Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2020 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-20, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 40–39 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +12.52 total EPA, and +4.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.72 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+46.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (:04) 2-G.Zuerlein 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

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 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +16.72 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +12.52 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Ridley · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.05 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.77 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Gallup · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +2.80 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.70 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 — C. Ridley (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 56:06)
• Atlanta Falcons — H. Hurst (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 52:45)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (Q2 42:15)
• Atlanta Falcons — C. Ridley (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 36:03)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Prescott (Q3 27:27)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Prescott (Q3 19:17)
• Atlanta Falcons — R. Gage (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 14:29)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Schultz (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 5:02)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Prescott (Q4 1:52)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q1 49:32)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q1 46:10)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q2 31:50)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 30:06)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q4 8:01)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q4 0:04)

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 20–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 22 (Q1 56:06) — (11:06) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 18-C.Ridley for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN [72-T.Hill].; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 55:58) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 42 (Q1 52:45) — (7:45) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 81-H.Hurst for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 52:37) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DAL 24 (Q1 49:32) — (4:32) 7-Y.Koo 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DAL 9 (Q1 46:10) — (1:10) 7-Y.Koo 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–9. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 42:15) — (12:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 21-E.Elliott right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 42:09) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q2 36:03) — (6:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ATL 15 (Q2 31:50) — (1:50) 2-G.Zuerlein 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DAL 23 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 7-Y.Koo 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q3 27:27) — (12:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 27:23) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 19:17) — (4:17) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 19:14) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 16–10. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 8 (Q4 14:29) — (14:29) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-R.Gage for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 14:23) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DAL 13 (Q4 8:01) — (8:01) 7-Y.Koo 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 10 (Q4 5:02) — (5:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 86-D.Schultz for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 1:52) — (1:52) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 1:49) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ATL 28 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 2-G.Zuerlein 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 2-G.Zuerlein 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. [WPA +46.8% · EPA +0.64]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:49) — (Onside Kick formation) 2-G.Zuerlein kicks onside 11 yards from DAL 35 to DAL 46. RECOVERED by DAL-29-C.Goodwin. [WPA -32.1% · EPA -2.16]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:43) — (1:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-C.Lamb to ATL 30 for 24 yards (27-D.Kazee). [WPA +17.1% · EPA +1.36]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 56:13) — (11:13) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott sacked at DAL 21 for -6 yards (sack split by 56-D.Fowler and 45-D.Jones). FUMBLES (56-D.Fowler), RECOVERED by ATL-50-J.Cominsky at DAL 22. [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.03]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 54:34) — (9:34) 21-E.Elliott left tackle to ATL 42 for 4 yards (54-F.Oluokun). FUMBLES (54-F.Oluokun), touched at ATL 42, RECOVERED by ATL-97-G.Jarrett at ATL 45. 97-G.Jarrett to ATL 48 for 3 yards (78-T.Steel [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.77]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 54:34) — (9:34) 21-E.Elliott left tackle to ATL 42 for 4 yards (54-F.Oluokun). FUMBLES (54-F.Oluokun), touched at ATL 42, RECOVERED by ATL-97-G.Jarrett at ATL 45. 97-G.Jarrett to ATL 48 for 3 yards (78-T.Steel [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.77]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:21) — (4:21) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 86-D.Schultz to DAL 41 for 9 yards (54-F.Oluokun). FUMBLES (54-F.Oluokun), RECOVERED by ATL-94-D.Senat at DAL 40. 94-D.Senat to DAL 40 for no gain (86 [WPA -4.0% · EPA -5.32]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 56:13) — (11:13) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott sacked at DAL 21 for -6 yards (sack split by 56-D.Fowler and 45-D.Jones). FUMBLES (56-D.Fowler), RECOVERED by ATL-50-J.Cominsky at DAL 22. [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.03]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 15:51) — (:51) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones to DAL 21 for 19 yards (28-D.Worley) [98-T.Crawford]. [WPA +7.5% · EPA +4.11]

Quarterback report card

D.Prescott led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 49 dropbacks · 69.4% completion · +4.3% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +12.52 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +5.4% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +16.72 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Atlanta Falcons +0.08, Dallas Cowboys +0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, +7.33 total EPA, 9 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 14 drives, +3.72 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Prescott (DAL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Ryan (ATL) 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 56:06 · DAL 22 · Score 6-0
   (11:06) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 18-C.Ridley for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN [72-T.Hill].
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 55:58 · DAL 15 · Score 7-0
   7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 52:45 · DAL 42 · Score 13-0
   (7:45) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 81-H.Hurst for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 52:37 · DAL 15 · Score 14-0
   7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 49:32 · DAL 24 · Score 17-0
   (4:32) 7-Y.Koo 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
6. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 46:10 · DAL 9 · Score 20-0
   (1:10) 7-Y.Koo 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 42:15 · ATL 1 · Score 20-6
   (12:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 21-E.Elliott right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 42:09 · ATL 15 · Score 20-7
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 36:03 · DAL 3 · Score 26-7
   (6:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 31:50 · ATL 15 · Score 26-10
    (1:50) 2-G.Zuerlein 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · DAL 23 · Score 29-10
    (:06) 7-Y.Koo 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
12. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 27:27 · ATL 2 · Score 29-16
    (12:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 27:23 · ATL 15 · Score 29-17
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 19:17 · ATL 1 · Score 29-23
    (4:17) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 19:14 · ATL 15 · Score 29-24
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
16. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 14:29 · DAL 8 · Score 35-24
    (14:29) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-R.Gage for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 14:23 · DAL 15 · Score 36-24
    7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
18. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 8:01 · DAL 13 · Score 39-24
    (8:01) 7-Y.Koo 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
19. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 5:02 · ATL 10 · Score 39-30
    (5:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 86-D.Schultz for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:52 · ATL 1 · Score 39-36
    (1:52) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:49 · ATL 15 · Score 39-37
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
22. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · ATL 28 · Score 39-40
    (:04) 2-G.Zuerlein 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.