Dallas kicker Rafael Septién gave the team a 3-0 lead with a 50-yard field goal on the opening drive of the game. Then Green Bay returner Del Rodgers fumbled the kickoff, which linebacker Jeff Rohrer recovered for the Cowboys, leading to another Septién field goal, this one from 34 yards. By this point, the Cowboys had a 6-0 lead and had ran 19 consecutive plays to start the game. Green Bay would not get a first down until 11:31 remained in the second quarter. Still, they managed to take a 7-6 lead with a 74-yard drive to score on Dickey's 6-yard pass to Lofton. Dallas struck back with an 80-yard drive to score on a 2-yard touchdown run by Robert Newhouse. Then with 1:13 left in the half, Thurman's 39-yard interception return gave the Cowboys a 20–7 lead by halftime.