New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2013 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-09-08, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 36–31 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -6.88 total EPA, and +6.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, V. Cruz (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-28.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (4:17) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 83-T.Williams INTERCEPTED by 21-R.Mundy (20-P.Amukamara) at NYG 8. 21-R.Mundy to DAL 1 for 91 yards (29-D.Murray).

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 V. Cruz · New York Giants · Receiving · +11.45 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
2. 2 H. Nicks · New York Giants · Receiving · +8.10 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +7.97 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.80 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Randle · New York Giants · Receiving · +4.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Myers · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Tanner · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.28 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.28 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 — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q2 33:02)
• New York Giants — V. Cruz (E. Manning pass) (Q2 32:01)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Wilson (Q3 27:42)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q3 20:03)
• New York Giants — V. Cruz (E. Manning pass) (Q3 16:51)
• New York Giants — V. Cruz (E. Manning pass) (Q4 8:54)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Carr (Q4 2:00)
• New York Giants — B. Myers (E. Manning pass) (Q4 0:16)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q1 58:07)
• New York Giants — J. Brown (Q1 47:07)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q2 40:07)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q4 12:16)

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 NYG 12 (Q1 58:07) — (13:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 2 (Q1 47:07) — (2:07) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Brown 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 20 (Q2 40:07) — (10:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 15 (Q2 33:02); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 32:55) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 70 (Q2 32:01) — (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 80-V.Cruz for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 31:50) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 76 (Q3 27:42); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 27:31) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q3 20:03) — (5:03) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a crossing pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 19:55) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 18 (Q3 16:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 80-V.Cruz for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 16:44) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 14–9. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 27 (Q4 12:16) — (12:16) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 10 (Q4 8:54) — (8:54) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 80-V.Cruz for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a corner route.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 8:47) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 52 (Q4 2:00); New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q4 0:16) — (:16) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 83-B.Myers for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 0:11) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 83-T.Williams INTERCEPTED by 21-R.Mundy (20-P.Amukamara) at NYG 8. 21-R.Mundy to DAL 1 for 91 yards (29-D.Murray). [WPA -28.9% · EPA -10.01]
• New York Giants (Q1 56:41) — (11:41) 22-D.Wilson left end to DAL 10 for -2 yards (42-B.Church). FUMBLES (42-B.Church), RECOVERED by DAL-99-G.Selvie at DAL 7. 99-G.Selvie to DAL 7 for no gain (77-K.Boothe). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -5.32]
• New York Giants (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right intended for 33-D.Scott INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at NYG 49. 39-B.Carr for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.9% · EPA -9.07]
• New York Giants (Q3 27:42) — (12:42) (Shotgun) 22-D.Wilson up the middle to NYG 27 for 3 yards (96-N.Hayden). FUMBLES (96-N.Hayden), RECOVERED by DAL-42-B.Church at NYG 27. 42-B.Church for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Church returned fum [WPA -15.0% · EPA -6.56]
• New York Giants (Q1 58:04) — (13:04) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 88-H.Nicks pushed ob at DAL 23 for 57 yards (24-M.Claiborne). Pass complete on a slant pattern. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.07]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 83-T.Williams INTERCEPTED by 21-R.Mundy (20-P.Amukamara) at NYG 8. 21-R.Mundy to DAL 1 for 91 yards (29-D.Murray). [WPA -28.9% · EPA -10.01]
• New York Giants (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right intended for 33-D.Scott INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at NYG 49. 39-B.Carr for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.9% · EPA -9.07]
• New York Giants (Q3 27:42) — (12:42) (Shotgun) 22-D.Wilson up the middle to NYG 27 for 3 yards (96-N.Hayden). FUMBLES (96-N.Hayden), RECOVERED by DAL-42-B.Church at NYG 27. 42-B.Church for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Church returned fum [WPA -15.0% · EPA -6.56]
• New York Giants (Q2 32:01) — (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 80-V.Cruz for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern. [WPA +9.9% · EPA +5.82]

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) · 54 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +6.5% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -6.88 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 46 dropbacks · 58.7% completion · +1.7% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +7.97 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 (-0.04 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 15 drives, -4.21 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 14 drives, -8.25 total EPA, 7 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.
• V. Cruz (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Romo (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 FG (+3) — Q1 58:07 · NYG 12 · Score 0-3
   (13:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
2. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q1 47:07 · DAL 2 · Score 3-3
   (2:07) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Brown 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
3. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 40:07 · NYG 20 · Score 3-6
   (10:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
4. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 33:02 · NYG 15 · Score 3-12
   (3:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete down the seam in the middle of the end zone. The pa
5. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 32:55 · NYG 2 · Score 3-13
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
6. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 32:01 · DAL 70 · Score 9-13
   (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 80-V.Cruz for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern.
7. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 31:50 · DAL 2 · Score 10-13
   3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 27:42 · DAL 76 · Score 10-19
   (12:42) (Shotgun) 22-D.Wilson up the middle to NYG 27 for 3 yards (96-N.Hayden). FUMBLES (96-N.Hayden), RECOVERED by DAL-42-B.Church at NYG 27. 42-B.Church for
9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 27:31 · NYG 2 · Score 10-20
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 20:03 · NYG 4 · Score 10-26
    (5:03) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a crossing pattern.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 19:55 · NYG 2 · Score 10-27
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
12. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 16:51 · DAL 18 · Score 16-27
    (1:51) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 80-V.Cruz for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 16:44 · DAL 2 · Score 17-27
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
14. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 12:16 · NYG 27 · Score 17-30
    (12:16) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
15. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 8:54 · DAL 10 · Score 23-30
    (8:54) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 80-V.Cruz for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a corner route.
16. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 8:47 · DAL 2 · Score 24-30
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
17. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · DAL 52 · Score 24-36
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right intended for 33-D.Scott INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at NYG 49. 39-B.Carr for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 0:16 · DAL 4 · Score 30-36
    (:16) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 83-B.Myers for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 0:11 · DAL 2 · Score 31-36
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.