Green Bay Packers

Lore & Background

The Packers are the last of the 'small-town teams' that were common in the NFL during the league's early days of the 1920s and 1930s. Founded in 1919 by Earl 'Curly' Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun, the franchise traces its lineage to other semi-professional teams in Green Bay dating back to 1896. Between 1919 and 1920, the Packers competed against other semi-pro clubs from around Wisconsin and the Midwest, before joining the American Professional Football Association (APFA) in 1921. In 1933, the Packers began playing part of their home slate in Milwaukee until changes at Lambeau Field in 1995 made it more lucrative to stay in Green Bay full-time. The Packers have won 13 league championships, with nine pre-Super Bowl NFL titles and four Super Bowl victories. Under coach Vince Lombardi, they won the first two Super Bowls in 1966 and 1967. After Lombardi died, the Super Bowl trophy was named for him. The team's performance shifted after acquiring Brett Favre in 1992 and Aaron Rodgers in 2005, leading to two Super Bowl wins in 1996 and 2010.

In Their Own Story

The game began as a nightmare for Green Bay. After a 27-yard pass from Tony Romo set up Dan Bailey's first field goal, the Packers struggled to move the ball until Mason Crosby tied it at 3–3 with a 57-yard kick. However, Dallas quickly seized control; DeMarco Murray found space on a 41-yard rush, and Jason Witten caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Romo to push the lead to 13–3. By halftime, Bailey had added three more field goals, and Murray scored again on a one-yard run, leaving the Cowboys up 26–3 with the Packers' offense seemingly stumped. The second half told a different story. On the very first play, Eddie Lacy exploded for a 60-yard gain, setting the tone for a furious rally. Matt Flynn connected with Jordy Nelson for a touchdown, then Andrew Quarless and James Starks added scores in quick succession. The Cowboys responded with a Dez Bryant touchdown to tie the momentum at 36–31, but the Packers answered immediately with a three-yard pass from Flynn to James Jones. In the final minutes, after Romo's pass was initially ruled incomplete but overturned on review to an interception by Tramon Williams, Eddie Lacy capped the comeback with a one-yard touchdown run, giving Green Bay their first lead of the game at 37–36.

Reader's Guide

The Packers are longstanding adversaries of the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions, who today form the NFL's NFC North division. They have played more than 100 games against each of those teams and have a winning overall record against all of them, a distinction only shared with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins. The Bears–Packers rivalry is one of the oldest rivalries in American professional sports history, dating to 1921.

Did You Know?

• The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States.
• They hold the record for the most wins and championships in NFL history.
• The Packers have a winning overall record against the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions, a distinction shared only with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins.
• Forbes ranked the Packers as the world's 23rd-most-valuable sports franchise in 2025, with a value of $6.65 billion.

Historical Eras of Dominance

This specific 2013 game occurred during a period where both franchises were fighting for divisional supremacy. Entering Week 15, the Packers had begun the season strong at 5–2 but faltered after Rodgers' injury in Week 8, dropping to 6–6–1. The Cowboys entered with a 7–6 record after losing to Chicago in Week 14. Both teams were mathematically alive for their respective division titles and needed this victory to improve their playoff positioning. The Packers would eventually win the NFC North by winning their final game, while the Cowboys lost theirs. This matchup showcased the volatility of the 2013 season, where a single quarter could swing a team's fate from elimination contention to championship hope.

Quarterback Eras and Shifts

With Aaron Rodgers sidelined due to his broken collarbone, Matt Flynn stepped in as the starter for Green Bay. This game became a showcase for Flynn's ability to lead a historic comeback. He threw four touchdown passes, including crucial strikes to James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Andrew Quarless, and James Starks, totaling 299 passing yards. His performance contrasted with Tony Romo, who had a statistically strong day with 358 passing yards and two touchdowns but made critical errors late in the game. The shift in quarterback play defined the flow of the contest: the Packers' offense was stagnant for three quarters before Flynn found his rhythm, while Romo's decision-making under pressure in the final minutes resulted in the interceptions that ended Dallas's chances.

Controversial Calls and Rule Changes

The game featured a pivotal replay review in the fourth quarter. With the Cowboys driving and trailing by one point, Romo threw a pass to Cole Beasley that was initially ruled incomplete. However, after a review, officials overturned the call, ruling it an interception by Tramon Williams. This reversal gave Green Bay possession with less than two minutes remaining on their own side of the field, allowing them to run out the clock and secure the victory. Earlier in the game, Romo threw a pass that appeared to be intercepted by Tramon Williams but was reviewed and ruled incomplete, allowing Dallas to capitalize and score a touchdown. These review moments were decisive in the final outcome.

Dramatic Playoff Comebacks

While this specific game did not take place in the playoffs, it featured one of the most dramatic comebacks in regular-season history that kept playoff hopes alive. The Packers erased a 23-point deficit, matching their franchise record for the largest comeback. They scored five touchdowns in the second half to overcome a 26–3 halftime hole. This victory was essential for Green Bay, as it maintained their possibility of winning the NFC North and making the playoffs, which they ultimately achieved before losing in the first round to the San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys, conversely, lost this game and eventually failed to win their division.