Game story
In Week 15 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-12-18, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 35–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -16.03 total EPA.
On the individual side, C. Cooley (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.80 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-14.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (10:53) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 84-P.Crayton INTERCEPTED by 96-C.Griffin (93-P.Daniels) at DAL 21. 96-C.Griffin to DAL 21 for no gain (82-J.Witten).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Washington Commanders | 7 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Cooley · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +11.80 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
- 2 M. Brunell · Washington Commanders · Passing · +11.06 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
- 3 S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +6.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.15 EPA/play
- 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 5 P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.46 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.46 EPA/play
- 6 K. Johnson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.55 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
- 7 T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.08 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
- 8 M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Cooley — WAS · Receiving
C. Cooley posted the highest total EPA (+11.80) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Washington Commanders's efficiency. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.97 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.50 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (:40) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 21-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 53-M.Washington at WAS 21. 53-M.Washington to DAL 38 for 41 yards (82-J.Witten). Penalty on DAL-73-L.Allen, Tripping, declined.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Washington Commanders — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass)
- Washington Commanders — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass)
- Washington Commanders — M. Sellers (M. Brunell pass)
- Washington Commanders — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass)
- Washington Commanders — L. Betts
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (D. Bledsoe pass)
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 8 (Q1 53:51) — (8:51) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 53:44) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 21–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q2 39:46) — (9:46) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 39:40) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q2 31:30) — (1:30) 8-M.Brunell pass to 45-M.Sellers for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 31:25) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 30 (Q2 30:21) — (:21) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:12) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q3 25:20) — (10:20) 46-L.Betts left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 25:15) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 2 (Q4 12:15) — (12:15) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 12:10) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:53) — (10:53) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 84-P.Crayton INTERCEPTED by 96-C.Griffin (93-P.Daniels) at DAL 21. 96-C.Griffin to DAL 21 for no gain (82-J.Witten).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:27) — (4:27) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 84-P.Crayton to WAS 12 for 24 yards (23-O.Stoutmire).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 41:51) — (11:51) 8-M.Brunell pass to 89-S.Moss to DAL 1 for 42 yards (26-A.Glenn).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:04) — (2:04) 3-B.Cundiff 38 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:40) — (:40) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 21-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 53-M.Washington at WAS 21. 53-M.Washington to DAL 38 for 41 yards (82-J.Witten). Penalty on DAL-73-L.Allen, Tripping, declined.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:40) — (:40) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 21-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 53-M.Washington at WAS 21. 53-M.Washington to DAL 38 for 41 yards (82-J.Witten). Penalty on DAL-73-L.Allen, Tripping, declined.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:37) — (:37) 21-J.Jones left end pushed ob at WAS 28 for 51 yards (21-S.Taylor). PENALTY on WAS-21-S.Taylor, Face Mask (15 Yards), 14 yards, enforced at WAS 28.
- Washington Commanders (Q2 30:21) — (:21) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 8:07) — (8:07) 46-L.Betts left tackle to DAL 33 for 4 yards (55-R.Fowler). FUMBLES (55-R.Fowler), touched at DAL 37, RECOVERED by DAL-55-R.Fowler at DAL 37. 55-R.Fowler to DAL 46 for 9 yards (45-M.Sellers).WA
Quarterback report card
D.Bledsoe led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys) · 37 dropbacks · 43.2% completion · -0.43 EPA/play · -16.03 total EPA
- M.Brunell (Washington Commanders) · 21 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +0.53 EPA/play · +11.06 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.238 | +0.097 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.3% | 44.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.433 | +0.527 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.118 | -0.095 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.097 | +0.238 |
| Defensive success rate | 55.3% | 61.7% |
By the numbers
Washington Commanders held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.24), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, -19.28 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 13 drives, +7.40 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Washington Commanders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- C. Cooley (Washington Commanders) 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.
- Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 53:51 · DAL 8 · Score 0-6
(8:51) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 53:44 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 39:46 · DAL 2 · Score 0-13
(9:46) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 39:40 · DAL 2 · Score 0-14
10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 31:30 · DAL 3 · Score 0-20
(1:30) 8-M.Brunell pass to 45-M.Sellers for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 31:25 · DAL 2 · Score 0-21
10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 30:21 · DAL 30 · Score 0-27
(:21) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 30:12 · DAL 2 · Score 0-28
10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 25:20 · DAL 1 · Score 0-34
(10:20) 46-L.Betts left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 25:15 · DAL 2 · Score 0-35
10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 12:15 · WAS 2 · Score 6-35
(12:15) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 12:10 · WAS 2 · Score 7-35
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The Washington Commanders beat the Dallas Cowboys 35-7 in Week 15, 2005 on 2005-12-18.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 35 (DAL 7-35 WAS) in Week 15, 2005 on 2005-12-18.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 7; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 21; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 7; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 0; Final: Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 35.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Washington Commanders touchdown — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass) (Q1 53:51) Washington Commanders touchdown — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass) (Q2 39:46) Washington Commanders touchdown — M. Sellers (M. Brunell pass) (Q2 31:30) Washington Commanders touchdown — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass) (Q2 30:21) Washington Commanders touchdown — L. Betts (Q3 25:20) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Witten (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q4 12:15) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
D. Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys), 43.2% completion, -0.43 EPA per dropback, -16.03 total passing EPA. M. Brunell (Washington Commanders), 57.1% completion, +0.53 EPA per dropback, +11.06 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
C. Cooley (Washington Commanders) led the game in total EPA with +11.80 on receiving plays. across 6 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.50 EPA): (:40) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 21-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 53-M.Washington at WAS 21. 53-M.Washington to DAL 38 for 41 yards (82-J.Witten). Penalty on DAL-73-L.Allen, Tripping,. The biggest win-probability swing was -14.3%.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 8-5 Now 8-6 L
Washington Commanders
Entered 7-6 Now 8-6 W
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