Packers beat Cowboys 23-13 as Love, defence lead the way

Jordan Love threw for 276 yards and a touchdown and Green Bay’s defence intercepted Dak Prescott twice as the Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys 23-13 on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, a Cowboys vs. Packers meeting that left the two teams heading in opposite directions.

The win was Green Bay’s third straight and lifted the Packers to 4-2 after a 1-2 start, the team said. Dallas fell to 2-4 with its second straight loss, ESPN reported.

Green Bay took control early. Love found receiver Matthew Golden for a nine-yard touchdown on third-and-six on the opening drive, and the Packers converted nine of their first 10 third-down chances, according to ESPN. They led 17-0 at halftime, the first time Dallas had been shut out in a first half since 2021.

Golden finished with six catches for 104 yards and the touchdown, but he also dropped what would have been a 43-yard touchdown in the second quarter and let another pass slip away in the third, ESPN reported.

Prescott completed 34 of 54 passes and was intercepted twice in Green Bay territory in the first half, by safety Evan Williams and rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse, whose pick was the first of his career, the Packers said. Cisse’s interception came after CeeDee Lamb slipped on his route. Lamb and George Pickens combined for 15 catches and 143 yards on 29 targets.

Dallas scored only seven points through the first 59-plus minutes, went 5-of-13 on third down and was stopped twice on fourth down in scoring territory, according to the Packers. It was the third straight game Green Bay has held an opponent to 14 points or fewer.

“For the entire game our defence really balled out,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said, according to the team. “It’s truly how you respond to the adversity, and if you can face it head on … that’s the mark of a good team.”

The Cowboys’ pass rush had its best night of the season. Dallas sacked Love three times, its first three-sack game of the year, with Quinnen Williams, Elijah Garcia and Kenny Clark each getting one, ESPN reported. Dee Winters also intercepted a Love pass intended for Golden in the second quarter.

“Third downs, it just comes down to being able to hold up in protection and guys make contested catches,” Love said, according to the Packers.

The game was sloppy at times, with each team flagged 11 times. Green Bay was penalized for 96 yards, including five personal fouls, and Dallas for 108 yards. Cisse left in the second half with a shoulder stinger, the Packers said.

Off the field, Green Bay police arrested six people and ejected 16 fans during the game, WLUK reported.

Dallas has now allowed 20 or more points in a franchise-record 13 straight games, ESPN reported. The Cowboys opened the season with a loss to the New York Giants, while the Packers have recovered from a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in September.

Green Bay visits the Detroit Lions next Sunday, and running back Josh Jacobs could return from the commissioner’s exempt list for that game, according to ESPN. The Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football on Oct. 26.

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Sources: ESPN; Packers.com; WLUK.