Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2021 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-09-09, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 31–29 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +15.33 total EPA, and +6.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.33 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+23.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 88-C.Lamb pushed ob at TB 34 for 31 yards (31-A.Winfield).

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. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +15.33 total EPA · 69 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +10.27 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Gronkowski · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +8.58 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Brady · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +7.78 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Brown · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +7.00 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Schultz · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.10 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Pollard · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Wilson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.34 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.45 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

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Godwin (T. Brady pass) (Q1 50:26)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (D. Prescott pass) (Q1 46:43)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q2 39:53)
• Dallas Cowboys — A. Cooper (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 34:25)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A. Brown (T. Brady pass) (Q2 32:45)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q3 21:28)
• Dallas Cowboys — A. Cooper (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 15:39)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q2 33:21)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q3 24:19)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q4 1:29)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Succop (Q4 0:07)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 5 (Q1 50:26) — (5:26) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 50:23) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 22 (Q1 46:43); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 46:35) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q2 39:53) — (9:53) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Gronkowski for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 39:48) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 5 (Q2 34:25); Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 17 (Q2 33:21) — (3:21) 2-G.Zuerlein 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 47 (Q2 32:45) — (2:45) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-A.Brown for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 32:38) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 3 (Q3 24:19) — (9:19) 2-G.Zuerlein 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 11 (Q3 21:28) — (6:28) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN [6-D.Wilson].; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 21:23) — 3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 21 (Q3 15:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 19-A.Cooper for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q3 15:33) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 30 (Q4 1:29) — (1:29) 2-G.Zuerlein 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 18 (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 3-R.Succop 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 88-C.Lamb pushed ob at TB 34 for 31 yards (31-A.Winfield). [WPA +23.2% · EPA +2.61]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 14-C.Godwin ran ob at DAL 18 for 24 yards. [WPA +22.5% · EPA +1.79]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 34:14) — (4:14) 12-T.Brady pass short left intended for 7-L.Fournette INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs at TB 21. 7-T.Diggs to TB 21 for no gain (7-L.Fournette; 74-A.Marpet). [WPA -22.4% · EPA -4.72]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:04) — (5:04) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 14-C.Godwin to DAL 2 for 11 yards (18-D.Kazee). FUMBLES (18-D.Kazee), RECOVERED by DAL-26-J.Lewis at DAL 0. 26-J.Lewis to DAL 10 for 10 yards (13-M.Evan [WPA -20.4% · EPA -4.96]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski to DAL 42 for 20 yards (27-J.Kearse; 30-A.Brown). [WPA +19.3% · EPA +1.18]

Impact plays

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

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:04) — (5:04) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 14-C.Godwin to DAL 2 for 11 yards (18-D.Kazee). FUMBLES (18-D.Kazee), RECOVERED by DAL-26-J.Lewis at DAL 0. 26-J.Lewis to DAL 10 for 10 yards (13-M.Evan [WPA -20.4% · EPA -4.96]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 23:44) — (8:44) 4-D.Prescott pass deep middle intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Davis [9-J.Tryon] at 50. 24-C.Davis to DAL 19 for 31 yards (71-L.Collins). Penalty on DAL-20-T.Pollard, Tripping, declin [WPA -15.4% · EPA -4.75]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 34:14) — (4:14) 12-T.Brady pass short left intended for 7-L.Fournette INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs at TB 21. 7-T.Diggs to TB 21 for no gain (7-L.Fournette; 74-A.Marpet). [WPA -22.4% · EPA -4.72]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 36:36) — (6:36) 27-R.Jones right tackle to TB 22 for 1 yard (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence), RECOVERED by DAL-94-R.Gregory at TB 27. 94-R.Gregory to TB 27 for no gain (14-C.Godwin). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -4.59]

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) · 69 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · +6.5% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +15.33 total EPA
• T.Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 50 dropbacks · 64.0% completion · +3.2% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +7.78 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Dallas Cowboys +0.07, Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.06) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +6.88 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, +5.24 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) 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.
• T. Brady (TB) 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. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 50:26 · DAL 5 · Score 0-6
   (5:26) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 14-C.Godwin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 50:23 · DAL 15 · Score 0-7
   3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 46:43 · TB 22 · Score 6-7
   (1:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 88-C.Lamb for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-R.Nunez-Roches]. TB-23-S.Murphy-Bunting was injured during the play. His
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 46:35 · TB 15 · Score 7-7
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 39:53 · DAL 2 · Score 7-13
   (9:53) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Gronkowski for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 39:48 · DAL 15 · Score 7-14
   3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 34:25 · TB 5 · Score 13-14
   (4:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott to TB 10 for -5 yards. FUMBLES, and recovers at TB 10. 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 19-A.Cooper for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 33:21 · TB 17 · Score 16-14
   (3:21) 2-G.Zuerlein 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 32:45 · DAL 47 · Score 16-20
   (2:45) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-A.Brown for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 32:38 · DAL 15 · Score 16-21
    3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
11. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 24:19 · TB 3 · Score 19-21
    (9:19) 2-G.Zuerlein 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 21:28 · DAL 11 · Score 19-27
    (6:28) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 87-R.Gronkowski for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN [6-D.Wilson].
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 21:23 · DAL 15 · Score 19-28
    3-R.Succop extra point is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 15:39 · TB 21 · Score 25-28
    (:39) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 19-A.Cooper for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 15:33 · TB 15 · Score 26-28
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
16. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 1:29 · TB 30 · Score 29-28
    (1:29) 2-G.Zuerlein 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · DAL 18 · Score 29-31
    (:07) 3-R.Succop 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-Z.Triner, Holder-8-B.Pinion.