Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2021 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season on 2022-01-02, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 25–22 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 18 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +7.60 total EPA, and -8.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+14.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +8.90 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +7.60 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Wilson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.75 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Green · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.74 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Gallup · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Banjo · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +3.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.73 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Ward · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.73 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Schultz · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Arizona Cardinals — A. Wesley (K. Murray pass) (Q2 35:32)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Gallup (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 31:30)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Wesley (K. Murray pass) (Q3 24:44)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Wilson (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 13:53)
• Dallas Cowboys — A. Cooper (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 4:48)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q1 52:49)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q2 30:03)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Murray (Q3 30:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q3 19:04)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q4 8:36)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 6 (Q1 52:49) — (7:49) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 35:32) — (5:32) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-A.Wesley for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 35:27) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 21 (Q2 31:30); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 31:25) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 35 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 12–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 75 (Q3 30:00); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DAL 19 (Q3 24:44) — (9:44) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-A.Wesley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 8 (Q3 19:04) — (4:04) 5-M.Prater 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 15–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q4 13:53) — (13:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 1-C.Wilson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [34-J.Thompson].; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 20 (Q4 13:49) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 20 (Q4 8:36) — (8:36) 5-M.Prater 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 19-A.Cooper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 4:42) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott pass to 1-C.Wilson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 54:26) — (9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs). [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.66]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:11) — (4:11) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 86-D.Schultz pushed ob at ARI 26 for 14 yards (7-B.Murphy). [WPA +12.1% · EPA +3.65]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:39) — (2:39) 2-G.Zuerlein 43 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger. [WPA -11.5% · EPA -3.63]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:21) — (12:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 13-C.Kirk to DAL 23 for 43 yards (26-J.Lewis). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.92]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:42) — (10:42) (No Huddle) 4-D.Prescott scrambles up the middle to DAL 39 for 4 yards (9-I.Simmons). FUMBLES (9-I.Simmons), RECOVERED by ARI-45-D.Gardeck at DAL 44. [WPA -9.0% · EPA -4.25]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 54:26) — (9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs). [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.66]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:42) — (10:42) (No Huddle) 4-D.Prescott scrambles up the middle to DAL 39 for 4 yards (9-I.Simmons). FUMBLES (9-I.Simmons), RECOVERED by ARI-45-D.Gardeck at DAL 44. [WPA -9.0% · EPA -4.25]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:21) — (12:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 13-C.Kirk to DAL 23 for 43 yards (26-J.Lewis). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.92]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:33) — (10:33) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 31-C.Banjo. 31-C.Banjo pass deep middle to 29-J.Ward to DAL 41 for 23 yards (25-N.Wright). Penalty on DAL-25-N.Wright, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +3.73]

Quarterback report card

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

• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 48 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -8.3% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +7.60 total EPA
• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 45 dropbacks · 57.8% completion · +7.0% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +8.90 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Arizona Cardinals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.08 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +7.00 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, -0.51 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Prescott (DAL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• K. Murray (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 52:49 · DAL 6 · Score 3-0
   (7:49) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
2. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 35:32 · DAL 1 · Score 9-0
   (5:32) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-A.Wesley for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:27 · DAL 15 · Score 10-0
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
4. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 31:30 · ARI 21 · Score 10-6
   (1:30) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 13-M.Gallup for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN [55-C.Jones]. DAL-13-M.Gallup was injured during the play. His return is Que
5. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 31:25 · ARI 15 · Score 10-7
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
6. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · DAL 35 · Score 13-7
   (:03) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 30:00 · DAL 75 · Score 13-7
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass incomplete short left. PENALTY on ARI-68-K.Beachum, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at ARI 25 - No Play.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 24:44 · DAL 19 · Score 19-7
   (9:44) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-A.Wesley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 19:04 · DAL 8 · Score 22-7
   (4:04) 5-M.Prater 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 13:53 · ARI 2 · Score 22-13
    (13:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 1-C.Wilson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [34-J.Thompson].
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 13:49 · ARI 20 · Score 22-14
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 8:36 · DAL 20 · Score 25-14
    (8:36) 5-M.Prater 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 4:48 · ARI 4 · Score 25-20
    (4:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 19-A.Cooper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 4:42 · ARI 2 · Score 25-22
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott pass to 1-C.Wilson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.