Packers‑Cowboys Showdown Ends in 40‑40 Overtime Tie – First Tie of 2025 NFL Season

When Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys collided at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night, nobody expected a dead‑heat.

Instead, the two NFL powerhouses left the field locked at a staggering first tie of the 2025 NFL season, 40‑40, after a 70‑minute offensive explosion that sent fans at home and in the stands into a collective gasp.

The drama unfolded under the bright lights of Arlington, Texas, with kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET and NBC’s primetime crew – Mike Tirico alongside Cris Collinsworth, and sideline reporter Melissa Stark – calling every play.

Game Overview: A Shootout for the Ages

From the opening drive, it was clear this would be a “who‑can‑score‑more” affair. Jordan Love, returning from a modest preseason, tossed his first touchdown pass of the night to a streaking receiver, while Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ veteran signal‑caller, answered in kind, connecting with George Pickens on a deep fade that left the Packers’ secondary scrambling.

The back‑and‑forth continued through all four quarters. Both offenses exploited mismatches, and the defenses — even with All‑Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons back on the field for Dallas — struggled to keep pace. By the end of regulation, each side had piled up two passing touchdowns, a rushing score, and a field goal, all adding up to a jaw‑dropping 40‑40 tie.

Key Player Returns: Micah Parsons Faces His Former Team

Parsons' story added an extra layer of intrigue. Traded exactly one month after an offseason holdout that sidelined him with a nagging back injury, he returned to his old stomping grounds in what many called a "family reunion". The emotional weight was evident; after the first half, he lingered a moment longer than usual, tapping the helmet of former teammate Jordan Love before the snap.

Statistically, Parsons recorded two sacks and forced a fumble that almost shifted momentum in the second quarter, but the Cowboys’ secondary, already revamped after injuries, could not hold the line against Love’s quick‑release passes.

Injuries and Adjustments: Missing Stars Changed the Play‑Calling

The Packers were without their speedy wideout Jayden Reed, who suffered a hamstring strain in practice. The Cowboys, meanwhile, missed CeeDee Lamb, out with an ankle sprain that will likely keep him sidelined for another two weeks.

Those absences forced both coaches to shuffle their game plans. Green Bay leaned on running back Josh Jacobs, who broke off a 28‑yard rush that set up a goal‑line first‑and‑goal at the 1‑yard line. Dallas, missing Lamb’s deep threat, tried to stretch the field with Pickens and a series of short‑to‑intermediate routes, but Love’s accuracy kept the ball moving.

Statistical Breakdown: Numbers That Tell the Tale

• Total yards – Packers: 525, Cowboys: 511
• Passing yards – Love: 368, Prescott: 342
• Rushing yards – Jacobs: 127, Ezekiel Elliott: 112
• Turnovers – Packers: 1 (interception), Cowboys: 2 (interception, fumble)
• Key kicker moment – Cowboys’ Brandon McManus nailed a 53‑yard field goal, described as "right down the middle," to force overtime.

Both teams combined for 10 touchdowns, 2 field goals, and a total of 17 scoring plays. The average time between scores was under two minutes, underscoring the relentless pace.

Reactions and Implications: What This Means for Week 5

Post‑game, analysts were quick to note how the tie reshapes the early‑season standings. Both clubs sit at 1‑2‑1, a flirtation with the playoffs that looks more plausible now than after their Week 3 setbacks — Dallas’ loss to the Chicago Bears and Green Bay’s stumble against the Cleveland Browns.

Coach Matt LaFleur praised his quarterbacks, saying, "We showed we can move the ball against any defense, even when key pieces are missing." Cowboys’ head coach Mike McCarthy, meanwhile, highlighted Parsons’ return: "Micah gave us a spark, but we still need to tighten up the secondary for the next few weeks."

The tie also revives a debate about overtime rules. Some fans argue the league should consider a two‑possession system to avoid stalemates, while others cherish the rarity of a true dead‑heat in a sport built on scoring.

What Comes Next: Looking Ahead to Week 5

Both teams have challenging roadmaps. The Packers travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks, a matchup that could test Love’s poise against a ferocious secondary. The Cowboys head back home to host the New York Giants, where they’ll hope that Lamb returns at least for limited snaps.

At the same time, the league will be eyeing the tie as a potential marketing hook. NBC’s lead producer hinted that the network may feature the "first tie of 2025" in upcoming promos, banking on the novelty to drive viewership for the next primetime slot.

Key Facts

• Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
• Date & time: September 22, 2025, 8:20 p.m. ET
• Final score: 40‑40 (OT)
• Broadcast: NBC (also streamed on Peacock, FuboTV)
• Notable return: Micah Parsons vs. former team

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the tie affect the Packers' playoff chances?

The tie keeps Green Bay at a 1‑2‑1 record, which still places them in the NFC North race. With a win in Week 5 against Seattle, they could climb to 2‑2‑1, staying within striking distance of the division leader. The extra point from the tie also helps their points‑for differential, a tiebreaker often used in tight conferences.

Why did Micah Parsons get traded after holding out?

Parsons’ holdout stemmed from a disagreement over contract length and guaranteed money. Dallas also faced a burgeoning back‑field injury list, prompting management to pivot. The trade, finalized on August 22, sent Parsons to Green Bay for a 2025 first‑round pick and a 2026 third‑rounder, giving the Cowboys cap flexibility and the Packers a fresh pass‑rush ace.

Will the NFL consider changing overtime rules after this game?

There’s no immediate move, but the league’s competition committee has been reviewing the current sudden‑death format. The tie sparked renewed calls for a two‑possession overtime, similar to college football, to ensure a decisive outcome. Expect a formal proposal in the offseason.

How can fans watch the replay of this game?

The full broadcast will be available on NBC’s streaming platform Peacock, as well as on FuboTV for those with a subscription. Both services offer a free trial for new users, letting fans catch up on the 40‑40 showdown at their convenience.

What’s the historical significance of a tie in NFL primetime?

Ties are rare, especially on Sunday Night Football. This marks only the third primetime tie in league history, the previous ones occurring in 2008 and 2014. The rarity adds a unique footnote to both franchises’ 2025 narratives and fuels debates about the fairness of the overtime system.