The Cowboys were awarded the NFC East title by the Eagles, giving them a chance, as the No. 2 seed, to play two home playoff games. They entered Sunday with a 16-game winning streak at home.
With a huge opportunity in front of them, the Cowboys did what they've done many times since their last Super Bowl win in 1995. They failed to show up.
Not only did Dallas lose, it lost in embarrassing fashion, getting blown out 48-32 by a quarterback in its first postseason game. It was never that close and it was never in doubt.
It leaves owner Jerry Jones with a lot of soul searching this offseason: Should he fire Mike McCarthy, who is now 1-3 in the past three seasons, including two losses at home? If he does, will he entrust the team to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, whose unit has given up the most points in a playoff game in team history? Does he commit a massive amount of money and salary cap space to Dak Prescott, who has nearly $60 million next season, threw two picks on Sunday and is 2-5 in the postseason in his career?
But Sunday was all about the Packers, who came to AT&T Stadium and kicked the Cowboys' ass.
Jordan Love, in his first career playoff game, completed 16 of 21 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns for a 157.2 passer rating.
Aaron Jones rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, and Romeo Dobbs caught six passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Luke Musgrave and Dontayvion Wicks also had touchdown catches.
Jaire Alexander had a pick on Prescott at the Dallas 19 that led to a short drive, and Darnell Savage had a 64-yard pick six. The Packers led 27-7 at halftime after the Cowboys scored on the final play of the half.
Prescott went 41 of 60 for 403 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, but two of the Cowboys' touchdowns came in the fourth quarter after trailing 48-16.