Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders: 1999 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 1999 NFL season on 1999-09-12, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 41–35 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +16.62 total EPA.

On the individual side, T. Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+60.7% win probability) landed in overtime when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (12:47) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 T. Aikman · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +16.62 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Johnson · Washington Commanders · Passing · +16.46 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Connell · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +11.16 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.23 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Irvin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +9.70 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Westbrook · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +9.08 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
6. 6 D. LaFleur · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.17 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
7. 7 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.20 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Ismail · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.28 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 — unlisted player (Q1 55:26)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 45:00)
• Washington Commanders — unlisted player (Q2 44:55)
• Washington Commanders — unlisted player (Q3 25:45)
• Washington Commanders — unlisted player (Q3 22:24)
• Washington Commanders — unlisted player (Q3 16:50)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 15:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 6:15)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 1:50)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (OT 12:47)

Field goals

• Washington Commanders — unlisted player (Q1 50:58)
• Washington Commanders — unlisted player (Q2 35:51)

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 7–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 15 (Q1 55:26) — (10:26) T.Aikman pass to D.LaFleur for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 50:58) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DAL 7 (Q1 50:58) — (5:58) B.Conway 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk..

The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 14 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) T.Aikman pass to D.LaFleur for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 44:55) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 41 (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) B.Johnson pass to M.Westbrook for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 42:38) — B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DAL 24 (Q2 35:51) — (5:51) B.Conway 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk..

The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 22–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q3 25:45) — (10:45) S.Davis right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders registered a safety from the DAL 2 (Q3 22:58) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. S.Davis rushes right tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q3 22:24) — (7:24) S.Davis left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 17:59) — B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 50 (Q3 16:50) — (1:50) B.Johnson pass to A.Connell for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Connell took the ball away from double coverage.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 16:04) — B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 21–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 1 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) E.Smith left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 10:43) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 37 (Q4 6:15) — (6:15) T.Aikman pass to M.Irvin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on WAS-D.Pounds, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 3:51) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 12 (Q4 1:50) — (1:50) T.Aikman pass to M.Irvin for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 1:46) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson. Extra point banks in off the left upright..

Overtime: Dallas Cowboys won the period 6–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 76 (OT 12:47) — (12:47) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (OT 12:47) — (12:47) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +60.7% · EPA +7.31]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 60:00) — T.Gowin kicks 59 yards from DAL 30 to WAS 11. B.Mitchell to WAS 30 for 19 yards (K.Wheaton). [WPA +55.2% · EPA +0.73]
• Washington Commanders (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) M.Turk FUMBLES (Aborted) at DAL 23, recovered by WAS-B.Conway at DAL 31. B.Conway pass incomplete. Hold dropped by Turk [WPA -29.5% · EPA -1.37]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:22) — (1:22) T.Aikman pass intended for W.McGarity INTERCEPTED by D.Pounds at WAS 37. D.Pounds to WAS 37 for no gain (W.McGarity). [WPA -29.3% · EPA -1.98]
• Washington Commanders (OT 15:00) — (15:00) M.Turk punts 48 yards to DAL 5, Center-D.Turk, downed by WAS. [WPA +24.3% · EPA +1.10]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (OT 12:47) — (12:47) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +60.7% · EPA +7.31]
• Washington Commanders (Q3 16:50) — (1:50) B.Johnson pass to A.Connell for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Connell took the ball away from double coverage. [WPA +2.8% · EPA +4.89]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:50) — (1:50) T.Aikman pass to M.Irvin for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +4.17]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 40:57) — (10:57) S.Davis left tackle to DAL 1 for 6 yards (G.Teague). FUMBLES (G.Teague), RECOVERED by DAL-K.Pittman at DAL 3. [WPA -18.1% · EPA -4.14]

Quarterback report card

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

• T.Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) · 55 dropbacks · 50.9% completion · +0.30 EPA/play · +16.62 total EPA
• B.Johnson (Washington Commanders) · 41 dropbacks · 48.8% completion · +0.40 EPA/play · +16.46 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 (+0.23 vs +0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 15 drives, +26.44 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Washington Commanders: 15 drives, +16.04 total EPA, 6 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.
• T. Aikman (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. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 55:26 · WAS 15 · Score 6-0
   (10:26) T.Aikman pass to D.LaFleur for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 50:58 · WAS 2 · Score 7-0
   R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
3. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 50:58 · DAL 7 · Score 7-3
   (5:58) B.Conway 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk.
4. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · WAS 14 · Score 13-3
   (15:00) T.Aikman pass to D.LaFleur for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 44:55 · WAS 2 · Score 14-3
   R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
6. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 44:55 · DAL 41 · Score 14-9
   (14:55) B.Johnson pass to M.Westbrook for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 42:38 · DAL 2 · Score 14-10
   B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk.
8. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 35:51 · DAL 24 · Score 14-13
   (5:51) B.Conway 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk.
9. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 25:45 · DAL 3 · Score 14-19
   (10:45) S.Davis right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Washington Commanders Safety (+2) — Q3 22:58 · DAL 2 · Score 14-21
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. S.Davis rushes right tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
11. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 22:24 · DAL 7 · Score 14-27
    (7:24) S.Davis left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 17:59 · DAL 2 · Score 14-28
    B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk.
13. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 16:50 · DAL 50 · Score 14-34
    (1:50) B.Johnson pass to A.Connell for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Connell took the ball away from double coverage.
14. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 16:04 · DAL 2 · Score 14-35
    B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Turk, Holder-M.Turk.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · WAS 1 · Score 20-35
    (15:00) E.Smith left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 10:43 · WAS 2 · Score 21-35
    R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
17. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 6:15 · WAS 37 · Score 27-35
    (6:15) T.Aikman pass to M.Irvin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on WAS-D.Pounds, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
18. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 3:51 · WAS 2 · Score 28-35
    R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson.
19. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:50 · WAS 12 · Score 34-35
    (1:50) T.Aikman pass to M.Irvin for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:46 · WAS 2 · Score 35-35
    R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-E.Bjornson. Extra point banks in off the left upright.
21. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — OT 12:47 · WAS 76 · Score 41-35
    (12:47) T.Aikman pass to R.Ismail for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.