Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2010 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-09-19, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 27–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -0.07 total EPA, and +2.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.76 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-22.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (7:28) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.

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 J. Cutler · Chicago Bears · Passing · +11.76 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Knox · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +6.27 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Hester · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +6.16 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.87 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.43 EPA/play
5. 5 G. Olsen · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +3.89 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.89 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.78 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Gronkowski · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.38 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.19 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.11 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 — D. Bryant (Q1 47:59)
• Chicago Bears — G. Olsen (J. Cutler pass) (Q1 46:17)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Gronkowski (T. Romo pass) (Q2 38:20)
• Chicago Bears — D. Hester (J. Cutler pass) (Q2 33:46)
• Chicago Bears — M. Forte (J. Cutler pass) (Q4 5:20)

Field goals

• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q1 52:34)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 30:24)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q3 26:29)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q4 1:21)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 10–7. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the DAL 20 (Q1 52:34) — (7:34) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 76 (Q1 47:59) — (2:59) (Punt formation) 4-B.Maynard punts 38 yards to DAL 38, Center-65-P.Mannelly. 88-D.Bryant for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q1 47:44) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the DAL 39 (Q1 46:17) — (1:17) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle to 82-G.Olsen for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 46:09) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CHI 1 (Q2 38:20) — (8:20) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 44-C.Gronkowski for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown pass off play action.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q2 38:16) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the DAL 9 (Q2 33:46); Chicago Bears added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 33:38) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the DAL 22 (Q2 30:24) — (:24) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the CHI 10 (Q3 26:29) — (11:29) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The fourth quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–6. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q4 5:20) — (5:20) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 22-M.Forte for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 5:16) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the CHI 29 (Q4 1:21) — (1:21) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END GAME.

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 7:28) — (7:28) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar. [WPA -22.0% · EPA -3.56]
• Chicago Bears (Q2 36:03) — (6:03) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 13-J.Knox to DAL 20 for 59 yards (21-M.Jenkins). Pass complete on fly pattern. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +5.17]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:21) — (10:21) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 19-M.Austin INTERCEPTED by 30-D.Moore (33-C.Tillman) at DAL 41. 30-D.Moore to DAL 23 for 18 yards (65-A.Gurode). [WPA -15.7% · EPA -5.35]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 47:59) — (2:59) (Punt formation) 4-B.Maynard punts 38 yards to DAL 38, Center-65-P.Mannelly. 88-D.Bryant for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -15.4% · EPA -5.01]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 9:08) — (9:08) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten to CHI 31 for 23 yards (46-C.Harris). DAL-82-J.Witten was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. Pass complete on seam route [WPA +12.6% · EPA +2.09]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:21) — (10:21) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 19-M.Austin INTERCEPTED by 30-D.Moore (33-C.Tillman) at DAL 41. 30-D.Moore to DAL 23 for 18 yards (65-A.Gurode). [WPA -15.7% · EPA -5.35]
• Chicago Bears (Q2 36:03) — (6:03) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 13-J.Knox to DAL 20 for 59 yards (21-M.Jenkins). Pass complete on fly pattern. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +5.17]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 47:59) — (2:59) (Punt formation) 4-B.Maynard punts 38 yards to DAL 38, Center-65-P.Mannelly. 88-D.Bryant for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -15.4% · EPA -5.01]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 4:40) — (4:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 11-R.Williams to CHI 32 for 5 yards (33-C.Tillman). FUMBLES (33-C.Tillman), RECOVERED by CHI-54-B.Urlacher at CHI 35. 54-B.Urlacher to CHI 35 fo [WPA -9.6% · EPA -4.58]

Quarterback report card

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

• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 51 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +2.1% CPOE · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.07 total EPA
• J.Cutler (Chicago Bears) · 34 dropbacks · 61.8% completion · +24.7% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +11.76 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Chicago Bears generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Chicago Bears: 12 drives, +2.19 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, -6.78 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Chicago Bears 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.
• J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Cutler (CHI) 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. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 52:34 · DAL 20 · Score 3-0
   (7:34) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 47:59 · DAL 76 · Score 3-6
   (2:59) (Punt formation) 4-B.Maynard punts 38 yards to DAL 38, Center-65-P.Mannelly. 88-D.Bryant for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 47:44 · CHI 2 · Score 3-7
   18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
4. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 46:17 · DAL 39 · Score 9-7
   (1:17) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle to 82-G.Olsen for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 46:09 · DAL 2 · Score 10-7
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
6. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 38:20 · CHI 1 · Score 10-13
   (8:20) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 44-C.Gronkowski for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown pass off play action.
7. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 38:16 · CHI 2 · Score 10-14
   18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
8. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 33:46 · DAL 9 · Score 16-14
   (3:46) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 23-D.Hester for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Dallas challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 0
9. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 33:38 · DAL 2 · Score 17-14
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
10. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 30:24 · DAL 22 · Score 20-14
    (:24) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
11. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 26:29 · CHI 10 · Score 20-17
    (11:29) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
12. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 5:20 · DAL 3 · Score 26-17
    (5:20) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 22-M.Forte for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 5:16 · DAL 2 · Score 27-17
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
14. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 1:21 · CHI 29 · Score 27-20
    (1:21) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
15. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 27-20
    END GAME