Cowboys defense exposed in historically awful performance vs. Packers

In the 48-32 defeat, Dallas allowed the second-most points in a home playoff game in league history, per Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.

"Don't you dare blame Dak Prescott for this game," ESPN analyst and former Jets HC Rex Ryan said Monday on "Get Up." "This defense stunk. Why did they get outcoached? I don't know. But point to the defense, period."

In the regular season, the Cowboys were fifth in the NFL in points allowed (315). However, they never addressed their shaky run defense, which was 16th in yards allowed (1,910). The weakness came back to haunt them Sunday. Packers RB Aaron Jones rushed for three TDs and 118 yards on 21 carries.

It appears Dallas' pass-rush has an overreliance on star edge-rusher Micah Parsons. Parsons finished with two tackles and no sacks. As a result, the Cowboys struggled to pressure Packers QB Jordan Love, who tied Houston's C.J. Stroud for the fourth-highest passer rating (157.4) in postseason history, according to CBS Sports.  

"I'm surprised, I didn't see this coming," cornerback Stephon Gilmore said, via Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. "I'm very surprised because I know what type of team we have. In the playoffs, you got to prove it and you can't have any down days. And that's how the game goes."

The awful performance could spur change. One executive told Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would fire McCarthy and pursue former Patriots HC Bill Belichick if they lost to Green Bay.

If Jones moves on from McCarthy, this is the right move. Belichick — a six-time Super Bowl champion — is a future Hall of Famer who could help the Cowboys defense become a championship-caliber unit.