Game story
In Week 11 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-11-22, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 31–28 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 29 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Dalton (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +2.31 total EPA, and +1.9% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. Cooper (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.93 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+23.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (2:05) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 19-A.Cooper pushed ob at MIN 19 for 10 yards (20-J.Gladney).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 6 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 31 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.93 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 2 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.26 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 3 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.95 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 4 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +4.72 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 5 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +3.27 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 6 T. Pollard · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +2.89 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 7 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.69 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
- 8 I. Smith · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Cooper — DAL · Receiving
A. Cooper posted the highest total EPA (+7.93) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.13 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.18 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (11:01) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 31 for -8 yards (sack split by 90-D.Lawrence and 37-D.Wilson). Dallas challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 30 for -9 yar
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (A. Dalton pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook
- Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (A. Dalton pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Pollard
- Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Schultz (A. Dalton pass)
Field goals
- 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: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–6. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the MIN 6 (Q1 54:32) — (9:32) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 47:15) — (2:15) (Shotgun) 33-D.Cook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 47:11) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q2 35:00) — (5:00) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 88-C.Lamb for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 34:55) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the MIN 1 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 2-G.Zuerlein 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander..
The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q3 24:55) — (9:55) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-30-A.Brown, Defensive Holding, declined.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 24:50) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 15–14. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 14:57); Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the MIN 42 (Q4 12:11) — (12:11) 20-T.Pollard right tackle for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q4 12:02) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 88-C.Lamb rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 39 (Q4 9:44) — (9:44) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 9:37) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q4 1:43) — (1:43) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 86-D.Schultz for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 1:37) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:05) — (2:05) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 19-A.Cooper pushed ob at MIN 19 for 10 yards (20-J.Gladney).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 12:11) — (12:11) 20-T.Pollard right tackle for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:11) — (13:11) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle intended for 86-D.Schultz INTERCEPTED by 54-E.Kendricks at MIN 17. 54-E.Kendricks to MIN 17 for no gain (86-D.Schultz).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 33-D.Cook to DAL 27 for 7 yards (37-D.Wilson). FUMBLES (37-D.Wilson), RECOVERED by DAL-90-D.Lawrence at DAL 31. 90-D.Lawrence to DAL 31 for no gain. H
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 9:44) — (9:44) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 56:01) — (11:01) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 31 for -8 yards (sack split by 90-D.Lawrence and 37-D.Wilson). Dallas challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 8-K.Cousins sacked
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:11) — (13:11) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle intended for 86-D.Schultz INTERCEPTED by 54-E.Kendricks at MIN 17. 54-E.Kendricks to MIN 17 for no gain (86-D.Schultz).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 33-D.Cook to DAL 27 for 7 yards (37-D.Wilson). FUMBLES (37-D.Wilson), RECOVERED by DAL-90-D.Lawrence at DAL 31. 90-D.Lawrence to DAL 31 for no gain. H
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 12:11) — (12:11) 20-T.Pollard right tackle for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
A.Dalton led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Dalton (Dallas Cowboys) · 35 dropbacks · 62.9% completion · +1.9% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +2.31 total EPA
- K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +13.1% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.72 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.060 | -0.003 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.5% | 44.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.066 | +0.126 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.299 | -0.050 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.003 | -0.060 |
| Defensive success rate | 55.6% | 52.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Dallas Cowboys generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.00), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +4.83 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, -0.21 total EPA, 4 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.
- A. Cooper (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- K. Cousins (MIN) 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.
- Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 54:32 · MIN 6 · Score 6-0
(9:32) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 47:15 · DAL 1 · Score 6-6
(2:15) (Shotgun) 33-D.Cook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 47:11 · DAL 15 · Score 6-7
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 35:00 · MIN 4 · Score 12-7
(5:00) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 88-C.Lamb for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 34:55 · MIN 15 · Score 13-7
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · MIN 1 · Score 16-7
(:05) 2-G.Zuerlein 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 24:55 · DAL 2 · Score 16-13
(9:55) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-30-A.Brown, Defensive Holding, declined. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 24:50 · DAL 15 · Score 16-14
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · DAL 3 · Score 16-20
(15:00) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 14:57 · DAL 15 · Score 16-21
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. PENALTY on DAL-28-Ra.Robinson, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced between downs. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 12:11 · MIN 42 · Score 22-21
(12:11) 20-T.Pollard right tackle for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 12:02 · MIN 2 · Score 24-21
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 88-C.Lamb rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 9:44 · DAL 39 · Score 24-27
(9:44) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 9:37 · DAL 15 · Score 24-28
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:43 · MIN 2 · Score 30-28
(1:43) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 86-D.Schultz for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:37 · MIN 15 · Score 31-28
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in Week 11, 2020 on 2020-11-22.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 31, Minnesota Vikings 28 (DAL 31-28 MIN) in Week 11, 2020 on 2020-11-22.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 6, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 10, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 0, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 15, Minnesota Vikings 14; Final: Dallas Cowboys 31, Minnesota Vikings 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (A. Dalton pass) (Q1 54:32) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Cook (Q1 47:15) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Lamb (A. Dalton pass) (Q2 35:00) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 24:55) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 15:00) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Pollard (Q4 12:11) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 9:44) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Schultz (A. Dalton pass) (Q4 1:43) Dallas Cowboys field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q2 30:05, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings?
A. Dalton (Dallas Cowboys), 62.9% completion, +1.9% CPOE, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +2.31 total passing EPA. K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 64.7% completion, +13.1% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +4.72 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings?
A. Cooper (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +7.93 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.18 EPA): (11:01) 8-K.Cousins sacked at MIN 31 for -8 yards (sack split by 90-D.Lawrence and 37-D.Wilson). Dallas challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED.. The biggest win-probability swing was +23.8%.
Was Dallas Cowboys vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Dallas Cowboys won 31-28 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 2-7 Now 3-7 W
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 4-5 Now 4-6 L
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