Quick answer
- Winner
- Dallas Cowboys
- Final score
- Dallas Cowboys 16–10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Halftime
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7–10 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- M. Austin
- Top passer
- T. Romo
- Biggest EPA play
- (6:28) (Punt formation) 6-C.Jones punts 41 yards to TB 38, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 12-J.Shi…
- Game date
- 2012-09-23
Game summary
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16–10 on 2012-09-23. M. Austin posted a game-high +3.48 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
 Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers(10:56) 5-J.Freeman pass short left to 88-L.Stocker for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Freeman pass complete to left corner off play action.
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
(1:31) 29-D.Murray left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
(2:53) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
(11:14) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
(2:47) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
(:44) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
DALDallas CowboysFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 10:56TD LSL. StockerPoints+6
- Yard line
- DAL 1
- Score
- 6-0
(10:56) 5-J.Freeman pass short left to 88-L.Stocker for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Freeman pass complete to left corner off play action.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 10:51XP CBC. BarthPoints+1
- Yard line
- DAL 2
- Score
- 7-0
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 1:31TD DMD. MurrayPoints+6
- Yard line
- TB 11
- Score
- 7-6
(1:31) 29-D.Murray left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 1:22XP Points+1
- Yard line
- TB 2
- Score
- 7-7
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 2:53FG Points+3
- Yard line
- TB 13
- Score
- 7-10
(2:53) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q4 11:14FG Points+3
- Yard line
- TB 8
- Score
- 7-13
(11:14) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
- DALDallas Cowboys
Q4 2:47FG Points+3
- Yard line
- TB 4
- Score
- 7-16
(2:47) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 0:44FG CBC. BarthPoints+3
- Yard line
- DAL 10
- Score
- 10-16
(:44) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.48 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
- 2D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
- 3K. Ogletree · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.67 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 4D. Ware · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +0.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 5D. Martin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 6A. Benn · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.48 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 7F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.46 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
- 8T. Underwood · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.37 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.37 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
M. Austin — DAL · Receiving
M. Austin posted the highest total EPA (+3.48) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Dallas Cowboys. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +0.39 EPA per play.
M. Austin's top snap (+3.68 EPA): (1:03) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 19-M.Austin to TB 30 for 49 yards (21-E.Wright) [93-G.McCoy]. Pass complete on Deep Post pattern.
Biggest single play (+5.92 EPA): Christian Jones — (6:28) (Punt formation) 6-C.Jones punts 41 yards to TB 38, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 12-J.Shipley MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DAL-58-O.Lemon at TB 39. PENALTY on TB-56-D.Watson, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yar
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) · 45 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +1.8% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -6.73 total EPA
- J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 34 dropbacks · 29.4% completion · -21.5% CPOE · -0.39 EPA/play · -13.40 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.232 | -0.146 |
| Offensive success rate | 33.3% | 33.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.394 | -0.149 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.053 | -0.436 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.146 | +0.232 |
| Defensive success rate | 66.3% | 66.7% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.15 vs -0.23), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.23 EPA/play (6th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
- Dallas Cowboys: -0.15 EPA/play (15th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
- Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, -12.55 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -18.81 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — L. Stocker (J. Freeman pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Murray
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey
- Dallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey
- Dallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 10:56) — (10:56) 5-J.Freeman pass short left to 88-L.Stocker for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Freeman pass complete to left corner off play action.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 10:51) — 10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 11 (Q1 1:31) — (1:31) 29-D.Murray left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 1:22) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 13 (Q2 2:53) — (2:53) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 6–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 8 (Q4 11:14) — (11:14) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 4 (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 10 (Q4 0:44) — (:44) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 2:07) — (2:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo sacked at DAL 32 for -8 yards (71-M.Bennett). Tampa Bay challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 6:28) — (6:28) (Punt formation) 6-C.Jones punts 41 yards to TB 38, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 12-J.Shipley MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DAL-58-O.Lemon at TB 39. PENALTY on TB-56-D.Watson, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yar
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 10:35) — (10:35) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass incomplete to 29-D.Murray [93-G.McCoy]. Shuffle pass. Tampa Bay challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo sacked at TB 23 for
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 14:15) — (14:15) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 19-M.Austin INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Talib at DAL 29. 25-A.Talib to DAL 24 for 5 yards (17-D.Harris). The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 3:32) — (3:32) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman pass short right intended for 28-D.Ware INTERCEPTED by 50-S.Lee at TB 23. 50-S.Lee to TB 23 for no gain (28-D.Ware).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 6:28) — (6:28) (Punt formation) 6-C.Jones punts 41 yards to TB 38, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 12-J.Shipley MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DAL-58-O.Lemon at TB 39. PENALTY on TB-56-D.Watson, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yar
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 2:07) — (2:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo sacked at DAL 32 for -8 yards (71-M.Bennett). Tampa Bay challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 10:35) — (10:35) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass incomplete to 29-D.Murray [93-G.McCoy]. Shuffle pass. Tampa Bay challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo sacked at TB 23 for
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 1:03) — (1:03) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 19-M.Austin to TB 30 for 49 yards (21-E.Wright) [93-G.McCoy]. Pass complete on Deep Post pattern.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 10:56 · DAL 1 · Score 6-0
(10:56) 5-J.Freeman pass short left to 88-L.Stocker for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Freeman pass complete to left corner off play action. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 10:51 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 1:31 · TB 11 · Score 7-6
(1:31) 29-D.Murray left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 1:22 · TB 2 · Score 7-7
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 2:53 · TB 13 · Score 7-10
(2:53) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 11:14 · TB 8 · Score 7-13
(11:14) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 2:47 · TB 4 · Score 7-16
(2:47) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 0:44 · DAL 10 · Score 10-16
(:44) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
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.
- M. Austin (Dallas Cowboys) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- J. Freeman (TB) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys on 2012-09-23?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-10 in Week 3, 2012.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Dallas Cowboys 6; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10, Dallas Cowboys 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — L. Stocker (J. Freeman pass) (Q1 10:56) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Murray (Q1 1:31) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q2 2:53, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q4 11:14, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q4 2:47, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q4 0:44, 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?
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 55.6% completion, +1.8% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -6.73 total passing EPA. J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 29.4% completion, -21.5% CPOE, -0.39 EPA per dropback, -13.40 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?
M. Austin (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +3.48 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 9 snaps. Their top snap (+3.68 EPA): (1:03) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 19-M.Austin to TB 30 for 49 yards (21-E.Wright) [93-G.McCoy]. Pass complete on Deep Post pattern..
Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Dallas Cowboys won 16-10 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
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