Dallas Cowboys fans are already feeling confident heading into a Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. But there’s a stat that should build even more confidence in Big D coming off a bye.
Normally, a road game in Lambeau Field is nothing to scoff at. But this Packers team isn’t what it used to be.
Green Bay is 3-6 on the year. Aaron Rodgers and Co. are only averaging 17 points per game, the sixth-worst mark in the NFL. The Packers 170 passing yards per game is the second-lowest in the league.
But Dallas has another statistical trend in its favor ahead of Sunday’s game.
Mike McCarthy has a .733 win percentage off a bye
Some teams come off a bye week sluggish and unprepared. But not Mike McCarthy-led teams.
McCarthy has an 11-4 record following a bye. He was 9-4 with the Packers and is 2-0 with the Cowboys. Both his wins as Dallas’ HC came against an old foe in the NFC North.
McCarthy and the Cowboys beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in 2020. Last season, they topped the Vikings again, 20-16. Fans may remember the most recent win over Minnesota as Cooper Rush’s first NFL start.
McCarthy making his return to Green Bay
McCarthy coached the Packers for 13 seasons before joining the Cowboys. His tenure in Green Bay should be considered successful overall.
The Packers made the playoffs nine times under McCarthy and won six NFC North titles. The Pittsburgh native had a .642 win percentage with Green Bay and won a Super Bowl.
But things got ugly at the end. McCarthy and Rodgers butted heads and ultimately, the Packers sided with the QB over the head coach. Now, McCarthy will have the chance to exact some revenge on his old team.
This will be McCarthy’s first time coaching against the Packers and his first time on the visitor’s sideline in Lambeau Field. Naturally, you’d expect McCarthy to have extra motivation going into this matchup.
The 58-year-old did get emotional while fielding an array of questions regarding his return to Green Bay. But McCarthy ultimately downplayed the storyline, saying he’s treating it just like any other game. When asked about squaring off with his old QB, McCarthy said:
“I have nothing but love and gratitude for him. Whole lot of appreciation. He made me a much better coach. I’m looking forward to seeing him.”
While that may be true, it would only be natural for McCarthy to have extra motivation to clobber the Packers this weekend. And it would certainly make Dallas bettors happy, too, as the Cowboys are 5-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
