Cowboys 24–17 Saints: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 15, 2009

Quick answer

Winner: Dallas Cowboys
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 24–17 New Orleans Saints
Halftime: Dallas Cowboys 17–3 New Orleans Saints at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: T. Romo
Top passer: D. Brees
Biggest EPA play: (11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10
Game date: 2009-12-19

Game summary

The Dallas Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints 24–17 on 2009-12-19. T. Romo posted a game-high +16.71 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Dallas Cowboys	14	3	7	0	0	24
New Orleans Saints	0	3	0	14	0	17

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DALDallas Cowboys

NO 49

+3DAL 16

+3NO 26

NONew Orleans Saints

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 11:33TD
MAM. Austin
Points+6
Yard line
NO 49
Score
6-0
(11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10
DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 11:24XP
Nick Folk
Points+1
Yard line
NO 2
Score
7-0
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 5:19TD
MBM. Barber
Points+6
Yard line
NO 3
Score
13-0
(5:19) 24-M.Barber left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 5:15XP
Nick Folk
Points+1
Yard line
NO 2
Score
14-0
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 7:27FG
GHG. Hartley
Points+3
Yard line
DAL 16
Score
14-3
(7:27) 5-G.Hartley 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 0:08FG
Nick Folk
Points+3
Yard line
NO 26
Score
17-3
(:08) 6-N.Folk 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 8:06TD
MBM. Barber
Points+6
Yard line
NO 2
Score
23-3
(8:06) 24-M.Barber left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 8:00XP
Nick Folk
Points+1
Yard line
NO 2
Score
24-3
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 12:41TD
Markquese Bell
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 1
Score
24-9
(12:41) 21-M.Bell left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 12:35XP
GHG. Hartley
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 2
Score
24-10
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 8:06TD
LMLouis Moore
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 7
Score
24-16
(8:06) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -3, RAC 10
NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 8:00XP
GHG. Hartley
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 2
Score
24-17
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +16.71 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
2M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +9.52 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
3M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.89 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
4P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.68 EPA/play
5Jordan Phillips · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.48 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
6Drake Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
7R. Bush · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.79 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
8K. Ogletree · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.78 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

T. Romo — DAL · Passing

T. Romo posted the highest total EPA (+16.71) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Dallas Cowboys. Across 42 counted snaps, they averaged +0.40 EPA per play.

T. Romo's top snap (+4.60 EPA): (11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10

Quarterback report card

D. Brees led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 52 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · -2.7% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.39 total EPA
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 42 dropbacks · 52.4% completion · +0.2% CPOE · +0.40 EPA/play · +16.71 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Dallas Cowboys	New Orleans Saints
Offensive EPA/play	+0.131	+0.041
Offensive success rate	47.3%	45.6%
Pass EPA/play	+0.398	-0.007
Rush EPA/play	+0.007	+0.056
Defensive EPA/play	-0.041	-0.131
Defensive success rate	54.4%	52.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Dallas Cowboys generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.13 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Dallas Cowboys: +0.13 EPA/play (82nd percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
New Orleans Saints: +0.04 EPA/play (64th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)

Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +12.17 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +3.20 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (T. Romo pass) (Q1 11:33)
Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q1 5:19)
Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q3 8:06)
New Orleans Saints — Markquese Bell (Q4 12:41)
New Orleans Saints — Louis Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q4 8:06)

Field goals

New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 7:27)
Dallas Cowboys — Nick Folk (Q2 0:08)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NO 49 (Q1 11:33) — (11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 11:24) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q1 5:19) — (5:19) 24-M.Barber left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 5:15) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DAL 16 (Q2 7:27) — (7:27) 5-G.Hartley 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NO 26 (Q2 0:08) — (:08) 6-N.Folk 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q3 8:06) — (8:06) 24-M.Barber left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 8:00) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 12:41) — (12:41) 21-M.Bell left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 12:35) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q4 8:06) — (8:06) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -3, RAC 10; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 8:00) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Dallas Cowboys (Q1 11:33) — (11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10 [WPA +12.6% · EPA +4.60]
Dallas Cowboys (Q1 0:56) — (:56) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 84-P.Crayton to NO 43 for 25 yards (42-D.Sharper). Pass 23, Catch 2 [WPA +6.7% · EPA +2.68]
Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:29) — (6:29) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 19-M.Austin to NO 45 for 32 yards (22-T.Porter). Pass 8, RAC 24 [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.10]
New Orleans Saints (Q4 8:06) — (8:06) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -3, RAC 10 [WPA +5.7% · EPA +1.58]
Dallas Cowboys (Q2 14:12) — (14:12) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass incomplete short right to 11-R.Williams. PENALTY on NO-34-M.McKenzie, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at NO 37 - No Play. [WPA +5.4% · EPA +3.07]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Dallas Cowboys (Q1 11:33) — (11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10 [WPA +12.6% · EPA +4.60]
Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:19) — (2:19) 6-N.Folk 24 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo. [WPA -4.5% · EPA -3.88]
Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:29) — (6:29) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 19-M.Austin to NO 45 for 32 yards (22-T.Porter). Pass 8, RAC 24 [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.10]
Dallas Cowboys (Q2 14:12) — (14:12) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass incomplete short right to 11-R.Williams. PENALTY on NO-34-M.McKenzie, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at NO 37 - No Play. [WPA +5.4% · EPA +3.07]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 11:33 · NO 49 · Score 6-0
(11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 11:24 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 5:19 · NO 3 · Score 13-0
(5:19) 24-M.Barber left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 5:15 · NO 2 · Score 14-0
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 7:27 · DAL 16 · Score 14-3
(7:27) 5-G.Hartley 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 0:08 · NO 26 · Score 17-3
(:08) 6-N.Folk 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 8:06 · NO 2 · Score 23-3
(8:06) 24-M.Barber left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 8:00 · NO 2 · Score 24-3
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:41 · DAL 1 · Score 24-9
(12:41) 21-M.Bell left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 12:35 · DAL 2 · Score 24-10
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:06 · DAL 7 · Score 24-16
(8:06) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -3, RAC 10
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 8:00 · DAL 2 · Score 24-17
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.

Key takeaways

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

Dallas Cowboys earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints on 2009-12-19?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints 24-17 in Week 15, 2009.

What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints?

Q1: Dallas Cowboys 14, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 7, New Orleans Saints 0; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 0, New Orleans Saints 14; Final: Dallas Cowboys 24, New Orleans Saints 17.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints?

Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Austin (T. Romo pass) (Q1 11:33) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Barber (Q1 5:19) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Barber (Q3 8:06) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Bell (Q4 12:41) New Orleans Saints touchdown — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q4 8:06) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q2 7:27, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — N. Folk (Q2 0:08, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 55.8% completion, -2.7% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.39 total passing EPA. T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 52.4% completion, +0.2% CPOE, +0.40 EPA per dropback, +16.71 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints?

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +16.71 total EPA on Passing plays. across 42 snaps. Their top snap (+4.60 EPA): (11:33) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 19-M.Austin for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 39, RAC 10.

Was Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Dallas Cowboys won 24-17 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W

New Orleans Saints

Entered 13-0 Now 13-1 L

Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints: 2009 Week 15 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

Top fantasy performers · Saints

Quick answer

Game summary