Game story
In Week 17 of the 2001 NFL season on 2002-01-06, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 15–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Detmer (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +8.52 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Detmer (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.52 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+14.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (15:00) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail to DET 7 for 35 yards (32-B.Westbrook).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Detroit Lions | 6 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Detmer · Detroit Lions · Passing · +8.52 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 2 J. Morton · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.72 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 3 B. Emanuel · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.47 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 4 A. Cason · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 5 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.64 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 6 J. Harris · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.49 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 7 S. Trejo · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
- 8 D. Sloan · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.92 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Detmer — DET · Passing
T. Detmer posted the highest total EPA (+8.52) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Detroit Lions's efficiency. Across 44 counted snaps, they averaged +0.19 EPA per play.
The signature play (-3.82 EPA) came from Detroit Lions: (:31) 14-T.Detmer to DAL 5 for -1 yards. Took a knee
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Smith
- Detroit Lions — D. Sloan (T. Detmer pass)
- Detroit Lions — J. Morton (T. Detmer pass)
Field goals
- Detroit Lions — J. Hanson
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Hilbert
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–6. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 43:33) — (13:33) 22-E.Smith left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 43:28) — 9-J.Hilbert extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 20 (Q2 39:03) — (9:03) 14-T.Detmer pass to 86-D.Sloan for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-M.Myers, Neutral Zone Infraction, declined..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 29 (Q3 25:37) — (10:37) 4-J.Hanson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 6–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 15 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 9-J.Hilbert 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 16 (Q4 5:43).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail to DET 7 for 35 yards (32-B.Westbrook).
- Detroit Lions (Q2 31:37) — (1:37) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Crossbar, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 14:09) — (14:09) 14-T.Detmer pass incomplete to 34-J.Stewart (52-D.Coakley). PENALTY on DAL-52-D.Coakley, Defensive Pass Interference, 44 yards, enforced at DET 17 - No Play.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 5:43) — (5:43) 14-T.Detmer pass to 87-J.Morton for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-27-M.Edwards, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 48:31) — (3:31) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 0:31) — (:31) 14-T.Detmer to DAL 5 for -1 yards. Took a knee
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail to DET 7 for 35 yards (32-B.Westbrook).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 34-J.Stewart left end to DAL 3 for 29 yards (98-G.Ellis).
- Detroit Lions (Q2 39:03) — (9:03) 14-T.Detmer pass to 86-D.Sloan for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-M.Myers, Neutral Zone Infraction, declined.
Quarterback report card
T.Detmer led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Detmer (Detroit Lions) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +0.19 EPA/play · +8.52 total EPA
- Q.Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 29 dropbacks · 37.9% completion · -0.07 EPA/play · -2.03 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.062 | -0.012 |
| Offensive success rate | 31.5% | 44.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.070 | +0.168 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.014 | -0.244 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.012 | +0.062 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.0% | 68.5% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Dallas Cowboys -0.06, Detroit Lions -0.01) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, -4.52 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -0.97 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Detroit Lions 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.
- T. Detmer (Detroit Lions) 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 TD (+6) — Q2 43:33 · DET 2 · Score 6-0
(13:33) 22-E.Smith left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 43:28 · DET 2 · Score 7-0
9-J.Hilbert extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 39:03 · DAL 20 · Score 7-6
(9:03) 14-T.Detmer pass to 86-D.Sloan for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-M.Myers, Neutral Zone Infraction, declined. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 25:37 · DAL 29 · Score 7-9
(10:37) 4-J.Hanson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · DET 15 · Score 10-9
(15:00) 9-J.Hilbert 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 5:43 · DAL 16 · Score 10-15
(5:43) 14-T.Detmer pass to 87-J.Morton for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-27-M.Edwards, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions?
The Detroit Lions beat the Dallas Cowboys 15-10 in Week 17, 2001 on 2002-01-06.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 10, Detroit Lions 15 (DAL 10-15 DET) in Week 17, 2001 on 2002-01-06.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions?
Q2: Dallas Cowboys 7, Detroit Lions 6; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 0, Detroit Lions 3; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 3, Detroit Lions 6; Final: Dallas Cowboys 10, Detroit Lions 15.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Smith (Q2 43:33) Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Sloan (T. Detmer pass) (Q2 39:03) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Morton (T. Detmer pass) (Q4 5:43) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 25:37, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — J. Hilbert (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions?
T. Detmer (Detroit Lions), 54.5% completion, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +8.52 total passing EPA. Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys), 37.9% completion, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -2.03 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions?
T. Detmer (Detroit Lions) led the game in total EPA with +8.52 on passing plays. across 44 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-3.82 EPA): (:31) 14-T.Detmer to DAL 5 for -1 yards. Took a knee. The biggest win-probability swing was +14.3%.
Was Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Detroit Lions won 15-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 5-10 Now 5-11 L
Detroit Lions
Entered 1-14 Now 2-14 W
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