Panthers 28–36 Cowboys: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 4, 2021

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys?

S. Darnold (Carolina Panthers), 54.2% completion, -0.3% CPOE, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +2.22 total passing EPA. D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 51.9% completion, -6.2% CPOE, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +9.61 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys?

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.61 total EPA on Passing plays. across 27 snaps. Their top snap (+3.49 EPA): (:57) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott scrambles left end ran ob at CAR 33 for 21 yards (21-J.Chinn)..

Quick answer

Winner: Dallas Cowboys
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 36–28 Carolina Panthers
Halftime: Carolina Panthers 14–13 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Dak Prescott
Top passer: Sam Darnold
Biggest EPA play: (4:54) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 16-B.Zylstra pushed ob at DAL 13 for 55 y…
Game date: 2021-10-03

Game summary

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Carolina Panthers 36–28 on 2021-10-03, overcoming Carolina Panthers's 14–13 halftime lead. Dak Prescott posted a game-high +9.61 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Carolina Panthers	7	7	0	14	0	28
Dallas Cowboys	7	6	20	3	0	36

Scoring Map

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

CARCarolina Panthers

CAR 1

CAR 35

CAR 6

CAR 23

+3CAR 20

DALDallas Cowboys

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

17 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 7:31TD
Ezekiel Elliott
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 1
Score
0-6
(7:31) 21-E.Elliott left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q1 7:27XP
Greg Zuerlein
Points+1
Yard line
CAR 15
Score
0-7
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 2:45TD
Sam Darnold
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 1
Score
6-7
(2:45) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 2:41XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 15
Score
7-7
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 14:16TD
BJB. Jarwin
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 18
Score
7-13
(14:16) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 89-B.Jarwin for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 7:09TD
Sam Darnold
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 11
Score
13-13
(7:09) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 7:02XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 15
Score
14-13
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 10:56TD
Amari Cooper
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 35
Score
14-19
(10:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 19-A.Cooper for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 10:49XP
Greg Zuerlein
Points+1
Yard line
CAR 15
Score
14-20
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 7:24TD
Dalton Schultz
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 6
Score
14-26
(7:24) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 86-D.Schultz for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 2:23TD
Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 23
Score
14-32
(2:23) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 1-C.Wilson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q3 2:17XP
Greg Zuerlein
Points+1
Yard line
CAR 15
Score
14-33
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q4 15:00FG
Greg Zuerlein
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 20
Score
14-36
(15:00) 2-G.Zuerlein 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 9:05TD
Sam Darnold
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 6
Score
20-36
(9:05) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 2-Dj.Moore for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 8:58XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 15
Score
21-36
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 4:36TD
Sam Darnold
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 8
Score
27-36
(4:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 2-Dj.Moore for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 4:31XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 15
Score
28-36
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Dak Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +9.61 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2B. Zylstra · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +6.00 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.00 EPA/play
3Amari Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.22 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.74 EPA/play
4Cedrick Wilson Jr. · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
5DJ Moore · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
6Royce Freeman · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.92 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
7Ryan Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.88 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
8DJ Moore · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.36 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

Dak Prescott — DAL · Passing

Dak Prescott posted the highest total EPA (+9.61) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Dallas Cowboys. Across 27 counted snaps, they averaged +0.36 EPA per play.

Dak Prescott's top snap (+3.49 EPA): (:57) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott scrambles left end ran ob at CAR 33 for 21 yards (21-J.Chinn).

Biggest single play (+5.58 EPA): Sam Darnold — (4:54) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 16-B.Zylstra pushed ob at DAL 13 for 55 yards (30-A.Brown).

Quarterback report card

Sam Darnold led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers) · 48 dropbacks · 54.2% completion · -0.3% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +2.22 total EPA
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 27 dropbacks · 51.9% completion · -6.2% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +9.61 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Carolina Panthers	Dallas Cowboys
Offensive EPA/play	+0.019	+0.132
Offensive success rate	47.1%	47.5%
Pass EPA/play	+0.046	+0.356
Rush EPA/play	+0.204	+0.142
Defensive EPA/play	-0.132	-0.019
Defensive success rate	52.5%	52.9%

Drive & efficiency notes

Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.13 vs +0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Carolina Panthers: +0.02 EPA/play (55th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
Dallas Cowboys: +0.13 EPA/play (82nd percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)

Carolina Panthers: 11 drives, +1.66 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +10.58 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Dallas Cowboys — Ezekiel Elliott (Q1 7:31)
Carolina Panthers — Sam Darnold (Q1 2:45)
Dallas Cowboys — B. Jarwin (Dak Prescott pass) (Q2 14:16)
Carolina Panthers — Sam Darnold (Q2 7:09)
Dallas Cowboys — Amari Cooper (Dak Prescott pass) (Q3 10:56)
Dallas Cowboys — Dalton Schultz (Dak Prescott pass) (Q3 7:24)
Dallas Cowboys — Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Dak Prescott pass) (Q3 2:23)
Carolina Panthers — Sam Darnold (Q4 9:05)
Carolina Panthers — Sam Darnold (Q4 4:36)

Field goals

Dallas Cowboys — Greg Zuerlein (Q4 15:00)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q1 7:31) — (7:31) 21-E.Elliott left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 7:27) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 2:45) — (2:45) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 2:41) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–6. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 18 (Q2 14:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 89-B.Jarwin for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DAL 11 (Q2 7:09) — (7:09) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 7:02) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 20–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 35 (Q3 10:56) — (10:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 19-A.Cooper for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 10:49) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 6 (Q3 7:24) — (7:24) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 86-D.Schultz for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 23 (Q3 2:23) — (2:23) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 1-C.Wilson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 2:17) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the CAR 20 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 2-G.Zuerlein 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q4 9:05) — (9:05) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 2-Dj.Moore for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 8:58) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DAL 8 (Q4 4:36) — (4:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 2-Dj.Moore for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 4:31) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Dallas Cowboys (Q1 0:57) — (:57) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott scrambles left end ran ob at CAR 33 for 21 yards (21-J.Chinn). [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.49]
Carolina Panthers (Q3 14:32) — (14:32) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 2-Dj.Moore to DAL 39 for 39 yards (18-D.Kazee). [WPA +9.6% · EPA +3.07]
Carolina Panthers (Q3 12:54) — (12:54) 5-Z.Gonzalez 54 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton. [WPA -9.1% · EPA -3.99]
Dallas Cowboys (Q3 10:56) — (10:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 19-A.Cooper for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +3.02]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 13:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 11-R.Anderson to CAR 36 for 13 yards (30-A.Brown). [WPA +7.9% · EPA +2.63]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Carolina Panthers (Q4 4:54) — (4:54) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 16-B.Zylstra pushed ob at DAL 13 for 55 yards (30-A.Brown). [WPA +2.5% · EPA +5.58]
Carolina Panthers (Q3 1:28) — (1:28) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left intended for 2-Dj.Moore INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs at CAR 29. 7-T.Diggs to CAR 29 for no gain (2-Dj.Moore). [WPA -1.4% · EPA -5.03]
Carolina Panthers (Q3 3:48) — (3:48) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle intended for 11-R.Anderson INTERCEPTED by 7-T.Diggs [94-R.Gregory] at DAL 40. 7-T.Diggs to CAR 37 for 23 yards (20-R.Smith; 2-Dj.Moore). [WPA -2.7% · EPA -5.01]
Carolina Panthers (Q3 12:54) — (12:54) 5-Z.Gonzalez 54 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton. [WPA -9.1% · EPA -3.99]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 7:31 · CAR 1 · Score 0-6
(7:31) 21-E.Elliott left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 7:27 · CAR 15 · Score 0-7
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 2:45 · DAL 1 · Score 6-7
(2:45) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 2:41 · DAL 15 · Score 7-7
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 14:16 · CAR 18 · Score 7-13
(14:16) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 89-B.Jarwin for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 7:09 · DAL 11 · Score 13-13
(7:09) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 7:02 · DAL 15 · Score 14-13
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 10:56 · CAR 35 · Score 14-19
(10:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 19-A.Cooper for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 10:49 · CAR 15 · Score 14-20
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 7:24 · CAR 6 · Score 14-26
(7:24) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 86-D.Schultz for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 2:23 · CAR 23 · Score 14-32
(2:23) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 1-C.Wilson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 2:17 · CAR 15 · Score 14-33
2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · CAR 20 · Score 14-36
(15:00) 2-G.Zuerlein 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 9:05 · DAL 6 · Score 20-36
(9:05) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 2-Dj.Moore for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 8:58 · DAL 15 · Score 21-36
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 4:36 · DAL 8 · Score 27-36
(4:36) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 2-Dj.Moore for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 4:31 · DAL 15 · Score 28-36
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.

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.
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Dak Prescott (DAL) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys on 2021-10-03?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Carolina Panthers 36-28 in Week 4, 2021.

What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Q1: Carolina Panthers 7, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q2: Carolina Panthers 7, Dallas Cowboys 6; Q3: Carolina Panthers 0, Dallas Cowboys 20; Q4: Carolina Panthers 14, Dallas Cowboys 3; Final: Carolina Panthers 28, Dallas Cowboys 36.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (Q1 7:31) Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Darnold (Q1 2:45) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — B. Jarwin (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 14:16) Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Darnold (Q2 7:09) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — A. Cooper (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 10:56) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Schultz (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 7:24) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Wilson (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 2:23) Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Darnold (Q4 9:05) Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Darnold (Q4 4:36) Dallas Cowboys field goal — G. Zuerlein (Q4 15:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers), 54.2% completion, -0.3% CPOE, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +2.22 total passing EPA. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 51.9% completion, -6.2% CPOE, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +9.61 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.61 total EPA on Passing plays. across 27 snaps. Their top snap (+3.49 EPA): (:57) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott scrambles left end ran ob at CAR 33 for 21 yards (21-J.Chinn)..

Season records after this game

Carolina Panthers

Entered 3-0 Now 3-1 L

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 2-1 Now 3-1 W

Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2021 Week 4 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

Quick answer

Game summary