Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy names team captains for duration of NFL Playoffs

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy announced the six players that will serve as the team’s captains for the duration of playoffs ahead of kickoff on Sunday. Quarterback Dak Prescott, right guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, punter Bryan Anger and kicker Brandon Aubrey will represent Dallas against the Green Bay Packers and beyond, for as long as the playoff run lasts.

Nearly all of the Cowboys’ captains are veterans, except for Brandon Aubrey. The rookie kicker receives the rare honor after a nearly perfect season of field goals. He ended his streak at 35-for-35 last Sunday in the win over the Washington Commanders. “Butter” Aubrey is now 36-for-38 on the year, including 9-for-9 on kicks from 50+ yards. He smashed the NFL’s record for consecutive field goals made to start a career in early November before finally missing in Week 18.

Like Aubrey, Stephon Gilmore is in his first season with the Dallas Cowboys. The former Bills, Patriots, Panthers, and Colts defender joined Dallas in the offseason in a trade and made an immediate impact. He had 68 tackles with one forced fumble and two interceptions during the regular season.

The Cowboys are hosting the Packers for a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff in AT&T Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

Cowboys land nine players on AP first, second teams

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb earned his very first All-Pro First-Team selection this week, the Associated Press announced on Friday. Lamb, along with cornerback DaRon Bland, kicker Brandon Aubrey and right guard Zack Martin, made the first team while QB Dak Prescott, left guard Tyler Smith, left tackle Tyron Smith, edge rusher Micah Parsons and punter Bryan Anger made the second team.

After breaking the Cowboys’ franchise records for receptions and receiving yards this season, 24-year-old Lamb received 49 out of 50 possible votes. Only three NFL players received 50-of-50 first-team votes: RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Tyreek Hill, LB Fred Warner. Lamb led the NFL with 135 receptions and had 1,749 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns.

The first-team selection is also the first for Cowboys breakout star DaRon Bland who finished the regular season with a league-high nine interceptions and five pick-sixes. It was also a first for rookie Brandon Aubrey who started his career 35-for-35 on field goals this season.

Veteran right guard Zack Martin now has seven First-Team All-Pro honors to his name. He also has two more second-team honors.

Quarterback Dak Prescott had never made the AP All-Pro list until this season. The 30-year-old is having arguably his best year to date, throwing for 4,516 yards, a league-leading 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions on a career-high 69.5% passing.