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NFL · Week 4 · September 30, 2018 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2018 Week 4 Recap

Cowboys defeat Lions 26–24 in Week 4

Matthew Stafford led Fantasy Impact as Cowboys prevailed in a 24–26 Week 4 finish.

Detroit Lions 24 1–3
Final 24–26
Dallas Cowboys 26 2–2 Winner
Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
24–26
Halftime
Detroit Lions 10–13 Dallas Cowboys
Top passer
Dak Prescott
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Game date
September 30, 2018

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Matthew Stafford
    Matthew Stafford 24/34 · 289 YDS · 2 TD +16.3 Fantasy Impact
  • G.Tate 8 REC · 132 YDS · 2 TD +13.7 Fantasy Impact
  • K.Golladay 4 REC · 74 YDS +8.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

  • Dak Prescott
    Dak Prescott 17/35 · 233 YDS · 2 TD +8.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Ezekiel Elliott
    Ezekiel Elliott 4 REC · 88 YDS · 1 TD +8.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Cole Beasley
    Cole Beasley 4 REC · 53 YDS +3.3 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Cowboys box score View all 2018 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
Dallas Cowboys 26–24 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Detroit Lions 10–13 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Top passer
Dak Prescott
Biggest EPA play
(:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalt…
Game date
2018-09-30

Game summary

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 26–24 on 2018-09-30. Matthew Stafford posted a game-high +16.31 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Detroit Lions73014024
Dallas Cowboys31076026

Scoring Map

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

DETDetroit Lions
DALDallas Cowboys

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q1 4:34FG
    Brett Maher

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 14
    Score
    0-3

    (4:34) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  2. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 0:30TD
    GTG. Tate

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 45
    Score
    6-3

    (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.

  3. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 0:19XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 15
    Score
    7-3

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  4. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 11:06FG
    Brett Maher

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 25
    Score
    7-6

    (11:06) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 2:54FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 15
    Score
    10-6

    (2:54) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  6. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 1:48TD
    Ezekiel Elliott

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 38
    Score
    10-12

    (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 1:39XP
    Brett Maher

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    10-13

    2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  8. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 3:01TD
    Geoff Swaim

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    10-19

    (3:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 87-G.Swaim for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].

  9. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 2:59XP
    Brett Maher

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    10-20

    2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  10. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 14:26TD
    Kisean Johnson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 8
    Score
    16-20

    (14:26) 33-K.Johnson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL-38-J.Heath was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 14:20XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 15
    Score
    17-20

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  12. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 5:52FG
    Brett Maher

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 4
    Score
    17-23

    (5:52) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. Injury updates: Jeff Heath has a shoulder injury; his return is questionable. Quandre Diggs has a hand injury; his return is questionable.

  13. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 2:24TD
    GTG. Tate

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 38
    Score
    23-23

    (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 2:17XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 15
    Score
    24-23

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  15. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 0:03FG
    Brett Maher

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 20
    Score
    24-26

    (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +16.31 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
  2. 2G. Tate · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +13.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
  3. 3Dak PrescottDak Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +8.73 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
  4. 4Ezekiel ElliottEzekiel Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.68 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.17 EPA/play
  5. 5K. Golladay · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.24 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.06 EPA/play
  6. 6Ezekiel ElliottEzekiel Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.46 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
  7. 7Cole BeasleyCole Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
  8. 8Marcus JonesMarcus Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.14 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

Matthew Stafford

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Matthew Stafford — DET · Passing

Matthew Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+16.31) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 34 counted snaps, they averaged +0.48 EPA per play.

Matthew Stafford's top snap (+4.91 EPA): (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.

Quarterback report card

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

  • Dak PrescottDak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · -1.2% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +8.73 total EPA
  • Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 34 dropbacks · 70.6% completion · +13.2% CPOE · +0.48 EPA/play · +16.31 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsDallas Cowboys
Offensive EPA/play+0.179+0.168
Offensive success rate39.4%54.2%
Pass EPA/play+0.480+0.250
Rush EPA/play-0.078+0.164
Defensive EPA/play-0.168-0.179
Defensive success rate45.8%60.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions +0.18, Dallas Cowboys +0.17) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: +0.18 EPA/play (90th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: +0.17 EPA/play (88th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, +13.91 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 8 drives, +12.72 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Detroit Lions — G. Tate (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q1 0:30)
  • Ezekiel ElliottDallas Cowboys — Ezekiel Elliott (Dak Prescott pass) (Q2 1:48)
  • Geoff SwaimDallas Cowboys — Geoff Swaim (Dak Prescott pass) (Q3 3:01)
  • Kisean JohnsonDetroit Lions — Kisean Johnson (Q4 14:26)
  • Detroit Lions — G. Tate (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q4 2:24)

Field goals

  • Brett MaherDallas Cowboys — Brett Maher (Q1 4:34)
  • Brett MaherDallas Cowboys — Brett Maher (Q2 11:06)
  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q2 2:54)
  • Brett MaherDallas Cowboys — Brett Maher (Q4 5:52)
  • Brett MaherDallas Cowboys — Brett Maher (Q4 0:03)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 14 (Q1 4:34) — (4:34) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 45 (Q1 0:30); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 0:19) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 25 (Q2 11:06) — (11:06) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 15 (Q2 2:54) — (2:54) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 38 (Q2 1:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 1:39) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q3 3:01) — (3:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 87-G.Swaim for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 2:59) — 2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–6. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 8 (Q4 14:26) — (14:26) 33-K.Johnson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL-38-J.Heath was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 14:20) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 4 (Q4 5:52); Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 38 (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 2:17) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 20 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. [WPA +34.8% · EPA +0.34]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.1% · EPA +4.42]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 21-E.Elliott to DET 25 for 34 yards (40-J.Davis). [WPA +19.0% · EPA +2.36]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 0:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. [WPA +18.0% · EPA +4.91]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q2 1:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +3.80]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Detroit Lions (Q1 0:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. [WPA +18.0% · EPA +4.91]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.1% · EPA +4.42]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q2 1:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +3.80]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 9:58) — (9:58) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 11-M.Jones pushed ob at DET 47 for 34 yards (24-C.Awuzie). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +3.21]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 4:34 · DET 14 · Score 0-3
    (4:34) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 0:30 · DAL 45 · Score 6-3
    (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.
  3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 0:19 · DAL 15 · Score 7-3
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  4. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 11:06 · DET 25 · Score 7-6
    (11:06) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  5. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 2:54 · DAL 15 · Score 10-6
    (2:54) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  6. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 1:48 · DET 38 · Score 10-12
    (1:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 1:39 · DET 15 · Score 10-13
    2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 3:01 · DET 1 · Score 10-19
    (3:01) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 87-G.Swaim for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].
  9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 2:59 · DET 15 · Score 10-20
    2-B.Maher extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 14:26 · DAL 8 · Score 16-20
    (14:26) 33-K.Johnson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DAL-38-J.Heath was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
  11. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 14:20 · DAL 15 · Score 17-20
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 5:52 · DET 4 · Score 17-23
    (5:52) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. Injury updates: Jeff Heath has a shoulder injury; his return is questionable. Quandre Diggs
  13. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 2:24 · DAL 38 · Score 23-23
    (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 2:17 · DAL 15 · Score 24-23
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  15. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · DET 20 · Score 24-26
    (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-B.Maher 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

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.
  • Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matthew Stafford (DET) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys on 2018-09-30?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 26-24 in Week 4, 2018.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

Q1: Detroit Lions 7, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q2: Detroit Lions 3, Dallas Cowboys 10; Q3: Detroit Lions 0, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q4: Detroit Lions 14, Dallas Cowboys 6; Final: Detroit Lions 24, Dallas Cowboys 26.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

Detroit Lions touchdown — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 0:30) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 1:48) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — G. Swaim (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 3:01) Detroit Lions touchdown — K. Johnson (Q4 14:26) Detroit Lions touchdown — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 2:24) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Maher (Q1 4:34, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Maher (Q2 11:06, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q2 2:54, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Maher (Q4 5:52, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Maher (Q4 0:03, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 48.6% completion, -1.2% CPOE, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +8.73 total passing EPA. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 70.6% completion, +13.2% CPOE, +0.48 EPA per dropback, +16.31 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +16.31 total EPA on Passing plays. across 34 snaps. Their top snap (+4.91 EPA): (:30) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-R.Gregory, Illegal Use of Hands, declined..

Was Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Dallas Cowboys won 26-24 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 1-2 Now 1-3 L

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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