Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2001 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-09-30, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 40–18 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +5.61 total EPA.

On the individual side, T. Pinkston (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.58 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (12:11) 7-S.Landeta punts 38 yards to DAL 38, Center-88-M.Bartrum. 83-W.McGarity to DAL 38 for no gain (58-I.Reese). FUMBLES (58-I.Reese), touched at DAL 38, RECOVERED by PHI-42-R.Cook at DAL 30.

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 T. Pinkston · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +6.58 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.19 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Lewis · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +6.32 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
3. 3 D. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +5.61 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Stoerner · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +4.91 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Thomas · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
6. 6 D. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +2.53 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Wiley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.72 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Buckhalter · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +0.95 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.48 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Lewis (D. McNabb pass) (Q1 48:56)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Lewis (D. McNabb pass) (Q2 44:38)
• Philadelphia Eagles — T. Hambrick (Q2 40:31)
• Philadelphia Eagles — T. Pinkston (D. McNabb pass) (Q2 36:53)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Buckhalter (Q3 23:37)
• Dallas Cowboys — R. Thomas (C. Stoerner pass) (Q4 4:52)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Wiley (C. Stoerner pass) (Q4 0:47)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — T. Seder (Q1 58:36)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Seder (Q1 53:26)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 35:47)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 30:19)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–6. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 24 (Q1 58:36) — (13:36) 6-T.Seder 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 24 (Q1 53:26) — (8:26) 6-T.Seder 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 10 (Q1 48:56) — (3:56) 5-D.McNabb pass to 89-C.Lewis for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 48:49) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 26–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 17 (Q2 44:38) — (14:38) 5-D.McNabb pass to 89-C.Lewis for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 44:31) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 94 (Q2 40:31); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 40:24) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 10 (Q2 36:53); Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 22 (Q2 35:47) — (5:47) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:19) — (:19) 2-D.Akers 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q3 23:37) — (8:37) 28-C.Buckhalter right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. First career touchdown by Eagles' Buckhalter.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 23:34) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 12–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 5 (Q4 4:52) — (4:52) 5-C.Stoerner pass to 44-R.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 11 (Q4 0:47) — (:47) 5-C.Stoerner pass to 32-M.Wiley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 42:11) — (12:11) 7-S.Landeta punts 38 yards to DAL 38, Center-88-M.Bartrum. 83-W.McGarity to DAL 38 for no gain (58-I.Reese). FUMBLES (58-I.Reese), touched at DAL 38, RECOVERED by PHI-42-R.Cook at DAL 30. [WPA +12.0% · EPA +5.04]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:36) — (10:36) 4-M.Knorr punts 44 yards to PHI 17, Center-95-R.Chevrier. 30-B.Mitchell to PHI 20 for 3 yards (52-D.Coakley). FUMBLES (52-D.Coakley), RECOVERED by DAL-32-M.Wiley at PHI 20. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +5.42]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 40:31) — (10:31) 42-T.Hambrick right end to DAL 6 for no gain (56-M.Caldwell). FUMBLES (56-M.Caldwell), RECOVERED by PHI-43-D.Moore at DAL 10. 43-D.Moore for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -9.5% · EPA -6.16]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 44:38) — (14:38) 5-D.McNabb pass to 89-C.Lewis for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.0% · EPA +2.93]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 4-M.Knorr punts 44 yards to PHI 29, Center-95-R.Chevrier. 30-B.Mitchell to DAL 17 for 54 yards (43-I.Reese). Eagles' #30 Mitchell tripped over Cowboys' #4 Knorr before being tackled by #43 Ree [WPA -8.9% · EPA -2.73]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 40:31) — (10:31) 42-T.Hambrick right end to DAL 6 for no gain (56-M.Caldwell). FUMBLES (56-M.Caldwell), RECOVERED by PHI-43-D.Moore at DAL 10. 43-D.Moore for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -9.5% · EPA -6.16]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:36) — (10:36) 4-M.Knorr punts 44 yards to PHI 17, Center-95-R.Chevrier. 30-B.Mitchell to PHI 20 for 3 yards (52-D.Coakley). FUMBLES (52-D.Coakley), RECOVERED by DAL-32-M.Wiley at PHI 20. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +5.42]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 42:11) — (12:11) 7-S.Landeta punts 38 yards to DAL 38, Center-88-M.Bartrum. 83-W.McGarity to DAL 38 for no gain (58-I.Reese). FUMBLES (58-I.Reese), touched at DAL 38, RECOVERED by PHI-42-R.Cook at DAL 30. [WPA +12.0% · EPA +5.04]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 60:00) — 4-M.Knorr kicks 67 yards from DAL 30 to PHI 3. 30-B.Mitchell to PHI 20 for 17 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by DAL-21-L.Scott at PHI 20. 21-L.Scott to PHI 20 for no gain (82-D.Douglas). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -4.77]

Quarterback report card

D.McNabb led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 33 dropbacks · 42.4% completion · +0.17 EPA/play · +5.61 total EPA
• A.Wright (Dallas Cowboys) · 26 dropbacks · 26.9% completion · -0.83 EPA/play · -21.70 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Philadelphia Eagles held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.20), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 17 drives, -17.39 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 17 drives, +1.89 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Pinkston (Philadelphia Eagles) 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. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 58:36 · PHI 24 · Score 3-0
   (13:36) 6-T.Seder 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
2. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 53:26 · PHI 24 · Score 6-0
   (8:26) 6-T.Seder 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
3. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 48:56 · DAL 10 · Score 6-6
   (3:56) 5-D.McNabb pass to 89-C.Lewis for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 48:49 · DAL 2 · Score 6-7
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 44:38 · DAL 17 · Score 6-13
   (14:38) 5-D.McNabb pass to 89-C.Lewis for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 44:31 · DAL 2 · Score 6-14
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
7. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 40:31 · PHI 94 · Score 6-20
   (10:31) 42-T.Hambrick right end to DAL 6 for no gain (56-M.Caldwell). FUMBLES (56-M.Caldwell), RECOVERED by PHI-43-D.Moore at DAL 10. 43-D.Moore for 10 yards, T
8. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 40:24 · DAL 2 · Score 6-21
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 36:53 · DAL 10 · Score 6-27
   (6:53) 5-D.McNabb pass to 87-T.Pinkston for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Pinkston leaps over Cowboys' Edwards over the middle for Pinkston's first TD.
10. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 35:47 · DAL 22 · Score 6-30
    (5:47) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
11. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 30:19 · DAL 2 · Score 6-33
    (:19) 2-D.Akers 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
12. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 23:37 · DAL 3 · Score 6-39
    (8:37) 28-C.Buckhalter right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. First career touchdown by Eagles' Buckhalter.
13. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 23:34 · DAL 2 · Score 6-40
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 4:52 · PHI 5 · Score 12-40
    (4:52) 5-C.Stoerner pass to 44-R.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 0:47 · PHI 11 · Score 18-40
    (:47) 5-C.Stoerner pass to 32-M.Wiley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.