Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders: 2001 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-10-07, the Las Vegas Raiders took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 28–21 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) paced the passing game, with +15.75 total EPA.

On the individual side, R. Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (1:54) 4-M.Knorr punts 40 yards to LV 18, Center-95-R.Chevrier. 88-D.Dunn to LV 20 for 2 yards (50-J.Brooks). FUMBLES (50-J.Brooks), touched at LV 15, RECOVERED by DAL-44-R.Thomas at LV 7.

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 R. Gannon · Las Vegas Raiders · Passing · +15.75 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Wright · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +8.27 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Brown · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +7.06 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Rice · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +5.54 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Seder · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.13 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.13 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Chiaverini · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.06 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.97 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Rambo · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.07 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

• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Rice (R. Gannon pass) (Q1 51:22)
• Las Vegas Raiders — Z. Crockett (Q2 44:15)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Galloway (A. Wright pass) (Q2 43:59)
• Las Vegas Raiders — T. Wheatley (Q2 40:19)
• Las Vegas Raiders — T. Wheatley (Q3 20:15)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Seder (Q3 15:48)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Chiaverini (A. Wright pass) (Q4 1:27)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 21–0. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DAL 5 (Q1 51:22) — (6:22) 12-R.Gannon pass to 80-J.Rice for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 51:16) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the LV 59 (Q1 49:32) — (4:32) 22-E.Smith right end to DAL 37 for -4 yards (23-M.Pope).; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the LV 63 (Q1 48:49) — (3:49) (Shotgun) PENALTY on LV-91-R.Upshaw, Neutral Zone Infraction, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 37 - No Play..

The second quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 14–7. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q2 44:15) — (14:15) 32-Z.Crockett up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 44:09) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LV 40 (Q2 43:59) — (13:59) Anthony Wright replaces Carter at QB (Strained left hamstring) 2-A.Wright pass to 84-J.Galloway for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 43:52) — 6-T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q2 40:19) — (10:19) 47-T.Wheatley up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 40:13) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q3 20:15) — (5:15) 47-T.Wheatley left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 20:11) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LV 8 (Q3 15:48) — (:48) (Field Goal formation) 6-T.Seder up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Fake field goal. Handoff from holder (Knorr); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q3 15:42) — 6-T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the LV 3 (Q4 1:27) — (1:27) 2-A.Wright pass to 85-D.Chiaverini for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q4 1:21) — 6-T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) 4-M.Knorr punts 40 yards to LV 18, Center-95-R.Chevrier. 88-D.Dunn to LV 20 for 2 yards (50-J.Brooks). FUMBLES (50-J.Brooks), touched at LV 15, RECOVERED by DAL-44-R.Thomas at LV 7. [WPA +8.9% · EPA +5.32]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 58:35) — (13:35) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter up the middle to DAL 23 for 15 yards (20-T.James, 54-G.Biekert). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +2.45]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 14:23) — (14:23) 9-S.Lechler punts 40 yards to DAL 25, Center-68-A.Graham. 80-R.Swinton pushed ob at LV 26 for 49 yards (9-S.Lechler). PENALTY on LV-37-J.Harris, 5 yards, enforced at LV 26. [WPA -7.2% · EPA -3.21]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:59) — (13:59) Anthony Wright replaces Carter at QB (Strained left hamstring) 2-A.Wright pass to 84-J.Galloway for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.9% · EPA +4.38]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q1 55:49) — (10:49) 12-R.Gannon pass to 81-T.Brown to DAL 34 for 14 yards (28-D.Woodson). [WPA +5.7% · EPA +1.05]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) 4-M.Knorr punts 40 yards to LV 18, Center-95-R.Chevrier. 88-D.Dunn to LV 20 for 2 yards (50-J.Brooks). FUMBLES (50-J.Brooks), touched at LV 15, RECOVERED by DAL-44-R.Thomas at LV 7. [WPA +8.9% · EPA +5.32]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:59) — (13:59) Anthony Wright replaces Carter at QB (Strained left hamstring) 2-A.Wright pass to 84-J.Galloway for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.9% · EPA +4.38]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:27) — (1:27) 2-A.Wright pass to 85-D.Chiaverini for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.6% · EPA +4.32]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:48) — (:48) (Field Goal formation) 6-T.Seder up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Fake field goal. Handoff from holder (Knorr) [WPA +2.4% · EPA +4.13]

Quarterback report card

R.Gannon led all passers in efficiency for Las Vegas Raiders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) · 32 dropbacks · 65.6% completion · +0.49 EPA/play · +15.75 total EPA
• A.Wright (Dallas Cowboys) · 30 dropbacks · 46.7% completion · +0.28 EPA/play · +8.27 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Las Vegas Raiders held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, +7.48 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Las Vegas Raiders: 10 drives, +12.63 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Las Vegas Raiders 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. Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) 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.

1. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q1 51:22 · DAL 5 · Score 0-6
   (6:22) 12-R.Gannon pass to 80-J.Rice for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q1 51:16 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
3. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+7) — Q1 49:32 · LV 59 · Score 0-7
   (4:32) 22-E.Smith right end to DAL 37 for -4 yards (23-M.Pope).
4. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+7) — Q1 48:49 · LV 63 · Score 0-7
   (3:49) (Shotgun) PENALTY on LV-91-R.Upshaw, Neutral Zone Infraction, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 37 - No Play.
5. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 44:15 · DAL 3 · Score 0-13
   (14:15) 32-Z.Crockett up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 44:09 · DAL 2 · Score 0-14
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 43:59 · LV 40 · Score 6-14
   (13:59) Anthony Wright replaces Carter at QB (Strained left hamstring) 2-A.Wright pass to 84-J.Galloway for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 43:52 · LV 2 · Score 7-14
   6-T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
9. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 40:19 · DAL 4 · Score 7-20
   (10:19) 47-T.Wheatley up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 40:13 · DAL 2 · Score 7-21
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
11. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q3 20:15 · DAL 1 · Score 7-27
    (5:15) 47-T.Wheatley left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q3 20:11 · DAL 2 · Score 7-28
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-68-A.Graham, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 15:48 · LV 8 · Score 13-28
    (:48) (Field Goal formation) 6-T.Seder up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Fake field goal. Handoff from holder (Knorr)
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 15:42 · LV 2 · Score 14-28
    6-T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:27 · LV 3 · Score 20-28
    (1:27) 2-A.Wright pass to 85-D.Chiaverini for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:21 · LV 2 · Score 21-28
    6-T.Seder extra point is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.