Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys: 1999 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-10-03, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 35–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -11.25 total EPA.

On the individual side, T. Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+42.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: T.Gowin kicks 67 yards from DAL 30 to ARI 3. M.Bates to ARI 17 for 14 yards (I.Reese). Return middle.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Aikman · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +13.04 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Ismail · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.42 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Irvin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.91 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Pittman · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Makovicka · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Ogden · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Thomas · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Lucky · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.79 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q1 60:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q1 52:55)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 42:09)
• Arizona Cardinals — unlisted player (Q2 30:16)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q3 30:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 10:34)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 80 (Q1 60:00); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 58:28) — T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 18 (Q1 52:55) — (7:55) T.Aikman pass to M.Irvin for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant from left side.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 48:19) — T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 63 (Q2 42:09) — (12:09) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught around the ARZ18 right sideline.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 42:01) — T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:16) — (:16) J.Plummer pass to J.Makovicka for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play action and ball caught right corner of end zone.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:11) — C.Jacke extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) E.Smith left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 22:59) — T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q4 10:34); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 10:13) — T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — T.Gowin kicks 67 yards from DAL 30 to ARI 3. M.Bates to ARI 17 for 14 yards (I.Reese). Return middle. [WPA +42.2% · EPA -0.22]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) J.Plummer pass intended for A.McCullough INTERCEPTED by G.Teague at ARI 32. G.Teague for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return left sideline; INJURY: DAL-23 K.Mathis shaken up on the interception. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.68]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 54:26) — (9:26) J.Plummer pass incomplete to F.Sanders. Pass incomplete middle at the ARZ13; DAL-28 D.Woodson closest. [WPA -3.6% · EPA -1.04]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 56:31) — (11:31) (Shotgun) C.Warren up the middle to ARI 43 for no gain (M.Smith). [WPA -3.2% · EPA -1.57]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) T.Aikman pass to R.Thomas to DAL 46 for 13 yards (C.Chavous; R.McKinnon). Pass caught right flat. [WPA +2.9% · EPA +1.37]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 10:34) — (10:34) J.Plummer Aborted. A.Graham FUMBLES at DAL 2, RECOVERED by DAL-G.Ellis at DAL 2. G.Ellis for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. INJURY UPDATE: DAL-66 T.Hutson sprained right knee will not return. [WPA -1.4% · EPA -12.87]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) J.Plummer pass intended for A.McCullough INTERCEPTED by G.Teague at ARI 32. G.Teague for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return left sideline; INJURY: DAL-23 K.Mathis shaken up on the interception. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.68]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 42:09) — (12:09) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught around the ARZ18 right sideline. [WPA +2.3% · EPA +5.37]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 20:49) — (5:49) E.Smith up the middle to ARI 45 for no gain (R.Fredrickson). FUMBLES (R.Fredrickson), RECOVERED by ARI-T.Bennett at ARI 43. [WPA -1.2% · EPA -3.81]

Quarterback report card

J.Plummer led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) · 38 dropbacks · 42.1% completion · -0.30 EPA/play · -11.25 total EPA
• T.Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) · 25 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +0.52 EPA/play · +13.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.33), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -28.24 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 15 drives, -0.68 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Dallas Cowboys leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 60:00 · DAL 80 · Score 0-6
   (15:00) J.Plummer pass intended for A.McCullough INTERCEPTED by G.Teague at ARI 32. G.Teague for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return left sideline; INJURY: DAL-23 K.Mat
2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 58:28 · ARI 2 · Score 0-7
   T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 52:55 · ARI 18 · Score 0-13
   (7:55) T.Aikman pass to M.Irvin for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant from left side.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 48:19 · ARI 2 · Score 0-14
   T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
5. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 42:09 · ARI 63 · Score 0-20
   (12:09) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught around the ARZ18 right sideline.
6. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 42:01 · ARI 2 · Score 0-21
   T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:16 · DAL 2 · Score 6-21
   (:16) J.Plummer pass to J.Makovicka for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play action and ball caught right corner of end zone.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:11 · DAL 2 · Score 7-21
   C.Jacke extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · ARI 1 · Score 7-27
   (15:00) E.Smith left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 22:59 · ARI 2 · Score 7-28
    T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 10:34 · DAL 2 · Score 7-34
    (10:34) J.Plummer Aborted. A.Graham FUMBLES at DAL 2, RECOVERED by DAL-G.Ellis at DAL 2. G.Ellis for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. INJURY UPDATE: DAL-66 T.Hutson spraine
12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 10:13 · ARI 2 · Score 7-35
    T.Gowin extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.