Packers stun Cowboys for first upset of NFL play-offs

The Green Bay Packers pulled off the first shock of this season's NFL play-offs as they claimed a stunning 48-32 win at the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys had won 16 straight home games since last losing at the AT&T Stadium in their 2022 season opener.

Dallas were also the second seed in the NFC Conference, with Green Bay the seventh, yet the Packers charged into a 27-0 lead and never looked back.

They finished with seven touchdowns - three rushing scores by Aaron Jones, a pick-six and three touchdown passes by Jordan Love, who has impressed in his first season since replacing Aaron Rodgers as Green Bay's starting quarterback.

Late on the Packers could even rest the 25-year-old, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to register a perfect passer rating on his play-off debut.

Jake Ferguson scored two of the Cowboys' four touchdowns but that was of little consolation to 'America's Team', who have not reached the Super Bowl since the 1995 season.

Dallas have finished the last three seasons with a 12-5 record but failed to deliver in the play-offs, losing three of their four post-season games under coach Mike McCarthy, who led the Packers to the last Super Bowl win in 2011.

The Packers won the toss and took full advantage, producing a drive that lasted almost eight minutes and resulted in a Jones touchdown.

Dak Prescott was then intercepted by cornerback Jaire Alexander and Jones again made Dallas pay by getting in from close range.

The Cowboys were now playing catch-up but Love made a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks before safety Darnell Savage returned Prescott's second interception for a 64-yard score.

A Dallas touchdown right before half-time gave the hosts a glimmer of hope but their defence could not find a way to stop Love.

Further touchdowns by Jones, Luke Musgrave and Romeo Doubs put the game beyond Dallas before two late scores by Ferguson made it a scoreline which flattered the Cowboys.

As the NFC's lowest seed, the Packers are now guaranteed to visit the top-seed San Francisco 49ers in next week's divisional round.