4 bold Packers predictions for playoff matchup vs. Cowboys

Aaron Jones rushes for 140 yards

The Packers must lean on the run to have a shot at upsetting the Cowboys. And there are multiple reasons why.

Dallas has one of the league's most explosive offenses. Green Bay must slow the game down and control the clock. The Cowboys' strength is their dominant pass rush. What is the best way to stop Micah Parsons from taking over the game? Run right at him. Green Bay did this in last year's meeting between the two teams, rushing for 207 yards and a touchdown in a 31-28 victory.

It's a different season with different teams, but it remains the recipe for success against the Cowboys. Dallas ranks 27th in run-stop win rate. McCarthy's team has lost four games this season, including defeats to the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Buffalo Bills. These three teams ran all over the Cowboys' defense. Here are the numbers:

• Cardinals: 30 carries, 222 yards, 2 TDs
• 49ers: 41 carries, 170 yards, 2 TDs
• Bills: 49 carries, 266 yards, 3 TDs

In those three games, the Cowboys' opponents rushed 120 times for 658 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Green Bay is unlikely to have AJ Dillon available, but Aaron Jones is on fire. He has three straight 100-yard performances and looks fresh, putting up 358 yards on the ground during the Packers' current three-game win streak.

Jones has dominated Dallas' defense in his career, and Green Bay will lean on him again this weekend.