Game story
In Week 5 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-10-05, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 31–22 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +1.48 total EPA, and -1.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, F. Jones (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.59 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-26.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (12:42) 23-C.Perry left end to DAL 38 for -1 yards (95-T.Johnson). FUMBLES (95-T.Johnson), RECOVERED by DAL-93-A.Spencer at DAL 41. 93-A.Spencer to DAL 41 for no gain (86-D.Coats).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 22 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +10.59 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
- 2 T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +10.56 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
- 3 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +9.11 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 4 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.28 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.64 EPA/play
- 5 P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.77 EPA/play
- 6 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.68 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
- 7 A. Chatman · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.63 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 8 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +1.71 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
F. Jones — DAL · Rushing
F. Jones posted the highest total EPA (+10.59) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +1.18 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.51 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (:51) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 55-K.Rivers [95-O.Harris] at CIN 20. 55-K.Rivers to DAL 41 for 39 yards (9-T.Romo).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — F. Jones
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — T. Houshmandzadeh (C. Palmer pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Owens (T. Romo pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — T. Houshmandzadeh (C. Palmer pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — P. Crayton (T. Romo pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
- Cincinnati Bengals — S. Graham
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 10–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the CIN 12 (Q1 58:10) — (13:10) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CIN 33 (Q1 51:08) — (6:08) 28-F.Jones right end for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q1 51:00) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–6. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CIN 4 (Q2 42:19) — (12:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 42:12) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DAL 23 (Q2 38:19) — (8:19) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DAL 13 (Q2 30:37) — (:37) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The third quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DAL 18 (Q3 23:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 22:59) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–9. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the DAL 22 (Q4 14:06) — (14:06) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CIN 57 (Q4 11:56) — (11:56) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass was caught on a post pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 11:46) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DAL 10 (Q4 7:45) — (7:45) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Jenkins of Dallas was shaken up on the play.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CIN 15 (Q4 1:59); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 1:52) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 12:42) — (12:42) 23-C.Perry left end to DAL 38 for -1 yards (95-T.Johnson). FUMBLES (95-T.Johnson), RECOVERED by DAL-93-A.Spencer at DAL 41. 93-A.Spencer to DAL 41 for no gain (86-D.Coats).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:51) — (:51) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 55-K.Rivers [95-O.Harris] at CIN 20. 55-K.Rivers to DAL 41 for 39 yards (9-T.Romo).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:56) — (11:56) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass was caught on a post pattern.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 14:02) — 17-S.Graham kicks onside 18 yards from CIN 30 to CIN 48. RECOVERED by CIN-93-R.Jeanty.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 23:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:51) — (:51) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 55-K.Rivers [95-O.Harris] at CIN 20. 55-K.Rivers to DAL 41 for 39 yards (9-T.Romo).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:08) — (6:08) 28-F.Jones right end for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 12:42) — (12:42) 23-C.Perry left end to DAL 38 for -1 yards (95-T.Johnson). FUMBLES (95-T.Johnson), RECOVERED by DAL-93-A.Spencer at DAL 41. 93-A.Spencer to DAL 41 for no gain (86-D.Coats).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:56) — (11:56) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass was caught on a post pattern.
Quarterback report card
C.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) · 43 dropbacks · 53.5% completion · -1.0% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.48 total EPA
- T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 26 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · +1.1% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +1.71 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.017 | +0.057 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.0% | 46.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.035 | +0.066 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.366 | +0.185 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.057 | +0.017 |
| Defensive success rate | 53.2% | 57.0% |
By the numbers
Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 12 drives, -1.45 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +4.50 total EPA, 5 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.
- F. Jones (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.
- Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 58:10 · CIN 12 · Score 0-3
(13:10) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 51:08 · CIN 33 · Score 0-9
(6:08) 28-F.Jones right end for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 51:00 · CIN 2 · Score 0-10
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 42:19 · CIN 4 · Score 0-16
(12:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 42:12 · CIN 2 · Score 0-17
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 38:19 · DAL 23 · Score 3-17
(8:19) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 30:37 · DAL 13 · Score 6-17
(:37) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 23:05 · DAL 18 · Score 12-17
(8:05) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q3 22:59 · DAL 2 · Score 13-17
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 14:06 · DAL 22 · Score 16-17
(14:06) (Field Goal formation) 17-S.Graham 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-19-K.Larson. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 11:56 · CIN 57 · Score 16-23
(11:56) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass was caught on a post pattern. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 11:46 · CIN 2 · Score 16-24
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 7:45 · DAL 10 · Score 22-24
(7:45) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Jenkins of Dallas was shaken up on the play. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:59 · CIN 15 · Score 22-30
(1:59) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 84-P.Crayton for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass went through Austin Miles' hands around the 2-yard-line and into Crayton - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:52 · CIN 2 · Score 22-31
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Cincinnati Bengals 31-22 in Week 5, 2008 on 2008-10-05.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 22, Dallas Cowboys 31 (CIN 22-31 DAL) in Week 5, 2008 on 2008-10-05.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Dallas Cowboys 10; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 6, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 9, Dallas Cowboys 14; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 22, Dallas Cowboys 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — F. Jones (Q1 51:08) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q2 42:19) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Houshmandzadeh (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 23:05) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q4 11:56) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — T. Houshmandzadeh (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 7:45) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — P. Crayton (T. Romo pass) (Q4 1:59) Dallas Cowboys field goal — N. Folk (Q1 58:10, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q2 38:19, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q2 30:37, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — S. Graham (Q4 14:06, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals), 53.5% completion, -1.0% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +1.48 total passing EPA. T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 53.8% completion, +1.1% CPOE, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +1.71 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
F. Jones (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +10.59 on rushing plays. across 9 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.51 EPA): (:51) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 55-K.Rivers [95-O.Harris] at CIN 20. 55-K.Rivers to DAL 41 for 39 yards (9-T.Romo).. The biggest win-probability swing was -26.6%.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 0-4 Now 0-5 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 3-1 Now 4-1 W
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