The Packers overcame disastrous first down results in win over Cowboys

October 19, 2026

The Green Bay Packers secured a 23-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on *Sunday Night Football*, but their offensive struggles on first down set the tone for a challenging game. Jordan Love faced relentless pressure, completing just 2 of 7 passes for nine yards on first downs while also being sacked three times.

The Packers' ground game was equally problematic, with MarShawn Lloyd, Pierre Strong, and Kaleb Johnson combining for a net gain of just 25 yards across 15 first-down carries. Love’s heroics on second and third downs—including 276 passing yards, a touchdown, and a rushing score—were the only bright spots in an otherwise dismal first-down performance, where the Packers managed only a 18.5% success rate in converting necessary yardage.

The Cowboys’ defense capitalized on the Packers’ early miscues, forcing Love into high-leverage situations and recording multiple sacks. Of the 27 first-down plays, the Packers failed to gain yardage on 13, including penalties and incomplete passes, leaving Love with no choice but to rally the offense from deep in the red zone.

Despite the offensive inefficiency, the Packers’ ability to capitalize on other downs—where Love completed 22 of 34 passes for 269 yards—proved decisive in the end.