Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2004 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-10-31, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 31–21 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Harrington (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +4.77 total EPA.

On the individual side, V. Testaverde (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.68 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-25.2% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (8:29) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 32-D.Bly at DET 45. 32-D.Bly for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return right sideline for the score.

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 V. Testaverde · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +11.68 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Johnson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +11.65 total EPA · 3 snaps · +3.88 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +10.06 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Hakim · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.37 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Kircus · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.85 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Harrington · Detroit Lions · Passing · +4.77 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
7. 7 V. Testaverde · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +3.18 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Swinton · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.58 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

• Detroit Lions — K. Jones (J. Harrington pass) (Q1 56:05)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (V. Testaverde pass) (Q1 46:13)
• Detroit Lions — D. Bly (Q2 38:29)
• Dallas Cowboys — K. Johnson (V. Testaverde pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — V. Testaverde (Q3 29:42)
• Detroit Lions — D. Kircus (J. Harrington pass) (Q4 5:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — K. Johnson (V. Testaverde pass) (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q4 7:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 56:05); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 56:02) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 17 (Q1 46:13) — (1:13) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 82-J.Witten for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught middle at the 6 before running into the end zone.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 46:07) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 51 (Q2 38:29); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 38:18) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 26 (Q2 32:00); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 31:54) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q3 29:42); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 29:37) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 22 (Q4 7:03) — (7:03) 3-B.Cundiff 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 50 (Q4 5:38); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 5:29) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 38 (Q4 2:00); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 1:54) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 38:29) — (8:29) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 32-D.Bly at DET 45. 32-D.Bly for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return right sideline for the score. [WPA -25.2% · EPA -8.69]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 19-K.Johnson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant caught at the 12 before breaking a tackle and running into the end zone. [WPA +15.8% · EPA +4.62]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 5:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 87-D.Kircus for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left side on curl at the 30 before turning up field. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.85]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:21) — (:21) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 31-B.Marion at DET 5. 31-B.Marion to DET 17 for 12 yards (77-T.Tucker). PENALTY on DET-31-B.Marion, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 8 yards [WPA -14.6% · EPA -3.67]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 29:52) — (14:52) 16-V.Testaverde pass incomplete to 19-K.Johnson. Flea-flicker. Lee took the handoff and ran right before passing back to Testaverde PENALTY on DET-29-C.Cash, Defensive Pass Interference, 43 ya [WPA +12.1% · EPA +2.99]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 38:29) — (8:29) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 32-D.Bly at DET 45. 32-D.Bly for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return right sideline for the score. [WPA -25.2% · EPA -8.69]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 19-K.Johnson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Deep post middle. This is the seventh two-touchdown game for Johnson in his career. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +5.41]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 5:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 87-D.Kircus for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left side on curl at the 30 before turning up field. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.85]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 19-K.Johnson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant caught at the 12 before breaking a tackle and running into the end zone. [WPA +15.8% · EPA +4.62]

Quarterback report card

J.Harrington led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 34 dropbacks · 55.9% completion · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.77 total EPA
• V.Testaverde (Dallas Cowboys) · 28 dropbacks · 67.9% completion · +0.42 EPA/play · +11.68 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +8.31 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +0.73 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.
• V. Testaverde (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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 56:05 · DAL 1 · Score 6-0
   (11:05) 3-J.Harrington pass to 34-K.Jones for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play action pass play; ball caught three yards deep right side of the end zone.This is Jones' f
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 56:02 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 46:13 · DET 17 · Score 7-6
   (1:13) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 82-J.Witten for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught middle at the 6 before running into the end zone.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 46:07 · DET 2 · Score 7-7
   3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 38:29 · DET 51 · Score 13-7
   (8:29) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 32-D.Bly at DET 45. 32-D.Bly for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Return right sideline for the score.
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 38:18 · DAL 2 · Score 14-7
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · DET 26 · Score 14-13
   (2:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 19-K.Johnson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant caught at the 12 before breaking a tackle and running into the end zone.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 31:54 · DET 2 · Score 14-14
   3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 29:42 · DET 3 · Score 14-20
   (14:42) 16-V.Testaverde right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The TD run is Testaverde's first rushing touchdown since Dec. 6, 1998 when he was with the Jets
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 29:37 · DET 2 · Score 14-21
    3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson.
11. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 7:03 · DET 22 · Score 14-24
    (7:03) 3-B.Cundiff 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson.
12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 5:38 · DAL 50 · Score 20-24
    (5:38) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 87-D.Kircus for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left side on curl at the 30 before turning up field.
13. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 5:29 · DAL 2 · Score 21-24
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · DET 38 · Score 21-30
    (2:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 19-K.Johnson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Deep post middle. This is the seventh two-touchdown game for Johnson in his career.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:54 · DET 2 · Score 21-31
    3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-7-D.Henson.