*(Editor's Note: With the Cowboys having the bye week as the NFC's No. 1 seed, they get to not only rest up this weekend, but also get an early look at the three possible opponents for the divisional round. This week, DallasCowboys.com will take a closer glance at the three options to face Dallas on Sunday, Jan. 15 at AT&T Stadium. Today, we start the series with the Green Bay Packers.) *
Team: Green Bay Packers
Record: 10-6
Finish: First place in NFC North
Seed: Fourth in NFC
Streak: Six-game winning streak
How it Happens: As long as the Lions don't upset Seattle Saturday night, the winner of the Packers-Giants game will face the Cowboys the next Sunday at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys will face the lowest-seeded team remaining in the playoffs. Considering Detroit has lost three straight, it doesn't seem likely the Lions could win at Seattle. And since the Packers are playing red-hot and will host the Giants at Lambeau Field, the Packers are the most realistic team to head to Arlington in two weeks.
Biggest Storyline: If the Packers end up facing the Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round, it would most certainly bring back memories of the Dez Bryant play two years ago in Green Bay. One of the most memorable, and perhaps frustrating plays in Cowboys history, it still doesn't sit well with fans who believe Dez caught a fourth-down pass that likely would've given the Cowboys a late touchdown and the lead in the final minutes.
Who's Hot? Easiest answer of all-time. The hottest player in the NFL right now is Aaron Rodgers, who basically calmed down an entire fan base in Green Bay, saying the 4-6 Packers were good enough to run the table and finish strong. He was right, as the Packers have won six straight games, thanks to him. Rodgers is now an MVP candidate for the way he's carried the Packers on his back down the stretch.
Previous Meeting: If the Packers square off against the Cowboys, it won't look much like it did back in October. Green Bay wasn't moving the ball as effectively on offense as it is now. The turnovers were a big problem in that game as David Irving forced three fumbles, including one inside the 5-yard line. The Cowboys dominated Green Bay at the line of scrimmage and Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 157 yards, while Dak Prescott passed for three touchdowns, including two to Cole Beasley.
What's Changed: The Packers have now found some consistency in their running game. Converted receiver Ty Montgomery has become a viable option for the Packers, who lost both Eddie Lacy and James Starks to injuries. Montgomery and former Cowboys running back Christine Michael are now providing some depth for the Packers in the running game to complement Rodgers' passing attack.
Playoff History: If the Packers and Cowboys meet again in the playoffs, it will be for the eighth time in franchise history, which would tie the Rams for most games played in the playoffs against one another. The Cowboys have also faced the Vikings and 49ers seven times each. But in the 1990s, the Packers came to Texas Stadium three straight years, losing all three to the Cowboys. Of course, the most memorable and iconic playoff game in the series occurred in the 1967 NFL Championship Game, which is also referred to as the "Ice Bowl."
