The Green Bay Packers (9-8) are a big underdog in their game against the Dallas Cowboys (12-5) at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys are 7.5 point favorites at home during Wild Card weekend. However, given the Packers’ recent performance, many analysts believe they have a shot to at least make it interesting.
If the Packers are to keep up with the high-powered Dallas attack, they will need to rely on their offensive playmakers. As it turns out, the Packers have one advantage that could make all the difference.
The Green Bay Packers have a significant advantage over the Dallas Cowboys.
Pro Football Focus noted the potential impact of rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed on Sunday:
The Packers will have their own mismatch advantage in the slot on offense in this game, owing to the emergence of rookie wide out Jayden Reed. It won’t be nearly the same advantage as Lamb vs. Nixon, but it will be a significant edge.
This season, the second-round pick out of Michigan State has feasted out of the slot, following only CeeDee Lamb and Amon-Ra St. Brown with 653 slot receiving yards. Only Lamb has more touchdowns from the slot than Reed’s seven.
Reed will face Cowboys slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who has given up more yards than any slot CB except Nixon and Alontae Taylor. Lewis’ 1.33 yards allowed per coverage snap in the slot ranks 11th, while his 8.7 snaps per reception allowed in the slot ranks 15th.
Reed received 98 targets during the regular season, ranking second among all Packers receivers. However, his 55 targets in the second half of the season are easily first, and he has seen 13 more targets in the last four games than any other Packers player.
On Sunday, the Packers offense can keep up with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys averaged 29.9 points per game during the regular season. That was the best in the NFL. With 22.5 points per game, the Packers ranked 12th. However, the Packers have scored 29 points or more five times this season.
Jordan Love completed 72.6% of his throws, threw for 791 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions in the final three games of the season (all victories). All of this without Watson (who may play this week). If the Packers offensive clicks, they can compete with any offense in the NFL.
