Game story
In Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-13, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 20–17 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -2.67 total EPA, and -4.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, R. Woods (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.11 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-18.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (11:46) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-C.Lamb to LA 9 for 2 yards (32-J.Fuller).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Woods · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.11 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
- 2 J. Goff · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +4.03 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
- 3 T. Higbee · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.84 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
- 4 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.79 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 5 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 6 J. Reynolds · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.20 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.20 EPA/play
- 7 M. Brown · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +1.75 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 8 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Woods — LA · Receiving
R. Woods posted the highest total EPA (+5.11) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.64 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.15 EPA) came from Los Angeles Rams: (3:58) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Awuzie [58-A.Smith] at LA 39. 24-C.Awuzie to LA 39 for no gain (12-V.Jefferson).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Brown
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (D. Prescott pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Brown
Field goals
- Los Angeles Rams — S. Sloman
- Los Angeles Rams — S. Sloman
- Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein
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 56:41) — (11:41) 34-M.Brown up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 56:37) — 1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–6. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LA 19 (Q2 42:33) — (12:33) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 42:24) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the DAL 17 (Q2 38:46) — (8:46) 1-S.Sloman 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the DAL 13 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 1-S.Sloman 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 30:21) — (:21) 21-E.Elliott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 30:17) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q3 20:38) — (5:38) (No Huddle) 34-M.Brown left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 20:33) — 1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the LA 15 (Q3 16:54) — (1:54) 2-G.Zuerlein 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:46) — (11:46) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-C.Lamb to LA 9 for 2 yards (32-J.Fuller).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 35:17) — (5:17) 2-G.Zuerlein 53 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. DAL-75-C.Erving was injured during the play.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 42:33) — (12:33) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:31) — (:31) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 13-M.Gallup to LA 19 for 47 yards (20-J.Ramsey). PENALTY on DAL-13-M.Gallup, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at DAL 34 - No Play.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 28:34) — (13:34) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 86-D.Schultz to LA 45 for 11 yards (22-T.Hill).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 18:58) — (3:58) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Awuzie [58-A.Smith] at LA 39. 24-C.Awuzie to LA 39 for no gain (12-V.Jefferson).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 45:05) — (:05) 1-S.Sloman 29 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Left Upright, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 35:17) — (5:17) 2-G.Zuerlein 53 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. DAL-75-C.Erving was injured during the play.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:46) — (11:46) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-C.Lamb to LA 9 for 2 yards (32-J.Fuller).
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) · 48 dropbacks · 52.1% completion · -4.6% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -2.67 total EPA
- J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · -4.1% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +4.03 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.082 | -0.032 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.2% | 43.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.056 | +0.115 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.022 | -0.014 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.032 | +0.082 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.2% | 56.8% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Dallas Cowboys -0.08, Los Angeles Rams -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, -7.20 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 11 drives, -2.82 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Rams 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.
- R. Woods (Los Angeles Rams) 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. Goff (LA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 56:41 · DAL 1 · Score 0-6
(11:41) 34-M.Brown up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 56:37 · DAL 15 · Score 0-7
1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 42:33 · LA 19 · Score 6-7
(12:33) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 42:24 · LA 15 · Score 7-7
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 38:46 · DAL 17 · Score 7-10
(8:46) 1-S.Sloman 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 32:00 · DAL 13 · Score 7-13
(2:00) 1-S.Sloman 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:21 · LA 1 · Score 13-13
(:21) 21-E.Elliott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:17 · LA 15 · Score 14-13
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 20:38 · DAL 2 · Score 14-19
(5:38) (No Huddle) 34-M.Brown left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 20:33 · DAL 15 · Score 14-20
1-S.Sloman extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 16:54 · LA 15 · Score 17-20
(1:54) 2-G.Zuerlein 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Dallas Cowboys 20-17 in Week 1, 2020 on 2020-09-13.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 17, Los Angeles Rams 20 (DAL 17-20 LA) in Week 1, 2020 on 2020-09-13.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 0, Los Angeles Rams 7; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 14, Los Angeles Rams 6; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 3, Los Angeles Rams 7; Final: Dallas Cowboys 17, Los Angeles Rams 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams?
Los Angeles Rams touchdown — M. Brown (Q1 56:41) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 42:33) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (Q2 30:21) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — M. Brown (Q3 20:38) Los Angeles Rams field goal — S. Sloman (Q2 38:46, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — S. Sloman (Q2 32:00, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q3 16:54, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams?
D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 52.1% completion, -4.6% CPOE, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -2.67 total passing EPA. J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams), 57.1% completion, -4.1% CPOE, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +4.03 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams?
R. Woods (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +5.11 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.15 EPA): (3:58) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 12-V.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Awuzie [58-A.Smith] at LA 39. 24-C.Awuzie to LA 39 for no gain (12-V.Jefferson).. The biggest win-probability swing was -18.7%.
Was Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Rams a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Los Angeles Rams won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Now 0-1 L
Los Angeles Rams
Now 1-0 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
