Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2018 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-30, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 26–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +8.73 total EPA, and -1.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.31 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+34.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

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 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +16.31 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
2. 2 G. Tate · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +13.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +8.73 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.68 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.17 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Golladay · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.24 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.06 EPA/play
6. 6 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.46 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.14 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.36 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 — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 45:30)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 31:48)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Swaim (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 18:01)
• Detroit Lions — K. Johnson (Q4 14:26)
• Detroit Lions — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 2:24)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — B. Maher (Q1 49:34)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Maher (Q2 41:06)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 32:54)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Maher (Q4 5:52)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Maher (Q4 0:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 14 (Q1 49:34) — (4:34) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 45 (Q1 45:30); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 45:19) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 25 (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 15 (Q2 32:54) — (2:54) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 38 (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 31:39) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q3 18:01) — (3:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 87-G.Swaim for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 17:59) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–6. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 8 (Q4 14:26) — (14:26) 33-K.Johnson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL-38-J.Heath was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 14:20) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 4 (Q4 5:52); Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 38 (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 2:17) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 20 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. [WPA +34.8% · EPA +0.34]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.1% · EPA +4.42]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 21-E.Elliott to DET 25 for 34 yards (40-J.Davis). [WPA +19.0% · EPA +2.36]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 45:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. [WPA +18.0% · EPA +4.91]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +3.80]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 45:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. [WPA +18.0% · EPA +4.91]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.1% · EPA +4.42]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +3.80]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 39:58) — (9:58) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 11-M.Jones pushed ob at DET 47 for 34 yards (24-C.Awuzie). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +3.21]

Quarterback report card

D.Prescott led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · -1.2% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +8.73 total EPA
• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 34 dropbacks · 70.6% completion · +13.2% CPOE · +0.48 EPA/play · +16.31 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions +0.18, Dallas Cowboys +0.17) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, +13.91 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 8 drives, +12.72 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 49:34 · DET 14 · Score 0-3
   (4:34) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 45:30 · DAL 45 · Score 6-3
   (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.
3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 45:19 · DAL 15 · Score 7-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
4. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 41:06 · DET 25 · Score 7-6
   (11:06) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
5. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 32:54 · DAL 15 · Score 10-6
   (2:54) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
6. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 31:48 · DET 38 · Score 10-12
   (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 31:39 · DET 15 · Score 10-13
   2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 18:01 · DET 1 · Score 10-19
   (3:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 87-G.Swaim for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].
9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 17:59 · DET 15 · Score 10-20
   2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 14:26 · DAL 8 · Score 16-20
    (14:26) 33-K.Johnson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL-38-J.Heath was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
11. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 14:20 · DAL 15 · Score 17-20
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 5:52 · DET 4 · Score 17-23
    (5:52) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. Injury updates: Jeff Heath has a shoulder injury; h
13. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 2:24 · DAL 38 · Score 23-23
    (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 2:17 · DAL 15 · Score 24-23
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
15. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · DET 20 · Score 24-26
    (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.