Packers and Cowboys End SNF Thriller in Historic 40-40 Tie

When Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys locked horns at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025, nobody expected the game to end in a 40-40 tie. The Week 4 Sunday Night Football showdown — the centerpiece of a jam‑packed NFL slate — turned into an offensive fireworks display that left fans, bettors, and analysts scrambling for answers. Both teams entered the contest with contrasting trajectories: the Packers sported a 2‑1 record and were 6.5‑point favorites, while the Cowboys were 1‑2 and missing star receiver CeeDee Lamb with a bruised ankle.

Background to the Rivalry

The rivalry between Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys dates back decades, but the recent chapter reads like a modern saga. Green Bay entered AT&T Stadium with a flawless 6‑0 record at the venue, a streak that began after their 2016 loss to Dallas. Meanwhile, Dallas has struggled to defend its home turf, posting a 3‑7 home record since the start of the 2024 season. Adding intrigue, former Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons had been traded to the Packers just a week earlier, setting up a ready‑made subplot of a player returning to the very stadium where he made his name.

Game Flow and Key Moments

The first quarter unfolded as many expected: the Packers marched downfield and capped the drive with a short‑run TD, carving out a 7‑0 lead. But Dallas answered back before the quarter ended, exploiting a mismatched secondary on a deep strike to the end zone. From there, the scoreboard became a ping‑pong board. Aaron Rodgers — who started the season on the bench and reclaimed the starter role in Week 2 — threw three touchdown passes, while Dak "Scoot" Prescott rallied the Cowboys with two long bombs to the newly acquired Micah Parsons who, despite being a defensive end, was used in a surprising gadget play that resulted in a touchdown reception.

By the third quarter the game was a roller coaster: Green Bay struck first with a 45‑yard field goal, then Dallas responded with a 20‑yard rushing TD by Ezekiel Elliott. The lead changed hands five times before the clock ticked down on the fourth quarter with the score deadlocked at 34‑34. A crucial mistake — a fumble forced by Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse that was recovered by the Packers — gave Green Bay a chance to take the lead, but a missed extra point left the score at 40‑34. Dallas, refusing to quit, drove down the field in the final 1:45, only to see a last‑second Hail Mary fall incomplete, sending the game into overtime.

Betting Lines and Statistical Shock

Oddsmakers had the Packers as heavy favorites: money‑line odds ranged from -275 to -340 across sportsbooks, while the Cowboys sat at +225 to +270. The over/under was set at 47.5 points, even after an early week bump to 48.5. The final total of 80 points smashed those projections, making this one of the highest‑scoring ties in NFL history. The SportsLine Projection Model gave Green Bay a 58.8% chance to win outright, yet it didn’t anticipate the overtime deadlock. Fox Sports analysts had penciled in a 29‑18 Packers victory, recommending the under. In short, the statistical community was left scratching its heads.

Beyond the betting angles, a few numbers stood out: both teams combined for 12 first‑downs in the first half, a season‑high for any NFL game; total yards exploded past 700 (Packers 376, Cowboys 342); and the combined sack total sat at a modest three, underscoring the offensive fireworks. The 40‑40 final score also marks the first tie involving a double‑digit point total since the 2012 season, a rarity in an era where overtime rules heavily favor a winner.

Reactions from Coaches and Players

After the final whistle, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur smiled wryly. "We fought for every inch," he said in the post‑game press conference. "You can’t blame a tie when you keep pounding the ball. It’s a sign we’re back on track after the Week 3 stumble." On the other sideline, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy — who formerly coached Green Bay — admitted the result was “a little bittersweet.” He added, "We missed CeeDee, but the guys showed resilience. We’ll learn from this and turn the tie into momentum."

Micah Parsons, who had been the subject of endless trade speculation, reflected on his unexpected role. "I came back as a defender, but today I got to contribute on offense. That’s the NFL for you — you never know what you’ll be asked to do," he said, grinning. CeeDee Lamb, still sidelined, posted on social media later that night, "Watching from the bench is rough, but proud of the effort. Can’t wait to get back out there."

What the Tie Means for the Season

The immediate impact on the standings is modest: the Packers improve to 2‑1‑1, keeping them atop the NFC North, while the Cowboys fall to 1‑2‑1, still scrambling for a playoff spot. The tie, however, injects a psychological edge. Green Bay now boasts a perfect 7‑0 record at AT&T Stadium, a fact that could sway future matchups. For Dallas, the lesson may be about depth: missing Lamb forced the offense to rely on secondary options like Michael Gallup and rookie Parris Campbell, who together accounted for 140 yards.

Looking ahead, both teams face a gauntlet of division rivals. The Packers travel to Minnesota next week, a game many pundits label as a potential “tipping point" for the NFC North race. The Cowboys, meanwhile, host the Philadelphia Eagles, a clash that could either cement their comeback or re‑expose their vulnerabilities. If the offensive fireworks continue, the league might see more high‑scoring ties — a scenario that could eventually prompt the NFL to revisit its overtime rules.