Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2005 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-09-25, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 29 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +14.72 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.72 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-27.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (1:00) 13-T.Rattay pass intended for 18-O.Amey INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Nguyen at SF 43. 59-D.Nguyen to SF 36 for 7 yards (48-T.Smith).

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. Bledsoe · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +14.72 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Lloyd · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +14.49 total EPA · 4 snaps · +3.62 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Johnson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +10.17 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.69 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +9.69 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.99 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.80 EPA/play
6. 6 P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Rattay · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +2.59 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Barlow · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.58 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

• San Francisco 49ers — A. Battle (T. Rattay pass) (Q1 48:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bledsoe (Q2 38:53)
• San Francisco 49ers — B. Lloyd (T. Rattay pass) (Q2 37:56)
• San Francisco 49ers — T. Parrish (Q2 36:49)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q2 33:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Jones (Q3 24:25)
• San Francisco 49ers — B. Lloyd (T. Rattay pass) (Q3 15:43)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Jones (Q4 14:54)
• Dallas Cowboys — K. Johnson (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q4 1:56)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney (Q2 30:18)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DAL 15 (Q1 48:38) — (3:38) 13-T.Rattay pass to 83-A.Battle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 48:29) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 17–12. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 6 (Q2 38:53) — (8:53) 11-D.Bledsoe up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DAL 89 (Q2 37:56) — (7:56) 13-T.Rattay pass to 85-B.Lloyd for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DAL 45.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 37:43) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the SF 72 (Q2 36:49) — (6:49) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 84-P.Crayton INTERCEPTED by 33-T.Parrish at DAL 34. 33-T.Parrish for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 36:42) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 6 (Q2 33:38) — (3:38) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Witten for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DAL 3 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) 6-J.Nedney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q3 24:25) — (9:25) 21-J.Jones up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q3 24:24) — 2-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Condo, Holder-9-T.Romo.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DAL 13 (Q3 15:43) — (:43) 13-T.Rattay pass to 85-B.Lloyd for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 15:40) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 15–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q4 14:54) — (14:54) 96 is an eligible receiver 21-J.Jones right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 14:51) — 2-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Condo, Holder-9-T.Romo.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 14 (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 19-K.Johnson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 3.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the SF 2 (Q4 1:51).

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:00) — (1:00) 13-T.Rattay pass intended for 18-O.Amey INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Nguyen at SF 43. 59-D.Nguyen to SF 36 for 7 yards (48-T.Smith). [WPA -27.7% · EPA -3.23]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 3:33) — (3:33) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn to SF 15 for 44 yards (24-M.Rumph). Caught at SF 25. [WPA +23.0% · EPA +3.38]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 19-K.Johnson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 3. [WPA +20.2% · EPA +3.66]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 37:56) — (7:56) 13-T.Rattay pass to 85-B.Lloyd for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DAL 45. [WPA +16.8% · EPA +7.67]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:26) — (1:26) 13-T.Rattay pass to 83-A.Battle to SF 37 for 15 yards (59-D.Nguyen). [WPA +12.8% · EPA +0.95]

Impact plays

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 37:56) — (7:56) 13-T.Rattay pass to 85-B.Lloyd for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DAL 45. [WPA +16.8% · EPA +7.67]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 36:49) — (6:49) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 84-P.Crayton INTERCEPTED by 33-T.Parrish at DAL 34. 33-T.Parrish for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.7% · EPA -6.83]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:29) — (:29) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn pushed ob at SF 14 for 58 yards (24-M.Rumph). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +4.76]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:49) — (2:49) 21-J.Jones up the middle to 50 for 5 yards (24-M.Rumph). FUMBLES (24-M.Rumph), touched at DAL 46, RECOVERED by SF-94-M.Douglas at DAL 46. 94-M.Douglas to DAL 46 for no gain (76-F.Adams). J.Jone [WPA -10.4% · EPA -4.55]

Quarterback report card

D.Bledsoe led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +0.33 EPA/play · +14.72 total EPA
• T.Rattay (San Francisco 49ers) · 40 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +2.59 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 (+0.09 vs +0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 14 drives, +7.64 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 14 drives, +1.07 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.
• D. Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys) 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. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 48:38 · DAL 15 · Score 0-6
   (3:38) 13-T.Rattay pass to 83-A.Battle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 48:29 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 38:53 · SF 6 · Score 6-7
   (8:53) 11-D.Bledsoe up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 37:56 · DAL 89 · Score 6-13
   (7:56) 13-T.Rattay pass to 85-B.Lloyd for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at DAL 45.
5. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 37:43 · DAL 2 · Score 6-14
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
6. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 36:49 · SF 72 · Score 6-20
   (6:49) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 84-P.Crayton INTERCEPTED by 33-T.Parrish at DAL 34. 33-T.Parrish for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 36:42 · DAL 2 · Score 6-21
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 33:38 · SF 6 · Score 12-21
   (3:38) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Witten for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:18 · DAL 3 · Score 12-24
   (:18) 6-J.Nedney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 24:25 · SF 1 · Score 18-24
    (9:25) 21-J.Jones up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 24:24 · SF 2 · Score 19-24
    2-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Condo, Holder-9-T.Romo.
12. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 15:43 · DAL 13 · Score 19-30
    (:43) 13-T.Rattay pass to 85-B.Lloyd for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 15:40 · DAL 2 · Score 19-31
    6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 14:54 · SF 1 · Score 25-31
    (14:54) 96 is an eligible receiver 21-J.Jones right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 14:51 · SF 2 · Score 26-31
    2-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Condo, Holder-9-T.Romo.
16. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:56 · SF 14 · Score 32-31
    (1:56) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 19-K.Johnson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 3.
17. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 1:51 · SF 2 · Score 34-31
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 19-K.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.