GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jordan Love threw a touchdown pass and also scored on a 1-yard run while the Green Bay Packers managed to contain the Dallas Cowboys’ potent offense, winning the game 23-13 in a match filled with penalties on Sunday night.
Love completed 23 of 41 passes for 276 yards, which helped the Packers improve their record to 11-1-1 against the Cowboys over their last 13 meetings, including a tie last season. His 9-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden marked the beginning of the Packers’ scoring and ultimately gave them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
With this victory, the Packers (4-2) have won three games in a row as they await the return of three-time Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs, who is set to come off the commissioner’s exempt list on Monday. Jacobs hasn’t participated in any games this season after pleading no contest last month to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident with his ex-girlfriend.
The Packers intercepted Dak Prescott twice, thwarting what could have been scoring opportunities for Dallas. Prescott managed to complete 34 of 54 passes for 258 yards. In the closing moments of the game, he threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Flournoy, yet failed to connect with CeeDee Lamb on a pivotal 2-point conversion attempt.
This matchup saw a total of 22 penalties—11 from each team. Dallas was penalized for 108 yards, while Green Bay had 96 yards in penalties.
It’s worth noting that Love’s evening could have taken an even better turn.
Matthew Golden dropped a potential 43-yard touchdown early in the game and missed another catch that could have been a 23-yard score in the second quarter. Additionally, a 26-yard touchdown pass intended for Christian Watson slipped through his hands in the third quarter, but that pass had been deflected by Dallas’ Malachi Lawrence.
The fans at Lambeau Field were momentarily thrilled, but it was cut short after Golden’s missed opportunity. Nevertheless, Green Bay followed up those dropped chances with a touchdown and settled for field goals after the other failed attempts.
Despite the drops, Golden finished with six receptions for 104 yards, including that initial touchdown. Love had an impressive start, going 6 for 8 with 109 yards on the first drive, which spanned 90 yards and included overcoming a couple of penalties.
Meanwhile, Dallas (2-4) was left scoreless in the first half, marking a notable change as it was their first time not scoring in the first half of a game since November 2021.
The interceptions thrown by Prescott proved to be very costly.
On a second-and-8 play from Green Bay’s 17, Prescott was hit hard by Zaire Franklin while attempting a pass that fell incomplete. Shortly after, Evan Williams intercepted a pass meant for Lamb.
During their next drive, the Cowboys had a first down from Green Bay’s 23-yard line but were pushed back due to a holding penalty. Then, when they had a first-and-15 from the 28, Lamb stumbled while running a route, which allowed Packers rookie Brandon Cisse to grab his first interception.
Green Bay capitalized on this second turnover, successfully driving 77 yards to score on Love’s 1-yard sneak right before halftime.
In the third quarter, Dallas managed a touchdown with a 1-yard run from Javonte Williams, but the Packers quickly extended their lead with two field goals from Trey Smack.
On the defensive side, Dallas showcased a better effort than before, as they had been allowing the most yards per play in the league prior to this game. In the days leading up to the match, the Cowboys’ defense held a players-only meeting and also brought in veteran coach Mike Pettine to help their first-year defensive coordinator, Christian Parker.
Dee Winters made a diving catch late in the first quarter, achieving Dallas’ first interception of the season. He even managed to evade multiple defenders while running for what seemed like a touchdown, but upon review, it was determined he had been touched by Golden while still on the ground.
Injuries
Cowboys: WR KaVontae Turpin left with a rib injury in the first quarter. Winters sustained an ankle injury during the second quarter.
Packers: CB Brandon Cisse left the field with a stinger in the second half.
Up next
Cowboys: At Philadelphia on Oct. 26.
Packers: At Detroit next Sunday.
