Cowboys-Packers, the Greatest Out-Of-Division Rivalry
On Sunday Night, the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers will meet for the 41st time.
Two of the NFL’s most esteemed franchises meeting in the bright lights is a win for all involved—players, fans, and executives alike.
Stars will be on full display. Stands will be packed. Discourse will be at an all-time high, with two rowdy fanbases at each other’s throats all week.
Outside the North, there is no team Green Bay fans hate more than Dallas. The inverse is true, too.
All of this is what makes Green Bay-Dallas the best out-of-division rivalry in football, hands down.
Here are the uniforms that the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers will wear on Sunday night.
One of the best uniform matchups there is in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/vdBMpT8A9T
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) October 14, 2026
These Two Know Each Other Better Than Most Divisional Rivals
The strongest rivalries between two teams usually have a deeply rooted history, and the two teams involved know each other like the back of their own hand.
The Cowboys and Packers have met almost as much as some divisional opponents, and there is no shortage of history between the two. As previously mentioned, the two have met 40 times (Packers lead the series 22-17-1). Their 16 meetings since 2000 are some of the most among out-of-division opponents.
Regarding the postseason, their nine meetings are only second all time to 49ers-Packers (10 times).
Cowboys vs. Packers series history pic.twitter.com/3wdfxhVs2g
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 13, 2026
The Classics Keep Coming
As for their history, where to begin?
Their most recent meeting ended in a tie, the only one in the history of the series. Before that, Dallas made history as the first No. 2 seed to get bounced against a No. 7 seed in an embarrassment against Green Bay.
Going back about a decade, the two engaged in two titanic playoff clashes with thrilling endings. In 2016, a rookie Dak Prescott announced himself to the world with a performance for the ages, but it wasn’t enough to get past the Pack that day. And in 2014, the two slugged it out again in the infamous “Dez Caught It” play.
On this date 11 years ago, the "Dez Caught It" Playpic.twitter.com/632VDskik3
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 11, 2026
For those really about their history, the infamous “Ice Bowl” was played between these two. Bart Starr led a game-winning touchdown drive in deathly conditions to take the Packers to Super Bowl II.
The heartstoppers usually go the way of Green Bay. Dallas had an edge early on in the rivalry, but Green Bay haven’t lost to them in 10 years. However one decides to look at it, these two absolutely check two of the biggest boxes needed to make a rivalry legit.
Few Rivalries Can Match This Level of Star Power
Another key aspect of a rivalry is the star power involved.
Good thing for the viewing public, Cowboys-Packers pack a punch in the star power department.
These two have been blessed with it from the minute they became franchises. Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi, Brett Favre, Reggie White, Aaron Rodgers—that’s a list of Hall of Fame Packer talent that have all made a stamp in this meeting. That list is rivaled by very few franchises.
However, the Cowboys are a part of that few. Roger Staubach, Drew Pearson, Tony Dorsett, and the aforementioned trio of the 90s coached by Jimmy Johnson. That’s before mentioning guys like Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, too.
Then, you come to modern day. Dak Prescott and Jordan Love are two of the best quarterbacks in football. Prescott drops back and throws to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the most lethal wideout duo in the business. Finally, despite not suiting up for this game, Micah Parsons‘ name and voice has
Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.