Packers prepare for playoffs with more still to prove.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WSAW) – The Packers are the youngest team in the NFL this season. They’re also the youngest team to make the playoffs since the league expanded to a 16-game season in 1978. Despite the youth, the team feels the tumultuous season has prepared them for the next step.

“I mean did you look at our season? A lot of ups and downs,” said running back Aaron Jones. “People counted us out before the season even started.”

The Packers have overcome injuries, two separate rough patches of the schedule and, once again, the youth to earn a spot in the Wild Card round against Dallas. Having been through a lot of adversity this season sets Green Bay up for success, according to head coach Matt LaFleur.

“When you have something to prove, like you don’t let that get you down,” said LaFleur. “That’s what I love about this group is there’s so many guys in that locker room that despite what’s going on around them, they were hungry to prove not only themselves but everybody.”

The Packers have found their stride, winning six of their last eight games to earn a playoff spot, including winning back-to-back ‘must-win’ games to end the season and clinch a postseason spot. Jordan Love said having had to play ‘playoff games’ for weeks now has them in the right mindset heading into Dallas.

“I think we’ve had a couple opportunities to be in this position, kind of have that pressure on us to have to win to get in,” said Love. “Obviously, now the stakes are a little bit higher in the playoffs, but I think we’ve been here and have the right mindset going forward.”

Love’s play has continued to be the difference for Green Bay. Through their final eight games, Love had 18 touchdowns and just one interception. His 27-32, two-touchdown day over Chicago helped win him NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week. He says his approach doesn’t change heading into Sunday.

“I really don’t think there’s anything you change,” said Love. “I think you keep the main thing the main thing. You stay dialed in, locked in the process of what I do what everybody does in that locker room to get everybody ready, but I’m a believer, I feel like you don’t change anything. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

“I think it all starts with how he approaches the game and how he approaches life,” said LaFleur. “He’s awesome to come to work with each and every day. I think the sky is the limit for him.”

As the Packers prepare to face the Cowboys for the ninth time ever in the playoffs, now tied for an NFL record., they know it’ll take a near-perfect showing. The Cowboys are the two-seed and a seven-seed has never won a game in the playoffs. However, even the young guys on the team know that playing the game comes down to just playing football.

“We’ve played football long enough that we know that it’s going to be awesome,” said rookie tight end Luke Musgrave. “It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be playoff mentality and we’re going to try to win and move on.”