Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2002 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-22, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 44–13 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +13.10 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+20.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: 2-D.Akers kicks 70 yards from PHI 30 to DAL 0. 80-R.Swinton for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Cowboys' Swinton took the ball at the goal line, ran up the middle avoiding two tackles, then swerved to avoid Eag

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. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +13.10 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Pinkston · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +6.30 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Freeman · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.92 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Westbrook · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +3.20 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.20 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Akers · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +2.61 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.61 EPA/play
6. 6 T. McGee · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.03 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.60 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.53 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

• Dallas Cowboys — R. Swinton (Q1 57:45)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Thrash (D. McNabb pass) (Q2 39:11)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. McNabb (Q2 35:27)
• Philadelphia Eagles — A. Freeman (D. McNabb pass) (Q3 28:07)
• Philadelphia Eagles — T. Pinkston (B. Westbrook pass) (Q3 26:07)
• Philadelphia Eagles — T. Pinkston (D. McNabb pass) (Q4 13:45)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q1 57:49)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q1 46:48)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 30:04)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q3 21:59)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q4 4:33)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–3. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 33 (Q1 57:49) — (12:49) 2-D.Akers 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 30 (Q1 57:45); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q1 57:33) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 29 (Q1 46:48) — (1:48) 3-B.Cundiff 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 17–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 35 (Q2 39:11) — (9:11) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Thrash beats Cowboys' Hawthorne on sideline fly pattern for TD.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 39:04) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q2 35:27); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 35:21) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 2-D.Akers 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 59 (Q3 28:07); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 27:56) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 25 (Q3 26:07); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 26:01) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 15 (Q3 21:59) — (6:59) 3-B.Cundiff 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q4 13:45); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 13:41) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 14 (Q4 4:33) — (4:33) 2-D.Akers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 57:45) — 2-D.Akers kicks 70 yards from PHI 30 to DAL 0. 80-R.Swinton for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Cowboys' Swinton took the ball at the goal line, ran up the middle avoiding two tackles, then swerved to avoid Eag [WPA +20.8% · EPA +7.02]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 54:23) — (9:23) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash to DAL 11 for 5 yards (98-G.Ellis). FUMBLES (98-G.Ellis), RECOVERED by DAL-96-E.Ekuban at DAL 11. 96-E.Ekuban to DAL 13 for 2 yards. [WPA -15.7% · EPA -4.40]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 39:11) — (9:11) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Thrash beats Cowboys' Hawthorne on sideline fly pattern for TD. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +3.68]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 35:36) — (5:36) 5-D.McNabb pass incomplete to 87-T.Pinkston (27-M.Edwards). PENALTY on DAL-27-M.Edwards, Defensive Pass Interference, 49 yards, enforced at PHI 49 - No Play. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +3.80]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 54:53) — (9:53) (Field Goal formation) 2-D.Akers right end ran ob at DAL 16 for 10 yards (38-D.Hawthorne). Fake field goal, Detmer to Akers ran 10 yards out of bounds for a first down. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.61]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 57:45) — 2-D.Akers kicks 70 yards from PHI 30 to DAL 0. 80-R.Swinton for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Cowboys' Swinton took the ball at the goal line, ran up the middle avoiding two tackles, then swerved to avoid Eag [WPA +20.8% · EPA +7.02]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:21) — (11:21) 17-Q.Carter to DAL 45 for -6 yards. FUMBLES, touched at DAL 45, RECOVERED by PHI-20-B.Dawkins at DAL 25. 20-B.Dawkins to DAL 25 for no gain (85-D.Scott). Play Challenged by DAL and Upheld. (Ti [WPA -3.4% · EPA -6.15]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 13:35) — (13:35) 17-Q.Carter sacked at DAL 21 for -4 yards (96-P.Grasmanis). FUMBLES (96-P.Grasmanis), touched at DAL 21, RECOVERED by PHI-97-D.Walker at DAL 17. 97-D.Walker to DAL 15 for 2 yards. [WPA -0.0% · EPA -5.53]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 28:07) — (13:07) 5-D.McNabb pass to 86-A.Freeman for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Freeman runs long slant and McNabb steps up in pocket to find him alone at the Cowboys' 35 yard line. Freeman sidesteps two def [WPA +4.6% · EPA +4.85]

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) · 46 dropbacks · 52.2% completion · +0.28 EPA/play · +13.10 total EPA
• Q.Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 41 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · -0.15 EPA/play · -6.32 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 (+0.22 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, -8.98 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 13 drives, +20.16 total EPA, 8 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.
• D. McNabb (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. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 57:49 · DAL 33 · Score 0-3
   (12:49) 2-D.Akers 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 57:45 · PHI 30 · Score 6-3
   2-D.Akers kicks 70 yards from PHI 30 to DAL 0. 80-R.Swinton for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Cowboys' Swinton took the ball at the goal line, ran up the middle avoidin
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 57:33 · PHI 2 · Score 7-3
   3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
4. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 46:48 · PHI 29 · Score 10-3
   (1:48) 3-B.Cundiff 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 39:11 · DAL 35 · Score 10-9
   (9:11) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Thrash beats Cowboys' Hawthorne on sideline fly pattern for TD.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 39:04 · DAL 2 · Score 10-10
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
7. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 35:27 · DAL 2 · Score 10-16
   (5:27) 5-D.McNabb right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' McNabb fakes up the middle to Staley, then bootlegs untouched to the right side for the TD.
8. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 35:21 · DAL 2 · Score 10-17
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
9. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · DAL 2 · Score 10-20
   (:04) 2-D.Akers 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
10. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 28:07 · DAL 59 · Score 10-26
    (13:07) 5-D.McNabb pass to 86-A.Freeman for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Freeman runs long slant and McNabb steps up in pocket to find him alone at the Cowboys'
11. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 27:56 · DAL 2 · Score 10-27
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
12. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 26:07 · DAL 25 · Score 10-33
    (11:07) 36-B.Westbrook pass to 87-T.Pinkston for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' McNabb rolls out and pitches to Westbrook who passes 29 yards in air to Pinkston w
13. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 26:01 · DAL 2 · Score 10-34
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
14. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 21:59 · PHI 15 · Score 13-34
    (6:59) 3-B.Cundiff 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
15. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 13:45 · DAL 2 · Score 13-40
    (13:45) 5-D.McNabb pass to 87-T.Pinkston for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Eagles' Pinkston outleaps Cowboys' Ross for TD in right corner of the end zone.
16. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 13:41 · DAL 2 · Score 13-41
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
17. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 4:33 · DAL 14 · Score 13-44
    (4:33) 2-D.Akers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.