Game story
In Week 11 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-11-16, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 14–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Campbell (Washington Commanders) paced the passing game, with -8.60 total EPA, and +0.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Austin (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-13.7% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Washington Commanders changed the game: (8:29) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short right intended for 89-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 41-T.Newman at DAL 33. 41-T.Newman to DAL 33 for no gain (89-S.Moss).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Washington Commanders | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.04 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.02 EPA/play
- 2 M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.87 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
- 3 M. Bennett · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.03 EPA/play
- 4 L. Betts · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
- 5 Roy E.Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.47 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 6 J. Campbell · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +2.33 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.33 EPA/play
- 7 C. Cooley · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 8 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.21 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Austin — DAL · Receiving
M. Austin posted the highest total EPA (+4.04) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +2.02 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.54 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (9:47) 9-T.Romo pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 52-R.McIntosh (22-C.Rogers) [30-L.Landry] at WAS 16. 52-R.McIntosh to WAS 20 for 4 yards (24-M.Barber).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Washington Commanders — M. Sellers (J. Campbell pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber
- Dallas Cowboys — M. Bennett (T. Romo pass)
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — S. Suisham
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 2 (Q1 52:38) — (7:38) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 45-M.Sellers for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 52:32) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-1-R.Plackemeier..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 2 (Q2 31:06); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 31:01) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DAL 23 (Q2 30:09) — (:09) 6-S.Suisham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-1-R.Plackemeier..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 25 (Q4 10:43) — (10:43) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 80-M.Bennett for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 10:36) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 23:29) — (8:29) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short right intended for 89-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 41-T.Newman at DAL 33. 41-T.Newman to DAL 33 for no gain (89-S.Moss).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:43) — (10:43) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 80-M.Bennett for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 6:46) — (6:46) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass incomplete short right to 89-S.Moss (41-T.Newman).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 31:01) — 6-N.Folk kicks 65 yards from DAL 30 to WAS 5. 31-R.Cartwright pushed ob at DAL 37 for 58 yards (32-O.Scandrick).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:49) — (2:49) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 24-M.Barber to WAS 26 for 10 yards (30-L.Landry, 52-R.McIntosh).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 39:47) — (9:47) 9-T.Romo pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 52-R.McIntosh (22-C.Rogers) [30-L.Landry] at WAS 16. 52-R.McIntosh to WAS 20 for 4 yards (24-M.Barber).
- Washington Commanders (Q3 23:29) — (8:29) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short right intended for 89-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 41-T.Newman at DAL 33. 41-T.Newman to DAL 33 for no gain (89-S.Moss).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 46:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 23-D.Hall at WAS 18. 23-D.Hall to WAS 20 for 2 yards (81-T.Owens).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens to WAS 2 for 25 yards (30-L.Landry; 27-F.Smoot).
Quarterback report card
J.Campbell led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Campbell (Washington Commanders) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +0.1% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -8.60 total EPA
- T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 29 dropbacks · 65.5% completion · +7.8% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +1.64 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.039 | -0.125 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.8% | 40.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.057 | -0.245 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.055 | +0.129 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.125 | +0.039 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.4% | 52.2% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Dallas Cowboys generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.04 vs -0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, -2.72 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 9 drives, -8.63 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.
- M. Austin (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Romo (DAL) 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.
- Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 52:38 · DAL 2 · Score 0-6
(7:38) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 45-M.Sellers for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 52:32 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-1-R.Plackemeier. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 31:06 · WAS 2 · Score 6-7
(1:06) (Shotgun) 24-M.Barber left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 31:01 · WAS 2 · Score 7-7
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 30:09 · DAL 23 · Score 7-10
(:09) 6-S.Suisham 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-1-R.Plackemeier. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 10:43 · WAS 25 · Score 13-10
(10:43) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 80-M.Bennett for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 10:36 · WAS 2 · Score 14-10
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 14-10 in Week 11, 2008 on 2008-11-16.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 14, Washington Commanders 10 (DAL 14-10 WAS) in Week 11, 2008 on 2008-11-16.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 7; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 3; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 0; Final: Dallas Cowboys 14, Washington Commanders 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Washington Commanders touchdown — M. Sellers (J. Campbell pass) (Q1 52:38) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Barber (Q2 31:06) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Bennett (T. Romo pass) (Q4 10:43) Washington Commanders field goal — S. Suisham (Q2 30:09, 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?
J. Campbell (Washington Commanders), 61.1% completion, +0.1% CPOE, -0.24 EPA per dropback, -8.60 total passing EPA. T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 65.5% completion, +7.8% CPOE, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +1.64 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
M. Austin (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +4.04 on receiving plays. across 2 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.54 EPA): (9:47) 9-T.Romo pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 52-R.McIntosh (22-C.Rogers) [30-L.Landry] at WAS 16. 52-R.McIntosh to WAS 20 for 4 yards (24-M.Barber).. The biggest win-probability swing was -13.7%.
Was Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Dallas Cowboys won 14-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 5-4 Now 6-4 W
Washington Commanders
Entered 6-3 Now 6-4 L
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