Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2000 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2000 NFL season on 2000-10-22, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 48–7 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 -10.69 total EPA.

On the individual side, T. Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.95 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+58.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: C.Blanchard kicks 35 yards from ARI 30 to DAL 35. D.LaFleur to DAL 43 for 8 yards (J.Rutledge). Squib kick.

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 · +9.95 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Warren · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.89 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
3. 3 J. McKnight · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.35 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Ismail · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.44 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
5. 5 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +2.78 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Thomas · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Boston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.21 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Gedney · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.81 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 48:30)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q1 46:59)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 41:02)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q3 21:57)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q3 19:08)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 12:27)
• Arizona Cardinals — unlisted player (Q4 5:35)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 31:35)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 30:10)

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 ARI 1 (Q1 48:30) — (3:30) E.Smith right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 48:26) — T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 89 (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) S.Player punts 48 yards to DAL 41, Center-T.Junkin. W.McGarity for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return left side of the field.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 46:01) — T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 13–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 32 (Q2 41:02) — (11:02) C.Warren left end for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Quick pitch left side prior to turning up field.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 40:52) — T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ARI 15 (Q2 31:35) — (1:35) T.Seder 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ARI 6 (Q2 30:10) — (:10) T.Seder 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 24 (Q3 21:57) — (6:57) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass thrown right side caught 5 yards deep end zone.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 21:50) — T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q3 19:08) — (4:08) C.Warren right tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 19:03) — T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q4 12:27) — (12:27) T.Aikman pass to R.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left flat around the 2 before turning up field.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 12:21) — T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 5:35) — (5:35) M.Pittman up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 5:29) — C.Blanchard extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 60:00) — C.Blanchard kicks 35 yards from ARI 30 to DAL 35. D.LaFleur to DAL 43 for 8 yards (J.Rutledge). Squib kick. [WPA +58.0% · EPA +1.58]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:09) — (5:09) J.Plummer pass intended for T.Hardy INTERCEPTED by P.Sparks (C.Hennings) at DAL 41. P.Sparks to ARI 16 for 43 yards (J.Plummer). Hennings tipped pass at line of scrimmage. [WPA -19.5% · EPA -6.09]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) S.Player punts 48 yards to DAL 41, Center-T.Junkin. W.McGarity for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return left side of the field. [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.21]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 52:35) — (7:35) J.Plummer pass to D.Boston to ARI 48 for 7 yards (G.Teague). [WPA +6.3% · EPA +1.58]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 58:41) — (13:41) T.Aikman pass incomplete to J.Harris. Pass thrown middle; Tillman closest. [WPA -5.5% · EPA -1.80]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:09) — (5:09) J.Plummer pass intended for T.Hardy INTERCEPTED by P.Sparks (C.Hennings) at DAL 41. P.Sparks to ARI 16 for 43 yards (J.Plummer). Hennings tipped pass at line of scrimmage. [WPA -19.5% · EPA -6.09]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) S.Player punts 48 yards to DAL 41, Center-T.Junkin. W.McGarity for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return left side of the field. [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.21]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:17) — (1:17) T.Aikman pass to J.McKnight to ARI 2 for 48 yards (T.Knight). Pass thrown left sideline. [WPA -0.0% · EPA +3.83]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 41:02) — (11:02) C.Warren left end for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Quick pitch left side prior to turning up field. [WPA +2.2% · EPA +3.58]

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) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · -0.31 EPA/play · -10.69 total EPA
• T.Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) · 20 dropbacks · 45.0% completion · +0.50 EPA/play · +9.95 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 (+0.25 vs -0.25), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -20.00 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +20.89 total EPA, 7 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 48:30 · ARI 1 · Score 0-6
   (3:30) E.Smith right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 48:26 · ARI 2 · Score 0-7
   T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 46:59 · DAL 89 · Score 0-13
   (1:59) S.Player punts 48 yards to DAL 41, Center-T.Junkin. W.McGarity for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return left side of the field.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 46:01 · ARI 2 · Score 0-14
   T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
5. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 41:02 · ARI 32 · Score 0-20
   (11:02) C.Warren left end for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Quick pitch left side prior to turning up field.
6. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 40:52 · ARI 2 · Score 0-21
   T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
7. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 31:35 · ARI 15 · Score 0-24
   (1:35) T.Seder 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
8. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:10 · ARI 6 · Score 0-27
   (:10) T.Seder 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 21:57 · ARI 24 · Score 0-33
   (6:57) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass thrown right side caught 5 yards deep end zone.
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 21:50 · ARI 2 · Score 0-34
    T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 19:08 · ARI 10 · Score 0-40
    (4:08) C.Warren right tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 19:03 · ARI 2 · Score 0-41
    T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 12:27 · ARI 2 · Score 0-47
    (12:27) T.Aikman pass to R.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left flat around the 2 before turning up field.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 12:21 · ARI 2 · Score 0-48
    T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
15. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 5:35 · DAL 1 · Score 6-48
    (5:35) M.Pittman up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 5:29 · DAL 2 · Score 7-48
    C.Blanchard extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Junkin, Holder-S.Player.