboys have one of many best first rounds within the playoffs to begin issues off, however it received’t be a stroll within the park. Nonetheless, the Packers haven’t overwhelmed a group that performs even near how the Cowboys do at house. If Dallas can merely get out of their very own manner and play their model of soccer, we needs to be again right here subsequent week speaking concerning the divisional spherical matchup.
