Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams: 2014 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-09-21, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

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

A. Davis (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +9.53 total EPA, and +6.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.39 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-31.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Rams changed the game: (6:06) 9-A.Davis pass short middle intended for 30-Z.Stacy INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Carter [32-O.Scandrick] at LA 25. 54-B.Carter for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +14.39 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Davis · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +9.53 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Quick · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.25 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.04 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.74 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Cook · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.86 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Pettis · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Britt · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.30 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.33 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

• Los Angeles Rams — L. Kendricks (A. Davis pass) (Q1 51:15)
• Los Angeles Rams — B. Quick (A. Davis pass) (Q2 45:00)
• Los Angeles Rams — J. Jenkins (Q2 36:13)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Murray (Q2 32:10)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (T. Romo pass) (Q3 27:58)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q4 6:21)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Carter (Q4 6:06)
• Los Angeles Rams — A. Pettis (A. Davis pass) (Q4 2:41)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q2 30:05)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q3 17:49)
• Los Angeles Rams — G. Zuerlein (Q4 13:31)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 51:15) — (6:15) 9-A.Davis pass short left to 88-L.Kendricks for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 51:10) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 14–10. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the DAL 51 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-A.Davis pass deep right to 83-B.Quick for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 44:54) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the LA 80 (Q2 36:13); Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 36:06) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 32:10) — (2:10) 29-D.Murray right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q2 32:07) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the LA 11 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 5-D.Bailey 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LA 68 (Q3 27:58) — (12:58) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 88-D.Bryant for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q3 27:48) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the LA 22 (Q3 17:49) — (2:49) 5-D.Bailey 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–10. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the DAL 10 (Q4 13:31) — (13:31) 4-G.Zuerlein 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LA 12 (Q4 6:21) — (6:21) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 6:13) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 79 (Q4 6:06); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 5:58) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) (Shotgun) 9-A.Davis pass short left to 18-A.Pettis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 2:36) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

Turning points

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

• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 6:06) — (6:06) 9-A.Davis pass short middle intended for 30-Z.Stacy INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Carter [32-O.Scandrick] at LA 25. 54-B.Carter for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -31.6% · EPA -8.06]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 1:11) — (1:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-A.Davis pass deep left intended for 83-B.Quick INTERCEPTED by 24-M.Claiborne at DAL 45. 24-M.Claiborne to DAL 37 for -8 yards (83-B.Quick). [WPA -20.3% · EPA -0.73]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 7:56) — (7:56) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass incomplete deep right to 88-D.Bryant [99-A.Donald]. PENALTY on LA-21-J.Jenkins, Defensive Pass Interference, 33 yards, enforced at DAL 47 - No Play. [WPA +16.9% · EPA +2.60]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 20:34) — (5:34) 29-D.Murray left end to LA 26 for 44 yards (23-R.McLeod). [WPA +15.1% · EPA +3.09]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) (Shotgun) 9-A.Davis pass short left to 18-A.Pettis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +2.47]

Impact plays

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

• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 6:06) — (6:06) 9-A.Davis pass short middle intended for 30-Z.Stacy INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Carter [32-O.Scandrick] at LA 25. 54-B.Carter for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -31.6% · EPA -8.06]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 36:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Jenkins at DAL 25. 21-J.Jenkins for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -3.2% · EPA -6.60]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-A.Davis pass deep right to 83-B.Quick for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.0% · EPA +5.76]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 27:58) — (12:58) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 88-D.Bryant for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.3% · EPA +5.61]

Quarterback report card

A.Davis led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Davis (Los Angeles Rams) · 45 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +6.5% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +9.53 total EPA
• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 28 dropbacks · 64.3% completion · +9.4% CPOE · +0.51 EPA/play · +14.39 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Dallas Cowboys generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs +0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +8.40 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Rams: 11 drives, +2.00 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Davis (LA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Romo (DAL) 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. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 51:15 · DAL 1 · Score 0-6
   (6:15) 9-A.Davis pass short left to 88-L.Kendricks for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 51:10 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
3. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · DAL 51 · Score 0-13
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-A.Davis pass deep right to 83-B.Quick for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 44:54 · DAL 2 · Score 0-14
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
5. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 36:13 · LA 80 · Score 0-20
   (6:13) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Jenkins at DAL 25. 21-J.Jenkins for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 36:06 · DAL 2 · Score 0-21
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 32:10 · LA 1 · Score 6-21
   (2:10) 29-D.Murray right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 32:07 · LA 2 · Score 7-21
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
9. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · LA 11 · Score 10-21
   (:05) 5-D.Bailey 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 27:58 · LA 68 · Score 16-21
    (12:58) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 88-D.Bryant for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 27:48 · LA 2 · Score 17-21
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 17:49 · LA 22 · Score 20-21
    (2:49) 5-D.Bailey 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
13. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q4 13:31 · DAL 10 · Score 20-24
    (13:31) 4-G.Zuerlein 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 6:21 · LA 12 · Score 26-24
    (6:21) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 6:13 · LA 2 · Score 27-24
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
16. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 6:06 · DAL 79 · Score 33-24
    (6:06) 9-A.Davis pass short middle intended for 30-Z.Stacy INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Carter [32-O.Scandrick] at LA 25. 54-B.Carter for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 5:58 · LA 2 · Score 34-24
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
18. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 2:41 · DAL 4 · Score 34-30
    (2:41) (Shotgun) 9-A.Davis pass short left to 18-A.Pettis for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 2:36 · DAL 2 · Score 34-31
    4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.