Five takeaways from Packers’ thrilling divisional round victory over Cowboys

Morgan Burnett injury hits defense

It was all going too well. Too good to be true, perhaps.

Restricted to just 13 points on five first-half points, Dallas’ offense was being held in check by a decimated Green Bay defense. Then the wheels fell off for the Packers. Partly down to great play by the Cowboys offense, and partly down to mistakes on defense. One key factor was the injury to safety Morgan Burnett, who hurt his quad on the game’s opening possession.

Burnett wouldn’t return, and the Packers had lost a major piece to their defense. Along with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay’s safety tandem is one of few positives in a depleted secondary. Dom Capers moves Burnett all over the field, spending time at linebacker in many situations.

Sometimes you don’t realize the importance of a player until they’re gone. Previous injuries to Burnett have hurt the Packers defense in the past, and it proved to be true again.

That’s not to say it was all on this one injury. Dallas deserves plenty of credit for its offensive performance, while Green Bay equally deserves blame for many of their missed tackles, and Capers for his soft coverage.

But Burnett’s absence played a role, and the Packers will need him back in Atlanta.