Game story
In Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-09-12, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 13–7 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 7 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -6.83 total EPA, and +2.7% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Austin (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-28.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (:03) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 11-R.Williams for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by Penalty. PENALTY on DAL-71-A.Barron, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 13 - No Play.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Washington Commanders | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +11.04 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
- 2 S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +5.08 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 3 M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.73 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 4 F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 5 C. Gronkowski · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.18 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
- 6 C. Cooley · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +0.77 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 7 T. Choice · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +0.19 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
- 8 F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · -0.01 total EPA · 8 snaps · -0.00 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 (+11.04) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +1.00 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.00 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (:04) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 23-T.Choice to DAL 37 for 1 yard (23-D.Hall). FUMBLES (23-D.Hall), RECOVERED by WAS-23-D.Hall at DAL 32. 23-D.Hall for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Washington Commanders — T. Choice (T. Romo pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (T. Romo pass)
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — G. Gano
- Washington Commanders — G. Gano
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 3–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DAL 11 (Q1 49:29) — (4:29) 4-G.Gano 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-J.Bidwell..
The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the WAS 64 (Q2 30:04); Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:00) — 4-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-J.Bidwell..
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 4 (Q3 16:46) — (1:46) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 19-M.Austin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 16:41) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..
The fourth quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 3–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DAL 31 (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 4-G.Gano 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-J.Bidwell..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 11-R.Williams for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by Penalty. PENALTY on DAL-71-A.Barron, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at WAS 13 - No Play.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:19) — (:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 19-M.Austin to WAS 13 for 30 yards (31-P.Buchanon).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 23-T.Choice to DAL 37 for 1 yard (23-D.Hall). FUMBLES (23-D.Hall), RECOVERED by WAS-23-D.Hall at DAL 32. 23-D.Hall for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 82-J.Witten to WAS 43 for 6 yards (52-R.McIntosh).
- Washington Commanders (Q1 52:10) — (7:10) 5-D.McNabb scrambles left end ran ob at DAL 27 for 17 yards (20-A.Ball).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 23-T.Choice to DAL 37 for 1 yard (23-D.Hall). FUMBLES (23-D.Hall), RECOVERED by WAS-23-D.Hall at DAL 32. 23-D.Hall for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 44:26) — (14:26) 18-D.Buehler 34 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 54:26) — (9:26) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short middle to 89-S.Moss to WAS 38 for 16 yards (20-A.Ball, 56-B.James). PENALTY on DAL-90-J.Ratliff, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at WAS 38.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 24:21) — (9:21) (Field Goal formation) 6-J.Bidwell FUMBLES (Aborted) at DAL 13, and recovers at DAL 17. 6-J.Bidwell to DAL 17 for no gain (41-T.Newman).
Quarterback report card
T.Romo led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 52 dropbacks · 59.6% completion · +2.7% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -6.83 total EPA
- D.McNabb (Washington Commanders) · 37 dropbacks · 40.5% completion · -13.7% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -2.07 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.105 | -0.059 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.1% | 37.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.137 | -0.056 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.141 | -0.357 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.059 | +0.105 |
| Defensive success rate | 62.7% | 58.9% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Dallas Cowboys -0.10, Washington Commanders -0.06) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, -9.49 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 10 drives, -4.41 total EPA, 2 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.
- 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.
- D. McNabb (WAS) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 49:29 · DAL 11 · Score 0-3
(4:29) 4-G.Gano 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-J.Bidwell. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 30:04 · WAS 64 · Score 0-9
(:04) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 23-T.Choice to DAL 37 for 1 yard (23-D.Hall). FUMBLES (23-D.Hall), RECOVERED by WAS-23-D.Hall at DAL 32. 23-D.Hall - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · DAL 2 · Score 0-10
4-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-J.Bidwell. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 16:46 · WAS 4 · Score 6-10
(1:46) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 19-M.Austin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 16:41 · WAS 2 · Score 7-10
18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q4 1:56 · DAL 31 · Score 7-13
(1:56) 4-G.Gano 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-J.Bidwell.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The Washington Commanders beat the Dallas Cowboys 13-7 in Week 1, 2010 on 2010-09-12.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 13 (DAL 7-13 WAS) in Week 1, 2010 on 2010-09-12.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 3; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 7; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 0; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 0, Washington Commanders 3; Final: Dallas Cowboys 7, Washington Commanders 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders?
Washington Commanders touchdown — T. Choice (T. Romo pass) (Q2 30:04) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Austin (T. Romo pass) (Q3 16:46) Washington Commanders field goal — G. Gano (Q1 49:29, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — G. Gano (Q4 1:56, 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. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 59.6% completion, +2.7% CPOE, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -6.83 total passing EPA. D. McNabb (Washington Commanders), 40.5% completion, -13.7% CPOE, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -2.07 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 +11.04 on receiving plays. across 11 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.00 EPA): (:04) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 23-T.Choice to DAL 37 for 1 yard (23-D.Hall). FUMBLES (23-D.Hall), RECOVERED by WAS-23-D.Hall at DAL 32. 23-D.Hall for 32 yards, TOUCHD. The biggest win-probability swing was -28.3%.
Was Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Washington Commanders won 13-7 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Now 0-1 L
Washington Commanders
Now 1-0 W
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