FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 8 · October 26, 2003 · 10 min read

Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2003 Week 8 Recap

Buccaneers defeat Cowboys 16–0 in Week 8

K.McCardell led Fantasy Impact as Buccaneers prevailed in a 0–16 Week 8 finish.

Dallas Cowboys 0 5–2
Final 0–16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 4–3 Winner
Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
0–16
Halftime
Dallas Cowboys 0–10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top passer
Q. Carter
FantasyHQ MVP
K.McCardell
Game date
October 26, 2003

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

  • A.Cason 3 REC · 40 YDS +2.6 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Hambrick 1 REC · 11 YDS +2.2 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Witten 1 REC · 15 YDS +2.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • K.McCardell 6 REC · 68 YDS +8.0 Fantasy Impact
  • K.Dilger 2 REC · 51 YDS +2.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Kisean Johnson
    Kisean Johnson 1 REC · 7 YDS · 1 TD +2.3 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16–0 Dallas Cowboys
Halftime
Dallas Cowboys 0–10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
K. McCardell
Top passer
Q. Carter
Biggest EPA play
(11:49) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber at DAL 45. …
Game date
2003-10-26

Game summary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Dallas Cowboys 16–0 on 2003-10-26. K. McCardell posted a game-high +8.03 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q2Q3T
Dallas Cowboys000000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers10600016

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DALDallas Cowboys
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

5 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 10:59FG
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 6
    Score
    0-3

    (10:59) 7-M.Gramatica 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

  2. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 4:23TD
    Kisean Johnson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 7
    Score
    0-9

    (4:23) 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 4:13XP
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 2
    Score
    0-10

    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

  4. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 9:28FG
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 8
    Score
    0-13

    (9:28) 7-M.Gramatica 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

  5. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 2:10FG
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 31
    Score
    0-16

    (2:10) 7-M.Gramatica 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1K. McCardell · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +8.03 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
  2. 2A. Cason · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
  3. 3K. Dilger · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
  4. 4Kisean JohnsonKisean Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.28 EPA/play
  5. 5T. Hambrick · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.25 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.25 EPA/play
  6. 6J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.21 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.21 EPA/play
  7. 7J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
  8. 8T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.01 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

K. McCardell — TB · Receiving

K. McCardell posted the highest total EPA (+8.03) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.34 EPA per play.

K. McCardell's top snap (+2.61 EPA): (8:01) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell ran ob at DAL 33 for 16 yards (27-M.Edwards). Penalty on DAL-27-M.Edwards, Defensive Holding, declined.

Biggest single play (-4.38 EPA): Q. Carter — (11:49) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber at DAL 45. 20-R.Barber to DAL 21 for 24 yards (76-F.Adams).

Quarterback report card

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

  • Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 29 dropbacks · 51.7% completion · -0.36 EPA/play · -10.55 total EPA
  • Buddy JohnsonBuddy Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 29 dropbacks · 44.8% completion · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.23 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDallas CowboysTampa Bay Buccaneers
Offensive EPA/play-0.387-0.117
Offensive success rate35.4%35.4%
Pass EPA/play-0.312-0.077
Rush EPA/play-0.561-0.201
Defensive EPA/play+0.117+0.387
Defensive success rate64.6%64.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.12 vs -0.39), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Dallas Cowboys: -0.39 EPA/play (2nd percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.12 EPA/play (26th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, -25.18 total EPA, 0 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12 drives, -9.25 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Kisean JohnsonTampa Bay Buccaneers — Kisean Johnson (Buddy Johnson pass) (Q2 4:23)

Field goals

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica (Q2 10:59)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica (Q3 9:28)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica (Q3 2:10)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 6 (Q2 10:59) — (10:59) 7-M.Gramatica 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q2 4:23) — (4:23) 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 4:13) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 6–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 8 (Q3 9:28) — (9:28) 7-M.Gramatica 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 31 (Q3 2:10) — (2:10) 7-M.Gramatica 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 2:04) — (2:04) 3-B.Cundiff 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. [WPA -11.1% · EPA -3.37]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 4:44) — (4:44) 17-Q.Carter pass to 42-T.Hambrick to TB 31 for 11 yards (55-D.Brooks). [WPA +10.1% · EPA +2.25]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q2 14:28) — (14:28) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at TB 35. 23-J.Phillips ran ob at DAL 24 for 41 yards (85-J.Robinson). [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.50]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q3 11:49) — (11:49) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber at DAL 45. 20-R.Barber to DAL 21 for 24 yards (76-F.Adams). [WPA -6.8% · EPA -4.38]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 5:00) — (5:00) 7-M.Gramatica 32 yard field goal is GOOD, NULLIFIED by Penalty, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. PENALTY on DAL-41-T.Newman, Running Into the Kicker, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 14 - No Play [WPA +6.5% · EPA +2.25]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q3 11:49) — (11:49) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber at DAL 45. 20-R.Barber to DAL 21 for 24 yards (76-F.Adams). [WPA -6.8% · EPA -4.38]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 4:18) — (4:18) (Shotgun) 23-A.Cason to TB 29 for -2 yards (20-R.Barber). FUMBLES (20-R.Barber), touched at TB 29, RECOVERED by TB-53-S.Quarles at TB 29. 53-S.Quarles to TB 29 for no gain (68-M.Lehr). [WPA -0.7% · EPA -3.80]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q2 14:28) — (14:28) 17-Q.Carter pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at TB 35. 23-J.Phillips ran ob at DAL 24 for 41 yards (85-J.Robinson). [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.50]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 2:04) — (2:04) 3-B.Cundiff 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. [WPA -11.1% · EPA -3.37]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 10:59 · DAL 6 · Score 0-3
    (10:59) 7-M.Gramatica 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 4:23 · DAL 7 · Score 0-9
    (4:23) 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 4:13 · DAL 2 · Score 0-10
    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 9:28 · DAL 8 · Score 0-13
    (9:28) 7-M.Gramatica 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
  5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 2:10 · DAL 31 · Score 0-16
    (2:10) 7-M.Gramatica 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

Key takeaways

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

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • K. McCardell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2003-10-26?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Dallas Cowboys 16-0 in Week 8, 2003.

What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Q2: Dallas Cowboys 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6; Final: Dallas Cowboys 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — K. Johnson (B. Johnson pass) (Q2 4:23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q2 10:59, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q3 9:28, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q3 2:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys), 51.7% completion, -0.36 EPA per dropback, -10.55 total passing EPA. Buddy Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 44.8% completion, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.23 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Dallas Cowboys vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

K. McCardell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.03 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+2.61 EPA): (8:01) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell ran ob at DAL 33 for 16 yards (27-M.Edwards). Penalty on DAL-27-M.Edwards, Defensive Holding, declined..

Season records after this game

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 5-1 Now 5-2 L

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 3-3 Now 4-3 W