Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2018 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2018 NFL season on 2019-01-05, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Seattle Seahawks, pulling away with a 24–22 final that came down to the wire.

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

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +1.63 total EPA, and +2.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.3% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Seattle Seahawks changed the game: (4:55) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 89-D.Baldwin pushed ob at DAL 17 for 22 yards (24-C.Awuzie).

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. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.28 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Lockett · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +4.34 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.69 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Wilson · Seattle Seahawks · Rushing · +2.99 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.36 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Hurns · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.13 EPA/play
7. 7 J. McKissic · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +1.69 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +1.63 total EPA · 37 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 — M. Gallup (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 30:28)
• Seattle Seahawks — R. Wilson (Q3 17:03)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (Q4 12:32)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Prescott (Q4 2:14)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. McKissic (R. Wilson pass) (Q4 1:22)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — B. Maher (Q1 54:54)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Janikowski (Q2 37:05)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Janikowski (Q2 31:47)

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 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the SEA 21 (Q1 54:54) — (9:54) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–6. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the DAL 9 (Q2 37:05) — (7:05) (Field Goal formation) 11-S.Janikowski 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the DAL 24 (Q2 31:47) — (1:47) (Field Goal formation) 11-S.Janikowski 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SEA 11 (Q2 30:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 13-M.Gallup for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q2 30:24) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 8–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q3 17:03) — (2:03) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks registered a safety from the DAL 2 (Q3 16:59) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 27-M.Davis rushes right tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–8. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SEA 1 (Q4 12:32) — (12:32) 21-E.Elliott right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q4 12:28) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the SEA 1 (Q4 2:14) — (2:14) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q4 2:08) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q4 1:22) — (1:22) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 21-J.McKissic for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks registered a safety from the DAL 2 (Q4 1:18) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 32-C.Carson rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q3 19:55) — (4:55) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 89-D.Baldwin pushed ob at DAL 17 for 22 yards (24-C.Awuzie). [WPA +18.3% · EPA +4.77]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 9:43) — (9:43) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right intended for 85-N.Brown INTERCEPTED by 50-K.Wright at SEA 0. Touchback. [WPA -17.6% · EPA -5.24]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 14:27) — (14:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 19-A.Cooper to SEA 16 for 34 yards (33-T.Thompson). [WPA +16.8% · EPA +2.74]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 13-M.Gallup for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +2.67]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) 21-E.Elliott right end ran ob at SEA 22 for 44 yards (28-J.Coleman). [WPA +10.4% · EPA +3.30]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 9:43) — (9:43) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right intended for 85-N.Brown INTERCEPTED by 50-K.Wright at SEA 0. Touchback. [WPA -17.6% · EPA -5.24]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q3 19:55) — (4:55) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 89-D.Baldwin pushed ob at DAL 17 for 22 yards (24-C.Awuzie). [WPA +18.3% · EPA +4.77]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 1:22) — (1:22) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 21-J.McKissic for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.5% · EPA +4.38]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) 21-E.Elliott right end ran ob at SEA 22 for 44 yards (28-J.Coleman). [WPA +10.4% · EPA +3.30]

Quarterback report card

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

• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 37 dropbacks · 59.5% completion · +2.0% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.63 total EPA
• R.Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) · 30 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +1.0% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +0.97 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 (Seattle Seahawks -0.05, Dallas Cowboys -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, -2.51 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 12 drives, -3.52 total EPA, 4 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. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) 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. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 54:54 · SEA 21 · Score 0-3
   (9:54) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
2. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q2 37:05 · DAL 9 · Score 3-3
   (7:05) (Field Goal formation) 11-S.Janikowski 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
3. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q2 31:47 · DAL 24 · Score 6-3
   (1:47) (Field Goal formation) 11-S.Janikowski 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
4. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:28 · SEA 11 · Score 6-9
   (:28) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 13-M.Gallup for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:24 · SEA 15 · Score 6-10
   2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
6. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 17:03 · DAL 4 · Score 12-10
   (2:03) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Seattle Seahawks Safety (+2) — Q3 16:59 · DAL 2 · Score 14-10
   (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 27-M.Davis rushes right tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 12:32 · SEA 1 · Score 14-16
   (12:32) 21-E.Elliott right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 12:28 · SEA 15 · Score 14-17
   2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:14 · SEA 1 · Score 14-23
    (2:14) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 2:08 · SEA 15 · Score 14-24
    2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
12. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q4 1:22 · DAL 7 · Score 20-24
    (1:22) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 21-J.McKissic for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Seattle Seahawks Safety (+2) — Q4 1:18 · DAL 2 · Score 22-24
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 32-C.Carson rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.