Game story
In Week 1 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-09-07, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 27–13 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -1.91 total EPA.
On the individual side, J. Galloway (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.46 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+16.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (4:28) 23-A.Cason up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 3 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +11.46 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.64 EPA/play
- 2 D. Johnson · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +9.42 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 3 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.49 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
- 4 A. Cason · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +7.56 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.78 EPA/play
- 5 A. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.59 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.30 EPA/play
- 6 P. Price · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.01 EPA/play
- 7 W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
- 8 B. Finneran · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Galloway — DAL · Receiving
J. Galloway posted the highest total EPA (+11.46) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.64 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.64 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (4:28) 23-A.Cason up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — A. Cason
- Atlanta Falcons — W. Dunn (D. Johnson pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (D. Johnson pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Galloway (Q. Carter pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — D. Johnson
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely
- Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely
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 7–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DAL 19 (Q1 53:42) — (8:42) 4-J.Feely 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 63 (Q1 49:28) — (4:28) 23-A.Cason up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 49:25) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q3 26:30) — (11:30) (Shotgun) 11-D.Johnson pass to 28-W.Dunn for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 26:23) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 41 (Q3 19:12); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 19:02) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..
The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DAL 13 (Q4 12:47) — (12:47) 4-J.Feely 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 49 (Q4 11:45) — (11:45) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on a flag pattern left side of the field.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 3:19) — (3:19) 11-D.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Quarterback sneak.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 3:11) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:28) — (4:28) 23-A.Cason up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 28:35) — (13:35) 17-Q.Carter up the middle to DAL 40 for 6 yards (97-P.Kerney). FUMBLES (97-P.Kerney), RECOVERED by ATL-52-M.Stewart at DAL 40. 52-M.Stewart to DAL 40 for no gain (86-D.Campbell).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 19:12) — (4:12) Finneran of Atlanta has been taken to the locker room for X-rays right hand. 11-D.Johnson pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Johnson rolled right and threw back left; ball caught at
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:45) — (11:45) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on a flag pattern left side of the field.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 34:39) — (4:39) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 29-K.Carpenter at ATL 15. 29-K.Carpenter to ATL 23 for 8 yards (20-R.Anderson). Carter forced out of the pocket; pass too tall right sid
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:28) — (4:28) 23-A.Cason up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 28:35) — (13:35) 17-Q.Carter up the middle to DAL 40 for 6 yards (97-P.Kerney). FUMBLES (97-P.Kerney), RECOVERED by ATL-52-M.Stewart at DAL 40. 52-M.Stewart to DAL 40 for no gain (86-D.Campbell).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 19:12) — (4:12) Finneran of Atlanta has been taken to the locker room for X-rays right hand. 11-D.Johnson pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Johnson rolled right and threw back left; ball caught at
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:45) — (11:45) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on a flag pattern left side of the field.
Quarterback report card
Q.Carter led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Q.Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 38 dropbacks · 39.5% completion · -0.05 EPA/play · -1.91 total EPA
- D.Johnson (Atlanta Falcons) · 31 dropbacks · 51.6% completion · +0.30 EPA/play · +9.42 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Atlanta Falcons | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.165 | -0.077 |
| Offensive success rate | 52.6% | 38.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.284 | -0.190 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.034 | +0.163 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.077 | -0.165 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.3% | 47.4% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs -0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, +12.84 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, -6.19 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Galloway (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.
- Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 53:42 · DAL 19 · Score 3-0
(8:42) 4-J.Feely 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 49:28 · ATL 63 · Score 3-6
(4:28) 23-A.Cason up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 49:25 · ATL 2 · Score 3-7
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 26:30 · DAL 7 · Score 9-7
(11:30) (Shotgun) 11-D.Johnson pass to 28-W.Dunn for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 26:23 · DAL 2 · Score 10-7
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 19:12 · DAL 41 · Score 16-7
(4:12) Finneran of Atlanta has been taken to the locker room for X-rays right hand. 11-D.Johnson pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Johnson rolled r - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 19:02 · DAL 2 · Score 17-7
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 12:47 · DAL 13 · Score 20-7
(12:47) 4-J.Feely 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 11:45 · ATL 49 · Score 20-13
(11:45) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on a flag pattern left side of the field. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 3:19 · DAL 1 · Score 26-13
(3:19) 11-D.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Quarterback sneak. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 3:11 · DAL 2 · Score 27-13
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Atlanta Falcons beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-13 in Week 1, 2003 on 2003-09-07.
What was the final score of Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Atlanta Falcons 27, Dallas Cowboys 13 (ATL 27-13 DAL) in Week 1, 2003 on 2003-09-07.
What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Atlanta Falcons 3, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 14, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 10, Dallas Cowboys 6; Final: Atlanta Falcons 27, Dallas Cowboys 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — A. Cason (Q1 49:28) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — W. Dunn (D. Johnson pass) (Q3 26:30) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — A. Crumpler (D. Johnson pass) (Q3 19:12) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Galloway (Q. Carter pass) (Q4 11:45) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — D. Johnson (Q4 3:19) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q1 53:42, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q4 12:47, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys), 39.5% completion, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -1.91 total passing EPA. D. Johnson (Atlanta Falcons), 51.6% completion, +0.30 EPA per dropback, +9.42 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys?
J. Galloway (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +11.46 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.64 EPA): (4:28) 23-A.Cason up the middle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +16.4%.
Season records after this game
Atlanta Falcons
Now 1-0 W
Dallas Cowboys
Now 0-1 L
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