It happened again. Yet another Cowboys season ended with high hopes dashed in devastating fashion, as Dallas was blown out by the Green Bay Packers at home Sunday afternoon, in the first round of the playoffs.

Why it matters: This might be the most heartbreaking loss in franchise history — and that’s saying something, because this team has had a lot of calamitous, season-ending losses over the years.

Context: This is the third straight year the Cowboys ended a 12-win regular season with a baffling playoff loss.

The big picture: The Cowboys came into the game as the No. 2 seed in the conference, heavily favorited — facing the No. 7 seed Packers, a team led by a quarterback playing his first playoff game.

What happened: It was ugly. Green Bay scored early and often, jumping out to an insurmountable 27-0 lead after the Cowboys stumbled on both offense and defense.

What we’re watching: Will Jerry Jones fire McCarthy? Will Jones detonate the team and try to start fresh?

Seattle Seahawks Enemy Overview: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys ‘On Fire’

Still licking their wounds after taking a 31-13 beating at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving, life won’t get any easier for the Seattle Seahawks as they prepare to battle against another one of the NFC’s elite in the form of the surging Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

Like San Francisco, Dallas enters Thursday’s contest with a top five scoring offense and defense, including leading the NFL in points per game through 12 weeks of action. With quarterback Dak Prescott playing some of the finest football in his career, coach Mike McCarthy’s squad has scored at least 33 points in three consecutive victories, while the defense has been equally smothering giving up less than 15 points per game in their current win streak.