Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos: 2017 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-09-17, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 42–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -17.65 total EPA, and -1.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Siemian (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.37 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-13.2% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (13:35) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian sacked at DEN 9 for -16 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence), RECOVERED by DAL-96-M.Collins at DEN 9. 96-M.Collins to DEN 3 for 6 yards (65-R.Leary). The Repla

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. Siemian · Denver Broncos · Passing · +7.37 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Anderson · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.05 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.02 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.07 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.63 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
5. 5 V. Green · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Heuerman · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.80 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.80 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Latimer · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +0.40 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.05 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

• Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (T. Siemian pass) (Q1 54:30)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 42:43)
• Denver Broncos — C. Anderson (T. Siemian pass) (Q2 36:01)
• Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (T. Siemian pass) (Q2 31:43)
• Denver Broncos — V. Green (T. Siemian pass) (Q3 23:01)
• Denver Broncos — C. Anderson (Q3 21:23)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 14:32)
• Denver Broncos — A. Talib (Q4 1:12)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q2 30:08)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DAL 10 (Q1 54:30) — (9:30) 13-T.Siemian pass short middle to 10-E.Sanders for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 54:25) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–10. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q2 42:43) — (12:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-D.Bryant for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 42:39) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DAL 16 (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short middle to 22-C.Anderson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 35:54) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q2 31:43) — (1:43) 13-T.Siemian pass short right to 10-E.Sanders for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 31:38) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DEN 38 (Q2 30:08) — (:08) 5-D.Bailey 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q3 23:01) — (8:01) 13-T.Siemian pass short right to 85-V.Green for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 22:56) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DAL 23 (Q3 21:23) — (6:23) 22-C.Anderson left tackle for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 21:14) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DEN 28 (Q4 14:32) — (14:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 82-J.Witten for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 14:24) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 6 (Q4 1:12); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 0:53) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

Turning points

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

• Denver Broncos (Q2 43:35) — (13:35) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian sacked at DEN 9 for -16 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence), RECOVERED by DAL-96-M.Collins at DEN 9. 96-M.Collins to DEN 3 for 6 yards (65-R.Leary). The Repla [WPA -13.2% · EPA -6.39]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 36:42) — (6:42) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.McManus 50 yard field goal is GOOD, NULLIFIED by Penalty, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon. PENALTY on DAL-90-D.Lawrence, Leverage, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 32 [WPA +9.9% · EPA +3.08]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short middle to 22-C.Anderson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.45]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 56:23) — (11:23) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short right to 10-E.Sanders to DAL 20 for 25 yards (38-J.Heath; 54-J.Smith). [WPA +7.6% · EPA +1.81]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 37:23) — (7:23) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian sacked at DAL 32 for -13 yards (90-D.Lawrence). [WPA -6.8% · EPA -1.85]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Talib at DEN -3. 21-A.Talib for 103 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.2% · EPA -8.96]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 43:35) — (13:35) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian sacked at DEN 9 for -16 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence), RECOVERED by DAL-96-M.Collins at DEN 9. 96-M.Collins to DEN 3 for 6 yards (65-R.Leary). The Repla [WPA -13.2% · EPA -6.39]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 17:10) — (2:10) 13-T.Siemian pass deep right intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Lewis at DAL 36. 27-J.Lewis pushed ob at DEN 39 for 25 yards (65-R.Leary). [WPA -0.5% · EPA -5.64]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 21:41) — (6:41) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 25-C.Harris at DAL 46. 25-C.Harris to DAL 23 for 23 yards (79-C.Green). [WPA -3.0% · EPA -5.50]

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) · 60 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -1.7% CPOE · -0.29 EPA/play · -17.65 total EPA
• T.Siemian (Denver Broncos) · 40 dropbacks · 55.0% completion · +9.8% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +7.37 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.23), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, -22.13 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Denver Broncos: 13 drives, +3.96 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Siemian (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Siemian (DEN) 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. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 54:30 · DAL 10 · Score 0-6
   (9:30) 13-T.Siemian pass short middle to 10-E.Sanders for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 54:25 · DAL 15 · Score 0-7
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 42:43 · DEN 3 · Score 6-7
   (12:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-D.Bryant for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 42:39 · DEN 15 · Score 7-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 36:01 · DAL 16 · Score 7-13
   (6:01) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short middle to 22-C.Anderson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 35:54 · DAL 15 · Score 7-14
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
7. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 31:43 · DAL 6 · Score 7-20
   (1:43) 13-T.Siemian pass short right to 10-E.Sanders for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 31:38 · DAL 15 · Score 7-21
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
9. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:08 · DEN 38 · Score 10-21
   (:08) 5-D.Bailey 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
10. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 23:01 · DAL 2 · Score 10-27
    (8:01) 13-T.Siemian pass short right to 85-V.Green for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 22:56 · DAL 15 · Score 10-28
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
12. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 21:23 · DAL 23 · Score 10-34
    (6:23) 22-C.Anderson left tackle for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 21:14 · DAL 15 · Score 10-35
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 14:32 · DEN 28 · Score 16-35
    (14:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 82-J.Witten for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 14:24 · DEN 15 · Score 17-35
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
16. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 1:12 · DEN 6 · Score 17-41
    (1:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Talib at DEN -3. 21-A.Talib for 103 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 0:53 · DAL 15 · Score 17-42
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.