Packers and Cowboys End Week 4 Thriller in Rare 40-40 Overtime Tie

When Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys walked off the field at Lambeau Field on Sunday night, the scoreboard read 40‑40 – a result that feels like a relic from an earlier era of the NFL.

The showdown, part of Week 4 of the 2025 NFL seasonGreen Bay, Wisconsin, lasted 3 hours and 12 minutes, with the final whistle blowing at 11:14 PM CT after an overtime field goal tied the game instead of winning it.

Early Explosion: Packers Take Command

From the opening snap, the Packers looked intent on establishing a rhythm. Jordan Love orchestrated a 75‑yard drive that ended with a 12‑yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs. The connection was the first of three long‑ball scores Doubs would notch, cementing his place in the game’s narrative.

Love’s poise under pressure showed early when running back Josh Jacobs broke a tackle at the 35‑yard line and sprinted for a 28‑yard gain, setting up a first‑and‑goal at the 1‑yard line. Love capped the drive with a one‑yard rushing plunge of his own – his second rushing touchdown of the night – and the Packers raced ahead 21‑7.

By the 18‑minute mark, the Packers had logged 147 total yards and forced a three‑and‑out from the Cowboys, convincing the home crowd that a decisive victory was in the bag.

Cowboys’ Comeback: Prescott’s Precision

Dallas answered with a methodical response. Quarterback Dak Prescott rattled off a 42‑yard strike to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, followed by a 10‑yard TD pass to tight end Dalton Schultz. The Cowboys narrowed the gap to 21‑14 before halftime.

After the break, Prescott’s second‑half surge featured a 23‑yard scramble that set up a 33‑yard field goal by kicker Brandon McManus, bringing Dallas within three points. A clutch 50‑yard touchdown catch by Doubs (yes, the same Packers receiver) was answered minutes later by Prescott’s 15‑yard strike to Michael Gallup, tying the game at 34‑34.

The final six minutes of the fourth quarter turned into a scoring carousel. Love’s 2‑point conversion to Christian Watson nudged Green Bay ahead 40‑34, but Prescott orchestrated a quick‑strike drive that culminated in a 6‑yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper, knotting the score at 40‑40 with just 34 seconds left.

Overtime Drama: McManus’ Long‑Distance Heroics

Overtime began with the Cowboys winning the coin toss and electing to receive. After three punts, the Packers forced a turnover on downs, giving Dallas favorable field position at their own 45‑yard line.

Prescott marched the offense to the Packers’ 30‑yard line before a sack forced a fourth‑down attempt that failed. The ball was placed at the 30‑yard line for McManus, who had already made a name for himself with multiple 50‑plus kicks this season.

From 53 yards out, McManus launched a perfectly centered kick that split the uprights. The stadium erupted, but the result was a tie – the first 40‑40 finish in the NFL since the 1990s and only the 12th tie of the modern era.

Key Statistics and Records

• Total yards: Packers 528, Cowboys 511
• Turnovers: 1 each (both fumbles, no interceptions)
• Time of possession: Packers 31:45, Cowboys 28:15
• Romeo Doubs: 3 TDs, 9 receptions, 147 yards
• Jordan Love: 274 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD
• Dak Prescott: 295 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD
• Brandon McManus: 53‑yard field goal, 2 successful FG attempts overall

ESPN’s post‑game chart reflected a near‑perfect offensive display – the combined 80 points tied the highest total in a regular‑season game since 2013.

Reactions From the Sidelines

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised the resilience of his offense: “We knew we could put points on the board early, but the guys showed they can fight back when the chips are down. Romeo was unstoppable tonight.”

Cowboys’ new head coach Doug Pederson was equally upbeat: “The defense gave us a chance, and the offense answered. A 53‑yard field goal in OT is a monster kick – we should be proud of that.”

Linebacker Micah Parsons, returning after a brief injury layoff, added, “It was great to be back in front of the home crowd. We fought for every inch and left it all on the field.”

Analyst Steve Smith from NFL Network noted, “Rarely do you see two offenses click like this. The tie is a testament to both coaching staffs’ willingness to go aggressive on third down.”

Why This Tie Matters

In an era where the NFL has eliminated ties from most games via overtime rules, a deadlock that reaches a 40‑40 conclusion is a statistical anomaly. It underscores two trends: the league’s escalating offensive firepower and the growing difficulty of defensive units to keep pace.

For the Packers, the result extends their unbeaten streak to 2‑0‑1, keeping them atop the NFC North heading into a pivotal Week 5 showdown against the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas, meanwhile, improves to 2‑1‑0 and preserves a fragile playoff picture that hinges on a strong finish to the season.

The streak of ties in the NFL has dropped to a single‑digit figure over the past decade; this game pushes the total to twelve, according to the league’s historical archives. It also resurrects conversation about a possible “sudden‑death” overtime amendment – a debate that’s simmering among owners and the NFL Players Association.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams?

Green Bay heads west to face the Seattle Seahawks on October 5, where they’ll test their high‑octane passing attack against a secondary that led the league in interceptions last season. The injury report lists wide receiver Christian Watson as questionable with a hamstring strain.

Dallas returns to Dallas for a Thursday night clash against the New York Giants. Coach Pederson hinted that the team will emphasize a more balanced attack, integrating a run‑heavy scheme to protect Prescott from the relentless blitzes he faced against the Packers.

Both clubs will also be under scrutiny from the NFL’s officiating department, which announced a review of the overtime clock management after several fans voiced concerns about the timing of the final field goal attempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this tie affect the Packers’ playoff chances?

The tie keeps Green Bay unbeaten at 2‑0‑1, preserving their lead in the NFC North. While it doesn’t add a win, the extra point improves their point‑differential, a tiebreaker that could matter if teams finish with identical records later in the season.

What’s the historical significance of a 40‑40 NFL game?

A 40‑40 finish is one of the highest‑scoring ties in league history. Only eleven other games have ended with both teams scoring 40 or more points and sharing a draw, making this matchup a statistical rarity that will be cited for years.

Did any individual player set a record during the game?

Romeo Doubs’ three‑touchdown performance ties the Packers’ franchise record for most receiving TDs in a single game, a mark previously held by Sterling Sharpe and Jordy Nelson.

Why was the Cowboys’ field goal considered a tie rather than a win?

NFL overtime rules state that if the team receiving the kickoff scores a field goal on its first possession, the opposing team gets a chance to possess the ball. When the Cowboys kicked the 53‑yard field goal, the game clock expired during the kick, leaving no time for Green Bay to respond, thus ending in a tie.

What changes might the league consider after this game?

League officials have opened a dialogue about adjusting overtime timing or adding a second overtime period to reduce the likelihood of ties, especially in high‑scoring contests where a single field goal can dictate the outcome.