New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2020 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-10-11, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 37–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Jones (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with -0.86 total EPA, and +2.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Slayton (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.35 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-25.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New York Giants changed the game: (5:08) 8-D.Jones sacked at NYG 27 for -10 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence) [90-D.Lawrence], RECOVERED by DAL-30-A.Brown at NYG 29. 30-A.Brown for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 D. Slayton · New York Giants · Receiving · +11.35 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +9.74 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.12 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Gallup · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
5. 5 G. Tate · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.27 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Wilson · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +2.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.67 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.67 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Wilson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.94 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.49 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

• New York Giants — E. Engram (Q1 51:59)
• New York Giants — K. Fackrell (Q1 51:01)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (Q2 36:34)
• Dallas Cowboys — A. Brown (Q2 35:08)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Prescott (C. Wilson pass) (Q2 30:23)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (Q3 20:08)
• New York Giants — D. Freeman (Q4 8:51)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q1 56:23)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q2 43:35)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q2 30:56)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q3 24:30)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q4 11:12)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q4 2:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (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: New York Giants won the period 14–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 6 (Q1 56:23) — (11:23) 2-G.Zuerlein 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q1 51:59) — (6:59) 88-E.Engram left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 51:53) — 5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; New York Giants found the end zone from the NYG 60 (Q1 51:01); New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 50:48) — 5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 21–6. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 37 (Q2 43:35) — (13:35) 5-G.Gano 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q2 36:34) — (6:34) 21-E.Elliott right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 36:31) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 63 (Q2 35:08); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 35:00) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 32 (Q2 30:56) — (:56) 5-G.Gano 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 11 (Q2 30:23); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 30:16) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–3. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 36 (Q3 24:30); Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 12 (Q3 20:08) — (5:08) 21-E.Elliott right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q3 20:03) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 11–6. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 10 (Q4 11:12) — (11:12) 5-G.Gano 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q4 8:51) — (8:51) 31-D.Freeman left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants registered a safety from the DAL 2 (Q4 8:46) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-D.Jones pass to 78-A.Thomas is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 22 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 2-G.Zuerlein 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 16 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 2-G.Zuerlein 34 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.

• New York Giants (Q2 35:08) — (5:08) 8-D.Jones sacked at NYG 27 for -10 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence) [90-D.Lawrence], RECOVERED by DAL-30-A.Brown at NYG 29. 30-A.Brown for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -25.8% · EPA -8.77]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:03) — (11:03) 14-A.Dalton FUMBLES (Aborted) at DAL 19, RECOVERED by NYG-54-B.Martinez at DAL 17. [WPA -20.0% · EPA -6.07]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:31) — (:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep right to 13-M.Gallup to NYG 16 for 38 yards (37-R.Lewis). The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling [WPA +17.3% · EPA +1.44]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:01) — (6:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 21-E.Elliott INTERCEPTED by 51-K.Fackrell at DAL 46. 51-K.Fackrell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.8% · EPA -8.84]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 2-G.Zuerlein 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +0.23]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:01) — (6:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 21-E.Elliott INTERCEPTED by 51-K.Fackrell at DAL 46. 51-K.Fackrell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.8% · EPA -8.84]
• New York Giants (Q2 35:08) — (5:08) 8-D.Jones sacked at NYG 27 for -10 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence) [90-D.Lawrence], RECOVERED by DAL-30-A.Brown at NYG 29. 30-A.Brown for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -25.8% · EPA -8.77]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:03) — (11:03) 14-A.Dalton FUMBLES (Aborted) at DAL 19, RECOVERED by NYG-54-B.Martinez at DAL 17. [WPA -20.0% · EPA -6.07]
• New York Giants (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass deep right to 86-D.Slayton to DAL 33 for 39 yards (26-J.Lewis). [WPA +5.2% · EPA +3.83]

Quarterback report card

D.Jones led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Jones (New York Giants) · 40 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +2.5% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.86 total EPA
• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 22 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · -4.4% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.24 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 (New York Giants +0.06, Dallas Cowboys +0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +3.10 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 11 drives, +5.56 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.
• D. Slayton (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Prescott (DAL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 56:23 · NYG 6 · Score 0-3
   (11:23) 2-G.Zuerlein 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
2. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 51:59 · DAL 3 · Score 6-3
   (6:59) 88-E.Engram left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 51:53 · DAL 15 · Score 7-3
   5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
4. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 51:01 · NYG 60 · Score 13-3
   (6:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 21-E.Elliott INTERCEPTED by 51-K.Fackrell at DAL 46. 51-K.Fackrell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 50:48 · DAL 15 · Score 14-3
   5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
6. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 43:35 · DAL 37 · Score 17-3
   (13:35) 5-G.Gano 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 36:34 · NYG 1 · Score 17-9
   (6:34) 21-E.Elliott right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 36:31 · NYG 15 · Score 17-10
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 35:08 · DAL 63 · Score 17-16
   (5:08) 8-D.Jones sacked at NYG 27 for -10 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence) [90-D.Lawrence], RECOVERED by DAL-30-A.Brown at NYG 29. 30-A.Brown for
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 35:00 · NYG 15 · Score 17-17
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
11. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 30:56 · DAL 32 · Score 20-17
    (:56) 5-G.Gano 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
12. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:23 · NYG 11 · Score 20-23
    (:23) (Shotgun) 11-C.Wilson pass short right to 4-D.Prescott for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Wilson takes pitch from Elliott before throwing pass to Prescott
13. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:16 · NYG 15 · Score 20-24
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
14. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q3 24:30 · DAL 36 · Score 23-24
    (9:30) 5-G.Gano 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon. Injury update: Trysten Hill has a knee injury; his return is questionable
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 20:08 · NYG 12 · Score 23-30
    (5:08) 21-E.Elliott right tackle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 20:03 · NYG 15 · Score 23-31
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
17. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 11:12 · DAL 10 · Score 26-31
    (11:12) 5-G.Gano 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
18. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 8:51 · DAL 4 · Score 32-31
    (8:51) 31-D.Freeman left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New York Giants Safety (+2) — Q4 8:46 · DAL 2 · Score 34-31
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-D.Jones pass to 78-A.Thomas is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
20. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · NYG 22 · Score 34-34
    (2:00) 2-G.Zuerlein 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
21. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · NYG 16 · Score 34-37
    (:03) 2-G.Zuerlein 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.