Game story
In Week 8 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-10-26, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 13–9 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -0.56 total EPA, and +2.7% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, Roy E.Williams (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.24 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-30.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (:19) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass incomplete short left to 86-J.Stevens [98-G.Ellis]. PENALTY on TB-65-J.Trueblood, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 18.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 Roy E.Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.24 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.12 EPA/play
- 2 J. Galloway · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
- 3 A. Smith · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.42 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
- 4 A. Bryant · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.18 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 5 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 6 I. Hilliard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.81 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 7 M. Bennett · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.48 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
- 8 E. Graham · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.25 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
Roy E.Williams — DAL · Receiving
Roy E.Williams posted the highest total EPA (+4.24) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +2.12 EPA per play.
The signature play (+3.68 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (:04) 14-B.Johnson pass short left to 11-Roy E.Williams for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Johnson
Field goals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant
- Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk
- Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 6–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 18 (Q1 56:02) — (11:02) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 18 (Q1 46:14) — (1:14) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 20 (Q2 39:38) — (9:38) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 14-B.Johnson pass short left to 11-Roy E.Williams for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 30:01) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 27 (Q3 20:18) — (5:18) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 23 (Q3 15:39) — (:39) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:19) — (:19) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass incomplete short left to 86-J.Stevens [98-G.Ellis]. PENALTY on TB-65-J.Trueblood, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 18.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:47) — (:47) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass short middle to 19-I.Hilliard to DAL 23 for 6 yards (57-K.Burnett; 56-B.James). James of Dallas was shaken up on the play.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:47) — (:47) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson pass short left to 24-M.Barber to TB 48 for 1 yard (20-R.Barber). PENALTY on TB-20-R.Barber, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at TB 48.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:32) — (1:32) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson sacked at TB 49 for -6 yards (90-G.Adams).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 17:45) — (2:45) 7-J.Garcia pass short left to 81-A.Smith to DAL 21 for 34 yards (26-K.Hamlin) [56-B.James].
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 14-B.Johnson pass short left to 11-Roy E.Williams for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 17:45) — (2:45) 7-J.Garcia pass short left to 81-A.Smith to DAL 21 for 34 yards (26-K.Hamlin) [56-B.James].
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 30:00) — 6-N.Folk kicks 69 yards from DAL 30 to TB 1. 22-C.Smith to TB 23 for 22 yards (52-C.Polk). FUMBLES (52-C.Polk), RECOVERED by DAL-54-B.Carpenter at TB 33. PENALTY on DAL-25-P.Watkins, Unsportsmanlike C
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 32:28) — (2:28) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
Quarterback report card
J.Garcia led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 49 dropbacks · 55.1% completion · +2.7% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.56 total EPA
- B.Johnson (Dallas Cowboys) · 38 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +1.6% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -4.73 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.109 | -0.090 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.5% | 39.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.011 | -0.125 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.243 | -0.108 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.090 | +0.109 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.0% | 52.5% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.11, Dallas Cowboys -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, -7.38 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -8.70 total EPA, 3 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.
- Roy E.Williams (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.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 56:02 · DAL 18 · Score 3-0
(11:02) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 46:14 · DAL 18 · Score 6-0
(1:14) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 39:38 · TB 20 · Score 6-3
(9:38) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:04 · TB 2 · Score 6-9
(:04) 14-B.Johnson pass short left to 11-Roy E.Williams for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:01 · TB 2 · Score 6-10
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 20:18 · TB 27 · Score 6-13
(5:18) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 15:39 · DAL 23 · Score 9-13
(:39) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-9 in Week 8, 2008 on 2008-10-26.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9, Dallas Cowboys 13 (TB 9-13 DAL) in Week 8, 2008 on 2008-10-26.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Dallas Cowboys 10; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Dallas Cowboys 3; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9, Dallas Cowboys 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — B. Johnson (Q2 30:04) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 56:02, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 46:14, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — N. Folk (Q2 39:38, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — N. Folk (Q3 20:18, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q3 15:39, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
J. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 55.1% completion, +2.7% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.56 total passing EPA. B. Johnson (Dallas Cowboys), 50.0% completion, +1.6% CPOE, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -4.73 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Roy E.Williams (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +4.24 on receiving plays. across 2 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+3.68 EPA): (:04) 14-B.Johnson pass short left to 11-Roy E.Williams for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -30.6%.
Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Dallas Cowboys won 13-9 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 5-2 Now 5-3 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 4-3 Now 5-3 W
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