ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Both Mika Parsons and Dak Prescott emphasize the significance of victory, especially with the Green Bay pass rusher’s highly anticipated return to Dallas, challenging the Cowboys and their franchise quarterbacks.
However, it became apparent that neither player got the outcome they desired on Sunday night.
Brandon Aubrey and Brandon McManus exchanged short field goals during overtime, with Parsons’ sole sack crucial in preventing Dallas from scoring in a thrilling 40-40 stalemate.
Prescott and Jordan Love each threw three touchdown passes during regulation, including an astonishing sequence of seven consecutive lead changes before McManus connected on a 53-yard field goal to tie the game in overtime.
McManus added a 34-yarder just as the clock hit 0:00 in OT.
“It’s tough to process because you know it would feel worse with a loss,” Prescott remarked. “Yet I’m not satisfied. A win wouldn’t make this any better.”
Just a month after the Cowboys (1-2-1) traded players with the Packers (2-1-1), the pre-game hype surrounding the elite edge rushers culminated in another dramatic showdown between the quarterbacks during two home games in Dallas.
Two weeks prior, Dallas had edged out a 40-37 victory in overtime against Russell Wilson’s New York team.
This marked Dallas’ first tie since 1969, making it one of the highest-scoring draws in professional football history, second only to the 43-43 tie with the Boston Patriots in the AFL in 1964. The Packers last experienced a tie in 2018.
This matchup resulted in the fifth tie where both teams scored in overtime, a trend stemming from changes made in 2013 regarding the resolution of overtime games. All five ties involved field goals.
“I don’t feel great; it’s quite odd,” Love admitted. “It feels strange to play an entire game and end in a tie.”
Dallas struggled early on, but Prescott managed to convert a crucial first down at the Green Bay 5 before finding Parsons for an impressive 34-yard completion.
Despite Parsons’ efforts, the Cowboys settled for Aubrey’s 22-yard field goal.
“I felt like we both gave it our all, and in the end, we just ended up in a tie,” Parsons stated. “It was like a 12-round battle, and both sides performed admirably.”
Love executed a 14-yard pass to Matthew Golden on fourth and sixth, but the OT drive faltered after leading the Packers to a first down at the Dallas 12.
The Packers began a play with 28 seconds left, but they didn’t snap the ball again until just six seconds remained. They were fortunate to still have two seconds after Love’s pass fell incomplete.
“We’re not quite where we need to be,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned. “The timing was off. I don’t know if we were fully aware of that.”
Romeo caught all three of Love’s TD passes, finishing the day with 58 yards on six receptions. Josh Jacobs added two rushing touchdowns and accumulated 157 total yards. Love threw for 337 yards.
Javonte Williams powered forward from one of the Dallas Wildcats after Prescott split wide, allowing the Cowboys to seize a 30-27 lead with 4:50 remaining. Two additional touchdowns followed.
“No one in that locker room is feeling good,” stated Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer. “No one is satisfied. We didn’t win. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t express how proud I am of their effort.”
Prescott recorded 319 passing yards, while George Pickens caught eight passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, stepping up while No. 1 receiver Sea Deerum was sidelined with a high ankle sprain.
Parsons’ sack in OT was the only one surrendered by the Dallas offensive line, which was without two starters. Meanwhile, the battered Green Bay defense managed to perform, with Love only being sacked once, resulting in a fumble that led to Dallas’ second touchdown just before halftime.
The Two-Point Conversion
After Love’s second TD pass to Doubs, the Packers jumped to a 13-0 lead when Juanyeh Thomas made history by blocking McManus’ PAT attempt, with Markquese Bell returning it for a two-point conversion. That three-point swing proved pivotal as McManus later kicked to tie the game on the final play of regulation.
Still Undefeated
The Packers remain unbeaten at AT&T Stadium, with a record of 5-0-1 against the Cowboys under the venue’s retractable roof, dating back to their Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh in the 2010 season, thus achieving a 6-0-1 record.
Injury Update
Packers: DT Devonte Wyatt exited in the second quarter due to a knee injury and did not return. … CB Nate Hobbs was assessed for a concussion late in the game.
Cowboys: S Malik Hooker did not return after pulling up with a left toe injury in the second quarter. … RB Miles Sanders suffered an ankle injury before halftime. … OT Tyler Guyton was evaluated for a concussion.
Upcoming Games
Packers: They will face Cincinnati at home on October 12.
Cowboys: They are set to play next Sunday against the New York Jets.
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This story has been updated to reflect that two touchdowns were scored after Javonte Williams’ touchdown, not three touchdowns.
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Source: apnews.com