Game story
In Week 12 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-12-02, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 20–14 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Banks (Washington Commanders) paced the passing game, with +1.74 total EPA.
On the individual side, R. Ismail (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.25 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+23.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Washington Commanders changed the game: (1:48) 12-T.Banks right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Ismail · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.25 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.06 EPA/play
- 2 Q. Carter · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +7.09 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 3 M. Wiley · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.84 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
- 4 K. Lockett · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
- 5 T. Banks · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +2.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 6 T. Banks · Washington Commanders · Passing · +1.74 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
- 7 M. Westbrook · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 8 R. Gardner · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Ismail — DAL · Receiving
R. Ismail posted the highest total EPA (+8.25) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.06 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.75 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (6:32) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Smith
- Washington Commanders — T. Banks
- Dallas Cowboys — R. Ismail (Q. Carter pass)
- Washington Commanders — R. Gardner (T. Banks pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Hilbert
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Hilbert
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 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 5 (Q1 52:54) — (7:54) 22-E.Smith right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 52:48) — 9-J.Hilbert extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q3 16:48) — (1:48) 12-T.Banks right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 16:42) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 13–7. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the WAS 20 (Q4 14:14) — (14:14) 9-J.Hilbert 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 64 (Q4 6:32) — (6:32) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 6:23) — 9-J.Hilbert extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the WAS 21 (Q4 3:15) — (3:15) 9-J.Hilbert 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 15 (Q4 0:59) — (:59) (Shotgun) 12-T.Banks pass to 87-R.Gardner for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 0:53) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 16:48) — (1:48) 12-T.Banks right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:32) — (6:32) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:45) — (:45) 32-M.Wiley right end to WAS 17 for 46 yards (21-F.Smoot).
- Washington Commanders (Q3 17:14) — (2:14) 48-S.Davis up the middle to DAL 1 for 1 yard (52-D.Coakley).
- Washington Commanders (Q3 19:11) — (4:11) 12-T.Banks pass to 48-S.Davis pushed ob at DAL 1 for 29 yards (31-G.Teague).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:32) — (6:32) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 4:21) — (4:21) (Shotgun) 12-T.Banks pass intended for 23-K.Carter INTERCEPTED by 43-I.Reese at DAL 37. 43-I.Reese to WAS 21 for 42 yards (88-D.Thompson).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:45) — (:45) 32-M.Wiley right end to WAS 17 for 46 yards (21-F.Smoot).
- Washington Commanders (Q4 0:59) — (:59) (Shotgun) 12-T.Banks pass to 87-R.Gardner for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
T.Banks led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Banks (Washington Commanders) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.74 total EPA
- Q.Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 17 dropbacks · 41.2% completion · +0.42 EPA/play · +7.09 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.123 | +0.013 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.0% | 44.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.417 | +0.043 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.043 | -0.098 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.013 | -0.123 |
| Defensive success rate | 55.3% | 59.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Dallas Cowboys generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs +0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, +9.61 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 10 drives, +1.00 total EPA, 2 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.
- R. Ismail (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.
- Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 52:54 · WAS 5 · Score 6-0
(7:54) 22-E.Smith right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 52:48 · WAS 2 · Score 7-0
9-J.Hilbert extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 16:48 · DAL 1 · Score 7-6
(1:48) 12-T.Banks right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 16:42 · DAL 2 · Score 7-7
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 14:14 · WAS 20 · Score 10-7
(14:14) 9-J.Hilbert 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 6:32 · WAS 64 · Score 16-7
(6:32) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 6:23 · WAS 2 · Score 17-7
9-J.Hilbert extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 3:15 · WAS 21 · Score 20-7
(3:15) 9-J.Hilbert 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 0:59 · DAL 15 · Score 20-13
(:59) (Shotgun) 12-T.Banks pass to 87-R.Gardner for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 0:53 · DAL 2 · Score 20-14
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 20-14 in Week 12, 2001 on 2001-12-02.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 20, Washington Commanders 14 (DAL 20-14 WAS) in Week 12, 2001 on 2001-12-02.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 0; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 7; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 13, Washington Commanders 7; Final: Dallas Cowboys 20, Washington Commanders 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Smith (Q1 52:54) Washington Commanders touchdown — T. Banks (Q3 16:48) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — R. Ismail (Q. Carter pass) (Q4 6:32) Washington Commanders touchdown — R. Gardner (T. Banks pass) (Q4 0:59) Dallas Cowboys field goal — J. Hilbert (Q4 14:14, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — J. Hilbert (Q4 3:15, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
T. Banks (Washington Commanders), 42.5% completion, +0.04 EPA per dropback, +1.74 total passing EPA. Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys), 41.2% completion, +0.42 EPA per dropback, +7.09 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
R. Ismail (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +8.25 on receiving plays. across 4 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.75 EPA): (6:32) (Shotgun) 17-Q.Carter pass to 81-R.Ismail for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +23.4%.
Was Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Dallas Cowboys won 20-14 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 2-8 Now 3-8 W
Washington Commanders
Entered 5-5 Now 5-6 L
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