Tennessee Titans vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2010 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-10-10, the Tennessee Titans took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 34–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +0.45 total EPA, and +5.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Austin (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.98 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-25.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (7:40) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 80-M.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Verner (98-D.Ball) at DAL 13. 20-A.Verner to DAL 1 for 12 yards (80-M.Bennett). Pass deflected by Dave Ball at line of scr

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 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +16.98 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
2. 2 V. Young · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +8.30 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Britt · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +6.42 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.18 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.30 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
6. 6 F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +2.99 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Johnson · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +2.66 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Ringer · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.24 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

• Tennessee Titans — N. Washington (V. Young pass) (Q1 57:49)
• Tennessee Titans — K. Britt (V. Young pass) (Q2 42:34)
• Dallas Cowboys — R. Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q2 31:11)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (T. Romo pass) (Q3 28:44)
• Tennessee Titans — C. Johnson (Q4 7:30)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q4 4:36)
• Tennessee Titans — C. Johnson (Q4 3:32)

Field goals

• Tennessee Titans — R. Bironas (Q1 50:27)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q1 46:02)
• Tennessee Titans — R. Bironas (Q3 15:28)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q4 10:19)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 10–3. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DAL 24 (Q1 57:49); Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 57:40) — 2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the DAL 34 (Q1 50:27) — (5:27) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TEN 34 (Q1 46:02) — (1:02) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DAL 12 (Q2 42:34) — (12:34) 10-V.Young pass short middle to 18-K.Britt for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on curl end zone.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 42:28) — 2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TEN 6 (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 11-R.Williams for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q2 31:06) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TEN 69 (Q3 28:44); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q3 28:34) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the DAL 21 (Q3 15:28) — (:28) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern..

The fourth quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 14–10. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TEN 8 (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 7:30) — (7:30) 28-C.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. TEN-54-E.Amano was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 7:26) — 2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TEN 18 (Q4 4:36); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TEN 7 (Q4 4:30) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 3:32) — (3:32) 28-C.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 3:28) — 2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 7:40) — (7:40) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 80-M.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Verner (98-D.Ball) at DAL 13. 20-A.Verner to DAL 1 for 12 yards (80-M.Bennett). Pass deflected by Dave Ball at line of scr [WPA -25.4% · EPA -6.64]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 4:30) — Ball kicked off at the Dallas 15 for enforcement of 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the touchdown. 18-D.Buehler kicks 69 yards from DAL 15 to TEN 16. 83-M.Mariani to DAL 11 for 73 yards [WPA +25.4% · EPA +5.11]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 28:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Austin leaps and catches the pass between two defenders at the Tennessee 44 before running the distance. [WPA +24.6% · EPA +6.19]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 4:36) — (4:36) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-75-M.Colombo, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +16.7% · EPA +2.33]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 3:32) — (3:32) 28-C.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +1.34]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 7:40) — (7:40) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 80-M.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Verner (98-D.Ball) at DAL 13. 20-A.Verner to DAL 1 for 12 yards (80-M.Bennett). Pass deflected by Dave Ball at line of scr [WPA -25.4% · EPA -6.64]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 28:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Austin leaps and catches the pass between two defenders at the Tennessee 44 before running the distance. [WPA +24.6% · EPA +6.19]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 4:30) — Ball kicked off at the Dallas 15 for enforcement of 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the touchdown. 18-D.Buehler kicks 69 yards from DAL 15 to TEN 16. 83-M.Mariani to DAL 11 for 73 yards [WPA +25.4% · EPA +5.11]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 17:18) — (2:18) 9-T.Romo pass deep right intended for 80-M.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 33-M.Griffin at TEN -3. 33-M.Griffin ran ob at TEN 15 for 18 yards. Tennessee challenged the touchback ruling, and the play was [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.11]

Quarterback report card

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

• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 56 dropbacks · 55.4% completion · +5.0% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.45 total EPA
• V.Young (Tennessee Titans) · 33 dropbacks · 36.4% completion · -9.7% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +8.30 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Tennessee Titans generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +3.48 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 13 drives, +14.40 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Tennessee Titans 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.
• M. Austin (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.
• V. Young (TEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 57:49 · DAL 24 · Score 6-0
   (12:49) 10-V.Young pass deep right to 85-N.Washington for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-32-O.Scandrick, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
2. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 57:40 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
   2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.
3. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q1 50:27 · DAL 34 · Score 10-0
   (5:27) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.
4. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 46:02 · TEN 34 · Score 10-3
   (1:02) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
5. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 42:34 · DAL 12 · Score 16-3
   (12:34) 10-V.Young pass short middle to 18-K.Britt for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on curl end zone.
6. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 42:28 · DAL 2 · Score 17-3
   2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 31:11 · TEN 6 · Score 17-9
   (1:11) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 11-R.Williams for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 31:06 · TEN 2 · Score 17-10
   18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 28:44 · TEN 69 · Score 17-16
   (13:44) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Austin leaps and catches the pass between two defenders at the Tennessee 44 be
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 28:34 · TEN 2 · Score 17-17
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
11. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q3 15:28 · DAL 21 · Score 20-17
    (:28) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.
12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 10:19 · TEN 8 · Score 20-20
    (10:19) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
13. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 7:30 · DAL 1 · Score 26-20
    (7:30) 28-C.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. TEN-54-E.Amano was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
14. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 7:26 · DAL 2 · Score 27-20
    2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 4:36 · TEN 18 · Score 27-26
    (4:36) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-75-M.Colombo, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced bet
16. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 4:30 · TEN 7 · Score 27-27
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
17. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 3:32 · DAL 1 · Score 33-27
    (3:32) 28-C.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 3:28 · DAL 2 · Score 34-27
    2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-58-K.Amato, Holder-6-B.Kern.