Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2008 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-15, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 41–37 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 34 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +12.92 total EPA, and +1.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-24.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (14:47) 9-T.Romo to DAL -5 for -8 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-57-C.Gocong at DAL -4. 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 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +13.13 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
2. 2 D. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +12.92 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +10.31 total EPA · 3 snaps · +3.44 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Jackson · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +7.84 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.84 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.32 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
7. 7 G. Lewis · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Westbrook · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.59 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 — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q1 52:56)
• Dallas Cowboys — F. Jones (Q1 47:58)
• Philadelphia Eagles — B. Westbrook (D. McNabb pass) (Q2 45:00)
• Philadelphia Eagles — T. Romo (Q2 44:47)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q2 40:06)
• Philadelphia Eagles — B. Westbrook (Q2 37:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (T. Romo pass) (Q3 20:14)
• Philadelphia Eagles — B. Westbrook (Q4 14:23)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q4 4:40)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q1 55:48)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q1 48:07)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 30:49)
• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q2 30:07)
• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q4 10:34)

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 14–6. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 16 (Q1 55:48) — (10:48) 2-D.Akers 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 72 (Q1 52:56); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q1 52:46) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 26 (Q1 48:07) — (3:07) (Field Goal formation) 2-D.Akers 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 30 (Q1 47:58); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q1 47:45) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 24–10. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q2 45:00); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 44:55) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 97 (Q2 44:47) — (14:47) 9-T.Romo to DAL -5 for -8 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-57-C.Gocong at DAL -4. TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 44:41) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 4 (Q2 40:06) — (10:06) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 81-T.Owens for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Crossing pattern from the end.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 40:02) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 37:38) — (7:38) 36-B.Westbrook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 37:38) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 4 (Q2 30:49) — (:49) (Field Goal formation) 2-D.Akers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 33 (Q2 30:07) — (:07) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 17 (Q3 20:14) — (5:14) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 24-M.Barber for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q3 20:08) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–7. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 14:23) — (14:23) 36-B.Westbrook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 14:17) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 29 (Q4 10:34) — (10:34) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 1 (Q4 4:40) — (4:40) 24-M.Barber right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q4 4:35) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 44:47) — (14:47) 9-T.Romo to DAL -5 for -8 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-57-C.Gocong at DAL -4. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -24.1% · EPA -6.34]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 8:59) — (8:59) 5-D.McNabb FUMBLES (Aborted) at DAL 33, RECOVERED by DAL-90-J.Ratliff at DAL 33. [WPA -22.5% · EPA -5.03]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 52:56) — (7:56) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The TD catch is Owens' 131st of his career; he stands alone at No. 2 all-time in NFL career TD catches. [WPA +20.9% · EPA +6.81]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 37:53) — (7:53) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass deep middle to 10-D.Jackson for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Dallas challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass deep mid [WPA +17.6% · EPA +4.51]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:58) — 2-D.Akers kicks 68 yards from PHI 30 to DAL 2. 28-F.Jones for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Jones ran down the left sideline after breaking free at the Dallas 20. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +6.22]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 52:56) — (7:56) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The TD catch is Owens' 131st of his career; he stands alone at No. 2 all-time in NFL career TD catches. [WPA +20.9% · EPA +6.81]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 44:47) — (14:47) 9-T.Romo to DAL -5 for -8 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-57-C.Gocong at DAL -4. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -24.1% · EPA -6.34]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:58) — 2-D.Akers kicks 68 yards from PHI 30 to DAL 2. 28-F.Jones for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Jones ran down the left sideline after breaking free at the Dallas 20. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +6.22]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 8:59) — (8:59) 5-D.McNabb FUMBLES (Aborted) at DAL 33, RECOVERED by DAL-90-J.Ratliff at DAL 33. [WPA -22.5% · EPA -5.03]

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) · 46 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · +1.7% CPOE · +0.28 EPA/play · +12.92 total EPA
• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 33 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +9.2% CPOE · +0.40 EPA/play · +13.13 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 (Philadelphia Eagles +0.19, Dallas Cowboys +0.22) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +17.25 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 13 drives, +17.06 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.
• T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) 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. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 55:48 · DAL 16 · Score 3-0
   (10:48) 2-D.Akers 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 52:56 · PHI 72 · Score 3-6
   (7:56) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The TD catch is Owens' 131st of his career; he stands alone at No. 2 all-time
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 52:46 · PHI 2 · Score 3-7
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
4. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 48:07 · DAL 26 · Score 6-7
   (3:07) (Field Goal formation) 2-D.Akers 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
5. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 47:58 · PHI 30 · Score 6-13
   2-D.Akers kicks 68 yards from PHI 30 to DAL 2. 28-F.Jones for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Jones ran down the left sideline after breaking free at the Dallas 20.
6. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 47:45 · PHI 2 · Score 6-14
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
7. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · DAL 6 · Score 12-14
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 36-B.Westbrook for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The TD is McNabb's 175th career TD pass, tying the team record with Ron J
8. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 44:55 · DAL 2 · Score 13-14
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 44:47 · PHI 97 · Score 19-14
   (14:47) 9-T.Romo to DAL -5 for -8 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-57-C.Gocong at DAL -4. TOUCHDOWN.
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 44:41 · DAL 2 · Score 20-14
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 40:06 · PHI 4 · Score 20-20
    (10:06) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 81-T.Owens for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Crossing pattern from the end.
12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 40:02 · PHI 2 · Score 20-21
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
13. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 37:38 · DAL 1 · Score 26-21
    (7:38) 36-B.Westbrook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 37:38 · DAL 2 · Score 27-21
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
15. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 30:49 · DAL 4 · Score 30-21
    (:49) (Field Goal formation) 2-D.Akers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
16. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:07 · PHI 33 · Score 30-24
    (:07) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
17. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 20:14 · PHI 17 · Score 30-30
    (5:14) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 24-M.Barber for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 20:08 · PHI 2 · Score 30-31
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
19. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 14:23 · DAL 1 · Score 36-31
    (14:23) 36-B.Westbrook up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 14:17 · DAL 2 · Score 37-31
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
21. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 10:34 · PHI 29 · Score 37-34
    (10:34) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
22. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 4:40 · PHI 1 · Score 37-40
    (4:40) 24-M.Barber right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
23. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 4:35 · PHI 2 · Score 37-41
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.