GREEN BAY, Wis. — Mike McCarthy coached the Green Bay Packers for nearly 13 years before he was dismissed late in the 2018 season. Only Curly Lambeau coached the Packers longer and won more games in his tenure.
That’s why it’s a big deal that McCarthy returns to Lambeau Field Sunday as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Here are three things to watch in Sunday’s game:
Mike McCarthy's Return
McCarthy led the Packers to the Super Bowl 45 title, six division crowns and nine playoff berths. He will be just the third former Packers coach to coach against the Packers in Wisconsin.
Mike Holmgren went 1-4 in Green Bay as coach of the Seahawks and the Packers beat Curly Lambeau in 1952 at the old Marquette Stadium when he was coaching Washington. (Lindy Infante was the coach of the Colts when they beat the Packers in 1997 in Indianapolis.)
Packers and Cowboys History
The most memorable meeting between the Packers and Cowboys was the iconic “Ice Bowl” NFL Championship Game at Lambeau Field on December 31, 1967. The Packers won that game 21-17 on Bart Starr’s legendary quarterback sneak.
The Packers would go on to win Super Bowl II in Vince Lombardi’s last season as Packers coach.
Connections Galore
Among the many connections on the Cowboys are players Jake Ferguson and Tyler Biadasz, both former Badgers.
The Dallas coaching staff has plenty of Green Bay flavor, including offensive line coach Joe Philbin. He was the Packers interim head coach after McCarthy was let go.
The Packers are 7-2 all-time against the Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Dallas claimed victories in 2008 and 2016. The Packers got revenge in the 2016 playoffs.