When the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys locked horns under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025, nobody expected a 40‑40 dead‑heat to be the final score. The Week 4 showdown, staged as the prime‑time Sunday Night Football marquee, turned into an instant classic, delivering more lead changes than a roller‑coaster and leaving fans buzzing well into the early hours of September 29.
Game overview: A scoring fest from start to finish
The contest began with the Cowboys striking first, a 12‑yard touchdown pass from veteran quarterback Dak Prescott to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. But the Packers answered quickly; Jordan Love connected with Christian Watson for a 31‑yard strike, tying the game at 7‑7. The first quarter ended with both teams feeding their offenses: two field goals each, courtesy of the Cowboys’ Matt McManus (53‑yard) and Packers’ Riley Patterson (45‑yard).
Key plays and player performances
Midway through the second period, the Packers’ running back James Jacobs sliced through a seam on the sideline for a 28‑yard rush, setting up a first‑and‑goal at the 1‑yard line. Love’s second touchdown of the night – a sneak from the one‑yard line – pushed Green Bay ahead 21‑14. Dallas responded with a 68‑yard kickoff return by Cody Bellinger, followed by a short‑yard scramble from Prescott that culminated in a touchdown to retake the lead, 28‑21. The third quarter turned into a back‑and‑forth shootout. Love demonstrated his arm for the second time, throwing a 43‑yard bomb to Watson that increased the Packers’ total to 34 points. The Cowboys answered with a 22‑yard field goal by McManus and a quick red‑zone strike to Lamb, nudging the score to 34‑31. By the end of the fourth quarter, both teams had rattled off three touchdowns each and a pair of field goals, landing the scoreboard at a staggering 40‑40.
Overtime stalemate: When the clock stops, the drama doesn’t
Overtime in the NFL is sudden death, but the rule change in 2022 still gives each team a possession if the first drive ends in a field goal. The Cowboys won the coin toss, but their opening drive stalled at the Packers’ 35‑yard line after a sack on Prescott by defensive end Khalil Mack. The Packers took over, marching to the Cowboys’ 30‑yard line before a false start penalty pushed them back. Love tried a deep pass that fell incomplete, and the clock finally expired with the score still knotted. The result? A tie – the first 40‑40 finish in NFL history and only the ninth tie game since the league adopted overtime in 1974.
Implications for the season: Half a win, half a loss
Both clubs absorb the tie as “half a win, half a loss” in the standings. For Green Bay, the 0.5‑0.5 result nudges them to a 2‑1‑1 record, keeping them in the NFC North chase but still trailing the Chicago Bears, who sit at 3‑1 after a bye week.
Dallas, meanwhile, remains 2‑1‑1 in the NFC East, a hair’s breadth behind the Philadelphia Eagles (3‑1) and just ahead of the New York Giants (2‑2). The tie also preserves the Cowboys’ points‑per‑game average at a lofty 31.2, a figure that could factor into tiebreakers later.
Historical context: Ties in the modern NFL
Since the 1974 overtime rule, the league has recorded 37 ties as of the end of the 2024 season. The most recent before this game was a 23‑23 stalemate between the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets in Week 9 of 2023. A 40‑40 draw shatters every points‑record for a tie, eclipsing the previous high of 34‑34 set by the Patriots and Giants in 2015. Analysts point out that the rule change that guarantees each team a possession has actually increased the odds of a tie, especially in high‑scoring contests where defenses struggle to make stops.
Coach reactions and the road ahead
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised his offense but warned of complacency: “We moved the ball beautifully tonight, but we can’t rely on fireworks every week. Defense wins championships, and we’ll have to tighten up.” Cowboys’ coach Mike McCarthy was equally measured: “It’s a tough loss, but a tie still feels like a ‘no’ when you’re that close. We’ll review the red‑zone efficiency and make sure we finish games stronger.” Both sets of players were exuberant on the field. Love, after the final snap, was seen pumping his fist and saying, “We fought ‘til the end. This one’s for the fans.” Jacobs, meanwhile, laughed with teammates, noting, “Never thought a 28‑yard run would be part of history.”
Key facts
- Final score: 40‑40 – the highest‑scoring tie in NFL history.
- Event: Week 4 Sunday Night FootballAT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
- Key performers: Jordan Love (Packers QB) – 3 TD passes, 2 INTs; James Jacobs (Packers RB) – 115 rushing yards, 1 TD; Dak Prescott (Cowboys QB) – 2 TD passes, 1 INT; Matt McManus (Cowboys K) – 53‑yard field goal to force OT.
- Standings impact: Packers 2‑1‑1, Cowboys 2‑1‑1 after the tie.
- Historical note: Only the 9th tie since 1974; first tie exceeding 30 points per side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this tie affect the Packers’ playoff odds?
The tie adds a half‑win to Green Bay’s record, leaving them at 2‑1‑1. While it keeps them in the NFC North race, they’ll need to win their remaining games and hope Chicago slips up to stay in contention for a division title.
What’s the likelihood of another 40‑40 tie this season?
Extremely low. The 40‑40 score set a new points‑per‑team record for a tie, and both teams would need to replicate a perfect offensive balance while defenses falter. Statisticians estimate less than a 0.3% chance of a repeat.
Who were the standout players on both sides?
Jordan Love threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns, while James Jacobs rushed for 115 yards and a score. For Dallas, Dak Prescott posted 282 passing yards with two touchdowns, and kicker Matt McManus nailed a crucial 53‑yard field goal in the final minute of regulation.
What does this tie mean for the Cowboys’ division standing?
Dallas moves to a 2‑1‑1 record, staying a game behind the 3‑1 Eagles. The tie keeps their win‑percentage at .500, so every subsequent victory is crucial to avoid falling behind in the NFC East race.
How rare are high‑scoring ties in NFL history?
Since the overtime rule began in 1974, only nine games have ended in a tie. Before this matchup, the highest combined point total for a tie was 68 (34‑34). The 80 points scored tonight set a new benchmark.
