Game story
In Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-12-17, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 31–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -6.51 total EPA, and -4.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Cook (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.34 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+9.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (:25) 8-S.Martin punts 46 yards to DAL 28, Center-69-R.Ferguson. 9-K.Turpin to DAL 24 for -4 yards (25-T.Dodson). PENALTY on DAL-54-S.Williams, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 26 - No P
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Cook · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +8.34 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 2 J. Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +4.50 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 3 S. Diggs · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.30 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 4 J. Cook · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
- 5 T. Johnson · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +2.50 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 6 J. Allen · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.91 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
- 7 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.70 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 8 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.61 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Cook — BUF · Rushing
J. Cook posted the highest total EPA (+8.34) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 25 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
The signature play (+3.66 EPA) came from Buffalo Bills: (:25) 8-S.Martin punts 46 yards to DAL 28, Center-69-R.Ferguson. 9-K.Turpin to DAL 24 for -4 yards (25-T.Dodson). PENALTY on DAL-54-S.Williams, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 26 - No Play.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Buffalo Bills — L. Murray
- Buffalo Bills — J. Cook (J. Allen pass)
- Buffalo Bills — J. Allen
- Buffalo Bills — J. Cook
- Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Aubrey
- Buffalo Bills — T. Bass
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q1 53:18) — (8:18) 28-L.Murray left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 53:06) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..
The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DAL 18 (Q2 42:57) — (12:57) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 4-J.Cook for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 42:52) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the BUF 14 (Q2 37:16) — (7:16) 17-B.Aubrey 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 31:39) — (1:39) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 31:36) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..
The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the DAL 5 (Q3 17:39) — (2:39) 2-T.Bass 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DAL 24 (Q4 12:36) — (12:36) (Shotgun) 4-J.Cook right guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 12:30) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q4 2:53) — (2:53) (No Huddle) 88-C.Lamb right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 2:48) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 45:25) — (:25) 8-S.Martin punts 46 yards to DAL 28, Center-69-R.Ferguson. 9-K.Turpin to DAL 24 for -4 yards (25-T.Dodson). PENALTY on DAL-54-S.Williams, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 26 - No P
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 52:25) — (7:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott scrambles right end to DAL 42 for 13 yards (20-T.Rapp). Penalty on BUF-20-T.Rapp, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on DAL-70-Z.Martin, Unnecessary Roughness, of
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 56:35) — (11:35) 17-J.Allen pass deep left to 14-S.Diggs to DAL 22 for 18 yards (21-S.Gilmore).
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 48:15) — (3:15) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass incomplete short right to 14-S.Diggs (21-S.Gilmore).
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 54:00) — (9:00) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass incomplete short right to 14-S.Diggs. PENALTY on DAL-90-D.Lawrence, Roughing the Passer, 3 yards, enforced at DAL 6 - No Play.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 45:25) — (:25) 8-S.Martin punts 46 yards to DAL 28, Center-69-R.Ferguson. 9-K.Turpin to DAL 24 for -4 yards (25-T.Dodson). PENALTY on DAL-54-S.Williams, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 26 - No P
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:50) — (11:50) 4-D.Prescott sacked at DAL 29 for -10 yards (sack split by 25-T.Dodson and 50-G.Rousseau).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 3-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 47-C.Benford at BUF 40. 47-C.Benford to BUF 48 for 8 yards (73-Tyl.Smith).
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 13:41) — (13:41) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short right to 14-S.Diggs to DAL 29 for 17 yards (30-J.Thomas).
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) · 41 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · -4.1% CPOE · -0.16 EPA/play · -6.51 total EPA
- J.Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 21 dropbacks · 33.3% completion · -10.2% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +4.50 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.066 | +0.227 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.9% | 53.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.159 | +0.214 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.072 | +0.244 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.227 | +0.066 |
| Defensive success rate | 46.9% | 57.1% |
By the numbers
Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs -0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Buffalo Bills: 9 drives, +18.36 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Dallas Cowboys: 8 drives, -4.60 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Cook (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Prescott (DAL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- J. Allen (BUF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 53:18 · DAL 2 · Score 0-6
(8:18) 28-L.Murray left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 53:06 · DAL 15 · Score 0-7
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 42:57 · DAL 18 · Score 0-13
(12:57) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 4-J.Cook for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 42:52 · DAL 15 · Score 0-14
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 37:16 · BUF 14 · Score 3-14
(7:16) 17-B.Aubrey 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 31:39 · DAL 1 · Score 3-20
(1:39) 17-J.Allen left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 31:36 · DAL 15 · Score 3-21
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 17:39 · DAL 5 · Score 3-24
(2:39) 2-T.Bass 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 12:36 · DAL 24 · Score 3-30
(12:36) (Shotgun) 4-J.Cook right guard for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 12:30 · DAL 15 · Score 3-31
2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:53 · BUF 3 · Score 9-31
(2:53) (No Huddle) 88-C.Lamb right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 2:48 · BUF 15 · Score 10-31
17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Dallas Cowboys 31-10 in Week 15, 2023 on 2023-12-17.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 10, Buffalo Bills 31 (DAL 10-31 BUF) in Week 15, 2023 on 2023-12-17.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 0, Buffalo Bills 7; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 3, Buffalo Bills 14; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 0, Buffalo Bills 3; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 7, Buffalo Bills 7; Final: Dallas Cowboys 10, Buffalo Bills 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills?
Buffalo Bills touchdown — L. Murray (Q1 53:18) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Cook (J. Allen pass) (Q2 42:57) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Allen (Q2 31:39) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Cook (Q4 12:36) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Lamb (Q4 2:53) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q2 37:16, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q3 17:39, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills?
D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 51.2% completion, -4.1% CPOE, -0.16 EPA per dropback, -6.51 total passing EPA. J. Allen (Buffalo Bills), 33.3% completion, -10.2% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +4.50 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills?
J. Cook (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +8.34 on rushing plays. across 25 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+3.66 EPA): (:25) 8-S.Martin punts 46 yards to DAL 28, Center-69-R.Ferguson. 9-K.Turpin to DAL 24 for -4 yards (25-T.Dodson). PENALTY on DAL-54-S.Williams, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enfor. The biggest win-probability swing was +9.2%.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 10-3 Now 10-4 L
Buffalo Bills
Entered 7-6 Now 8-6 W
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