When Micah Parsons, former Dallas Cowboys defensive stand‑out turned Green Bay Packers edge rusher, stepped onto the field at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, September 28, 2025, nobody expected the game to end in a historic overtime tie. The matchup was billed as Week 4 Sunday Night FootballArlington, Texas, pitting two NFC powerhouses against each other under prime‑time lights.
Background: A rivalry humming with history
The Cowboys‑Packers saga stretches back decades, but the last time Dallas walked away with a win in Green Bay’s own backyard was in 2016. Since then, the Packers have rattled off six straight victories at AT&T Stadium, a streak that made the 2025 game feel like an inevitable chapter in a story already written. What added intrigue was the mid‑offseason trade that sent Parsons, a three‑time Pro Bowler, packing his bags for Green Bay just a week before the season tipped off. For a franchise that had just lost star wideout CeeDee Lamb to an ankle sprain, the trade felt like a double‑edged sword.
Game‑by‑game breakdown and the overtime shootout
Green Bay opened the scoring on its first drive, a 7‑0 lead courtesy of a short rush by AJ Dillon that set up a Jordan Love touchdown pass to Christian Watson. The Cowboys answered with a 10‑yard run by Ezekiel Elliott and a field goal from Greg Zuerlein, but the real fireworks began in the second quarter. Dak Prescott connected with Amari Cooper for a 45‑yard strike, and the Cowboys surged ahead 24‑10 before halftime.
The Packers clawed back in the third, with Love finding K.J. Osborn for a 32‑yard touchdown that trimmed the deficit to 24‑17. Parsons, now on the opposite sideline, made his presence felt with two sacks and a forced fumble that set up a field goal, tying the game at 24‑24. The fourth quarter turned into a scoring sprint: Prescott threw a tight‑end pass to Dalton Schultz for a 12‑yard score, while Love answered with a 28‑yard touchdown to Jace Sternberger. The teams exchanged field goals, and the clock wound down with the scoreboard dead‑locked at 31‑31.
Overtime began with a quick strike from Love – a 22‑yard pass to Watson – but the Cowboys answered on the very next possession. Prescott, pressing despite the absence of Lamb, found Cooper again for a 30‑yard gain, setting up a 38‑yard field goal that sent the game into a sudden‑death deadlock. After ten minutes of back‑and‑forth, neither side could break the tie, and officials ultimately declared a draw – the first overtime tie the NFL has seen since the 2021 season.
Key statistics and betting angles
- Total points: 62 (well over the 46.5 over/under set by bookmakers)
- Parsons recorded 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and a tackle for loss
- Prescott completed 23 of 34 passes for 258 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Love threw for 241 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception
- Both teams converted 4 third‑down attempts each
- Time of possession was nearly even: Cowboys 31:12, Packers 30:45
Betting markets were skewed toward Green Bay – they were -340 favorites, meaning you’d have to risk $340 to win $100. Dallas sat at +270, a tempting underdog payout that would have paid $270 on a $100 wager. In hindsight, the line didn’t even account for the overtime shootout that left the total points soaring well beyond projections.
Reactions from coaches, players and analysts
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised his defense: “We knew Dallas would come at us hard, especially without CeeDee. Our guys stayed disciplined, and Micah’s impact was immediate.” He also admitted the tie was a “bit of a gut punch” because the team was so close to sealing a win.
On the other sideline, Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was more guarded: “We showed we can compete with the best, but the lack of a marquee receiver hurt us in the red zone. The tie tells us we’re on the right track, but we need to finish.”
Analysts highlighted the rarity of overtime ties. NFL historian John Clayton noted, “Since the league adopted the overtime rule in 1974, a tie in the regular season has occurred roughly once every 12‑13 games. To see it happen on a primetime stage is practically unheard of.”
What the tie means for the NFC North race
Both squads entered the night with identical conference records: the Packers 2‑1 and the Cowboys 1‑2. After the draw, the Packers improve to 2‑1‑1, keeping them a half‑game ahead of division rival Minnesota Vikings, who sit at 2‑1‑0. Dallas, meanwhile, climbs to 1‑2‑1, still trailing the Vikings and the Lions, who each hold a 2‑1‑0 record. The tie essentially turns Week 5 into a must‑win for Dallas if they hope to stay afloat.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys travel to Philadelphia next week to face the Eagles, a game that could either cement a bounce‑back narrative or deepen their early‑season woes. The Packers, on the other hand, host the Chicago Bears, a familiar foe that gave Green Bay trouble in Week 3 when they blew a 10‑point lead. Both teams will likely lean on the lessons learned from the overtime marathon – especially the importance of depth at the receiver position and staying disciplined on defense.
Key Facts
- Event: Week 4 Sunday Night Football – September 28, 2025
- Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Final Score: 31‑31 (overtime tie)
- Micah Parsons recorded 2 sacks for the Packers in his debut
- Dallas missed star wideout CeeDee Lamb due to an ankle injury
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this tie affect the Cowboys' playoff chances?
The tie leaves Dallas at 1‑2‑1, still trailing the NFC North front‑runners. They’ll need to win their next two games to keep a realistic shot at a wild‑card spot, especially with the Vikings and Lions already holding a game‑over record.
What was Micah Parsons' impact in his first game with Green Bay?
Parsons tallied two sacks, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss, sparking a momentum swing that helped the Packers stay alive in the shootout. His presence alone forced the Cowboys to adjust their blocking schemes throughout the night.
Why was CeeDee Lamb’s absence such a big deal?
Lamb accounts for roughly 20% of the Cowboys' passing yards each season. Without him, Dallas struggled to convert in the red zone, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns – a factor that contributed directly to the tie.
How rare are overtime ties in the NFL?
Since the NFL instituted regular‑season overtime in 1974, a tie has occurred roughly once every 12‑13 games. In primetime, the odds shrink even further – this is the first Sunday Night Football tie in league history.
What does the tie mean for Packers’ betting odds going forward?
The tie keeps Green Bay at 2‑1‑1, preserving their status as early favorites in the NFC North. Bookmakers will likely trim the Packers’ spread for Week 5, reflecting the thin margin between them and the division’s other contenders.
