Connect with us

Dallas, TX

Packers vs. Cowboys line, odds, picks: Our experts pick Dallas to beat Green Bay

Published

on

Packers vs. Cowboys line, odds, picks: Our experts pick Dallas to beat Green Bay


Mike McCarthy’s past and present converge on Sunday when the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys meet in a playoff game. McCarthy’s Cowboys are a touchdown favorite at home against a Packers team that captured the final wild card by winning its final three games.

This is the middle game of Sunday’s playoff tripleheader and will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium. FOX will handle the broadcast.

NFC East champion Dallas (12-5) is the No. 2 seed, tied with San Francisco and Detroit for the best record in the conference. The Cowboys have also won 16 in a row at home, but their last loss in AT&T Stadium came in this round two seasons ago.

McCarthy knows that success with this storied franchise is measured by more than just making it to the playoffs, and the first step in attempting to end Dallas’ Super Bowl drought (going on 28 years) is beating the team he won a Lombardi Trophy with 13 years ago.

Advertisement

Green Bay (9-8) hasn’t returned to the Super Bowl since that magical 2010 season, but this Packers team under coach Matt LaFleur has already defied expectations simply by getting into the playoffs.

After some initial success, Jordan Love experienced the typical growing pains that first-year starting quarterbacks go through in the NFL. Combined with some key injuries led to a 2-5 record for Green Bay through the end of October. But Love has gotten into quite the groove over the last eight weeks, throwing 18 touchdown passes and just one interception. That helped fuel a 6-2 finish to capture a wild-card berth and earned Love bragging rights over predecessor Aaron Rodgers in one aspect – leading the Packers to the playoffs in his first season as the starter.

The question now is how Love will fare when the stakes are raised and when facing a Dallas defense that finished the regular season ranked fifth in both points and total yards allowed per game. This unit also features two of the best in the league for creating havoc and coming up with big plays in linebacker Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland. A complimentary Green Bay running game powered by Aaron Jones – who has three straight 100-yard efforts – will take some of the offensive load off of Love. Christian Watson is questionable for this game with a hamstring injury.

For the Cowboys, much of the focus will be on how their offense performs, especially since McCarthy calls the plays. But there also will be plenty of pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott. The league leader in touchdown passes with 36 (Love finished second with 32), Prescott is just 2-4 in the playoffs, including a home loss to the McCarthy/Rodgers Packers in the divisional round during his 2016 rookie season. Prescott’s previous playoff experience should help him against a Green Bay defense that finished the regular season ninth against the pass.

The Packers also know that Prescott will look for CeeDee Lamb early and often. Limiting the league’s receptions leader (135 for 1,739 yards and 12 touchdowns) while not allowing running back Tony Pollard to get going on the ground will be critical if Green Bay wants to hand its former coach another deflating postseason defeat.

Advertisement

Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is questionable with shoulder and ankle injuries.

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Buy them here.

What are the odds for Packers vs. Cowboys?

Storylines for Packers vs. Cowboys

Why each NFC playoff team will win the Super Bowl, and why they won’t

Packers-Cowboys preview: Dak Prescott vs. Jordan Love, Aaron Jones surging, predictions

Advertisement

What’s the Cowboys’ mindset entering playoffs? It’s time to be selfish about winning

Expert picks for Packers vs. Cowboys

(Photo of Dak Prescott: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)





Source link

Advertisement

Dallas, TX

Cowboys Visit Hints at Potential Unexpected Day 2 Target in 2026 Draft

Published

on

Cowboys Visit Hints at Potential Unexpected Day 2 Target in 2026 Draft


We have heard a lot about the Dallas Cowboys meeting with edge rushers, linebackers and cornerbacks over the course of the pre-draft process, but offensive linemen meetings have been at a minimum.

In fact, according to our most recent Cowboys visits tracker, Dallas had only met with one offensive lineman, James Brockermeyer out of Miami, before Tuesday.

But we can now add another offensive lineman visit to the mix, as NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Cowboys are one of about six teams to host Iowa guard Beau Stephens on a visit. He goes on to add that Beau could be a Day 2 pick.

Advertisement

“Iowa G Beau Stephens had visits with the Cowboys, Seahawks and Falcons, and among a tour of a half dozen teams ahead of next week’s NFL Draft. A potential Day 2 pick, Stephens was a first-team AP All-America selection this past season,” Garafolo reported on Tuesday.

An unexpected pick

Advertisement

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Advertisement

This pick would be unexpected for a few reasons.

For starters, the Cowboys have a slew of needs on defense and very little Day 2 draft capital. In fact, the Cowboys have just one pick, which falls late in the third round.

Another reason this pick would be unexpected is because the Cowboys figure to have their guard situation locked in with Tyler Booker and Tyler Smith. Sure, it’s possible Smith moves to left tackle, but he made it quite clear he doesn’t want to.

“I mean, bro, like, I’m an All-Pro guard,” Smith said. “You feel me? That’s the simple truth, just looking at stuff purely off of facts. So we’ll see what happens. We’ll have those conversations and kind of see where everybody is at.”

Advertisement

If anything, the Cowboys should be exploring their options at left tackle, where Tyler Guyton has struggled over two seasons. That said, we’d expect Guyton to get another year to figure things out.

Advertisement

Now, if the Cowboys go against Smith’s wishes and put him on the left side, anyway, then exploring options at guard make more sense, as T.J. Bass would be in line to replace Smith.

Beau Stephens scouting report

Advertisement

Offensive Lineman Beau Stephens. | Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Stephens graded out as an elite pass-blocking and run-blocking guard last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Stephens posted an 85.1 as a run-blocker and 92.5 in pass protection, ranking fifth and first in those categories, respectively.

The concerns over Stephens have to do with his short arms, which are lacking even for a guard, and his lack of athleticism. Next Gen Stats ranked him 19th in Athleticism Score among guards at the combine.

For Stephens, finding the right fit will be everything at the next level. When it comes to the Cowboys, he’s a good fit because Dallas utilizes inside/outside zone, where Stephens excels.

Advertisement

Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Continue Reading

Dallas, TX

Stephen Jones’ Comments Add Fuel To Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Trade Rumors

Published

on

Stephen Jones’ Comments Add Fuel To Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Trade Rumors


If you have been paying attention to the Dallas Cowboys rumors leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, there is a growing belief that the team is strongly looking into a potential trade up into the top 10.

Every analyst appears to have heard the growing buzz that Dallas is one of the most likely teams to trade up in next week’s draft,

Now, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones is only adding fuel to the fire.

Advertisement

Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday afternoon and discussed the possibility of a potential trade. He also commented on this year’s draft class, which indicates the Cowboys’ list of first-round targets is not as wide a net as in recent years.

Advertisement

According to Jones, the Cowboys typically enter a draft with 16 to 22 first-round grades on prospects. However, Jones noted, “I’m not sure we will get there this year.”

Dallas Cowboys Trending Toward Active Draft Day?

Advertisement

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Cowboys are no strangers to picking up the phones and engaging in trade talks, and Jerry Jones is always looking to make headlines. So when the draft rolls around, don’t be surprised to see the chatter about a potential Cowboys move increase.

Jones noted that trade talks generally begin the week of the draft, but he’s a “big believer most of these trades happen when you are on the board.”If that’s the case, Dallas will actively be monitoring any potential slides in the top 10 and could be looking to move out of the No. 20 pick.

“Next week, people finalize their boards and have their strategy sessions. I’m a big believer that most of these trades happen as you’re on the board. Players fall off that you wanted, and then you’re willing to come out. Players are staying on the board that you thought might not be there, and then you’re attempting to move up a little bit,” Jones said. “You might not be willing to give up what it costs to move way up in the draft. But if a player starts to fall, then you get a little thought that maybe we could move up and it wouldn’t cost as much and we would still get the guy that we think is the best player for us at a particular position for where we’re going to pick.”

Advertisement

Because of Jones’ comments that the team may not get to 22 prospects with first-round grades, a trade up seems like the most likely scenario.

Advertisement

The Dallas Cowboys logo is projected on the video board during the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Should a player like Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, or Rueben Bain begin to fall in the draft, it would be a perfect opportunity for the Cowboys front office to get active and make the splash that it has teased all offseason.

Advertisement

Jerry Jones has promised to “bust the budget” in an effort to rebuild the roster, and while the team may not have done so with any high-profile signings in free agency, draft day could provide the perfect opportunity for Dallas to come through on its promise, so get your popcorn ready.

Advertisement

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25.

Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI

Advertisement
Add us as a preferred source on Google



Source link

Continue Reading

Dallas, TX

TxDOT Dallas Seeks Input on Proposed Widening of FM 740/FM 548

Published

on

TxDOT Dallas Seeks Input on Proposed Widening of FM 740/FM 548


The Texas Department of Transportation Dallas District is preparing for in-personal and virtual public hearings on the proposed widening of FM 740/Fm 548.

TxDOT Dallas posted a reminder about the meetings to its social media page on Thursday afternoon.

The purpose of the hearings are to gather public input and provide more information about the proposed reconstruction and widening of FM 740/FM 548 from I-20 to FM 1641 in Mesquite and Forney within Kaufman County.

According to TxDOT, the proposal includes reconstruction of FM740/Fm 548 from a two-lane rural roadway to a four-lane divided urban roadway with raised medians, curb and gutter, a bridge widening at the Mustang Creek crossing, and a 10-foot-wide shared-use path on both sides of the road for approximately four miles.

Advertisement

The roadway passes through the cities of Mesquite and Forney. The existing right-of-way width ranges from 60 feet (along FM 740) to 150 feet (along FM 548). Where proposed right-of-way is needed, the width is generally 130 feet wide.

That means the proposed project would potentially displace three residential and one non-residential structures. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses.

The in-person meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Forney High School (1800 College Ave.).

The virtual hearing will start at 5:30 p.m. and will consist of a prerecorded video presentation. It will remain online for at least the next 15 days and materials can be viewed at any time during that period.

Anyone without internet access may call 214-320-4431 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to ask questions and access project materials during the project development project.

Advertisement

View the project materials online here. The materials will also be available in hard copy form for review at the in-person session.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending