Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots: 2021 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-17, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 35–29 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +21.33 total EPA, and +10.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +21.33 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-54.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (2:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass short middle intended for 84-K.Bourne INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs at NE 42. 7-T.Diggs for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL 7-Diggs now has a Int in 6 consecutive games to start t

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 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +21.33 total EPA · 57 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +12.30 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Schultz · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.22 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
4. 4 N. Brown · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.48 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.24 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.42 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Harris · New England Patriots · Rushing · +2.76 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Stevenson · New England Patriots · Rushing · +2.60 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Meyers · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.04 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.29 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

• New England Patriots — D. Harris (Q1 55:27)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Jarwin (D. Prescott pass) (Q1 51:46)
• New England Patriots — H. Henry (M. Jones pass) (Q1 49:56)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 19:53)
• New England Patriots — R. Stevenson (Q4 6:27)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Diggs (Q4 2:36)
• New England Patriots — K. Bourne (M. Jones pass) (Q4 2:21)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (D. Prescott pass) (OT 3:59)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q2 36:42)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q4 13:17)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q4 0:24)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q1 55:27) — (10:27) 71-M.Onwenu reported in as eligible. Direct snap to 37-D.Harris. 37-D.Harris up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 55:20) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q1 51:46) — (6:46) 66-C.McGovern reported in as eligible. 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 89-B.Jarwin for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q1 51:43) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DAL 20 (Q1 49:56) — (4:56) 10-M.Jones pass deep left to 85-H.Henry for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 49:50) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NE 12 (Q2 36:42) — (6:42) 2-G.Zuerlein 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 19:53) — (4:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-C.Lamb for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q3 19:49) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 15–12. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NE 27 (Q4 13:17) — (13:17) 2-G.Zuerlein 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 6:27) — (6:27) 72-Y.Cajuste reported in as eligible. 38-R.Stevenson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. NE 38-Stevenson 1st NFL TD; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 6:23) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 64 (Q4 2:36); New England Patriots found the end zone from the DAL 75 (Q4 2:21) — (2:21) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass deep left to 84-K.Bourne for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots registered a safety from the DAL 2 (Q4 2:11) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Jones pass to 16-J.Meyers is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NE 31 (Q4 0:24) — (:24) 2-G.Zuerlein 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger. NE-29-J.Bethel was injured during the play..

Overtime: Dallas Cowboys won the period 6–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NE 35 (OT 3:59) — (3:59) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q4 2:36) — (2:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass short middle intended for 84-K.Bourne INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs at NE 42. 7-T.Diggs for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL 7-Diggs now has a Int in 6 consecutive games to start t [WPA -54.9% · EPA -8.06]
• New England Patriots (Q4 2:21) — (2:21) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass deep left to 84-K.Bourne for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +38.0% · EPA +5.83]
• Dallas Cowboys (OT 3:59) — (3:59) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +32.1% · EPA +3.72]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) 2-G.Zuerlein 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger. [WPA -24.0% · EPA -3.17]
• New England Patriots (OT 8:00) — (8:00) 7-J.Bailey punts 34 yards to DAL 20, Center-49-J.Cardona, fair catch by 88-C.Lamb. [WPA +18.4% · EPA -0.73]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q4 2:36) — (2:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass short middle intended for 84-K.Bourne INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs at NE 42. 7-T.Diggs for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL 7-Diggs now has a Int in 6 consecutive games to start t [WPA -54.9% · EPA -8.06]
• New England Patriots (Q4 2:21) — (2:21) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass deep left to 84-K.Bourne for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +38.0% · EPA +5.83]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 42:58) — (12:58) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep middle intended for 1-C.Wilson INTERCEPTED by 23-K.Dugger (29-J.Bethel) at NE -4. 23-K.Dugger to NE 25 for 29 yards (77-T.Smith). [WPA -5.8% · EPA -5.05]
• New England Patriots (Q2 40:14) — (10:14) 10-M.Jones sacked at DAL 43 for -8 yards (94-R.Gregory). FUMBLES (94-R.Gregory) [94-R.Gregory], RECOVERED by DAL-59-C.Golston at DAL 42. 59-C.Golston to DAL 48 for 6 yards (72-Y.Cajuste). [WPA -7.7% · EPA -4.95]

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) · 57 dropbacks · 63.2% completion · +10.1% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +21.33 total EPA
• M.Jones (New England Patriots) · 26 dropbacks · 57.7% completion · +6.9% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -3.57 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 (+0.06 vs -0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +6.06 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 14 drives, -6.27 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.
• D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Prescott (DAL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Jones (NE) 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. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 55:27 · DAL 4 · Score 0-6
   (10:27) 71-M.Onwenu reported in as eligible. Direct snap to 37-D.Harris. 37-D.Harris up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 55:20 · DAL 15 · Score 0-7
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 51:46 · NE 1 · Score 6-7
   (6:46) 66-C.McGovern reported in as eligible. 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 89-B.Jarwin for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 51:43 · NE 15 · Score 7-7
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
5. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 49:56 · DAL 20 · Score 7-13
   (4:56) 10-M.Jones pass deep left to 85-H.Henry for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 49:50 · DAL 15 · Score 7-14
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
7. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 36:42 · NE 12 · Score 10-14
   (6:42) 2-G.Zuerlein 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 19:53 · NE 1 · Score 16-14
   (4:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-C.Lamb for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 19:49 · NE 15 · Score 17-14
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
10. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 13:17 · NE 27 · Score 20-14
    (13:17) 2-G.Zuerlein 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
11. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 6:27 · DAL 1 · Score 20-20
    (6:27) 72-Y.Cajuste reported in as eligible. 38-R.Stevenson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. NE 38-Stevenson 1st NFL TD
12. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 6:23 · DAL 15 · Score 20-21
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-7-J.Bailey.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:36 · DAL 64 · Score 26-21
    (2:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass short middle intended for 84-K.Bourne INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs at NE 42. 7-T.Diggs for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL 7-Diggs now has
14. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 2:21 · DAL 75 · Score 26-27
    (2:21) (Shotgun) 10-M.Jones pass deep left to 84-K.Bourne for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q4 2:11 · DAL 2 · Score 26-29
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Jones pass to 16-J.Meyers is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
16. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:24 · NE 31 · Score 29-29
    (:24) 2-G.Zuerlein 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger. NE-29-J.Bethel was injured during the play.
17. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — OT 3:59 · NE 35 · Score 35-29
    (3:59) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.