The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers turned Week 4 of the NFL season into an instant classic, finishing in a rare 40-40 overtime tie under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium. It was a primetime showdown filled with lead changes, clutch plays, and high-octane offense but no winner emerged on Sunday night.
Game Flow and Final Moments
The drama reached a fever pitch late in the fourth quarter. After a flurry of seven straight touchdown drives, Green Bay forced overtime when kicker Brandon McManus drilled a 53-yard field goal as time expired.
In overtime, Dallas briefly took the lead with Brandon Aubrey’s 22-yard kick. But with no time left on the clock, McManus struck again this time from 34 yards to lock in the 40-40 draw.
This marked the second-highest scoring tie in NFL history, the Cowboys’ first tie since 1969, and Green Bay’s first since 2018.
Star Performers
Dak Prescott (Cowboys) – Prescott was razor-sharp, completing 31 of 40 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a short rushing score, showcasing poise and efficiency in the red zone.
Jordan Love (Packers) – Love nearly matched Prescott throw-for-throw, posting 337 yards and three touchdowns on 31 completions. His steady command helped Green Bay rack up 164 rushing yards to balance the attack.
Romeo Doubs (Packers) – Doubs had a career night with three touchdown receptions, repeatedly shifting momentum back to Green Bay during the second half.
George Pickens (Cowboys) – Pickens shined as Dallas’ top target, catching eight passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. His big-play ability kept Dallas’ offense explosive without CeeDee Lamb in the lineup.
KaVontae Turpin (Cowboys) – Turpin was a game-changer on special teams, racking up 175 yards on six kick returns, repeatedly giving Dallas a short field to work with.
Javonte Williams (Cowboys) – Williams led the rushing attack with 20 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown, including a direct-snap score that gave Dallas a third-quarter lead.
Micah Parsons’ Emotional Return
This game was also Micah Parsons’ first appearance at AT&T Stadium since being traded from Dallas to Green Bay. The spotlight on Parsons added extra emotional weight to the matchup, though the night ultimately belonged to the quarterbacks and the clutch kickers.
What This Tie Means
Dallas now sits at 1-2-1, while Green Bay moves to 2-1-1, keeping both teams very much in early playoff contention. For the Cowboys, the game underscored their ability to hang with NFC heavyweights even with key players sidelined.
This was also Dallas’ second overtime thriller in three weeks, proving that Mike McCarthy’s squad has the fight to push games to the limit.
Key Turning Points
- Fourth-Quarter Shootout: Both teams traded touchdown drives in rapid succession, setting up McManus’ 53-yard game-tying field goal at the buzzer.
- Special Teams Edge: Turpin’s return work consistently tilted field position in Dallas’ favor, complementing Prescott’s passing rhythm.
- Overtime Pressure: Both kickers delivered under immense pressure, but neither offense could land the knockout punch in the extra frame.
Final Numbers at a Glance
- Score: Cowboys 40, Packers 40 (OT)
- Dak Prescott: 31/40, 319 yards, 3 TD + 1 rush TD
- Jordan Love: 31/43, 337 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
- George Pickens: 8 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD
- Romeo Doubs: 6 receptions, 58 yards, 3 TD
- KaVontae Turpin: 6 KR, 175 yards
- Kickers: Aubrey (1/1 FG, 5/5 XP); McManus (2/2 FG, long 53, 4/5 XP)
The Takeaway
This game was less about defensive showdowns and more about offensive endurance and special teams execution. The Cowboys showed they can trade blows with top NFC teams, even without their star receiver. Green Bay proved its young quarterback can handle the spotlight in high-pressure moments.
Both squads walk away with lessons learned, confidence intact, and playoff hopes alive as they turn their attention to a crucial October stretch.
