Dallas Cowboys

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Lore & Background

The Cowboys joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960. The franchise has made it to the Super Bowl eight times, tying it with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, and San Francisco 49ers for second-most Super Bowl appearances in history behind the New England Patriots' record 12 appearances. Their eight NFC championships are tied for most in the conference's history. The Cowboys are the only NFL team to record 20 straight winning seasons (from 1966 to 1985) during which they missed the playoffs only twice (1974 and 1984).

In Their Own Story

Under the December lights of Lambeau Field, the air bit through wool and leather as thousands braved the cold. On the frozen turf, Brett Favre scanned a sea of blue and silver—the Cowboys' defense looking less like opponents and more like an impenetrable wall. The roar of Titletown's faithful clashed with the cold precision of Dallas’s offense. Every yard felt like territory reclaimed in a war for NFC supremacy.

Reader's Guide

The Cowboys' national following might best be represented by its NFL record of consecutive sellouts. The Cowboys' streak of 190 consecutive sold out regular and postseason games (home and away) began in 2002. In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys became the first sports team to be valued at $4 billion, making it the most valuable sports team in the world, according to Forbes. In 2016, the Cowboys also became the most valuable sports team at $4 billion, a record they have held since by also being the first sports team to reach a worth of $10 billion dollars. As of late 2025, the Cowboys are valued at about $13 billion. The Cowboys also generated $620 million in revenue in 2014, a record for a U.S. sports team. In 2018, they also became the first NFL franchise to be valued at $5 billion and making Forbes' list as the most valued NFL team for the 12th straight year.

Did You Know?

• The Cowboys' streak of 190 consecutive sold out regular and postseason games began in 2002.
• The Cowboys are the only NFL team to record 20 straight winning seasons (from 1966 to 1985).
• In 2015, the Cowboys became the first sports team valued at $4 billion.
• The Cowboys' eight NFC championships are tied for most in the conference's history.

Historical Dominance and Championship Eras

The rivalry between Dallas and Green Bay is defined by two distinct periods of intense competition that shaped NFL history. The first era emerged in the late 1960s, where both franchises were powerhouses before the AFL-NFL merger. This dominance culminated in consecutive championship meetings in 1966 and 1967, with the Packers prevailing in dramatic fashion each time. The 1967 contest, infamously known as the "Ice Bowl," featured freezing temperatures of minus thirteen degrees at kickoff. Bart Starr's late quarterback sneak secured a victory for Green Bay, propelling them to their first two Super Bowl titles while Dallas remained winless against Vince Lombardi's squad. A second golden age arrived in the 1990s, where both teams, alongside San Francisco, formed an NFC triumvirate. During this decade, Dallas held significant sway, winning nine of ten matchups and sweeping three consecutive postseason meetings from 1993 to 1995. This period saw a combined five Super Bowl appearances and four championships between the two franchises, cementing their status as storied rivals regardless of individual team success levels.

Quarterback Eras and Statistical Shifts

The dynamic of this rivalry has fluctuated significantly based on which quarterback leads each franchise. During Brett Favre's tenure in Green Bay, Dallas established clear dominance, compiling a nine-win record against the Packers with a perfect home slate in Texas. However, the arrival of Aaron Rodgers marked a dramatic reversal of fortune for the Cowboys. Rodgers posted an impressive eight-to-two record against Dallas during his starting career, including a flawless three-game winning streak at AT&T Stadium. This shift highlighted how individual leadership could alter the balance of power between these historic franchises. While Favre's era saw Green Bay struggle to find answers in Dallas, Rodgers consistently delivered victories even on hostile turf. The statistical disparity underscores the impact of elite quarterback play, as the Packers leveraged Rodgers' precision to overcome previous deficits and establish their own period of control over this long-standing NFC matchup.

Controversial Calls and Rule Changes

Perhaps no single moment defined the modern era of this rivalry more than the contentious 2014 NFC Divisional Playoff game. Officials determined Bryant failed to complete the act of catching the ball because he bobbled it upon hitting the ground. This turnover on downs handed possession to Green Bay, who subsequently won the game. The controversy sparked widespread debate and directly influenced NFL policy three years later. The league introduced a new rule allowing receivers to make a football move after securing control and getting two feet down, specifically aiming to eliminate the frustration caused by such borderline rulings. This adjustment sought to prevent future scenarios where apparent catches were reversed due to minor fumbles during the process of grounding oneself.

Dramatic Finishes and Overtime Thrillers

The Cowboys-Packers rivalry is renowned for its nail-biting conclusions, featuring several games decided in the final seconds or requiring overtime. In a 2016 playoff clash at AT&T Stadium, Green Bay trailed significantly before mounting a miraculous comeback. Mason Crosby then kicked a fifty-one-yard field goal as time expired to eliminate Dallas and advance Green Bay to the conference championship. More recently, the series saw its first-ever overtime game in 2022 at Lambeau Field.