Game story
In Week 13 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-11-29, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 13–10 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +6.49 total EPA, and +13.7% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.49 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-19.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (2:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Lewis [96-M.Collins] at NO 23. 27-J.Lewis to NO 16 for 7 yards (71-R.Ramczyk). The Replay Official r
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +6.49 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 2 M. Gallup · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.72 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 3 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.15 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 4 K. Kirkwood · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.94 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
- 5 B. Jarwin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
- 6 D. Arnold · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
- 7 N. Brown · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.74 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 8 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +0.54 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Prescott — DAL · Passing
D. Prescott posted the highest total EPA (+6.49) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 40 counted snaps, they averaged +0.16 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.15 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (2:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Lewis [96-M.Collins] at NO 23. 27-J.Lewis to NO 16 for 7 yards (71-R.Ramczyk). The Replay Official reviewed the intercep
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (D. Prescott pass)
- New Orleans Saints — K. Kirkwood (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Maher
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Maher
- New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz
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 10–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NO 8 (Q1 54:27) — (9:27) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NO 16 (Q1 46:05) — (1:05) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 45:57) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NO 28 (Q2 30:55) — (:55) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DAL 15 (Q3 25:03) — (10:03) (Field Goal formation) 3-W.Lutz 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DAL 30 (Q3 16:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 18-K.Kirkwood for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 16:08) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:16) — (2:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Lewis [96-M.Collins] at NO 23. 27-J.Lewis to NO 16 for 7 yards (71-R.Ramczyk). The Replay Official r
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:42) — (2:42) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott sacked at NO 15 for -9 yards (94-C.Jordan). FUMBLES (94-C.Jordan) [94-C.Jordan], RECOVERED by NO-94-C.Jordan at NO 15. Penalty on DAL-71-L.Collins, Offensive Holding, dec
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 56:25) — (11:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 13-M.Gallup to NO 6 for 40 yards (25-E.Apple).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 16:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 18-K.Kirkwood for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:25) — (11:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 49 for -8 yards (30-A.Brown).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:16) — (2:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Lewis [96-M.Collins] at NO 23. 27-J.Lewis to NO 16 for 7 yards (71-R.Ramczyk). The Replay Official r
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:42) — (2:42) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott sacked at NO 15 for -9 yards (94-C.Jordan). FUMBLES (94-C.Jordan) [94-C.Jordan], RECOVERED by NO-94-C.Jordan at NO 15. Penalty on DAL-71-L.Collins, Offensive Holding, dec
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:01) — (13:01) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 19-A.Cooper to DAL 38 for 5 yards (23-M.Lattimore, 56-D.Davis). FUMBLES (23-M.Lattimore), RECOVERED by NO-23-M.Lattimore at DAL 39. 23-M.Lattimore t
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 40:04) — (10:04) (Shotgun) 41-A.Kamara left tackle to DAL 1 for no gain (90-D.Lawrence, 98-T.Crawford).
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) · 40 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +13.7% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +6.49 total EPA
- D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 33 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -9.4% CPOE · -0.17 EPA/play · -5.55 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.160 | -0.105 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.5% | 43.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.168 | +0.162 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.402 | -0.368 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.105 | +0.160 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.8% | 61.5% |
By the numbers
Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.10 vs -0.16), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, -8.51 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, -10.42 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Prescott (DAL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 54:27 · NO 8 · Score 0-3
(9:27) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 46:05 · NO 16 · Score 0-9
(1:05) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 45:57 · NO 15 · Score 0-10
2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:55 · NO 28 · Score 0-13
(:55) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 25:03 · DAL 15 · Score 3-13
(10:03) (Field Goal formation) 3-W.Lutz 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 16:15 · DAL 30 · Score 9-13
(1:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 18-K.Kirkwood for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 16:08 · DAL 15 · Score 10-13
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints 13-10 in Week 13, 2018 on 2018-11-29.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 10, Dallas Cowboys 13 (NO 10-13 DAL) in Week 13, 2018 on 2018-11-29.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 0, Dallas Cowboys 10; Q2: New Orleans Saints 0, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q3: New Orleans Saints 10, Dallas Cowboys 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 10, Dallas Cowboys 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (D. Prescott pass) (Q1 46:05) New Orleans Saints touchdown — K. Kirkwood (D. Brees pass) (Q3 16:15) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Maher (Q1 54:27, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Maher (Q2 30:55, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q3 25:03, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys?
D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 60.0% completion, +13.7% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +6.49 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 54.5% completion, -9.4% CPOE, -0.17 EPA per dropback, -5.55 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys?
D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +6.49 on passing plays. across 40 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.15 EPA): (2:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 41-A.Kamara INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Lewis [96-M.Collins] at NO 23. 27-J.Lewis to NO 16 for 7 yards (71-R.Ramczyk). T. The biggest win-probability swing was -19.3%.
Was New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Dallas Cowboys won 13-10 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 10-1 Now 10-2 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 6-5 Now 7-5 W
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