Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants: 2003 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-09-15, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 35–32 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Collins (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with +1.00 total EPA.

On the individual side, A. Toomer (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.91 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+24.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (:04) 3-B.Cundiff 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.

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 A. Toomer · New York Giants · Receiving · +12.91 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
2. 2 I. Hilliard · New York Giants · Receiving · +10.08 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.68 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.62 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
4. 4 Q. Carter · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +6.95 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.91 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Campbell · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.25 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.25 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 York Giants — R. Brown (Q1 52:30)
• Dallas Cowboys — Q. Carter (Q1 48:21)
• Dallas Cowboys — A. Singleton (Q2 33:21)
• New York Giants — I. Hilliard (K. Collins pass) (Q3 23:20)
• New York Giants — J. Shockey (K. Collins pass) (Q4 10:03)
• New York Giants — A. Toomer (K. Collins pass) (Q4 6:31)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q2 44:30)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q2 37:56)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q3 26:11)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q3 19:58)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q4 12:56)
• New York Giants — M. Bryant (Q4 0:14)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q4 0:04)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (OT 6:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New York Giants found the end zone from the NYG 76 (Q1 52:30) — (7:30) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 22-R.Brown at DAL 29. 22-R.Brown for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 52:21) — 8-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 8 (Q1 48:21) — (3:21) 17-Q.Carter up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Back to pass, rushes.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q1 48:06) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 13–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 19 (Q2 44:30) — (14:30) 3-B.Cundiff 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 31 (Q2 37:56) — (7:56) 3-B.Cundiff 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 69 (Q2 33:21) — (3:21) 5-K.Collins pass intended for 80-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 51-A.Singleton at NYG 41. 51-A.Singleton for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 33:05) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The third quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–6. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 24 (Q3 26:11) — (11:11) 3-B.Cundiff 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 5 (Q3 23:20) — (8:20) 5-K.Collins pass to 88-I.Hilliard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 23:11) — 8-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 3 (Q3 19:58) — (4:58) 3-B.Cundiff 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 18–6. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 18 (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 3-B.Cundiff 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 10:03) — (10:03) 5-K.Collins pass to 80-J.Shockey for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 9:54) — 8-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 20 (Q4 6:31) — (6:31) (Shotgun) 5-K.Collins pass to 81-A.Toomer for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants registered a safety from the DAL 1 (Q4 6:20) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 21-T.Barber rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 12 (Q4 0:14) — (:14) 8-M.Bryant 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 34 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-B.Cundiff 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

Overtime: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 6 (OT 6:03) — (6:03) 3-B.Cundiff 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-B.Cundiff 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. [WPA +24.2% · EPA +1.48]
• New York Giants (OT 10:18) — (10:18) 10-J.Feagles punts 42 yards to DAL 43, Center-57-C.Dach, fair catch by 87-Z.Smith. [WPA +22.2% · EPA +0.27]
• Dallas Cowboys (OT 14:22) — (14:22) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway to DAL 49 for 17 yards (36-S.Williams). [WPA +22.2% · EPA +2.28]
• Dallas Cowboys (OT 11:35) — (11:35) 17-Q.Carter sacked at NYG 47 for -6 yards (90-K.Holmes). FUMBLES (90-K.Holmes), touched at NYG 45, recovered by DAL-76-F.Adams at DAL 48. Officially, a 4 yard sack. [WPA -21.4% · EPA -2.01]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 52:30) — (7:30) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 22-R.Brown at DAL 29. 22-R.Brown for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.3% · EPA -7.11]

Impact plays

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

• New York Giants (Q2 33:21) — (3:21) 5-K.Collins pass intended for 80-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 51-A.Singleton at NYG 41. 51-A.Singleton for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -13.3% · EPA -7.22]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 52:30) — (7:30) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 22-R.Brown at DAL 29. 22-R.Brown for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.3% · EPA -7.11]
• New York Giants (Q1 46:44) — (1:44) 21-T.Barber left tackle to NYG 36 for 4 yards (98-G.Ellis). FUMBLES (98-G.Ellis), RECOVERED by DAL-59-D.Nguyen at NYG 35. 59-D.Nguyen to NYG 35 for no gain (62-W.Lucier). [WPA -15.0% · EPA -4.71]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 14:55) — (14:55) 17-Q.Carter pass incomplete to 83-T.Glenn. PENALTY on NYG-36-S.Williams, Defensive Pass Interference, 18 yards, enforced at NYG 39 - No Play. [WPA +2.7% · EPA +3.40]

Quarterback report card

K.Collins led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Collins (New York Giants) · 59 dropbacks · 35.6% completion · +0.02 EPA/play · +1.00 total EPA
• Q.Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 49 dropbacks · 51.0% completion · +0.14 EPA/play · +6.95 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 (+0.05 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 17 drives, +5.50 total EPA, 9 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 17 drives, -3.51 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.
• A. Toomer (New York Giants) 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. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 52:30 · NYG 76 · Score 0-6
   (7:30) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 22-R.Brown at DAL 29. 22-R.Brown for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 52:21 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
   8-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 48:21 · NYG 8 · Score 6-7
   (3:21) 17-Q.Carter up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Back to pass, rushes.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 48:06 · NYG 2 · Score 7-7
   3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
5. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 44:30 · NYG 19 · Score 10-7
   (14:30) 3-B.Cundiff 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
6. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 37:56 · NYG 31 · Score 13-7
   (7:56) 3-B.Cundiff 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 33:21 · DAL 69 · Score 19-7
   (3:21) 5-K.Collins pass intended for 80-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 51-A.Singleton at NYG 41. 51-A.Singleton for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 33:05 · NYG 2 · Score 20-7
   3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
9. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 26:11 · NYG 24 · Score 23-7
   (11:11) 3-B.Cundiff 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
10. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 23:20 · DAL 5 · Score 23-13
    (8:20) 5-K.Collins pass to 88-I.Hilliard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 23:11 · DAL 2 · Score 23-14
    8-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.
12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 19:58 · NYG 3 · Score 26-14
    (4:58) 3-B.Cundiff 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
13. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 12:56 · NYG 18 · Score 29-14
    (12:56) 3-B.Cundiff 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
14. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 10:03 · DAL 1 · Score 29-20
    (10:03) 5-K.Collins pass to 80-J.Shockey for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 9:54 · DAL 2 · Score 29-21
    8-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.
16. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 6:31 · DAL 20 · Score 29-27
    (6:31) (Shotgun) 5-K.Collins pass to 81-A.Toomer for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New York Giants Safety (+2) — Q4 6:20 · DAL 1 · Score 29-29
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 21-T.Barber rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
18. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 0:14 · DAL 12 · Score 29-32
    (:14) 8-M.Bryant 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.
19. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · NYG 34 · Score 32-32
    (:04) 3-B.Cundiff 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
20. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — OT 6:03 · NYG 6 · Score 35-32
    (6:03) 3-B.Cundiff 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.