Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2000 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2000 NFL season on 2000-09-03, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 41–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +6.15 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. Staley (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.08 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+55.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: D.Akers kicks onside 12 yards from PHI 30 to PHI 42. RECOVERED by PHI-D.Douglas.

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. Staley · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +11.08 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
2. 2 D. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +6.15 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Staley · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.09 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Mitchell · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +3.13 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Ismail · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +2.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Ismail · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.32 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Pinkston · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +1.69 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.56 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q1 55:59)
• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q1 45:08)
• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q2 43:52)
• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q4 15:00)
• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q4 12:26)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q4 6:49)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q2 37:06)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 33:35)
• Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player (Q2 30:04)
• Philadelphia Eagles — unlisted player (Q3 22:21)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 55:59) — (10:59) D.McNabb pass to J.Thomason for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 55:59) — D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 45:08) — (:08) D.Staley right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 45:02) — D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–6. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 75 (Q2 43:52) — (13:52) T.Aikman pass intended for J.Harris INTERCEPTED by J.Trotter at DAL 27. J.Trotter for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 43:40) — D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 15 (Q2 37:06) — (7:06) D.Akers 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 17 (Q2 33:35) — (3:35) T.Seder 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 21 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) T.Seder 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 3–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 19 (Q3 22:21) — (7:21) D.Akers 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–8. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) D.McNabb scrambles up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 14:56) — D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q4 12:26) — (12:26) B.Mitchell up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 12:22) — D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 4 (Q4 6:49) — (6:49) R.Cunningham pass to J.Galloway for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant from left end.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the PHI 2 (Q4 6:45) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. R.Cunningham pass to R.Ismail is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 60:00) — D.Akers kicks onside 12 yards from PHI 30 to PHI 42. RECOVERED by PHI-D.Douglas. [WPA +55.1% · EPA -1.83]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) D.McNabb pass to C.Lewis to PHI 48 for 6 yards (D.Woodson). [WPA +9.3% · EPA +0.57]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:52) — (13:52) T.Aikman pass intended for J.Harris INTERCEPTED by J.Trotter at DAL 27. J.Trotter for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.3% · EPA -7.28]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:22) — (10:22) R.Ismail right end to DAL 48 for 37 yards (A.Harris). End Around right end. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.44]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 45:14) — (:14) D.McNabb pass incomplete to C.Johnson. Pass thrown middle end zone. PENALTY on DAL-I.Reese, Defensive Pass Interference, 26 yards, enforced at DAL 27 - No Play. [WPA +6.2% · EPA +3.03]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:52) — (13:52) T.Aikman pass intended for J.Harris INTERCEPTED by J.Trotter at DAL 27. J.Trotter for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.3% · EPA -7.28]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 3:33) — (3:33) K.Detmer pass intended for D.Douglas INTERCEPTED by P.Sparks at DAL 0. Touchback. Intercepted left corner of the end zone. [WPA +0.0% · EPA -5.29]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 13:16) — (13:16) D.Staley to DAL 6 for 60 yards (R.McNeil). [WPA +0.0% · EPA +4.45]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:22) — (10:22) R.Ismail right end to DAL 48 for 37 yards (A.Harris). End Around right end. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.44]

Quarterback report card

D.McNabb led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 35 dropbacks · 45.7% completion · +0.18 EPA/play · +6.15 total EPA
• R.Cunningham (Dallas Cowboys) · 33 dropbacks · 39.4% completion · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Philadelphia Eagles generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.21 vs -0.16), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, -11.84 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 13 drives, +20.24 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. Staley (Philadelphia Eagles) 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. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 55:59 · DAL 1 · Score 6-0
   (10:59) D.McNabb pass to J.Thomason for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 55:59 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
   D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.
3. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 45:08 · DAL 1 · Score 13-0
   (:08) D.Staley right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 45:02 · DAL 2 · Score 14-0
   D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 43:52 · PHI 75 · Score 20-0
   (13:52) T.Aikman pass intended for J.Harris INTERCEPTED by J.Trotter at DAL 27. J.Trotter for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 43:40 · DAL 2 · Score 21-0
   D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.
7. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 37:06 · DAL 15 · Score 24-0
   (7:06) D.Akers 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.
8. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 33:35 · PHI 17 · Score 24-3
   (3:35) T.Seder 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
9. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · PHI 21 · Score 24-6
   (:04) T.Seder 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Hellestrae, Holder-M.Knorr.
10. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q3 22:21 · DAL 19 · Score 27-6
    (7:21) D.Akers 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.
11. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · DAL 3 · Score 33-6
    (15:00) D.McNabb scrambles up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 14:56 · DAL 2 · Score 34-6
    D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.
13. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 12:26 · DAL 6 · Score 40-6
    (12:26) B.Mitchell up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 12:22 · DAL 2 · Score 41-6
    D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-M.Bartrum, Holder-K.Detmer.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 6:49 · PHI 4 · Score 41-12
    (6:49) R.Cunningham pass to J.Galloway for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Slant from left end.
16. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 6:45 · PHI 2 · Score 41-14
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. R.Cunningham pass to R.Ismail is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.