Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2024 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-10-27, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 30–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +3.39 total EPA, and +6.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.81 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+14.0% win probability) landed in the third quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (13:38) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass short middle to 85-G.Kittle pushed ob at DAL 4 for 43 yards (7-T.Diggs).

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 B. Purdy · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +9.81 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
2. 2 G. Kittle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +8.10 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.10 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Tolbert · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.61 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +3.39 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
6. 6 I. Guerendo · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +3.16 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Pearsall · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Pearsall · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +2.94 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.94 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 — E. Elliott (Q2 41:02)
• San Francisco 49ers — I. Guerendo (Q3 28:00)
• San Francisco 49ers — G. Kittle (B. Purdy pass) (Q3 22:16)
• San Francisco 49ers — B. Purdy (Q3 15:40)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 8:04)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 3:36)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — A. Carlson (Q1 52:19)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Aubrey (Q2 32:59)
• San Francisco 49ers — A. Carlson (Q2 31:35)
• San Francisco 49ers — A. Carlson (Q2 31:30)
• San Francisco 49ers — A. Carlson (Q4 4:30)

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 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DAL 32 (Q1 52:19) — (7:19) 41-A.Carlson 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–6. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q2 41:02) — (11:02) (Shotgun) 15-E.Elliott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 40:58) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the SF 11 (Q2 32:59) — (2:59) 17-B.Aubrey 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DAL 26 (Q2 31:35) — (1:35) 41-A.Carlson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the SF 35 (Q2 31:30).

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 21–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q3 28:00) — (13:00) 31-I.Guerendo up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 27:57) — 41-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q3 22:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass short right to 85-G.Kittle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 22:14) — 41-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q3 15:40) — (:40) 13-B.Purdy up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 15:36) — 41-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 7 (Q4 8:04) — (8:04) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 88-C.Lamb for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 7:58) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the DAL 22 (Q4 4:30) — (4:30) 41-A.Carlson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SF 20 (Q4 3:36) — (3:36) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-C.Lamb for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-M.Collins].; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 3:32) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: SF-51-R.Beal has returned to the game..

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 28:38) — (13:38) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass short middle to 85-G.Kittle pushed ob at DAL 4 for 43 yards (7-T.Diggs). [WPA +14.0% · EPA +2.87]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 30:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy sacked at DAL 47 for -7 yards. FUMBLES, recovered by SF-65-A.Banks at DAL 47. [WPA -12.8% · EPA -1.04]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 55:15) — (10:15) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass deep right to 1-D.Samuel to DAL 36 for 47 yards (28-M.Hooker). [WPA +11.5% · EPA +4.32]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:35) — (4:35) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left intended for 9-K.Turpin INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Brown [97-N.Bosa] at SF 8. 27-J.Brown to SF 8 for no gain (9-K.Turpin). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -3.10]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:36) — (11:36) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 2-D.Lenoir at DAL 32. 2-D.Lenoir to DAL 32 for no gain (88-C.Lamb). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -3.39]

Impact plays

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 0:30) — (:30) 13-B.Purdy kneels to DAL 4 for -1 yards. [EPA -5.33]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 55:15) — (10:15) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass deep right to 1-D.Samuel to DAL 36 for 47 yards (28-M.Hooker). [WPA +11.5% · EPA +4.32]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:14) — (10:14) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 9-K.Turpin to SF 29 for 16 yards (2-D.Lenoir). [WPA +1.5% · EPA +3.48]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:36) — (11:36) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 2-D.Lenoir at DAL 32. 2-D.Lenoir to DAL 32 for no gain (88-C.Lamb). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -3.39]

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) · 43 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +6.3% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.39 total EPA
• B.Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · +2.9% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +9.81 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

San Francisco 49ers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs +0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +2.03 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, +9.06 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• San Francisco 49ers 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.
• B. Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) 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.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 52:19 · DAL 32 · Score 0-3
   (7:19) 41-A.Carlson 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 41:02 · SF 1 · Score 6-3
   (11:02) (Shotgun) 15-E.Elliott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 40:58 · SF 15 · Score 7-3
   17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
4. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 32:59 · SF 11 · Score 10-3
   (2:59) 17-B.Aubrey 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
5. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 31:35 · DAL 26 · Score 10-6
   (1:35) 41-A.Carlson 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.
6. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 31:30 · SF 35 · Score 10-6
   41-A.Carlson kicks 59 yards from SF 35 to DAL 6. 9-K.Turpin MUFFS catch, and recovers at DAL 10. 9-K.Turpin to DAL 33 for 23 yards (51-R.Beal).
7. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 28:00 · DAL 4 · Score 10-12
   (13:00) 31-I.Guerendo up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 27:57 · DAL 15 · Score 10-13
   41-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.
9. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 22:16 · DAL 2 · Score 10-19
   (7:16) (Shotgun) 13-B.Purdy pass short right to 85-G.Kittle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 22:14 · DAL 15 · Score 10-20
    41-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.
11. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 15:40 · DAL 2 · Score 10-26
    (:40) 13-B.Purdy up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 15:36 · DAL 15 · Score 10-27
    41-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 8:04 · SF 7 · Score 16-27
    (8:04) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 88-C.Lamb for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 7:58 · SF 15 · Score 17-27
    17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
15. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 4:30 · DAL 22 · Score 17-30
    (4:30) 41-A.Carlson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-3-M.Wishnowsky.
16. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 3:36 · SF 20 · Score 23-30
    (3:36) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-C.Lamb for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-M.Collins].
17. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 3:32 · SF 15 · Score 24-30
    17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger. ** Injury Update: SF-51-R.Beal has returned to the game.