Game story
In Week 1 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-08, the Houston Texans took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 19–10 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 9 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -12.80 total EPA.
On the individual side, C. Bradford (Houston Texans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.79 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+25.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Houston Texans changed the game: (12:28) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Houston Texans | 7 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 19 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Bradford · Houston Texans · Receiving · +5.79 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
- 2 M. Wiley · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.44 EPA/play
- 3 B. Miller · Houston Texans · Receiving · +4.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.20 EPA/play
- 4 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.94 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 5 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.33 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
- 6 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.51 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 7 J. Lewis · Houston Texans · Rushing · +0.15 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
- 8 Q. Carter · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +0.06 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Bradford — HOU · Receiving
C. Bradford posted the highest total EPA (+5.79) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Houston Texans's efficiency. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +0.97 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.87 EPA) came from Houston Texans: (12:28) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Houston Texans — B. Miller (D. Carr pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — M. Wiley
- Houston Texans — C. Bradford (D. Carr pass)
Field goals
- Houston Texans — K. Brown
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 7–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the DAL 19 (Q1 58:54) — (13:54) 8-D.Carr pass to 82-B.Miller for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 58:46) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the DAL 24 (Q2 41:18) — (11:18) 3-K.Brown 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the HOU 14 (Q2 31:00) — (1:00) 3-B.Cundiff 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the HOU 46 (Q3 20:21) — (5:21) 32-M.Wiley left end for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the HOU 2 (Q3 20:12) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The fourth quarter: Houston Texans won the period 9–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the DAL 65 (Q4 12:28) — (12:28) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 12:18) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley.; Houston Texans registered a safety from the HOU 96 (Q4 2:42) — (2:42) 17-Q.Carter sacked in End Zone for -4 yards, SAFETY (91-S.Payne)..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Houston Texans (Q4 12:28) — (12:28) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 20:21) — (5:21) 32-M.Wiley left end for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q1 59:51) — (14:51) 8-D.Carr pass incomplete to 85-C.Bradford. PENALTY on DAL-30-B.Westbrook, Defensive Pass Interference, 43 yards, enforced at HOU 36 - No Play.
- Houston Texans (Q4 9:19) — (9:19) 8-D.Carr pass intended for 20-J.Allen INTERCEPTED by 97-L.Glover (98-G.Ellis) at DAL 21. 97-L.Glover to DAL 28 for 7 yards (75-J.Herndon).
- Houston Texans (Q3 19:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 8-D.Carr pass incomplete to 84-J.Lewis (52-D.Coakley). PENALTY on DAL-93-P.Zellner, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at HOU 16 - No Play.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Houston Texans (Q4 12:28) — (12:28) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 12:18) — 3-K.Brown kicks 72 yards from HOU 30 to DAL -2. 87-K.Rambo to DAL 21 for 23 yards (36-C.Carter). FUMBLES (36-C.Carter), RECOVERED by HOU-82-B.Miller at DAL 21. 82-B.Miller to DAL 21 for no gain (87-K.
- Houston Texans (Q4 9:19) — (9:19) 8-D.Carr pass intended for 20-J.Allen INTERCEPTED by 97-L.Glover (98-G.Ellis) at DAL 21. 97-L.Glover to DAL 28 for 7 yards (75-J.Herndon).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 20:21) — (5:21) 32-M.Wiley left end for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
Q.Carter led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Q.Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 33 dropbacks · 39.4% completion · -0.39 EPA/play · -12.80 total EPA
- D.Carr (Houston Texans) · 31 dropbacks · 32.3% completion · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.24 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.307 | -0.164 |
| Offensive success rate | 33.3% | 34.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.375 | -0.064 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.081 | -0.382 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.164 | +0.307 |
| Defensive success rate | 65.9% | 66.7% |
By the numbers
Houston Texans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.16 vs -0.31), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Dallas Cowboys: 15 drives, -23.96 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Houston Texans: 16 drives, -14.95 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Houston Texans leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- C. Bradford (Houston Texans) 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.
- Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q1 58:54 · DAL 19 · Score 0-6
(13:54) 8-D.Carr pass to 82-B.Miller for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q1 58:46 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley. - Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q2 41:18 · DAL 24 · Score 0-10
(11:18) 3-K.Brown 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 31:00 · HOU 14 · Score 3-10
(1:00) 3-B.Cundiff 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 20:21 · HOU 46 · Score 9-10
(5:21) 32-M.Wiley left end for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 20:12 · HOU 2 · Score 10-10
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 12:28 · DAL 65 · Score 10-16
(12:28) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 12:18 · DAL 2 · Score 10-17
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-80-S.McDermott, Holder-7-C.Stanley. - Houston Texans Safety (+2) — Q4 2:42 · HOU 96 · Score 10-19
(2:42) 17-Q.Carter sacked in End Zone for -4 yards, SAFETY (91-S.Payne).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans?
The Houston Texans beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-10 in Week 1, 2002 on 2002-09-08.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 10, Houston Texans 19 (DAL 10-19 HOU) in Week 1, 2002 on 2002-09-08.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 0, Houston Texans 7; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 3, Houston Texans 3; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 7, Houston Texans 0; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 0, Houston Texans 9; Final: Dallas Cowboys 10, Houston Texans 19.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans?
Houston Texans touchdown — B. Miller (D. Carr pass) (Q1 58:54) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Wiley (Q3 20:21) Houston Texans touchdown — C. Bradford (D. Carr pass) (Q4 12:28) Houston Texans field goal — K. Brown (Q2 41:18, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Cundiff (Q2 31:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans?
Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys), 39.4% completion, -0.39 EPA per dropback, -12.80 total passing EPA. D. Carr (Houston Texans), 32.3% completion, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.24 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Texans?
C. Bradford (Houston Texans) led the game in total EPA with +5.79 on receiving plays. across 6 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.87 EPA): (12:28) 8-D.Carr pass to 85-C.Bradford for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +25.8%.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Now 0-1 L
Houston Texans
Now 1-0 W
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