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Morning After Week 4- Everything But the Win
The Cowboys stubbornly battled for close to 4 hours. But in end, they settle for unsatisfying draw.
Bob Sturm
Sep 29, 2025
Before we get too deep into this one, I think I want to lead with this 30-second answer I heard in the post-game press conference.
As I heard it, the game was still bouncing around in my head about how we should feel. A 40-40 tie is one of the most bizarre outcomes one could ever have when writing about a football game, and to be fair, I am not sure I have a good explanation for takeaways this morning.
Was it a good tie? A bad tie? Does the result change the math of what 2025 can be and where they find themselves in this journey?
Maybe and who knows? They were expected all week to get rolled in this game by an opponent that thinks it is going somewhere. After the outcome in Chicago, the last thing anyone expected to see was an entire night of standing in the ring and exchanging haymakers with a team that is supposed to be a few tiers higher. Green Bay probably leaves thinking they aren’t as good as they thought and Dallas was much tougher than expected.
But, how does Dallas walk away?
Is it a moral victory? I believe you can say that here, but I don’t know the value of such a thing. But, it does prove, like the opener in Philadelphia, that this team can play with anyone on the schedule at any time, if they are dialed in. Of course, we have already seen that they also can lose to anyone on their schedule. But, we sort of knew that one already. This other side of that coin – the one where they have the Eagles and the Packers both a drop or a blink from losing to them – is newly found information. We did not expect that the Cowboys could compete with the heavyweights with this current group. But, they clearly can.
They have much more fight and resolve in them than we expected, that is for certain. Again, hard for us to quantify what it all means and whether that changes the price of coffee, but it is something – and potentially something big.
If the whole point of the first month of a new coaching regime is to find out who you are and what you can be about, while you lay a foundation for what could be ahead, I have to believe that is worth emphasizing. This team may have plenty of belief that we suppose starts with being repeatedly told they stink.
In other words, they might actually be building a culture of what can be. It was finding a little something, even if you would rather have a win. The coach seemed to be hitting around that last night.
Coach, Is this result kind of unfulfilling?
“Look, we’ve got to learn how to win. You know, this is year one of our program. But when you have the fight that these guys do, when they’re willing to battle and just fight for 70 minutes, two weeks really in a row at home. You know, we’re building something special here, and no one in that locker room is happy. No one in that locker room is fulfilled. We didn’t win, and there’s definitely things to clean up. But I would be remiss if I didn’t say how proud I was of them in their fight, and I wanted that for them. But, man, NFL football is hard.”
- Brian Schottenheimer following his team’s 40-40 tie on Sunday Night.
That is a perfect summary of Sunday in Arlington. It was a titanic struggle where two teams both showed how hard winning can be. These two teams are obviously tied together with decades of shared-history and the 2025 version includes a franchise-altering decision for both sides and transaction that will be studied for years as to the price of employing a player of his stature.
The fact that Dallas controlled him for most of the night will likely be one of the main talking points, perhaps tied to the fact that Micah’s one key play on Sunday Night probably kept Dallas from winning. Dak Prescott is charging for the goal-line with 5:33 left in overtime when Parsons gets his ankles.
The irony, I suppose, of Micah Parsons keeping Dak Prescott from victory can be interpreted in many ways.
But, that is about the only thing that could keep Prescott from victory Sunday because everything else Dak did is in line with what he has done all season. He has led this team emotionally while playing some of his best QB work, ever. He has been, without question, the Cowboys best player in 2025 – which is what he has to be. On this occasion, he made the entire night his showcase of skilled reads, accurate throws, and pushing the ball vertically to go find plays.
The Cowboys asked the world of Prescott in this first month of the season and he has delivered by being the NFL’s passing leader through 4 weeks of the season. He has done so while running the No. 1 offense in the NFL while dealing with the No. 32 defense in the league.
That’s right, it appears we are back in 2011-2013 again. History truly repeats itself. We have a franchise QB, who is largely blamed for the entire mess by those who are sick of it all, attempting to pull a franchise along, despite some weeks of wondering if the defense wouldn’t mind assisting a bit and if the drafts could please bring some reinforcements soon.
Dak Prescott please meet Tony Romo. Matt Eberflus please meet Rob Ryan and Monte Kiffin. Jerry and Stephen Jones, please meet Jerry and Stephen Jones. Oh wait.
The game was close to being a laugher. There was a spot midway through the second quarter where Green Bay was up, 13-2. I know, it was an odd score, but so is 40-40, so it was definitely one of those nights.
Anyway, Green Bay had two touchdowns and the Cowboys had one first down and three punts. The Dallas opening script was not finding space. Green Bay had things going exactly as planned, save for an extra point that was blocked.
Still, the Cowboys got the ball back after that return and down 11, which they promptly went 3-and-out. And that is when Matt LaFleur and his side lost their minds.
First, they punted from Dallas territory. Twice. Cowardly punts allow opponents – like Cleveland just seven days prior – to stay in games because you don’t go for blood when an opponent is dazed. If you are up on the road and face a 4th and 2 from the Dallas 49 and then a 4th and 5 from the Dallas 45 and punt both times, you probably deserve what is coming to you.
Then, after Dallas cut the lead to 13-9, Green Bay committed another unforced error with 21 seconds to go in the half. Well, unforced in intent, but once you stand back in the pocket with low percentage opportunities from your own 27 with little time left, James Houston does the rest by knocking the ball free and recovering the game’s lone takeaway.
Now, having the opportunity of the half, Dallas will get one or two chances to the end zone to try to score their second touchdown in 30 seconds, all because Green Bay played immature football with no rhyme or reason when they went back and forth from incredibly conservative to wildly risky and back in the matter of minutes.
The Cowboys couldn’t believe their good fortune and immediately jumped on the sudden change to throw a post to George Pickens for the touchdown and in just the blink of an eye, the Cowboys had a halftime lead and all the belief they would need. Green Bay surely knew that they just turned what could have been a much easier game into a major battle that seemed a bit silly. Something about version of the Packers seems much more capable of beating themselves if you offer them some rope. They weren’t always this reckless, but they provided opportunity and that is all Dallas needed – or so we thought.
What happened in the second half was just ridiculous as neither defense seemed to know how to rein in the opposition’s attack. There was a punt to start the second half, but then the possessions went exactly like this:
It was a wildly entertaining game where both offenses had the opposition tied in knots. Dallas’ defense was already thought to be a sieve and they didn’t disappoint. But, Green Bay’s defense had been ranked in the top 3 in all sorts of categories before this game. They held the Detroit Lions to next to nothing. They were not supposed to struggle against an offensive line that had backups starting at multiple places and no CeeDee Lamb.
But, this is where we can go back to what I started saying back in Week 1:
If this offense is fueled by a head coach and a QB that knows what they are doing. And they are able to offer proof of concept each week in the way they deploy their guys to attack and wound an opponent? Well, this season and these years can go a long way.
If you think you have a guy with a scheme solution and you have a QB who is much better than average, then you have the two most important roles of any organization. Yes, Brian Schottenheimer and Dak have their shares of doubters, but this isn’t about that. This is about substance and last night was a great example of understanding what you don’t have (Lamb, Booker, Beebe), what you have to worry about (Micah Parsons wrecking your plans) and what your mission is (Green Bay is going to keep scoring so you must keep pace).
Those two guys get fantastic grades in this one – just like the Eagles and Giants games – and are appearing to be a fairly formidable duo, even if nobody is noticing just yet. By the way, who is more worthy of notice than Pickens? I was sure this was the move the offense has been lacking and if Lamb can return quickly, this offense can stay up near the top all year. But, Pickens was labeled a trouble-maker and just like the others, there are old takes that will not be revised anytime soon. The film will have to speak for itself. And it does.
Of course, the offense will have to speak for itself because the defense still seems without answers and sabotaging every performance by demanding that sometimes 40 points is still not enough.
What do we make of the Packers at the end? Yes, the NFL should resolve these games where we have a winner and those OT rules certainly still aren’t perfect. But, what are LaFleur and Love doing on that final drive with casual clock-running and lack of urgency? At 2:00, they found themselves at the Cowboys 25. They have all kinds of time and then begin to seem to take the air out of the ball.
It seemed like they had two objectives in those final two minutes. Objective one was to make a game-tying field goal. Objective two seemed to make sure Dallas had no time left to respond before overtime expired. At no point did it appear Green Bay had the proper objective – to win the game by attacking the end zone (until a desperation final fling that probably should have been the final play). In a division that has Dan Campbell, Ben Johnson, and even Kevin O’Connell employing a diet of “no risk it, no biscuit,” it is hard to fathom a coach being as conservative as LaFleur.
Green Bay was a huge favorite and seemed to actually be happy to accept a tie. Dallas was a huge underdog and seemed upset to accept one.
What were we watching, besides the highest-scoring tie in NFL History (I’m sorry, but the AFL tie in 1964 between the Boston Patriots and the Oakland Raiders was not an NFL game, guys) and what does it tell us about the near future?
Was it entertaining? Sure.
But, the NFL should make tied teams play until there is a result. And honestly, if they did, it sure seemed like Dallas deserved it more.
But, as is often the case, sometimes “deserved” has nothing to do with it. This game might mean plenty or it might mean little, based on what happens next. Let’s see them carry this fight with them on the road next week.
Until then, we have plenty to discuss.
The Cowboys stubbornly battled for close to 4 hours. But in end, they settle for unsatisfying draw.
Bob Sturm
Sep 29, 2025
Before we get too deep into this one, I think I want to lead with this 30-second answer I heard in the post-game press conference.
As I heard it, the game was still bouncing around in my head about how we should feel. A 40-40 tie is one of the most bizarre outcomes one could ever have when writing about a football game, and to be fair, I am not sure I have a good explanation for takeaways this morning.
Was it a good tie? A bad tie? Does the result change the math of what 2025 can be and where they find themselves in this journey?
Maybe and who knows? They were expected all week to get rolled in this game by an opponent that thinks it is going somewhere. After the outcome in Chicago, the last thing anyone expected to see was an entire night of standing in the ring and exchanging haymakers with a team that is supposed to be a few tiers higher. Green Bay probably leaves thinking they aren’t as good as they thought and Dallas was much tougher than expected.
But, how does Dallas walk away?
Is it a moral victory? I believe you can say that here, but I don’t know the value of such a thing. But, it does prove, like the opener in Philadelphia, that this team can play with anyone on the schedule at any time, if they are dialed in. Of course, we have already seen that they also can lose to anyone on their schedule. But, we sort of knew that one already. This other side of that coin – the one where they have the Eagles and the Packers both a drop or a blink from losing to them – is newly found information. We did not expect that the Cowboys could compete with the heavyweights with this current group. But, they clearly can.
They have much more fight and resolve in them than we expected, that is for certain. Again, hard for us to quantify what it all means and whether that changes the price of coffee, but it is something – and potentially something big.
If the whole point of the first month of a new coaching regime is to find out who you are and what you can be about, while you lay a foundation for what could be ahead, I have to believe that is worth emphasizing. This team may have plenty of belief that we suppose starts with being repeatedly told they stink.
In other words, they might actually be building a culture of what can be. It was finding a little something, even if you would rather have a win. The coach seemed to be hitting around that last night.
Coach, Is this result kind of unfulfilling?
“Look, we’ve got to learn how to win. You know, this is year one of our program. But when you have the fight that these guys do, when they’re willing to battle and just fight for 70 minutes, two weeks really in a row at home. You know, we’re building something special here, and no one in that locker room is happy. No one in that locker room is fulfilled. We didn’t win, and there’s definitely things to clean up. But I would be remiss if I didn’t say how proud I was of them in their fight, and I wanted that for them. But, man, NFL football is hard.”
- Brian Schottenheimer following his team’s 40-40 tie on Sunday Night.
That is a perfect summary of Sunday in Arlington. It was a titanic struggle where two teams both showed how hard winning can be. These two teams are obviously tied together with decades of shared-history and the 2025 version includes a franchise-altering decision for both sides and transaction that will be studied for years as to the price of employing a player of his stature.
The fact that Dallas controlled him for most of the night will likely be one of the main talking points, perhaps tied to the fact that Micah’s one key play on Sunday Night probably kept Dallas from winning. Dak Prescott is charging for the goal-line with 5:33 left in overtime when Parsons gets his ankles.
The irony, I suppose, of Micah Parsons keeping Dak Prescott from victory can be interpreted in many ways.
But, that is about the only thing that could keep Prescott from victory Sunday because everything else Dak did is in line with what he has done all season. He has led this team emotionally while playing some of his best QB work, ever. He has been, without question, the Cowboys best player in 2025 – which is what he has to be. On this occasion, he made the entire night his showcase of skilled reads, accurate throws, and pushing the ball vertically to go find plays.
The Cowboys asked the world of Prescott in this first month of the season and he has delivered by being the NFL’s passing leader through 4 weeks of the season. He has done so while running the No. 1 offense in the NFL while dealing with the No. 32 defense in the league.
That’s right, it appears we are back in 2011-2013 again. History truly repeats itself. We have a franchise QB, who is largely blamed for the entire mess by those who are sick of it all, attempting to pull a franchise along, despite some weeks of wondering if the defense wouldn’t mind assisting a bit and if the drafts could please bring some reinforcements soon.
Dak Prescott please meet Tony Romo. Matt Eberflus please meet Rob Ryan and Monte Kiffin. Jerry and Stephen Jones, please meet Jerry and Stephen Jones. Oh wait.
The game was close to being a laugher. There was a spot midway through the second quarter where Green Bay was up, 13-2. I know, it was an odd score, but so is 40-40, so it was definitely one of those nights.
Anyway, Green Bay had two touchdowns and the Cowboys had one first down and three punts. The Dallas opening script was not finding space. Green Bay had things going exactly as planned, save for an extra point that was blocked.
Still, the Cowboys got the ball back after that return and down 11, which they promptly went 3-and-out. And that is when Matt LaFleur and his side lost their minds.
First, they punted from Dallas territory. Twice. Cowardly punts allow opponents – like Cleveland just seven days prior – to stay in games because you don’t go for blood when an opponent is dazed. If you are up on the road and face a 4th and 2 from the Dallas 49 and then a 4th and 5 from the Dallas 45 and punt both times, you probably deserve what is coming to you.
Then, after Dallas cut the lead to 13-9, Green Bay committed another unforced error with 21 seconds to go in the half. Well, unforced in intent, but once you stand back in the pocket with low percentage opportunities from your own 27 with little time left, James Houston does the rest by knocking the ball free and recovering the game’s lone takeaway.
Now, having the opportunity of the half, Dallas will get one or two chances to the end zone to try to score their second touchdown in 30 seconds, all because Green Bay played immature football with no rhyme or reason when they went back and forth from incredibly conservative to wildly risky and back in the matter of minutes.
The Cowboys couldn’t believe their good fortune and immediately jumped on the sudden change to throw a post to George Pickens for the touchdown and in just the blink of an eye, the Cowboys had a halftime lead and all the belief they would need. Green Bay surely knew that they just turned what could have been a much easier game into a major battle that seemed a bit silly. Something about version of the Packers seems much more capable of beating themselves if you offer them some rope. They weren’t always this reckless, but they provided opportunity and that is all Dallas needed – or so we thought.
What happened in the second half was just ridiculous as neither defense seemed to know how to rein in the opposition’s attack. There was a punt to start the second half, but then the possessions went exactly like this:
- Green Bay - Touchdown
- Dallas - Touchdown
- Green Bay - Touchdown
- Dallas - Touchdown
- Green Bay - Touchdown
- Dallas - Touchdown
- Green Bay - Field Goal
- Dallas - Field Goal
- Green Bay - Field Goal
It was a wildly entertaining game where both offenses had the opposition tied in knots. Dallas’ defense was already thought to be a sieve and they didn’t disappoint. But, Green Bay’s defense had been ranked in the top 3 in all sorts of categories before this game. They held the Detroit Lions to next to nothing. They were not supposed to struggle against an offensive line that had backups starting at multiple places and no CeeDee Lamb.
But, this is where we can go back to what I started saying back in Week 1:
If this offense is fueled by a head coach and a QB that knows what they are doing. And they are able to offer proof of concept each week in the way they deploy their guys to attack and wound an opponent? Well, this season and these years can go a long way.
If you think you have a guy with a scheme solution and you have a QB who is much better than average, then you have the two most important roles of any organization. Yes, Brian Schottenheimer and Dak have their shares of doubters, but this isn’t about that. This is about substance and last night was a great example of understanding what you don’t have (Lamb, Booker, Beebe), what you have to worry about (Micah Parsons wrecking your plans) and what your mission is (Green Bay is going to keep scoring so you must keep pace).
Those two guys get fantastic grades in this one – just like the Eagles and Giants games – and are appearing to be a fairly formidable duo, even if nobody is noticing just yet. By the way, who is more worthy of notice than Pickens? I was sure this was the move the offense has been lacking and if Lamb can return quickly, this offense can stay up near the top all year. But, Pickens was labeled a trouble-maker and just like the others, there are old takes that will not be revised anytime soon. The film will have to speak for itself. And it does.
Of course, the offense will have to speak for itself because the defense still seems without answers and sabotaging every performance by demanding that sometimes 40 points is still not enough.
What do we make of the Packers at the end? Yes, the NFL should resolve these games where we have a winner and those OT rules certainly still aren’t perfect. But, what are LaFleur and Love doing on that final drive with casual clock-running and lack of urgency? At 2:00, they found themselves at the Cowboys 25. They have all kinds of time and then begin to seem to take the air out of the ball.
It seemed like they had two objectives in those final two minutes. Objective one was to make a game-tying field goal. Objective two seemed to make sure Dallas had no time left to respond before overtime expired. At no point did it appear Green Bay had the proper objective – to win the game by attacking the end zone (until a desperation final fling that probably should have been the final play). In a division that has Dan Campbell, Ben Johnson, and even Kevin O’Connell employing a diet of “no risk it, no biscuit,” it is hard to fathom a coach being as conservative as LaFleur.
Green Bay was a huge favorite and seemed to actually be happy to accept a tie. Dallas was a huge underdog and seemed upset to accept one.
What were we watching, besides the highest-scoring tie in NFL History (I’m sorry, but the AFL tie in 1964 between the Boston Patriots and the Oakland Raiders was not an NFL game, guys) and what does it tell us about the near future?
Was it entertaining? Sure.
But, the NFL should make tied teams play until there is a result. And honestly, if they did, it sure seemed like Dallas deserved it more.
But, as is often the case, sometimes “deserved” has nothing to do with it. This game might mean plenty or it might mean little, based on what happens next. Let’s see them carry this fight with them on the road next week.
Until then, we have plenty to discuss.
