GB 31, DAL 28: Packers, Aaron Rodgers crush Cowboys dreams once again

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did it again.

Behind Rodgers and wide receiver Christian Watson’s four receptions for 107 yards and three touchdowns, the Packers crushed Dallas Cowboys’ hearts and beat the Boys 31-28 in overtime at Lambeau Field.

The Packers (4-6) racked up 415 yards total offense and rallied from a 28-14 deficit to upset the Cowboys (6-3) in overtime. On the Cowboys’ side, they had six more yards total offense (421) — but came up short when it mattered.

Rodgers finished with 14 completions, 224 yards, and three touchdowns.

Highlights:

First Half

After both teams failed to score on their first two drives, the Cowboys struck first when QB Dak Prescott found Lamb on a screen pass. He broke a couple of tackles en route to a three-yard touchdown.

His score capped off a 17-play, 83-yard drive that began near the end of the first quarter and bled into the second quarter. After a successful extra point, the Cowboys led 7-0.

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On the ensuing possession, the Packers attempted to respond. But on third down, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence strip-sacked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to set up the Cowboys in the red zone — with an opportunity to go up two scores.

Now in the red zone, the Cowboys ran two unsuccessful plays. Faced with a third down, you figured the team would punch it in (given their high-powered offense) or at least walk away with a field goal.

But Prescott made a crucial mistake and threw a pick in the endzone. Packers safety Rudy Ford returned it mid-field and gave Rodgers and the offense prime field position.

Rodgers quickly took advantage of the Cowboys’ mistake and found a streaking Christian Watson, who caught it over cornerback Anthony Brown for a 58-yard score.

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After a successful extra point from K Mason Crosby, it was all tied 7-7 in the second quarter.

On the ensuing Cowboys possession, the team attempted to answer. But Prescott made another crucial mistake and threw another interception to Ford. He returned to the Cowboys’ 24-yard line.

With prime field position, the Packers’ offense took advantage of a Cowboys’ turnover again. And, after three plays and 24-yards, running back Aaron Jones ran untouched from 12-yards out and did the iconic Marshawn Lynch touchdown celebration as he crossed the goal line.

His score gave the Packers their first lead, 14-7.

With only 1:34 left, and momentum against them, the Cowboys answered big before halftime, as they worked their way downfield quickly to the red zone.

And on second down, Prescott rolled to his right and found TE Dalton Schultz for a five-yard touchdown to tie it all up 14-14.

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Second Half

Entering the second half, both teams failed to put together any offense and went three-and-out. But a momentum shift happened when Packers wideout Amari Rodgers muffed a  punt, and the Cowboys recovered.

The Cowboys capitalized off Rodger’s mistake, drove the field in four plays, and scored off a 13-yard run from running back Tony Pollard. His score pushed the Cowboys’ lead to 21-14 — but it also gave the team momentum.

From there, it was all Cowboys.

After suffocating the Packers’ offense, the Boys got the ball back and stayed hot. With a mix of solid runs from running back Malik Davis and Pollard and big catches from Lamb and Schultz — the Cowboys found the endzone again when Prescott connected with Lamb from 35-yards out.

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His touchdown gave him two touchdowns on the day, but also added to his 100-plus yard receiving day. Before the catch, Lamb became the first receiver to break 100-yards this season.

But more importantly, the team went up two scores on the Packers heading into the fourth quarter.

Now down two scores, you figured the Packers would crumble after failing to put together any offense in the second half — but Rodgers came alive at the beginning of the fourth quarter and reminded the Cowboys who he was.

On fourth down on the Cowboys’ 32-yard line, Rodgers connected with Watson streaking across the field for his second touchdown to cut the deficit to 28-21.

After suffocating the Cowboys on offense on their next possession, Rodgers got the ball back with a chance to tie it up. Ten plays, 89-yards later, he found Watson on a seven-yard touchdown, and things stood at 28 a-piece.

The Cowboys would try to get things rolling but quickly went three-and-out and gave the Packers to win in regulation. However, the Cowboys’ defense held the Packers, and the game went overtime.

Overtime

In overtime, the Cowboys won the coin toss and got the ball first. The team drove efficiently, but penalties stalled their momentum. They would make it within field-goal range, but the Boys gambled and went for it on fourth down.

After a failed fourth-down conversion, Rodgers quickly drove the field and found wideout Allen Lazard in stride for 36-yards to put the Packers in FG range. Crosby ended the game with a 28-yard field goal.

Game Balls:

Jones carried the ball 24 times for 138 yards, adding one touchdown. AJ Dillon added 65 rushing yards. Wideout Sammy Watkins had three receptions for 47 yards. Ford had a team-high two interceptions.

Prescott finished with 27 completions, 265 yards, two interceptions, and three touchdowns. Lamb led the team in receiving with 11 receptions for 150 yards, adding two scores. Pollard carried the ball 22 times for 115 yards and added a score.

Final Thoughts:

The loss sucks because the Cowboys were up two scores heading into the fourth and had a chance to exorcise their demons against the Packers. But, of course, Rodgers did what he does best and broke all of Cowboy Nation’s hearts.

While the loss will sting for a while, the Boys have an opportunity to bounce back against the Minnesota Vikings, who beat the Buffalo Bills earlier in the afternoon.

Critical mistakes from Prescott killed the Cowboys’ momentum in the first half, but it was encouraging to see them bounce back. However, the Cowboys need to learn how to finish games and please find a way to fix their run defense.

I get fans who put this on Prescott’s shoulders, as quarterbacks usually get blamed for any team loss. But there were a lot of problems the team had that they had and need to clean up heading into this week.

From penalties, run defense, pass coverage, holding onto the ball, play-calling, and more.

It’s not the end of the world, as the Cowboys still sit near the top of the NFC. But I hope these two teams meet again in the postseason because I want to see them beat the Packers — and if they could send them home packing with a victory — I’m here for it.

For now, it’s onto Minnesota.

Up Next:

The Dallas Cowboys stay on the road and face the Minnesota Vikings at 3:25 p.m. CT next Sunday in Week 11. The Green Bay Packers host the Tennessee Titans at 7:15 p.m. CT on Thursday in Week 11.