ARLINGTON, Texas — Micah Parsons returned to AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys for the Green Bay Packers, a tidbit you probably missed at some point this week heading into the primetime matchup — though of course you didn't, because the headline was unavoidable.
Parsons wasn't the only player on the field trying to take down his former team, however, because three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle was all business heading into the matchup, but definitely had it in mind to prove to the Packers he's still got plenty of tread on his tires.
And starting with a 1-2 record, the Cowboys needed Clark and everyone else to leave it all on the field against Green Bay — a team they've never beaten in Arlington — especially with All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, Cooper Beeber and Tyler Booker both sidelined due to injury.
Jadeveon Clowney made his debut to try and aid the defense, and DaRon Bland returned to the field as reinforcements and, in all, it turned into a back alley brawl as several stepped up for the Cowboys, on both sides of the ball, to push the Packers to the absolute limit and beyond.
[Note: This list is unranked.]
Dak Prescott, QB
It began before kickoff when the All-Pro quarterback was seen leading the team's huddle with a fiery speech that eventually spilled over into some explosive offensive plays for the Cowboys. It was a stagnant first quarter that gave way to a big play after big play from Prescott to his offensive weapons, especially George Pickens, but an option read saw the Cowboys' franchise quarterback decide to take one in himself for a rushing touchdown as well. As is often the case, Prescott was hellbent on willing the Cowboys to win; and the nine words placed before the semicolon in this statement is a massive, massive undersell of what Prescott was able to do in this game and especially, once again, in the fourth quarter and overtime on his home field.
George Pickens, WR
Whoa mama, there goes that man. It was the perfect opportunity for Pickens to prove he could take over an NFL game as WR1, and on a primetime stage, no less, and he did not disappoint. After having not been targeted through much of the first half, his connection with Prescott took center stage toward the end of the second quarter — the two taking over to land haymakers against the Packers' defense that included a touchdown that gave the Cowboys the first lead of the game just ahead of halftime; but he wasn't done there. With only 50 seconds remaining and down four points, Pickens took a toss from Prescott for an extra 20 yards to make it 37-34 with less than a minute remaining.
James Houston, DE
That aforementioned touchdown toss from Prescott to Pickens doesn't happen if not for Houston's talents, seeing as it was his sack-strip-recovery against Jordan Love that gave the Cowboys the ball deep in Green Bay territory, and with only seconds to play in the first half. Houston had a very strong training camp and has parlayed that into multiple games in which he's jumped off of the film whenever given the chance.
Jake Ferguson, TE
The curse is officially broken for Ferguson. The last time the Pro Bowl tight end scored a touchdown was at AT&T Stadium, against the Packers in the postseason following the 2023 campaign, being held out of the end zone the entirety of the 2024 season. His drought-ending touchdown against the Packers on Sunday Night Football gave the Cowboys their second lead of the night —23-20 heading into the fourth quarter — and the relief on his face was palpable.
Javonte Williams, RB
As the game rolled along, so did Williams, making for another stout outing for the young running back. Not only did he average more than four yards per carry, as per usual this season when given his opportunities to do so, but he also helped extend a late-game drive that ended with Prescott motioning out of the backfield to wide left for a direct snap to Williams. He'd take the ball and stroll into the end zone to give the Cowboys their third lead of the game — a 30-27 score — and with less than five minutes to play. It was a quiet, but steady, evening for Williams, until his production got very, very loud.
Jalen Tolbert, WR
When the Cowboys needed him most, there was Tolbert, coming up with what could be argued as the biggest catch of his young career, or at least one of them. In overtime, with pressure threatening to take down Prescott on the Cowboys' possession, the latter rolled out and heaved a ball deep down the right side — hoping Tolbert would see it and break off of his route to charge forward and catch. Not only did Tolbert oblige, but he did so in spectacular fashion by activating his toe drag swag as the ball attempted to fade out of bounds. Brandon Aubrey would give the Cowboys their fourth lead of the contest at 40-37 thereafter.
Juanyeh Thomas + Markquese Bell, S
When you set a franchise record, you make the list, and that's the bottom line. When the Cowboys couldn't do a single thing to make their way into the end zone or even into the extremely long field goal range of All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey, it was Thomas blocking a point-after attempt and Bell scooping it up to run it back for two points that removed the goose egg and make the math more manageable going forward. It's the first time it's happened since the Cowboys were born as a franchise in 1960.
KaVontae Turpin + Ryan Flournoy, WR
Following the haymakers landed by Pickens, the coverage became that much more shaded his way and, as a result, it forced someone, anyone else to step up for Prescott and the Cowboys' passing attack. It was Turpin and Flournoy who both answered the bell, the former deploying his best Twinkletoes impression to move the chains on the very drive that saw Flournoy cook both on a possession catch and on an endaround that also moved the chains — Ferguson rewarding their work with the touchdown late in the third quarter. Add in the 46-yard kick return after the Packers took back the lead late in the fourth quarter that helped set up Pickens' second touchdown and, yes, Turpin was eating like he was at a cookout.
Osa Odighizuwa + Donovan Ezeiruaku, DL
The stat line won't floor you, but the film certainly might. Odighizuwa controlled his portion of the line of scrimmage most of the contest, including pushing the pocket into the lap of Jordan Love on multiple occasions and forcing him off of a potential deep ball he was eyeing at the time. Ezeiruaku delivered what was easily his best outing as a rookie defensive end, impacting the game with both run defense and his pass rush ability. Both were two of the brightest spots on the defensive side of the ball.
