Final2023 Week 15

Highmark Stadium (Old), Orchard Park, NY

Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills, Week 15 2023

Dallas Cowboys

Away

10

Buffalo Bills

HomeWon

31

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Cowboys030710
Bills7143731

DAL 10BUF 31 Final

  • Passing leader

    Dak Prescott

    DAL · QB

    7.1PPR pts

    21/34, 134 YDS, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    James Cook III

    BUF · RB

    36.1PPR pts

    25 ATT, 179 YDS, 1 TD, 2 REC, 42 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Cowboys leader

    CeeDee Lamb

    DAL · WR

    18.6PPR pts

    7 REC, 53 YDS, 1 RUSH TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Christian Benford

    BUF

    1 INT, 1 TKL

Bills 31, Cowboys 10: Buffalo leads from start to finish

Buffalo led 21–3 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Dallas 10–7 after the break to win 31–10. The Bills finished with a 351–195 edge in total offense and averaged 5.4 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Cowboys went 5-for-13 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Bills kept the ball for 35:05 and finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

  • +2.0 yards/play BUF 5.4 · DAL 3.4
  • +1 turnover margin BUF 0 turnovers
  • +156 total yards BUF 351 · DAL 195

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Bills Won

Buffalo won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Cowboys vs Bills
CowboysStatBills
3.4Yards per play5.4
1Turnovers0
195Total yards351
Other team stats
57Plays65
38%Third-down conversion56%
24:55Time of possession35:05

Scoring Summary

The Bills scored four touchdowns and one field goal; the Cowboys scored one touchdown and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Cowboys vs Bills
TimeTeamPlayDALBUF
1st quarter
8:06BUFLatavius Murray 2-yard TD run Takes leadTyler Bass XP07
2nd quarter
12:52BUFJosh Allen → James Cook, 18-yard TD Extends leadTyler Bass XP014
7:13DALBrandon Aubrey 32-yard FG314
1:36BUFJosh Allen 1-yard TD run Extends leadTyler Bass XP321
3rd quarter
2:36BUFTyler Bass 23-yard FG Extends lead324
4th quarter
12:30BUFJames Cook 24-yard TD run Extends leadTyler Bass XP331
2:48DALCeeDee Lamb 3-yard TD runBrandon Aubrey XP1031

Fantasy Points: Cowboys vs Bills, Week 15 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. James CookBUFRB36.1 PTSRB2
  2. CeeDee LambDALWR18.6 PTSWR16
  3. Josh AllenBUFQB16.2 PTSQB17
  4. Jake FergusonDALTE10.4 PTSTE12

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Dak PrescottDALQB7.1QB3221/3413401427057.7Start/Sit →
Josh AllenBUFQB16.2QB177/159410824189.3Start/Sit →
Kyle AllenBUFQB-0.2—————2-20—Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
James CookBUFRB36.1RB2RB25179132421
CeeDee LambDALWR18.6WR16WR131107530Start/Sit →
Jake FergusonDALTE10.4TE12TE———86440Start/Sit →
Stefon DiggsBUFWR8.8WR45WR———54480Start/Sit →
Tony PollardDALRB7.7RB36RB115203250Start/Sit →
Latavius MurrayBUFRB7.1RB37RB5111————
Ty JohnsonBUFRB6.8RB40RB95401140Start/Sit →
Rico DowdleDALRB3.2RB57RB3403280Start/Sit →
Brandin CooksDALWR3.0WR84WR———62100Start/Sit →
Michael GallupDALWR1.9WR101WR———1190
Peyton HendershotDALTE1.5TE59TE———1150
Dalton KincaidBUFTE0.0—TE———2000Start/Sit →
Gabe DavisBUFWR0.0—WR———1000
Khalil ShakirBUFWR0.0—WR———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

  1. CeeDee LambWR57 snaps100%
  2. Jake FergusonTE49 snaps86%
  3. Brandin CooksWR42 snaps74%
  4. Tony PollardRB41 snaps72%
  5. Michael GallupWR29 snaps51%

Target Share32 targets

  1. CeeDee Lamb31%, 10 targets
  2. Jake Ferguson25%, 8 targets
  3. Brandin Cooks19%, 6 targets
  4. Tony Pollard9%, 3 targets
  5. Rico Dowdle9%, 3 targets
  6. Other6%, 2 targets

Carry Share19 carries

  1. Tony Pollard58%, 11 carries
  2. Dak Prescott21%, 4 carries
  3. Rico Dowdle16%, 3 carries
  4. CeeDee Lamb5%, 1 carries

Buffalo Bills

Snap Share

  1. Gabe DavisWR49 snaps72%
  2. Dawson KnoxTE42 snaps62%
  3. Trent SherfieldWR39 snaps57%
  4. James CookRB38 snaps56%
  5. Khalil ShakirWR33 snaps49%

Target Share13 targets

  1. Stefon Diggs38%, 5 targets
  2. James Cook23%, 3 targets
  3. Dalton Kincaid15%, 2 targets
  4. Ty Johnson8%, 1 targets
  5. Gabe Davis8%, 1 targets
  6. Other8%, 1 targets

Carry Share49 carries

  1. James Cook51%, 25 carries
  2. Ty Johnson18%, 9 carries
  3. Josh Allen16%, 8 carries
  4. Latavius Murray10%, 5 carries
  5. Kyle Allen4%, 2 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
CeeDee LambDALWR57100%1031%1
Jake FergusonDALTE4986%825%0
Brandin CooksDALWR4274%619%0
Gabe DavisBUFWR4972%18%0
Tony PollardDALRB4172%39%11
Dawson KnoxBUFTE4262%00%0
Trent SherfieldBUFWR3957%00%0
James CookBUFRB3856%323%25
Michael GallupDALWR2951%13%0
Jalen TolbertDALWR2849%00%0
Khalil ShakirBUFWR3349%18%0
Dalton KincaidBUFTE3349%215%0
Stefon DiggsBUFWR3146%538%0
Ty JohnsonBUFRB2029%18%9
Quintin MorrisBUFTE1826%00%0
Rico DowdleDALRB1526%39%3
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE1221%00%0
Latavius MurrayBUFRB1421%00%5
Reggie GilliamBUFRB1421%00%0
Peyton HendershotDALTE712%13%0
Deonte HartyBUFWR23%00%0
KaVontae TurpinDALWR12%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+15.8James Cook III36.1 PTS vs 20.3 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−9.7Dak Prescott7.1 PTS vs 16.8 xFP
  • Highest expected volume20.3 xFPJames Cook III36.1 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
James Cook IIIBUF · RB36.120.3+15.856%51% car—02551%323%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR18.617.3+1.3100%31% tgt—015%1031%
Dak PrescottDAL · QB7.116.8−9.7100%34 att—34420%00%
Jake FergusonDAL · TE10.413.4−3.086%25% tgt—000%825%
Tony PollardDAL · RB7.711.8−4.172%55% car—01155%39%
Josh AllenBUF · QB16.211.2+5.090%15 att—15816%00%
Brandin CooksDAL · WR3.010.0−7.074%19% tgt—000%619%
Stefon DiggsBUF · WR8.88.3+0.546%38% tgt—000%538%
Ty JohnsonBUF · RB6.87.2−0.429%18% car—0918%18%
Rico DowdleDAL · RB3.26.8−3.626%15% car—0315%39%
Dalton KincaidBUF · TE0.03.3−3.349%15% tgt—000%215%
Latavius MurrayBUF · RB7.13.1+4.021%10% car—0510%00%
Gabe DavisBUF · WR0.01.7−1.772%8% tgt—000%18%
Khalil ShakirBUF · WR0.01.7−1.749%8% tgt—000%18%
Michael GallupDAL · WR1.91.7+0.251%3% tgt—000%13%
Peyton HendershotDAL · TE1.51.7−0.212%3% tgt—000%13%
Kyle AllenBUF · QB-0.21.2−1.410%0 att—024%00%
Hunter LuepkeDAL · RB0.30.6−0.3—5% car—015%00%

Team totals: Cowboys 32 targets and 20 carries; Bills 13 targets and 49 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Dak Prescott Unlucky

DAL · QB · 7.1 pts on 16.8 expected

21 of 34 passing for 134 yards, 1 interception; 4 carries for 27 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 16.8 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Dak Prescott →

Josh Allen Ran hot

BUF · QB · 16.2 pts on 11.2 expected

7 of 15 passing for 94 yards, 1 touchdown; 8 carries for 24 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Josh Allen →

CeeDee Lamb Strong role

DAL · WR · 18.6 pts on 17.3 expected

10 targets (31% of the team's), 7 catches for 53 yards; 1 carry (5% of the team's) for 3 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.3 expected.

Start/Sit: CeeDee Lamb →

Jake Ferguson

DAL · TE · 10.4 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (25% of the team's), 6 catches for 44 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Jake Ferguson →

James Cook III Ran hot

BUF · RB · 36.1 pts on 20.3 expected

3 targets (23% of the team's), 2 catches for 42 yards and 1 touchdown; 25 carries (51% of the team's) for 179 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 20.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stefon Diggs Strong role

BUF · WR · 8.8 pts on 8.3 expected

5 targets (38% of the team's), 4 catches for 48 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 8.3 expected.

Start/Sit: Stefon Diggs →

Brandin Cooks Unlucky

DAL · WR · 3.0 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (19% of the team's), 2 catches for 10 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Brandin Cooks →

Peyton Hendershot

DAL · TE · 1.5 pts on 1.7 expected

1 target (3% of the team's), 1 catch for 5 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 1.7 expected.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Dallas Cowboys

  • Stock up: CeeDee Lamb played 100% of the snaps, up from a 81% season average.
  • Stock down: Peyton Hendershot played 12% of the snaps, down from a 37% season average.

Buffalo Bills

  • Stock up: Ty Johnson played 29% of the snaps, up from a 11% season average.
  • Stock down: Stefon Diggs played 46% of the snaps, down from a 86% season average.
  • Stock down: Dalton Kincaid played 49% of the snaps, down from a 68% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cowboys defense and Bills defense
Points allowed toCowboys DBills D
QBs15.114.8
RBs19.020.9
WRs27.629.5
TEs10.110.3

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Buffalo opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% in the third quarter on the way to the win.

Bills win probability

Bills win probability by game minuteBills started at 50%, stood at 97% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 7 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +21Murray 2-yd TD run50% → 71%Q1 8:06
  2. +16Allen → Cook, 18-yd TD73% → 89%Q2 12:52
  3. −6Aubrey 32-yd FG91% → 85%Q2 7:13
  4. +10Allen 1-yd TD run87% → 97%Q2 1:36

Swing in Bills win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cowboys vs Bills
Dallas CowboysMeasureBuffalo Bills
57Plays65
65%Pass rate25%
2.9Yds / dropback5.3
4.5Yds / carry5.4
5/13Third downs5/9

Efficiency edge Buffalo ran 8 more plays and gained 2.4 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • DAL Lamb 31% · Ferguson 25% · Cooks 19%
  • BUF Diggs 38% · Cook 23% · Kincaid 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cowboys vs Bills
ResultDALBUF
Touchdowns14
Field goals11
Punts52
Turnovers10

BUF turnover edge: +1

  • The Bills opened the scoring on their first possession, a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Bills scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 17 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
BUFQ1 15:0012756:54Touchdown
DALQ1 8:068194:05Punt
BUFQ1 4:01370:57Punt
DALQ1 3:04300:28Punt
BUFQ1 2:3611864:44Touchdown
DALQ2 12:5211615:39Field goal
BUFQ2 7:1311765:37Touchdown
DALQ2 1:365141:17Punt
BUFQ2 0:191-10:19End of half
DALQ3 15:006114:02Punt
BUFQ3 10:5815658:22Field goal
DALQ3 2:363-82:01Punt
BUFQ3 0:356673:05Touchdown
DALQ4 12:307231:53Interception
BUFQ4 10:37332:19Punt
DALQ4 8:1815805:30Touchdown
BUFQ4 2:484112:48End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cowboys vs Bills Head-to-Head

The Cowboys and Bills first met in 1971 and have played 14 times since.

All-time series
8–6Cowboys lead, 14 meetings since 1971
Postseason
2–0Cowboys won in 1992 and 1993
Largest Cowboys win
44–72011
Largest Bills win
31–102023

Since 2021

1–0 Bills lead

1 meeting since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Bills win, C = Cowboys win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

  • 2023 Wk 15 Cowboys at Bills BUF 31 DAL 10 BUF W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cowboys vs Bills
CowboysStatBills
12-5Record11-6
29.9Points per game26.5
371.6Yards per game374.5
5.6Yards per play5.7
18.5Points allowed per game18.3
299.7Yards allowed per game307.2

Cowboys and Bills in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Cowboy or a Bill, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cowboys vs Bills Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Cowboys vs Bills Week 15 game?

The Buffalo Bills beat the Dallas Cowboys 31–10 in Week 15 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Highmark Stadium (Old) in Orchard Park, NY, on December 17, 2023. See the Bills' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Cowboys vs Bills?

The final score was Bills 31, Cowboys 10. The Bills led 21–3 at halftime, and the second half went Cowboys 7, Bills 10.

What happened in the Cowboys vs Bills game?

Buffalo led 21–3 at halftime after a 14-point second quarter and outscored Dallas 10–7 after the break to win 31–10. The Bills finished with a 351–195 edge in total offense and averaged 5.4 yards per play. James Cook led all players with 2 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, plus 25 carries for 179 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys committed 1 turnover, the Bills none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cowboys vs Bills?

James Cook led the game with 36.1 PPR fantasy points, the RB2 of Week 15, on 2 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, plus 25 carries for 179 rushing yards and a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb was next with 18.6 (WR16). See James Cook's 2023 game log.

Who led Cowboys vs Bills in passing, rushing and receiving?

Dak Prescott (DAL) led all passers with 21 of 34 for 134 yards and an interception. James Cook (BUF) led in rushing with 25 carries for 179 yards and a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb (DAL) led in receiving with 7 catches for 53 yards.

How many fantasy points did James Cook score against the Cowboys?

James Cook scored 36.1 points in PPR leagues, 35.1 in half-PPR and 34.1 in standard scoring against the Cowboys in Week 15 of the 2023 season, on 2 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, plus 25 carries for 179 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Bills?

James Cook III outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 36.1 PPR points on 20.3 xFP (+15.8). Dak Prescott fell furthest short, with 7.1 points on 16.8 xFP (−9.7). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Bills?

James Cook III had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.3 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 36.1. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Bills beat the Cowboys?

The Bills beat the Cowboys 31–10 because they averaged 5.4 yards per play to 3.4, won the turnover battle 1–0, and outgained them 351–195.

Which team won the turnover battle in Cowboys vs Bills?

The Bills won the turnover battle 1–0: the Cowboys gave the ball away 1 time and the Bills not at all. The Bills won the game.

What is the all-time Cowboys vs Bills record?

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 8–6 across 14 meetings since 1971, including a 2–0 record in the postseason.

Have the Cowboys and Bills played in the Super Bowl?

Yes, 2 times: the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVII 52–17 over the Bills after the 1992 season; the Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVIII 30–13 over the Bills after the 1993 season.

When did the Cowboys and Bills last play before this game?

Before Week 15 of 2023, they last met in the 2019 season on November 28, 2019, when the Bills beat the Cowboys 26–15.