Cowboys–Packers rivalry

The Cowboys–Packers rivalry is a professional American football rivalry in the National Football League (NFL) between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. The two teams do not play every year; instead, they play at least once every three years. Due to the NFL's scheduling rotation, all NFC East teams will battle all NFC North teams every third year. In addition, if the two teams finish in the same place in their respective divisions in any season, they will play each other the following season. The rivalry has also resulted in a number of notable games, including eight playoff games.[1]

Dallas Cowboys–Green Bay Packers

The Cowboys and Packers playing in 2007
Dallas Cowboys Green Bay Packers
First meeting	November 6, 1960 Packers 41, Cowboys 7
Latest meeting	October 6, 2019 Packers 34, Cowboys 24
Next meeting	2022
Statistics
Meetings total	37
All-time series	Packers, 20–17
Regular season series	Packers, 16–13
Postseason results	Tie, 4–4 Most recent January 15, 2017 Green Bay Packers 34, Dallas Cowboys 31
Largest victory	Packers, 45–7 (2010)
Longest win streak	Cowboys, 8 (1991–96)
Current win streak	Packers, 3 (2016–Present)

Although the rivalry has existed throughout the history of each team, it was most notable during two time periods. The first period occurred during late 1960s[2] as both teams were highly successful prior to the AFL-NFL merger, which culminated in meeting in consecutive NFL Championship Games in 1966 & 1967. The 1967 meeting is eponymously called the "Ice Bowl", with the temperature at kick-off at -13 degrees. The Packers won the game on a late quarterback sneak by Bart Starr, which sent them to the Super Bowl.[3] Each game ended in dramatic fashion in favor of the Packers, which lead to them winning the first two Super Bowls (Super Bowl I and II). The second period of notability occurred throughout the 1990s as both the Packers and Cowboys, alongside the San Francisco 49ers, were amongst the strongest teams in the NFC.[4] The Packers and Cowboys met in the postseason three straight years from 1993 to 1995, with Dallas winning in each encounter, all of which were in Dallas. The Cowboys won two of their three Super Bowls in this period after defeating Green Bay in the postseason and won nine of ten meetings in the 90s.[5] From 1992 to 1997, the Cowboys and Packers combined for five Super Bowl appearances and four Super Bowl championships. Additionally, the Packers won Super Bowl XLV in AT&T Stadium in 2011.[6] Even during periods where one or both teams were not successful, the match-up was still consider a "storied championship rivalry".[7]

More recently, the Packers have dominated the rivalry, winning seven out eight games in the 2010s.[8] This included the infamous Dez Caught It game in the 2014 playoffs. Late in the game quarterback Tony Romo completed what was initially called a catch on 4th down to wide receiver Dez Bryant near the goal line. After review though, the referees overturned the catch, saying that Bryant "did not complete the act of making the catch" after he bobbled the ball as he hit the ground. The Packers gained possession on the turnover on downs and ended up winning the game.[9]

As of the end of the 2020 season, Green Bay is the only team in the NFC with a winning record against the Cowboys.[10] The two teams have met eight times in the postseason, with each team winning four times.[11][12]