One game. One headline. Parsons returns.
Sunday night’s prime time game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers was the most anticipated matchup in the NFL this past weekend. There’s a reason it was the only game scheduled for the prime time slot on Sunday.
Growing up in Dallas, I was forced into a lifetime fandom full of disappointment and heartbreak. No situation emphasized the relationship between Cowboys fans and the organization more than the Micah Parsons situation. A perennial Defensive Player of the Year contender, Defensive Rookie of the Year winner, Pro Bowler and All-Pro 26-year-old defensive end was thrashed and slandered in the media, then traded by his own team and owner. What should have been a simple contract extension negotiation between a franchise player and a team spiraled into one of the most controversial situations in NFL history.
On Aug. 28, 2025, the Cowboys traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks in what is widely criticized as one of the worst trades in NFL history. Six days before their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys traded their best player. Parsons got what he wanted: a massive extension making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, worth $188 million, and the Cowboys got a whole lot worse. As a Dallas sports fan, I’m still recovering from the magnitude of this trade, yet I can’t say I was surprised by the stupidity of the move, because at this point, I’m used to that coming from Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization.
Parsons’ homecoming game in Dallas couldn’t have been scripted any better. It was an important game for both teams as the 1-2 Cowboys needed a bounce-back game after getting dominated by the Chicago Bears 31-14 the prior week, and the same was true for the 2-1 Packers after they were upset by the Cleveland Browns 13-10 the same week. Two teams fighting to prove themselves and bounce back, a star player’s homecoming after leaving with bad blood between the two parties, and long-time rivals meeting once again. Parsons was met with boos as he ran out onto the field for the first time in his full Packers uniform, which I thought was poor taste, even for Cowboys fans.
The Packers got out to a hot start and diced up the Cowboys’ secondary early on to score a touchdown on the first drive of the game. The rest of the first quarter was fairly boring, as the Cowboys’ high-powered offense struggled to get anything going without star receiver CeeDee Lamb, who suffered an ankle sprain against the Bears. Heading into the second quarter, the Packers looked to have taken control of the game as they marched down the field to score their second touchdown of the game. However, Cowboys fans were given a glimpse of hope as Marquise Bell blocked the extra point attempt and returned it for two points, breathing life into Cowboys fans as it was 13-2 with plenty of time left in the second quarter. That play catalyzed the Cowboys as they finished the quarter with 14 unanswered points in 32 seconds. Highlighted by a forced fumble on defense and a big touchdown catch by George Pickens to give the Cowboys a 16-13 lead with less than 10 seconds left in the half.
With momentum shifted into the Cowboys’ favor heading into the second half, both teams came ready to play in what was must-watch football on Sunday night. Both teams went back-and-forth, with Jordan Love and Dak Prescott battling it out, leading their teams on six straight touchdown drives. Prescott led the Cowboys down the field with 1:45 left on the clock in the fourth quarter and, in three plays, found Pickens for what was believed to be the game-winning touchdown. But with 35 seconds on the clock, Love marched the Packers into field goal range and Brandon McManus hit a 53-yard field goal to send it to overtime as time expired.
Following the new overtime rules, both teams got an opportunity to have the ball. The Cowboys started with the ball and were forced to settle for a field goal, making it 40-37 and opening the door for the Packers to get a fairytale win in Dallas. The Packers marched down the field, and it looked inevitable for Cowboys fans’ hearts to be broken by the Packers once again, yet the Cowboys’ defense held strong. McManus lined up once again for a field goal, this one a 34-yard attempt to tie the game, and he buried it. The make ended the game 40-40 tie, and was a Scorigami, meaning it was the first time in NFL history a game has ended in this score.
An underwhelming and disappointing final result put a stain on what was otherwise an instant classic battle between two storied franchises. Parsons didn’t quite get his revenge on the team that gave up on him and cast him aside, only managing 3 tackles and 1 sack, and the Cowboys didn’t get the upset they were looking for to turn their season around. Both teams were impressive, as Love and Prescott had amazing games both throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Receivers Romeo Doubs and George Pickens made their names known across the league, both going nuclear for six catches for 58 yards and three touchdowns and eight catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns, respectively. You couldn’t have scripted this game better if you tried, and it will certainly be a game fans will look back on for years to come.