Game story
In Week 13 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-11-28, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 27–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Wuerffel (Washington Commanders) paced the passing game, with +3.86 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Thompson (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+20.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (10:16) 7-C.Hutchinson pass to 84-J.Galloway for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught at the Washington 15 right side of the field before scoring.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Thompson · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +9.13 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 2 D. Wuerffel · Washington Commanders · Passing · +3.86 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 3 Z. Flemister · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.40 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.40 EPA/play
- 4 E. Smith · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +3.01 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 5 A. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.40 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 6 R. Gardner · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 7 M. Wiley · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.87 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
- 8 R. Thomas · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.65 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Thompson — WAS · Receiving
D. Thompson posted the highest total EPA (+9.13) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Washington Commanders's efficiency. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.52 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.08 EPA) came from Washington Commanders: (6:36) 17-D.Wuerffel pass intended for 85-D.McCants INTERCEPTED by 27-M.Edwards at DAL 1. 27-M.Edwards to DAL 30 for 29 yards (86-W.Rasby). Return middle.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — A. Bryant (C. Hutchinson pass)
- Washington Commanders — R. Gardner (D. Wuerffel pass)
- Washington Commanders — Z. Flemister (D. Wuerffel pass)
- Washington Commanders — D. Thompson (D. Wuerffel pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Wuerffel
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Galloway (C. Hutchinson pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 14–10. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 29 (Q2 43:30) — (13:30) 7-C.Hutchinson pass to 88-A.Bryant for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 43:24) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen. Gurode was shaken up on the extra point attempt.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 40 (Q2 41:32) — (11:32) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 87-R.Gardner for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on deep post right side.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 41:28) — 14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-6-S.Matthews.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the WAS 2 (Q2 35:58) — (5:58) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Cundiff 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 16 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 89-Z.Flemister for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass lofted left corner of the end zone; ball caught 5 yards deep.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 31:55) — 14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-6-S.Matthews..
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–6. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DAL 11 (Q3 27:58) — (12:58) (Shotgun) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 88-D.Thompson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete after roll right.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 99 (Q3 23:54) — (8:54) (Shotgun) 17-D.Wuerffel pass intended for 32-K.Watson INTERCEPTED by 31-Ro.Williams at WAS 5. 31-Ro.Williams for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 23:53) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the WAS 41 (Q4 10:16); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 10:05) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the WAS 23 (Q4 4:27) — (4:27) 3-B.Cundiff 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:16) — (10:16) 7-C.Hutchinson pass to 84-J.Galloway for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught at the Washington 15 right side of the field before scoring.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 23:54) — (8:54) (Shotgun) 17-D.Wuerffel pass intended for 32-K.Watson INTERCEPTED by 31-Ro.Williams at WAS 5. 31-Ro.Williams for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 51:36) — (6:36) 17-D.Wuerffel pass intended for 85-D.McCants INTERCEPTED by 27-M.Edwards at DAL 1. 27-M.Edwards to DAL 30 for 29 yards (86-W.Rasby). Return middle.
- Washington Commanders (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Field Goal formation) 14-J.Tuthill 36 yard field goal is BLOCKED (76-F.Adams), Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker, recovered by WAS-4-B.Barker at WAS 49. Adams fourth career block.
- Washington Commanders (Q2 41:32) — (11:32) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 87-R.Gardner for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on deep post right side.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 51:36) — (6:36) 17-D.Wuerffel pass intended for 85-D.McCants INTERCEPTED by 27-M.Edwards at DAL 1. 27-M.Edwards to DAL 30 for 29 yards (86-W.Rasby). Return middle.
- Washington Commanders (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Field Goal formation) 14-J.Tuthill 36 yard field goal is BLOCKED (76-F.Adams), Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker, recovered by WAS-4-B.Barker at WAS 49. Adams fourth career block.
- Washington Commanders (Q2 41:32) — (11:32) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 87-R.Gardner for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on deep post right side.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:16) — (10:16) 7-C.Hutchinson pass to 84-J.Galloway for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught at the Washington 15 right side of the field before scoring.
Quarterback report card
D.Wuerffel led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Wuerffel (Washington Commanders) · 41 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.86 total EPA
- C.Hutchinson (Dallas Cowboys) · 33 dropbacks · 36.4% completion · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.09 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.116 | -0.047 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.0% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.092 | -0.094 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.388 | +0.026 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.047 | +0.116 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 56.0% |
By the numbers
Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.05 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Dallas Cowboys: 14 drives, -4.22 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 15 drives, -9.75 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.
- D. Thompson (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 TD (+6) — Q2 43:30 · WAS 29 · Score 0-6
(13:30) 7-C.Hutchinson pass to 88-A.Bryant for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 43:24 · WAS 2 · Score 0-7
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen. Gurode was shaken up on the extra point attempt. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 41:32 · DAL 40 · Score 6-7
(11:32) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 87-R.Gardner for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught on deep post right side. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 41:28 · DAL 2 · Score 7-7
14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-6-S.Matthews. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 35:58 · WAS 2 · Score 7-10
(5:58) (Field Goal formation) 3-B.Cundiff 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · DAL 16 · Score 13-10
(2:00) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 89-Z.Flemister for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass lofted left corner of the end zone; ball caught 5 yards deep. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 31:55 · DAL 2 · Score 14-10
14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-6-S.Matthews. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 27:58 · DAL 11 · Score 20-10
(12:58) (Shotgun) 17-D.Wuerffel pass to 88-D.Thompson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete after roll right. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 23:54 · DAL 99 · Score 20-16
(8:54) (Shotgun) 17-D.Wuerffel pass intended for 32-K.Watson INTERCEPTED by 31-Ro.Williams at WAS 5. 31-Ro.Williams for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 23:53 · WAS 2 · Score 20-17
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 10:16 · WAS 41 · Score 20-23
(10:16) 7-C.Hutchinson pass to 84-J.Galloway for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught at the Washington 15 right side of the field before scoring. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 10:05 · WAS 2 · Score 20-24
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 4:27 · WAS 23 · Score 20-27
(4:27) 3-B.Cundiff 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-J.Grau, Holder-83-J.Whalen.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 27-20 in Week 13, 2002 on 2002-11-28.
What was the final score of Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Washington Commanders 20, Dallas Cowboys 27 (WAS 20-27 DAL) in Week 13, 2002 on 2002-11-28.
What was the score by quarter in Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q2: Washington Commanders 14, Dallas Cowboys 10; Q3: Washington Commanders 6, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q4: Washington Commanders 0, Dallas Cowboys 10; Final: Washington Commanders 20, Dallas Cowboys 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — A. Bryant (C. Hutchinson pass) (Q2 43:30) Washington Commanders touchdown — R. Gardner (D. Wuerffel pass) (Q2 41:32) Washington Commanders touchdown — Z. Flemister (D. Wuerffel pass) (Q2 32:00) Washington Commanders touchdown — D. Thompson (D. Wuerffel pass) (Q3 27:58) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Wuerffel (Q3 23:54) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Galloway (C. Hutchinson pass) (Q4 10:16) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Cundiff (Q2 35:58, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Cundiff (Q4 4:27, 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?
D. Wuerffel (Washington Commanders), 51.2% completion, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +3.86 total passing EPA. C. Hutchinson (Dallas Cowboys), 36.4% completion, -0.09 EPA per dropback, -3.09 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys?
D. Thompson (Washington Commanders) led the game in total EPA with +9.13 on receiving plays. across 6 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.08 EPA): (6:36) 17-D.Wuerffel pass intended for 85-D.McCants INTERCEPTED by 27-M.Edwards at DAL 1. 27-M.Edwards to DAL 30 for 29 yards (86-W.Rasby). Return middle.. The biggest win-probability swing was +20.2%.
Was Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Dallas Cowboys won 27-20 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Washington Commanders
Entered 5-6 Now 5-7 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 4-7 Now 5-7 W
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