Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2010 Week 11 Recap

Game story

In Week 11 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-11-21, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 35–19 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

S. Hill (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +4.18 total EPA, and +9.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, N. Burleson (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-23.5% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (9:38) (Punt formation) 2-N.Harris punts 53 yards to DAL 3, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 37-B.McCann for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Wendling of Detroit tried to down the ball by batting it back toward the field be

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 N. Burleson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.06 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Kitna · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.87 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.44 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Kitna · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +4.24 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
4. 4 S. Hill · Detroit Lions · Passing · +4.18 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
6. 6 F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.70 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.53 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

• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (J. Kitna pass) (Q1 50:14)
• Detroit Lions — N. Burleson (Q2 30:24)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. McCann (Q3 24:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (J. Kitna pass) (Q3 21:39)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (Q3 19:17)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (J. Kitna pass) (Q4 11:20)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Kitna (Q4 3:26)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — D. Rayner (Q2 44:54)

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 DET 1 (Q1 50:14) — (5:14) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short right to 88-D.Bryant for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 50:10) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 29 (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-D.Rayner 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 9 (Q2 30:24); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:17) — 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–9. Detroit Lions registered a safety from the DET 96 (Q3 26:32); Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 56 (Q3 24:38); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 24:16) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q3 21:39) — (6:39) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short right to 19-M.Austin for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 21:33) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 14 (Q3 19:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 81-C.Johnson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on post pattern.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 19:10) — 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q4 11:20); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 11:15) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 29 (Q4 3:26) — (3:26) 3-J.Kitna left end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Kitna on the bootleg.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 3:17) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q3 24:38) — (9:38) (Punt formation) 2-N.Harris punts 53 yards to DAL 3, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 37-B.McCann for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Wendling of Detroit tried to down the ball by batting it back toward the field be [WPA -23.5% · EPA -6.02]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:48) — (:48) 28-F.Jones up the middle to DAL 12 for 8 yards (93-K.Vanden Bosch). FUMBLES (93-K.Vanden Bosch), RECOVERED by DET-54-D.Levy at DAL 14. [WPA -15.5% · EPA -4.16]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 23:46) — (8:46) 45-J.Felton up the middle to DET 17 for 5 yards (50-S.Lee). FUMBLES (50-S.Lee), RECOVERED by DAL-97-J.Hatcher at DET 19. 97-J.Hatcher to DET 19 for no gain (45-J.Felton). [WPA -14.9% · EPA -4.04]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:32) — (11:32) 3-J.Kitna pass short right to 24-M.Barber pushed ob at DAL 4 for no gain (58-A.Palmer). PENALTY on DAL-70-L.Davis, Offensive Holding, 4 yards, enforced in End Zone, SAFETY - No Play. [WPA -12.6% · EPA -1.76]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 20:18) — (5:18) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep left to 13-N.Burleson to DAL 12 for 58 yards (43-G.Sensabaugh). Pass complete on a Go pattern. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +5.41]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q3 24:38) — (9:38) (Punt formation) 2-N.Harris punts 53 yards to DAL 3, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 37-B.McCann for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Wendling of Detroit tried to down the ball by batting it back toward the field be [WPA -23.5% · EPA -6.02]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 20:18) — (5:18) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep left to 13-N.Burleson to DAL 12 for 58 yards (43-G.Sensabaugh). Pass complete on a Go pattern. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +5.41]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 3:26) — (3:26) 3-J.Kitna left end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Kitna on the bootleg. [WPA +3.8% · EPA +4.87]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:48) — (:48) 28-F.Jones up the middle to DAL 12 for 8 yards (93-K.Vanden Bosch). FUMBLES (93-K.Vanden Bosch), RECOVERED by DET-54-D.Levy at DAL 14. [WPA -15.5% · EPA -4.16]

Quarterback report card

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

• S.Hill (Detroit Lions) · 50 dropbacks · 64.0% completion · +9.2% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +4.18 total EPA
• J.Kitna (Dallas Cowboys) · 31 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +14.8% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.24 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 -0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +8.17 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -8.18 total EPA, 4 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.
• N. Burleson (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• S. Hill (DET) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Kitna (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.

1. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 50:14 · DET 1 · Score 0-6
   (5:14) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short right to 88-D.Bryant for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 50:10 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
   18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
3. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 44:54 · DAL 29 · Score 3-7
   (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-D.Rayner 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 30:24 · DAL 9 · Score 9-7
   (:24) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 13-N.Burleson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught at the Dallas 2 before running into the end zone.
5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 30:17 · DAL 2 · Score 10-7
   3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
6. Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q3 26:32 · DET 96 · Score 12-7
   (11:32) 3-J.Kitna pass short right to 24-M.Barber pushed ob at DAL 4 for no gain (58-A.Palmer). PENALTY on DAL-70-L.Davis, Offensive Holding, 4 yards, enforced
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 24:38 · DAL 56 · Score 12-13
   (9:38) (Punt formation) 2-N.Harris punts 53 yards to DAL 3, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 37-B.McCann for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Wendling of Detroit tried to down the bal
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 24:16 · DET 2 · Score 12-14
   18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 21:39 · DET 3 · Score 12-20
   (6:39) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short right to 19-M.Austin for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 21:33 · DET 2 · Score 12-21
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 19:17 · DAL 14 · Score 18-21
    (4:17) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 81-C.Johnson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on post pattern.
12. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 19:10 · DAL 2 · Score 19-21
    3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 11:20 · DET 4 · Score 19-27
    (11:20) 3-J.Kitna pass short right to 19-M.Austin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown pass thrown between two defenders right side of the end zone.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 11:15 · DET 2 · Score 19-28
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 3:26 · DET 29 · Score 19-34
    (3:26) 3-J.Kitna left end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Kitna on the bootleg.
16. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 3:17 · DET 2 · Score 19-35
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.