The NFL has seen its share of dramatic finishes, but occasionally, even overtime cannot determine a winner. The most recent NFL game to end in a tie occurred during the 2025 season when the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers battled to a 40-40 draw.
As of September 21, 2026, the Cowboys-Packers matchup remains the most recent NFL regular-season game to finish in a tie.
When Was the Last NFL Game to End in a Tie?
The last NFL game to end in a tie took place on Sunday, September 28, 2025, when the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Week 4 matchup ended in a 40-40 tie after neither team could secure a victory during the overtime period.
- Game: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
- Week: 2025 NFL Week 4
- Final Score: Packers 40, Cowboys 40
- Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Result: Tie after overtime
The result was particularly notable because both teams scored 40 points, making it one of the highest-scoring ties in NFL history.
The game also featured additional significance because Packers defensive star Micah Parsons was facing his former team, the Cowboys, following his trade to Green Bay ahead of the 2025 season.
Has There Been an NFL Tie During the 2026 Season?
As of September 21, 2026, no NFL regular-season game has ended in a tie during the 2026 season.
The league has completed the first two weeks of regular-season action, with the Week 2 Monday Night Football matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants scheduled for September 21.
The Cowboys-Packers game from September 2025 remains the most recent NFL tie.
How Does an NFL Game End in a Tie?
An NFL regular-season game can end in a tie when both teams have the same score after regulation and the overtime period expires without either team taking the lead.
Under NFL regular-season overtime rules, the additional period lasts 10 minutes.
Both teams have an opportunity to possess the football, subject to the league’s overtime rules. If the score remains tied when the overtime clock expires, the game officially ends in a tie.
Unlike regular-season games, NFL playoff games cannot end in a tie. Postseason overtime continues until a winner is determined.
How Does a Tie Affect NFL Standings?
An NFL tie counts as half a win and half a loss when calculating a team’s winning percentage.
For example, a team finishing the season with nine wins, seven losses and one tie would have a winning percentage of approximately .559.
A tie can become significant when teams are competing for division titles, playoff positions or postseason seeding.
Because NFL teams play only 17 regular-season games, a single tie can influence the final standings.
How Often Do NFL Games End in a Tie?
NFL ties are relatively uncommon because most games are decided during regulation or overtime.
However, the possibility of a tie remains part of the NFL regular-season format.
Some notable NFL ties in recent seasons include:
| Date | Matchup | Final Score |
|---|---|---|
| September 28, 2025 | Packers vs. Cowboys | 40-40 |
| December 4, 2022 | Commanders vs. Giants | 20-20 |
| September 11, 2022 | Colts vs. Texans | 20-20 |
| November 14, 2021 | Lions vs. Steelers | 16-16 |
The 2025 Cowboys-Packers matchup stands out because of its unusually high combined score of 80 points.
Can an NFL Playoff Game End in a Tie?
No. NFL playoff games must produce a winner.
If a postseason game remains tied after regulation, the teams play overtime until one team wins under the league’s postseason overtime rules.
Additional overtime periods are played if necessary, ensuring that every playoff game produces a team that advances or wins the championship.
Final Thoughts
The last NFL game to end in a tie was the Dallas Cowboys’ 40-40 draw against the Green Bay Packers on September 28, 2025.
As the 2026 NFL season continues, another tie remains possible under the league’s regular-season overtime rules.
Although ties are uncommon in professional football, they can have a meaningful impact on the standings and playoff picture, particularly when teams finish the season with similar records.