When Jordan Love, the third‑year quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, connected with rookie Romeo Doubs for three touchdowns on September 25, 2025, the national audience of Sunday Night Football got a reminder of why the NFC’s early‑season stakes feel like playoff pressure.
Playing under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys 31–17 in a Week 4 showdown that shifted both clubs’ trajectories.
Game Overview
The matchup arrived with Green Bay holding a 2‑1 record, while Dallas lingered at 1‑2 after a painful loss to the New England Patriots. The Cowboys entered the night without a few of their usual weapons – running back Ezekiel Elliott was still nursing a hamstring strain, and wideout CeeDee Lamb’s ankle issue limited his practice reps. Those absences mattered; the Cowboys’ offense sputtered, managing only 180 total yards.
Love threw for 254 yards, completing 19 of 29 attempts. He tossed two touchdowns – one a 22‑yard strike to Allen Lazard – and a 15‑yard pass to Doubs that capped the hat trick. The Packers racked up 393 yards of offense, thanks largely to a front‑seven that forced three turnovers.
Dallas’ veteran signal‑caller Dak Prescott managed 180 passing yards and a solitary 7‑yard touchdown before a fourth‑quarter interception sealed the game.
Key Performances
- Romeo Doubs – 3 TDs (15, 22, 12 yards), 6 receptions, 84 yards.
- Jordan Love – 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD (3 yards), 254 yards.
- Packers defense – 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 5 sacks.
- Dak Prescott – 1 TD, 2 interceptions, 180 yards.
- Dallas defensive end Micah Parsons – 1.5 sacks, 5 pressures.
“When you see a kid like Romeo light up the scoreboard, it tells you the offense finally found its rhythm,” said Matt LaFleur, Packers head coach, after the game. “We executed the game plan, the defense gave us the gifts, and the fans repaid us with that energy in Arlington.”
On the other sideline, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy admitted the team “still has a lot of holes to patch.” He added, “We’re not going to let one loss define us, but we need to get our playmakers healthy and back on the field.”
Coaches' Takeaways
LaFleur highlighted the secondary’s performance: “Holding the Cowboys to under 200 yards is a testament to the work our secondary put in during the offseason. Aaron Donald’s retirement left a gap, but we’ve filled it with young talent like Jaire Alexander.”
McCarthy focused on the offensive line: “We’ve been over‑matched in pass protection. The Cowboys’ O‑line has been dealing with injuries all season, and that shows against a balanced Packers attack.”
Both coaches agreed that the win/loss swings would influence betting lines dramatically. The Packers entered the game as 5‑point favorites; post‑game, oddsmakers shifted the Packers to a 7‑point spread for their next week’s contest against the Minnesota Vikings.
Implications for the NFC Race
With the victory, Green Bay climbs to a 3‑1 record, sitting second in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears (4‑0). The win narrows the gap to the Detroit Lions, who are 3‑1 as well, renewing a three‑team scramble for the division crown.
Dallas, meanwhile, slides to 1‑3, now trailing the NFC East leader New York Giants (2‑2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (3‑1). Their early‑season slump could force them into a late‑season surge just to stay in the playoff hunt.
Analysts at ESPN’s Monday Night Football panel projected the Packers as a top‑six seed contender, while the Cowboys now hover around the 10‑12 spot for the wild‑card race.
Looking Ahead
The Packers turn their attention to a Thursday night clash with the Minnesota Vikings on November 7, a game that could decide the NFC North title. Meanwhile, the Cowboys travel to face the Giants in Week 5, a chance to stop the bleeding and prove they can still compete without Elliott and Lamb.
Fans can catch all the action via the NFL’s streaming platform, with alternate streams available on the ESPN app and Amazon Prime Video’s NFL channel.
Historical Context of the Packers‑Cowboys Rivalry
The two franchises share a storied rivalry dating back to the early 1960s, highlighted by the legendary “Ice Bowl” in 1967 when the Packers edged a 21‑17 win in frigid Green Bay conditions. Over the past decade, the series has been relatively even, with each team winning five of the last ten meetings.
Last season’s meeting in September 2024 saw the Cowboys dominate 28‑24 after a last‑minute field goal. That loss still haunts Packers fans, making this week’s victory feel like a sweet redemption.
Beyond the scoreboard, the rivalry has often reflected broader NFL trends: the shift from run‑heavy offenses to pass‑centric attacks, and the rise of quarterback mobility. Love’s willingness to scramble for a short TD against Dallas echoes the Packers’ evolution from a pure pocket passer to a more dynamic offense.
Key Facts
- Date: September 25, 2025 (Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season)
- Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Final Score: Packers 31, Cowboys 17
- Romeo Doubs – 3 receiving touchdowns (career‑high)
- Jordan Love – 254 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect Green Bay’s playoff chances?
The Packers jump to 3‑1, moving into the top‑four of the NFC North and securing a potential top‑six seed. A win keeps them within striking distance of the division lead and gives them a cushion to absorb a possible later loss while still aiming for a first‑round bye.
What injuries are hurting the Cowboys right now?
Dallas is missing running back Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle). Both players accounted for roughly 30% of the Cowboys’ offensive production last season, so their absence limits both the running and passing game.
Who led the Packers’ defense in the win?
Linebacker Rashan Gary anchored the defense with two sacks and a forced fumble, while cornerback Jaire Alexander contributed a key interception that set up Doubs’ third touchdown.
When is the next Packers‑Cowboys matchup?
The two teams will meet again on December 12, 2025, in Green Bay. That game could have division‑title implications if both clubs remain in playoff contention.
What does this result mean for the NFL’s early‑season betting market?
Packers’ odds as favorites have lengthened, now listed at –150 for their next game, while the Cowboys have slipped to +310 for their upcoming matchup against the Giants. The market reflects renewed confidence in Green Bay’s offense and lingering doubts about Dallas’ health.
