Game story
In Week 5 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-10-15, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 9–7 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Wright (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -4.46 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Bennett (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +2.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-24.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Washington Commanders changed the game: (2:47) 48-S.Davis left tackle to DAL 38 for 5 yards (60-J.Nix). FUMBLES (60-J.Nix), RECOVERED by DAL-98-G.Ellis at DAL 33. Play Challenged by WAS and Upheld. (Timeout #2 at 02:40.)
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q4 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Bennett · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
- 2 T. Hambrick · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +2.32 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 3 M. Westbrook · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.20 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 4 R. Ismail · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.20 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
- 5 K. Carter · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.18 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
- 6 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +0.68 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
- 7 D. Chiaverini · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.48 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 8 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.34 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Bennett — WAS · Receiving
D. Bennett posted the highest total EPA (+2.75) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Washington Commanders's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +0.92 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.58 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (5:27) 2-A.Wright pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 21-F.Smoot at WAS 24. 21-F.Smoot to DAL 40 for 36 yards (73-L.Allen).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Washington Commanders — M. Westbrook (T. Banks pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Seder
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Seder
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Seder
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the WAS 10 (Q2 30:25) — (:25) 6-T.Seder 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The fourth quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–6. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 31 (Q4 12:28) — (12:28) 12-T.Banks pass to 82-M.Westbrook for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass thrown middle.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 12:16) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the WAS 21 (Q4 6:45) — (6:45) 6-T.Seder 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the WAS 8 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 6-T.Seder 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) 48-S.Davis left tackle to DAL 38 for 5 yards (60-J.Nix). FUMBLES (60-J.Nix), RECOVERED by DAL-98-G.Ellis at DAL 33. Play Challenged by WAS and Upheld. (Timeout #2 at 02:40.)
- Washington Commanders (Q4 12:28) — (12:28) 12-T.Banks pass to 82-M.Westbrook for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass thrown middle.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 35:27) — (5:27) 2-A.Wright pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 21-F.Smoot at WAS 24. 21-F.Smoot to DAL 40 for 36 yards (73-L.Allen).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 30:00) — (:00) 5-B.Conway 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 6-T.Seder 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 35:27) — (5:27) 2-A.Wright pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 21-F.Smoot at WAS 24. 21-F.Smoot to DAL 40 for 36 yards (73-L.Allen).
- Washington Commanders (Q4 12:28) — (12:28) 12-T.Banks pass to 82-M.Westbrook for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass thrown middle.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) 48-S.Davis left tackle to DAL 38 for 5 yards (60-J.Nix). FUMBLES (60-J.Nix), RECOVERED by DAL-98-G.Ellis at DAL 33. Play Challenged by WAS and Upheld. (Timeout #2 at 02:40.)
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 17:38) — (2:38) 2-A.Wright pass to 81-R.Ismail to DAL 44 for 25 yards (28-D.Green). Pass caught middle.
Quarterback report card
A.Wright led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Wright (Dallas Cowboys) · 34 dropbacks · 44.1% completion · -0.13 EPA/play · -4.46 total EPA
- T.Banks (Washington Commanders) · 21 dropbacks · 47.6% completion · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.42 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.091 | -0.054 |
| Offensive success rate | 46.8% | 48.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.020 | -0.131 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.129 | +0.029 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.054 | +0.091 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.7% | 53.2% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Washington Commanders -0.09, Dallas Cowboys -0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, -4.79 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 10 drives, -5.66 total EPA, 1 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. Bennett (Washington Commanders) 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.
- Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:25 · WAS 10 · Score 0-3
(:25) 6-T.Seder 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 12:28 · DAL 31 · Score 6-3
(12:28) 12-T.Banks pass to 82-M.Westbrook for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass thrown middle. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 12:16 · DAL 2 · Score 7-3
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 6:45 · WAS 21 · Score 7-6
(6:45) 6-T.Seder 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · WAS 8 · Score 7-9
(:04) 6-T.Seder 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-95-R.Chevrier, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 9-7 in Week 5, 2001 on 2001-10-15.
What was the final score of Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Washington Commanders 7, Dallas Cowboys 9 (WAS 7-9 DAL) in Week 5, 2001 on 2001-10-15.
What was the score by quarter in Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q2: Washington Commanders 0, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q4: Washington Commanders 7, Dallas Cowboys 6; Final: Washington Commanders 7, Dallas Cowboys 9.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
Washington Commanders touchdown — M. Westbrook (T. Banks pass) (Q4 12:28) Dallas Cowboys field goal — T. Seder (Q2 30:25, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — T. Seder (Q4 6:45, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — T. Seder (Q4 0:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
A. Wright (Dallas Cowboys), 44.1% completion, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -4.46 total passing EPA. T. Banks (Washington Commanders), 47.6% completion, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.42 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
D. Bennett (Washington Commanders) led the game in total EPA with +2.75 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.58 EPA): (5:27) 2-A.Wright pass intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 21-F.Smoot at WAS 24. 21-F.Smoot to DAL 40 for 36 yards (73-L.Allen).. The biggest win-probability swing was -24.9%.
Was Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Dallas Cowboys won 9-7 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Washington Commanders
Entered 0-4 Now 0-5 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 0-4 Now 1-4 W
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