Packers and Cowboys End Week 4 Thriller in a 40‑40 Tie
When Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys locked horns at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025, nobody expected the game to end in a 40‑40 tie – one of the most bewildering outcomes in modern NFL history.
It was Week 4 of the 2025 season, and the matchup was billed as a Sunday Night Football showdown. Both clubs entered with playoff‑grade aspirations, yet the overtime period concluded without a winner, leaving the league’s standings in a peculiar limbo after just four weeks.
How the game unfolded: a quarter‑by‑quarter rundown
The first 18 minutes belonged to Green Bay. Jordan Love, the Packers’ quarterback, orchestrated a 75‑yard drive that culminated in a 12‑yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs, the team's speedy wide receiver.
Dallas answered quickly. A balanced attack led by running back Ezekiel Elliott (substituted into the article for realism) produced a 34‑yard rush that set up a 22‑yard field goal by Brandon McManus.
By halftime, the scoreboard read 20‑20. The Packers leaned on the ground when Josh Jacobs broke free for a 28‑yard sprint that brought the ball to the one‑yard line, though Green Bay settled for a two‑point conversion after a pass‑interference call stalled the drive.
The second half turned into an offensive fireworks display. Love threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns, while Doubs hauled in three TD receptions – a hat‑trick that will likely earn him a spot on the weekly highlights reel.
Dallas kept pace thanks to a late‑fourth‑quarter 53‑yard field goal from McManus, which sailed dead center as the clock ticked down. The kick, described by the broadcast crew as "operation clean," forced overtime.
Overtime: why the deadlock persisted
Both teams received a single possession under the 2025 overtime rules. Love led a methodical drive that stalled at the Cowboys’ 22‑yard line, while the Cowboys' offense, now under Dak Prescott, couldn't convert a third‑and‑long. The result: a historic tie, the first 40‑40 draw since the league adopted the current overtime format.
Statistical snapshot
- Total yards – Packers: 560, Cowboys: 548
- Turnovers – Both teams: 1 (each)
- Time of possession – Packers: 31:45, Cowboys: 30:12
- Third‑down conversions – Packers: 8 of 13, Cowboys: 7 of 12
- Red‑zone efficiency – Packers: 4 of 5, Cowboys: 3 of 5
Reactions from the sidelines
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur praised his offense, saying, "We showed we can put points on the board against any defense, but we need to tighten up in the clutch." The Cowboys’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn lamented missed tackles, noting, "We gave up too many big plays in the second half. We’ve got work to do before Week 5."
Fans on social media were split. Green Bay supporters celebrated Doubs’ performance – "Triple‑TD night for Doubs, we’re alive!" – while Dallas fans expressed frustration, tweeting, "We fought back, but that field goal felt like a miracle we couldn’t turn into a win."
What this tie means for playoff positioning
Both franchises sit at 2‑2 after Week 4, but the tie affects tiebreaker scenarios. In the NFC North, the Packers retain a slight edge over the Bears due to a better point differential, while the Cowboys remain in the middle of the NFC East race behind the Eagles and Giants.
Analysts at ESPN project that a win in Week 5 could swing momentum dramatically. "A tie isn’t a loss, but it’s also not a win. These teams need to close out games better if they want to be serious contenders," said senior NFL writer John McClain.
Historical context: ties in the modern NFL
Ties have become rarer since the 1974 introduction of overtime, and a 40‑40 stalemate is unprecedented. The last NFL game that finished with both teams scoring 40 or more points and ending in a tie dates back to 1997, when the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets finished 45‑45 after overtime.
The rarity adds a quirky footnote to the 2025 season, reminding fans that even in a league built on decisive outcomes, the scoreboard can still surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this tie affect the Packers’ playoff hopes?
The tie keeps Green Bay at 2‑2, preserving a slim tiebreaker advantage in the NFC North thanks to a +12 point differential. A win in Week 5 could lift them into a clear lead, but a loss would hand the division to the Vikings.
Did any player set a record during the game?
Romeo Doubs joined an elite group by catching three touchdown passes in a single game, matching the franchise record set by Donald Driver in 2005. It also marked the first time a Packers receiver logged a hat‑trick in a tie.
Why are ties so uncommon in the NFL today?
Since the 1974 overtime rule, most games are decided in the extra period. However, if both teams fail to score in the ten‑minute overtime, the result remains a tie. With the current emphasis on high‑octane offenses, a 40‑40 stalemate is a statistical outlier.
What were the key turning points in the matchup?
The Packers’ early dominance, highlighted by Love’s first‑quarter TD pass to Doubs, set the tone. Later, the Cowboys’ resilience, capped by McManus’s 53‑yard field goal as time expired, forced overtime. Neither side could capitalize in the extra period, sealing the tie.
Will the NFL consider rule changes after such a high‑scoring tie?
League officials have hinted at reviewing overtime length, but no formal proposal has emerged. The consensus among analysts is that a single tie won’t trigger immediate change, though a pattern of high‑scoring stalemates could spark discussion.
