Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys fans have one of the richest rivalries in football to look forward to this weekend. This year’s NFC Championship matchup is already guaranteed to evoke memories of their legendary rivalry. To NFL reporters Rob Demovsky and Todd Archer, who cover the Packers and Cowboys for ESPN, this match up is more than just another game. It furthers a proud tradition rich in history with magical memories, like the well-known Ice Bowl.
The Ice Bowl played on December 31, 1967, is renowned for its frigid, bone-chilling temperatures. The mercury plunged to -13 degrees Fahrenheit, but wind chill brought the temperature down to a bone-chilling -45 degrees. This legendary game featured Packers quarterback Bart Starr, who not only threw two touchdown passes but scored the game-winning rushing touchdown. That meeting raised the level of expectation for all future meetings between these two teams.
Historical Context of the Rivalry
The history between the Packers and Cowboys runs deep, filled with all-time great battles and defining moments. Their rivalry truly escalated in the 1990s. The two teams met again at Texas Stadium in the 1994 divisional round of the playoffs. The game was special in more ways than its heavy stakes would make it sound. It further underscored how things had turned for both teams during the era. The Cowboys flourished during the 1970s, winning two Super Bowls and reaching three others. In contrast, the Packers suffered misfortune, making the playoffs only twice from 1969 to 1992.
Even in the ensuing years, the rivalry further continued to thrive, especially with the rise of superstar quarterbacks. To many, Brett Favre is still the Packers’ all-time great QB, famous for exhilarating shootouts with the Cowboys. By the end of his career though, he switched teams and cities to the New York Jets. At the same time, Aaron Rodgers started his Hall of Fame career – further fueling the fire on this long-standing rivalry.
Their match intensity carried over beyond the players on the pitch. The only thing more controversial than that non-call would be this catch by Dez Bryant, one of the most debated calls in NFL history. In a game that saw Dak Prescott throw two interceptions, including a pick-six that contributed to a 27-0 lead for Green Bay, Bryant’s fourth-down reception from Tony Romo down the left sideline at the Packers’ 1-yard line has been scrutinized heavily. A few members of the NFL’s competition committee, years after the fact, proposed that it should have been called a catch.
Recent Developments
As both teams get ready for their third meeting of the year, both sides’ form have created the scenario for what should be another thrilling clash. In their last meeting, Aaron Rodgers showcased his prowess by completing 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards and one touchdown. That is a tall order, as Dak Prescott failed miserably when put under the extreme heat of the Packers front seven. This resulted in game-changing turnovers at key times.
This pairing brings back memories of Jared Cook’s miraculous 36-yard reception. For reference, he turned the game around with that miraculous play on third-and-20, with three seconds remaining in regulation of a playoff game, back in 2016. His extraordinary play is the only reason the Packers’ dreams weren’t crushed. It reestablished the idea that anything goes in this ultra-competitive rivalry.
Add in head coach Mike McCarthy’s return to Green Bay and it’s easy to see the additional intrigue. Looking back on his previous head coaching experiences with the Packers, he noted,
“I thought it was important for me to talk about Green Bay at the beginning of the week with the team. I regretted it. That doesn’t even need to come into our energy base, but you live and learn.”
This statement reflects that in that moment McCarthy knows the personal, emotional stakes this game has for him. It further opens up its importance to his whole team.
Looking Ahead
As kickoff approaches, excitement is palpable on both franchises’ sides. Above all, they understand that this game is more than just wins and losses. There’s pride at stake, legacy on the line. The players know they’re playing not just for their own careers, but for a story that stretches generations. The ghosts of glory and scandal hang heavy over this clash.
It’s the first time that the Cowboys have played the Packers with McCarthy in his second year as Cowboys head coach. That absence only heightens the anticipation for their next matchup. It’s that passion and electricity that both fans and players so desperately desire that fuels this great rivalry. The rich history and rivalry between these teams not only guarantees you high-stakes playoff football, but the much deeper emotional rollercoaster it guarantees for everyone involved.
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