Mike McCarthy's Cowboys vs. Packers NFL Playoff Reunion: 'We Want to Win for Coach!'

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is poised to face his former team Sunday when the Green Bay Packers enter AT&T Stadium for the playoff opener.

The Dallas Cowboys (12-5) are back in the playoffs for the third consecutive season, hoping to avoid the snake that's bitten them each try since 1995's Super Bowl victory.

For Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, the hope is to advance past the divisional round for the first time in his four-year tenure - a challenge that starts with Sunday's wildcard game against the Green Bay Packers.

It's the first step in what could be a four-game run for Dallas ... but it's also a reunion for McCarthy, who coached the Packers for 13 years prior to his stint with the Cowboys.

"I'm pretty sure there's going to be a lot of emotions with Coach McCarthy and rightfully so," Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse said. "He's been there, he's won, won a Super Bowl up there and had some great years.

"So to play them in this Wild Card game, I know it's going to be huge for him."

McCarthy compiled a record of 125-77-2 during his time in Green Bay and won the Super Bowl in 2010. He made the playoffs nine times and finished with a losing record just thrice.

The game will be played in Dallas, so McCarthy won't be returning to Lambeau Field - but as Kearse said, the coach's Packers-heavy past remains.

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on the sideline against the Washington Commanders / © Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Still, McCarthy said after the Cowboys' 38-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday that he's unbothered by the matchup.

"The drama of it, I'm sure you guys will love," McCarthy said. "I will not participate in it. ... It's playoff time. It doesn't matter who we play, to be honest with you."

Kearse, who spoke on the topic Monday, reiterated similar thoughts to his coach, noting he's not concerned about McCarthy handling any of the extra meaning surrounding the game.

Perhaps most importantly, Kearse stressed the contest goes beyond coach vs. former team, a concept he also wants his teammates to grasp.

"I'm pretty sure he won't let that get in the way of the things that we have to do, understanding that we're here for one reason," Kearse said. "And it's not Mike McCarthy versus Green Bay; it's the Dallas Cowboys versus Green Bay, and that's something players need to understand as well."

McCarthy is 42-25 in Dallas; he's gone 12-5 each of the past two years, but the Cowboys have lost two of their three playoff games under his guidance.

Following Sunday's win, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones finished a question about McCarthy's job security by saying, "We'll see how each game goes" in the postseason.

In essence, McCarthy has lots at stake. The Cowboys' locker room understands that. But still, it's all excess that Dallas is trying to block out entering Sunday.

"We want to go out there and win this for coach but let's understand that it's a team that is in our way," Kearse said. "Let's not make it bigger than what it is. Being that it's the playoffs are already huge enough, so let's not put anything else on it."

The Cowboys haven't made the NFC Championship game since their last Super Bowl. They're just 4-12 in all postseason contests during the 27-year stretch.

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This team aspires to be different ... and doesn't plan on letting any outside noise - be it about McCarthy's past in Green Bay or his future on the sidelines - get in the way of moving closer to that goal Sunday at 3:30 p.m. CST inside AT&T Stadium.

"Let's just go out there and win," Kearse said, "because that's what we have to do in order to achieve the things we set out to achieve starting this year."