Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2000 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2000 NFL season on 2000-11-23, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 27–15 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -0.88 total EPA.

On the individual side, R. Moss (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+55.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: M.Berger kicks 58 yards from MIN 30 to DAL 12. J.Tucker to DAL 29 for 17 yards (T.Carter).

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 R. Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.90 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Culpepper · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +7.60 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Smith · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +6.71 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
4. 4 J. McWilliams · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
5. 5 D. LaFleur · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
6. 6 J. McKnight · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.30 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Aikman · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Tucker · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.00 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.13 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

• Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q2 32:00)
• Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q3 27:32)
• Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q3 15:25)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 2:36)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q1 55:48)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 42:37)
• Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q2 38:21)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 30:04)
• Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q3 21:19)

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 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the MIN 19 (Q1 55:48) — (10:48) T.Seder 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-B.Cantrell..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–6. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the MIN 26 (Q2 42:37) — (12:37) T.Seder 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-B.Cantrell.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DAL 31 (Q2 38:21) — (8:21) G.Anderson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 15 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) R.Smith left tackle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 31:52) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the MIN 19 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) T.Seder 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-B.Cantrell..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 17–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q3 27:32) — (12:32) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 27:25) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DAL 11 (Q3 21:19) — (6:19) G.Anderson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 36 (Q3 15:25); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 15:18) — G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 6–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the MIN 6 (Q4 2:36) — (2:36) T.Aikman pass to D.LaFleur for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant from left side..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 60:00) — M.Berger kicks 58 yards from MIN 30 to DAL 12. J.Tucker to DAL 29 for 17 yards (T.Carter). [WPA +55.3% · EPA +0.75]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 33:08) — (3:08) (Shotgun) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss to DAL 25 for 52 yards (G.Myers). Pass caught left side of the field. [WPA +13.4% · EPA +2.83]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:13) — (:13) T.Aikman pass to C.Warren to MIN 19 for 4 yards (K.Wong). [WPA +11.8% · EPA -4.64]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 25:12) — (10:12) E.Smith right tackle to DAL 46 for 6 yards (R.Griffith). FUMBLES (R.Griffith), touched at DAL 46, RECOVERED by MIN-T.Sawyer at MIN 48. T.Sawyer to MIN 48 for no gain (J.Harris). Emmitt Smith o [WPA -11.7% · EPA -3.85]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:39) — (:39) T.Aikman pass to J.McKnight to MIN 40 for 18 yards (C.Dishman). Slant from right end. [WPA +9.5% · EPA +1.33]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:13) — (:13) T.Aikman pass to C.Warren to MIN 19 for 4 yards (K.Wong). [WPA +11.8% · EPA -4.64]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 15:25) — (:25) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught right corner of end zone. Play Challenged by DAL and Upheld. (Timeout #2 at 00:18.) [WPA +4.2% · EPA +4.33]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 25:12) — (10:12) E.Smith right tackle to DAL 46 for 6 yards (R.Griffith). FUMBLES (R.Griffith), touched at DAL 46, RECOVERED by MIN-T.Sawyer at MIN 48. T.Sawyer to MIN 48 for no gain (J.Harris). Emmitt Smith o [WPA -11.7% · EPA -3.85]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 8:45) — (8:45) T.Aikman pass intended for W.McGarity INTERCEPTED by R.Griffith at MIN 15. R.Griffith to MIN 40 for 25 yards (D.Hodge). [WPA -1.8% · EPA -3.46]

Quarterback report card

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

• T.Aikman (Dallas Cowboys) · 46 dropbacks · 65.2% completion · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.88 total EPA
• D.Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 26 dropbacks · 57.7% completion · +0.29 EPA/play · +7.60 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs -0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, -2.41 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, +17.69 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Moss (Minnesota Vikings) 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. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 55:48 · MIN 19 · Score 0-3
   (10:48) T.Seder 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-B.Cantrell.
2. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 42:37 · MIN 26 · Score 0-6
   (12:37) T.Seder 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-B.Cantrell.
3. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 38:21 · DAL 31 · Score 3-6
   (8:21) G.Anderson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.
4. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · DAL 15 · Score 9-6
   (2:00) R.Smith left tackle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 31:52 · DAL 2 · Score 10-6
   G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.
6. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · MIN 19 · Score 10-9
   (:04) T.Seder 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-B.Cantrell.
7. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 27:32 · DAL 7 · Score 16-9
   (12:32) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 27:25 · DAL 2 · Score 17-9
   G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.
9. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 21:19 · DAL 11 · Score 20-9
   (6:19) G.Anderson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.
10. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 15:25 · DAL 36 · Score 26-9
    (:25) D.Culpepper pass to R.Moss for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught right corner of end zone. Play Challenged by DAL and Upheld. (Timeout #2 at 00:18.)
11. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 15:18 · DAL 2 · Score 27-9
    G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Palmer, Holder-M.Berger.
12. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:36 · MIN 6 · Score 27-15
    (2:36) T.Aikman pass to D.LaFleur for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant from left side.