Packers‑Cowboys 40‑40 Tie Shocks NFL in Historic Sunday Night Thriller

When Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys left the field of AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025, the scoreboard read a surreal 40‑40 tie. The Week 4 Sunday Night Football clash, officially the Packers‑Cowboys GameArlington, Texas, produced one of the highest‑scoring deadlocks in league history, delivering 80 total points across regulation and overtime.

  • Date: September 28, 2025 (Week 4)
  • Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
  • Final score: 40‑40 (NFL tie)
  • Pre‑game spread: Packers favored by 6.5 points
  • Over/Under: 46.5 points (actual: 80)

Game Overview: A Night of Unbridled Scoring

The first half saw Jordan Love, the Packers’ third‑year quarterback, connect on a 45‑yard strike to Aaron Jones for the opening touchdown. The Cowboys answered quickly, with Dak Prescott finding CeeDee Lamb in the end zone. By the end of the third quarter, the teams were dead‑locked at 28‑28, and both sidelines were buzzing with the realization that defensive adjustments were needed.

Offensive Explosion: Numbers That Defy Expectations

Collectively, Green Bay amassed 437 total yards, while Dallas hauled in 421. Love finished 26‑of‑38 for 298 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Prescott, meanwhile, posted 310 passing yards, two touchdowns and one pick. The ground game was just as prolific: AJ Dillon ripped off 112 rushing yards and a score, and Tony Pollard added 98 yards with two touchdowns.

Special teams chipped in, too. The Cowboys’ kicker, Eddie Riddell, nailed a 53‑yard field goal that set a new Sunday Night Football postseason record.

Defensive Struggles: Why Neither Unit Stood a Chance

Both defenses looked like they were watching a highlight reel rather than a live game. Green Bay’s secondary allowed a 71‑yard pass play to Lamb, while Dallas’s pass rush failed to pressure Love more than once in the first half. Head coach Matt LaFleur admitted after the game, “We were too passive on blitzes; the Cowboys exploited every soft spot.” Cowboys’ coach Mike McCarthy echoed the sentiment, “Our secondary was shredded, and we need to tighten coverage fast.”

Betting and Market Reaction: The Lines Blew Up

Betting and Market Reaction: The Lines Blew Up

The pre‑game over/under of 46.5 points looked laughable once the final 80 points were posted. Bookmakers scrambled to adjust future lines, with the next Packers‑Cowboys contest now listed at an over of 58.5. Sportsbooks reported a surge in “over” bets for the remainder of the season, reflecting a shift in how bettors view these two high‑octane offenses.

Oddsmakers also revisited the spread. The Packers, once 6.5‑point favorites, are now listed as 3‑point underdogs for Sunday's upcoming matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, an adjustment analysts attribute directly to the defensive lapses exposed in Arlington.

Playoff Implications: A Tie That Holds Weight

In the NFC North, a half‑win for Green Bay keeps them a full game ahead of the Chicago Bears, who sit at 1‑2‑0. Dallas, meanwhile, remains third in the NFC East at 2‑1‑0, sharing the division lead with the Philadelphia Eagles. The tie essentially grants each team a .500 record, a small but meaningful buffer in a league where a single win often decides postseason fate.

Fantasy owners are already recalibrating. Jordan Love’s 28 fantasy points vaulted him into the top‑five quarterbacks for Week 5, while Prescott’s 32 points nudged him ahead of many veteran QBs.

Looking Ahead: What Both Franchises Must Fix

Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine (Packers) pledged a “hard‑hitting course correction” during the post‑game press conference, hinting at a possible shift to a 4‑3 scheme to generate more pressure. Dallas’ defensive side‑coach Phil Snow said the team will prioritize secondary depth in the upcoming free‑agency period.

Both teams also have a common schedule quirk: they face each other again in Week 12, this time at Lambeau Field. If the offensive fireworks continue, fans could be in for another record‑breaking showdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 40‑40 tie affect the Packers' playoff chances?

The tie gives Green Bay a .500 record (2‑2‑0) early in the season, keeping them a full game ahead of Chicago in the NFC North. That cushion is valuable because a single win often determines division winners, so the half‑win maintains momentum while buying the team time to shore up its defense.

What betting lines changed after the game?

The over/under for the next Packers‑Cowboys matchup jumped from 46.5 to 58.5 points, reflecting bettor confidence in continued high scoring. Additionally, the Packers shifted from 6.5‑point favorites to 3‑point underdogs for their upcoming game against Minnesota.

Who were the standout performers on offense?

Jordan Love threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, while Dak Prescott added 310 passing yards and two scores. On the ground, AJ Dillon and Tony Pollard each eclipsed 100 rushing yards, with Pollard scoring twice.

What defensive adjustments are expected?

Packers’ defensive coordinator Mike Pettine hinted at moving to a more aggressive 4‑3 front to generate pressure on Prescott. Dallas’ defensive staff, led by Phil Snow, plans to add depth to the secondary through free agency and the draft.

Will the two teams play each other again this season?

Yes. The Packers and Cowboys are scheduled to meet again in Week 12 at Lambeau Field. If both offenses stay hot, that second meeting could challenge the current record for most points scored in a regular‑season game.