ARLINGTON, Texas − In the end, nobody won Micah Parsons’ return to Dallas.
The Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys tied at 40 in what unfolded as an unexpected Texas shootout under an open roof at AT&T Stadium.
After winning the opening coin toss, the Packers elected to kick knowing they would get the second possession no matter what happened on the Cowboys’ first under the NFL’s new overtime rules. The Packers defense allowed a 22-yard field goal midway through overtime.
The Packers then marched in position for a 34-yard field goal from Brandon McManus to tie it as time expired.
Quarterback Jordan Love had one of the best games of his career behind a patchwork offensive line missing two starters, completing 31 of 43 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns for a 118.1 rating. His favorite target was veteran receiver Romeo Doubs, who caught six of his eight targets for 58 yards and all three touchdowns.
It’s the second straight week the Packers jumped out to a double-digit lead before their opponent could score but couldn’t finish a win. They’ll now enter the bye week with a 2-1-1 record with plenty to improve after opening their season with two impressive home victories against Detroit and Washington.
Here are some quick highlights:
Cowboys keep Micah Parsons in check … almost
In 48 snaps, counting penalty plays, the Cowboys used a heavy dosage of double teams and chip blocks to mostly keep Parsons in check.
Parsons finished with eight pressures unofficially, though he saved his best for last. He had three straight snaps with a pressure in overtime, including a 0-yard sack on Dak Prescott on second-and-goal from the 4-yard line.
It wasn’t quite a shutout – a pass rusher with Parsons’ ability rarely gets shut out – but the Cowboys probably would take that kind of protection from their former All-Pro rusher. It was enough to push the Packers defense off balance. After struggling in the first 25 minutes, the Cowboys put up 40 points.
That’s more than the Detroit Lions (13) and Washington Commanders (18) scored combined.
Questionable timeout swings momentum
Late in the first half, coach Matt LaFleur’s aggression might’ve gotten the best of him.
The Packers seemed determined to get points on the board after the Cowboys finally found the end zone, cutting the score to 13-9. After Love’s first two passes were incomplete, he connected with tight end Tucker Kraft for a 12-yard dump off to convert third-and-10.
There were 21 seconds left. The Packers were without two starting offensive linemen and needed at least 25 yards for any realistic chance at a field goal. There was no reason to do anything but let the clock run and enter halftime with a lead. LaFleur used his last timeout anyway, making it less likely the offense would reach scoring position.
On the next snap, following a false-start penalty, Cowboys edge rusher James Houston had a sack fumble against Love. Houston recovered, and the Cowboys scored to take a 16-13 lead entering halftime on their next play.
There’s something to be said about being aggressive, but it’s not always the right call.
Extra-point block, special teams still a disaster
The Packers had all week to fix their field-goal protection after a blocked kick lost the game in Cleveland. Whatever they did, it didn’t work.
The Packers had a dominant start, jumping out to a 13-0 lead in the second quarter. After their second touchdown, kicker Brandon McManus’ extra-point attempt was blocked. Tight end Luke Musgrave, playing on the end of the right side on the line, appeared to block an outside rusher instead of safety Juanyeh Thomas. The gaffe opened a lane for Thomas to essentially waltz into the backfield for an easy block off McManus’ foot.
Safety Markquese Bell scooped the loose football and returned it for a 2-point conversion the other way.
The NFL has seen a swell of big plays on special teams through the opening month. On Sunday alone, the Philadelphia Eagles opened their win against Tampa Bay returning a blocked punt for touchdown. A punt-return touchdown helped the Jacksonville Jaguars upset the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers.
There are plenty of reminders that special teams matters, and the Packers need to show some urgency in fixing theirs.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Overtime shootout ends in 40-40 tie as Packers fail to hold off Cowboys
