Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2009 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-10-25, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 37–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -3.98 total EPA, and -4.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.76 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.6% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (5:59) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on deep post.

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. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +17.76 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +13.34 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.67 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Snelling · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +5.49 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Weems · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.59 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.30 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Choice · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.49 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.49 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Bennett · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 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

• Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 51:32)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (T. Romo pass) (Q2 35:59)
• Dallas Cowboys — P. Crayton (T. Romo pass) (Q2 30:15)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q3 20:33)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (T. Romo pass) (Q3 17:37)
• Dallas Cowboys — P. Crayton (Q4 8:55)
• Atlanta Falcons — E. Weems (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 5:13)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q2 41:08)
• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q4 10:15)
• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q4 2:26)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q1 51:32) — (6:32) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown pass complete on quick out pattern.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 51:26) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 17–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ATL 20 (Q2 41:08) — (11:08) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 59 (Q2 35:59) — (5:59) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on deep post.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 35:50) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q2 30:15) — (:15) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 84-P.Crayton for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:06) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q3 20:33) — (5:33) 33-M.Turner right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 20:26) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 22 (Q3 17:37) — (2:37) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 19-M.Austin for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ATL-20-B.Grimes, Defensive Holding, declined.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 17:32) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 13–7. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ATL 28 (Q4 10:15) — (10:15) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 72 (Q4 8:55) — (8:55) (Punt formation) 9-M.Koenen punts 45 yards to DAL 27, Center-46-M.Schneck. 84-P.Crayton for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 8:38) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 30 (Q4 5:13) — (5:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 14-E.Weems for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 5:07) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ATL 16 (Q4 2:26) — (2:26) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 35:59) — (5:59) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on deep post. [WPA +17.6% · EPA +4.94]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 36:07) — (6:07) 2-M.Ryan sacked at DAL 38 for -7 yards (94-D.Ware). FUMBLES (94-D.Ware), RECOVERED by DAL-93-A.Spencer at DAL 41. [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.87]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 38:20) — (8:20) 28-F.Jones up the middle to ATL 43 for 1 yard (93-T.Johnson). FUMBLES (93-T.Johnson), RECOVERED by ATL-20-B.Grimes at ATL 42. [WPA -13.6% · EPA -5.04]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 54:14) — (9:14) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 86-B.Finneran to DAL 22 for 17 yards (41-T.Newman; 43-G.Sensabaugh). Pass complete on a skinny post. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +2.26]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 38:59) — (8:59) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 21-M.Jenkins at DAL 46. 21-M.Jenkins to DAL 46 for no gain (84-R.White). Stephen Bowen with heavy QB pressure. [WPA -8.0% · EPA -4.39]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:55) — (8:55) (Punt formation) 9-M.Koenen punts 45 yards to DAL 27, Center-46-M.Schneck. 84-P.Crayton for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -2.4% · EPA -5.96]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 36:07) — (6:07) 2-M.Ryan sacked at DAL 38 for -7 yards (94-D.Ware). FUMBLES (94-D.Ware), RECOVERED by DAL-93-A.Spencer at DAL 41. [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.87]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 5:13) — (5:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 14-E.Weems for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.7% · EPA +5.29]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 38:20) — (8:20) 28-F.Jones up the middle to ATL 43 for 1 yard (93-T.Johnson). FUMBLES (93-T.Johnson), RECOVERED by ATL-20-B.Grimes at ATL 42. [WPA -13.6% · EPA -5.04]

Quarterback report card

M.Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 42 dropbacks · 45.2% completion · -4.3% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.98 total EPA
• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 35 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +10.9% CPOE · +0.51 EPA/play · +17.76 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 (+0.13 vs -0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -6.54 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +9.96 total EPA, 6 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. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• T. Romo (DAL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 51:32 · DAL 4 · Score 6-0
   (6:32) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown pass complete on quick out pattern.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 51:26 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
3. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 41:08 · ATL 20 · Score 7-3
   (11:08) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
4. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 35:59 · ATL 59 · Score 7-9
   (5:59) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on deep post.
5. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 35:50 · ATL 2 · Score 7-10
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
6. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:15 · ATL 5 · Score 7-16
   (:15) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 84-P.Crayton for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:06 · ATL 2 · Score 7-17
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 20:33 · DAL 2 · Score 13-17
   (5:33) 33-M.Turner right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 20:26 · DAL 2 · Score 14-17
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 17:37 · ATL 22 · Score 14-23
    (2:37) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 19-M.Austin for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ATL-20-B.Grimes, Defensive Holding, declined.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 17:32 · ATL 2 · Score 14-24
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 10:15 · ATL 28 · Score 14-27
    (10:15) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 8:55 · DAL 72 · Score 14-33
    (8:55) (Punt formation) 9-M.Koenen punts 45 yards to DAL 27, Center-46-M.Schneck. 84-P.Crayton for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 8:38 · ATL 2 · Score 14-34
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 5:13 · DAL 30 · Score 20-34
    (5:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 14-E.Weems for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 5:07 · DAL 2 · Score 21-34
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
17. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 2:26 · ATL 16 · Score 21-37
    (2:26) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.