Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2015 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-08, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 33–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Cassel (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +2.02 total EPA, and +0.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Beasley (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.40 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-45.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (12:59) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right intended for 20-D.McFadden INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 33. 58-J.Hicks for 67 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 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +11.40 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Mathews · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +6.38 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.27 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
4. 4 S. Bradford · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +3.96 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Murray · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +3.78 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Murray · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.36 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Matthews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.24 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Cassel · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +2.02 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.04 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 — C. Beasley (M. Cassel pass) (Q1 51:50)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Murray (Q2 39:06)
• Philadelphia Eagles — R. Mathews (Q3 23:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Beasley (M. Cassel pass) (Q3 17:11)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Hicks (Q4 12:59)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 11:04)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Matthews (S. Bradford pass) (OT 11:08)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Sturgis (Q4 7:27)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q4 2:58)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Sturgis (Q4 1:51)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q4 0:07)

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 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 5 (Q1 51:50) — (6:50) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left to 11-C.Beasley for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q1 51:44) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 39:06) — (9:06) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the PHI 50 (Q2 39:01) — 6-C.Sturgis kicks 50 yards from 50 to end zone, Touchback..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q3 23:38); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 23:36) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 17 (Q3 17:11) — (2:11) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 17:04) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 13–13. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 36 (Q4 12:59); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 12:47) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 18 (Q4 11:04); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q4 10:52) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 13 (Q4 7:27) — (7:27) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 23 (Q4 2:58) — (2:58) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 35 (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 26 (Q4 0:07).

Overtime: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 6–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 41 (OT 11:08) — (11:08) (Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass deep right to 81-J.Matthews for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 12:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right intended for 20-D.McFadden INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 33. 58-J.Hicks for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -45.7% · EPA -10.48]
• Philadelphia Eagles (OT 11:08) — (11:08) (Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass deep right to 81-J.Matthews for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.1% · EPA +3.92]
• Philadelphia Eagles (OT 11:23) — (11:23) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 24-R.Mathews left tackle to DAL 41 for 2 yards (92-J.Mincey). FUMBLES (92-J.Mincey), RECOVERED by DAL-39-B.Carr at DAL 43. The Replay Official reviewed the fumble ruling, [WPA +23.0% · EPA +2.18]
• Philadelphia Eagles (OT 13:25) — (13:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-D.Murray right end to PHI 48 for 20 yards (38-J.Heath). [WPA +22.9% · EPA +2.21]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught by Bryant in the back of the endzone after scramble by Cassel [WPA +20.7% · EPA +2.93]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 12:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right intended for 20-D.McFadden INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 33. 58-J.Hicks for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -45.7% · EPA -10.48]
• Philadelphia Eagles (OT 11:08) — (11:08) (Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass deep right to 81-J.Matthews for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.1% · EPA +3.92]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 50:51) — (5:51) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass deep left to 19-M.Austin to PHI 39 for 27 yards (24-M.Claiborne). [WPA +6.4% · EPA +3.44]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 12:47) — 6-C.Sturgis kicks 68 yards from PHI 35 to DAL -3. 13-L.Whitehead to PHI 24 for 79 yards (38-E.Biggers). [WPA +14.4% · EPA +3.37]

Quarterback report card

M.Cassel led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Cassel (Dallas Cowboys) · 50 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.0% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +2.02 total EPA
• S.Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles) · 39 dropbacks · 64.1% completion · +3.3% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +3.96 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 (+0.20 vs +0.10), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +9.13 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 12 drives, +18.98 total EPA, 5 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• C. Beasley (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• S. Bradford (PHI) 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 TD (+6) — Q1 51:50 · PHI 5 · Score 0-6
   (6:50) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left to 11-C.Beasley for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.
2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 51:44 · PHI 15 · Score 0-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
3. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 39:06 · DAL 1 · Score 6-7
   (9:06) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 39:01 · PHI 50 · Score 7-7
   6-C.Sturgis kicks 50 yards from 50 to end zone, Touchback.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 23:38 · DAL 6 · Score 13-7
   (8:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 24-R.Mathews left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL-59-A.Hitchens was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 23:36 · DAL 15 · Score 14-7
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 17:11 · PHI 17 · Score 14-13
   (2:11) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 17:04 · PHI 15 · Score 14-14
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 12:59 · PHI 36 · Score 20-14
   (12:59) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short right intended for 20-D.McFadden INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 33. 58-J.Hicks for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 12:47 · DAL 15 · Score 21-14
    6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 11:04 · PHI 18 · Score 21-20
    (11:04) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught by Bryant in the back of the endzone after scramble by Cassel
12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 10:52 · PHI 15 · Score 21-21
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
13. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 7:27 · DAL 13 · Score 24-21
    (7:27) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
14. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 2:58 · PHI 23 · Score 24-24
    (2:58) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
15. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 1:51 · DAL 35 · Score 27-24
    (1:51) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
16. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · PHI 26 · Score 27-27
    (:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. Ball hits the left upright and went through.
17. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — OT 11:08 · DAL 41 · Score 33-27
    (11:08) (Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass deep right to 81-J.Matthews for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.