The Cowboys vs. Packers Sunday Night Football matchup on September 28, 2025, delivered a thrilling 40-40 tie after overtime, marking a rare outcome in the NFL season. The game was highlighted by the emotional return of Micah Parsons to Dallas, now playing for the Packers after a high-profile offseason trade.
Micah Parsons’ Return and Defensive Impact
Micah Parsons, the standout pass rusher who began his career with Dallas before being traded to Green Bay, made a significant impact on the field despite the tie. Parsons entered the game with an impressive edge rusher rating of 91.5, registering 15 total pressures and two sacks in his first three games for the Packers. His absence has been strongly felt by the Cowboys defense, which has struggled to generate pressure and currently ranks among the league’s weakest in passing yards allowed and sacks. Dallas’ defense collectively has only three sacks so far this season, highlighting the gap Parsons left behind.
Game Summary and Key Moments
The back-and-forth contest saw both teams exchanging leads and scoring drives throughout regulation. The Packers scored first and maintained an early advantage, but the Cowboys rallied, including a strong second quarter where they outscored Green Bay 16-6. The game remained tight through the second half, eventually pushing into overtime. In the extra period, both teams traded short field goals—kicker Brandon Aubrey for Dallas and Brandon McManus for Green Bay—resulting in the final 40-40 score.
This marked the Cowboys’ first NFL tie since 1969 and was widely seen as a high-stakes ‘family reunion’ given Parsons facing his former team and quarterback Dak Prescott, who was without key receiver CeeDee Lamb due to injury. The game showcased resilience on both sides but underscored Dallas’ defensive challenges without Parsons.
The tie leaves the Cowboys with a 1-2-1 record and the Packers at 2-1-1, positioning both teams for crucial adjustments as the NFL season progresses.