Game story
In Week 9 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-11-03, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 27–23 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +5.91 total EPA, and -1.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.29 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+22.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (1:30) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 88-D.Bryant to MIN 21 for 34 yards (35-M.Sherels).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 23 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.29 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 2 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +5.91 total EPA · 57 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 3 C. Ponder · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +4.74 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 4 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.55 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 5 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.60 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.80 EPA/play
- 6 A. Peterson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.70 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
- 7 L. Dunbar · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.67 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
- 8 D. Harris · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.38 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Witten — DAL · Receiving
J. Witten posted the highest total EPA (+7.29) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +0.73 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.26 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (11:36) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN -4 for -9 yards (99-G.Selvie). FUMBLES (99-G.Selvie), RECOVERED by DAL-96-N.Hayden at MIN -3. TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — C. Ponder
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — C. Ponder
- Minnesota Vikings — K. Rudolph (C. Ponder pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Harris (T. Romo pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey
- Minnesota Vikings — B. Walsh
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey
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 3–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the MIN 23 (Q1 51:56) — (6:56) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DAL 5 (Q1 47:11) — (2:11) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the MIN 26 (Q2 36:41) — (6:41) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q2 31:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder scrambles up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 31:41) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke..
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the MIN 26 (Q3 26:43) — (11:43) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 26:38) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 95 (Q3 26:36) — (11:36) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN -4 for -9 yards (99-G.Selvie). FUMBLES (99-G.Selvie), RECOVERED by DAL-96-N.Hayden at MIN -3. TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 26:28) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 31 (Q3 23:22); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 23:11) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–6. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DAL 11 (Q4 5:49); Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the MIN 7 (Q4 0:42) — (:42) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-D.Harris for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 0:35) — 5-D.Bailey extra point 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 1:30) — (1:30) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 88-D.Bryant to MIN 21 for 34 yards (35-M.Sherels).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:42) — (:42) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-D.Harris for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:41) — (8:41) 28-A.Peterson right end to DAL 20 for 52 yards (32-O.Scandrick).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 5:49) — (5:49) 28-A.Peterson right tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 26:36) — (11:36) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN -4 for -9 yards (99-G.Selvie). FUMBLES (99-G.Selvie), RECOVERED by DAL-96-N.Hayden at MIN -3. TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 26:36) — (11:36) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN -4 for -9 yards (99-G.Selvie). FUMBLES (99-G.Selvie), RECOVERED by DAL-96-N.Hayden at MIN -3. TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 43:38) — (13:38) 28-A.Peterson right tackle to DAL 16 for no gain (50-S.Lee, 96-N.Hayden).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 23:22) — (8:22) 7-C.Ponder pass deep middle to 82-K.Rudolph for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. MIN-82-K.Rudolph was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. Pass complete at the Dallas 10 before turning upfi
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:41) — (8:41) 28-A.Peterson right end to DAL 20 for 52 yards (32-O.Scandrick).
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) · 57 dropbacks · 59.6% completion · -1.8% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +5.91 total EPA
- C.Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) · 44 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · +3.5% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +4.74 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.009 | +0.033 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.1% | 46.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.108 | +0.104 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.096 | -0.488 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.033 | -0.009 |
| Defensive success rate | 53.1% | 52.9% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings +0.01, Dallas Cowboys +0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +2.67 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, +0.79 total EPA, 5 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.
- J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- C. Ponder (MIN) 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.
- Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 51:56 · MIN 23 · Score 0-3
(6:56) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 47:11 · DAL 5 · Score 3-3
(2:11) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Walsh 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 36:41 · MIN 26 · Score 3-6
(6:41) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 31:47 · DAL 6 · Score 9-6
(1:47) (Shotgun) 7-C.Ponder scrambles up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 31:41 · DAL 2 · Score 10-6
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 26:43 · MIN 26 · Score 10-12
(11:43) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 26:38 · MIN 2 · Score 10-13
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 26:36 · DAL 95 · Score 10-19
(11:36) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN -4 for -9 yards (99-G.Selvie). FUMBLES (99-G.Selvie), RECOVERED by DAL-96-N.Hayden at MIN -3. TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 26:28 · MIN 2 · Score 10-20
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 23:22 · DAL 31 · Score 16-20
(8:22) 7-C.Ponder pass deep middle to 82-K.Rudolph for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. MIN-82-K.Rudolph was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. Pass compl - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 23:11 · DAL 2 · Score 17-20
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 5:49 · DAL 11 · Score 23-20
(5:49) 28-A.Peterson right tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 0:42 · MIN 7 · Score 23-26
(:42) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-D.Harris for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 0:35 · MIN 2 · Score 23-27
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-23 in Week 9, 2013 on 2013-11-03.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 23, Dallas Cowboys 27 (MIN 23-27 DAL) in Week 9, 2013 on 2013-11-03.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 3, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 7, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 7, Dallas Cowboys 14; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 6, Dallas Cowboys 7; Final: Minnesota Vikings 23, Dallas Cowboys 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Ponder (Q2 31:47) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q3 26:43) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Ponder (Q3 26:36) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Rudolph (C. Ponder pass) (Q3 23:22) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Peterson (Q4 5:49) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Harris (T. Romo pass) (Q4 0:42) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q1 51:56, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — B. Walsh (Q1 47:11, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q2 36:41, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys?
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 59.6% completion, -1.8% CPOE, +0.10 EPA per dropback, +5.91 total passing EPA. C. Ponder (Minnesota Vikings), 56.8% completion, +3.5% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +4.74 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys?
J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +7.29 on receiving plays. across 10 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.26 EPA): (11:36) 7-C.Ponder sacked at MIN -4 for -9 yards (99-G.Selvie). FUMBLES (99-G.Selvie), RECOVERED by DAL-96-N.Hayden at MIN -3. TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +22.5%.
Was Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Dallas Cowboys won 27-23 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 1-6 Now 1-7 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 4-4 Now 5-4 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
