Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2008 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-20, the Baltimore Ravens took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 33–24 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 34 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +0.58 total EPA, and +3.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.77 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+20.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Baltimore Ravens changed the game: (3:42) 23-W.McGahee up the middle for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.77 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Mason · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +7.01 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.39 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
4. 4 W. McGahee · Baltimore Ravens · Rushing · +4.78 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Choice · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.43 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
6. 6 L. McClain · Baltimore Ravens · Rushing · +4.13 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
7. 7 P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Clayton · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +3.23 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.81 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

• Dallas Cowboys — T. Choice (Q1 56:08)
• Baltimore Ravens — D. Mason (J. Flacco pass) (Q3 17:58)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q4 3:54)
• Baltimore Ravens — W. McGahee (Q4 3:42)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q4 1:41)
• Baltimore Ravens — L. McClain (Q4 1:33)

Field goals

• Baltimore Ravens — M. Stover (Q1 51:17)
• Baltimore Ravens — M. Stover (Q2 40:57)
• Baltimore Ravens — M. Stover (Q2 30:02)
• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q4 11:32)
• Baltimore Ravens — M. Stover (Q4 6:34)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the BAL 2 (Q1 56:08) — (11:08) (Shotgun) 23-T.Choice up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q1 56:05) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the DAL 7 (Q1 51:17) — (6:17) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch..

The second quarter: Baltimore Ravens won the period 6–0. Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the DAL 11 (Q2 40:57) — (10:57) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the DAL 19 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch..

The third quarter: Baltimore Ravens won the period 7–0. Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the DAL 13 (Q3 17:58) — (2:58) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 85-D.Mason for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left corner of the end zone.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 17:51) — 3-M.Stover extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 17–17. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the BAL 17 (Q4 11:32) — (11:32) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the DAL 17 (Q4 6:34) — (6:34) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the BAL 7 (Q4 3:54); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q4 3:50) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the DAL 77 (Q4 3:42) — (3:42) 23-W.McGahee up the middle for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 3:32) — 3-M.Stover extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the BAL 21 (Q4 1:41) — (1:41) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q4 1:36) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the DAL 82 (Q4 1:33) — (1:33) 33-L.McClain right tackle for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 1:18) — 3-M.Stover extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch..

Turning points

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

• Baltimore Ravens (Q4 3:42) — (3:42) 23-W.McGahee up the middle for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.8% · EPA +6.40]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep left intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 20-E.Reed at BAL 20. 20-E.Reed to BAL 49 for 29 yards (23-T.Choice). [WPA -14.6% · EPA -1.61]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q1 57:02) — (12:02) 5-J.Flacco sacked at BAL 3 for -6 yards (94-D.Ware). FUMBLES (94-D.Ware) [94-D.Ware], RECOVERED by DAL-98-G.Ellis at BAL 4. [WPA -14.0% · EPA -4.76]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q3 17:58) — (2:58) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 85-D.Mason for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left corner of the end zone. [WPA +11.0% · EPA +2.69]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:37) — (11:37) 9-T.Romo FUMBLES (Aborted) at BAL 17, ball out of bounds at BAL 17. On option-right, Romo's lateral to Choice rolled out-of-bounds. [WPA -8.9% · EPA -1.90]

Impact plays

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

• Baltimore Ravens (Q4 1:33) — (1:33) 33-L.McClain right tackle for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.2% · EPA +6.60]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q4 3:42) — (3:42) 23-W.McGahee up the middle for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.8% · EPA +6.40]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q1 57:02) — (12:02) 5-J.Flacco sacked at BAL 3 for -6 yards (94-D.Ware). FUMBLES (94-D.Ware) [94-D.Ware], RECOVERED by DAL-98-G.Ellis at BAL 4. [WPA -14.0% · EPA -4.76]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:41) — (1:41) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.9% · EPA +3.43]

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) · 48 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +3.3% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.58 total EPA
• J.Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) · 33 dropbacks · 51.5% completion · +8.9% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.35 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Baltimore Ravens generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs +0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Baltimore Ravens: 14 drives, +14.81 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +2.18 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Baltimore Ravens leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Romo (DAL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Flacco (BAL) 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. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 56:08 · BAL 2 · Score 0-6
   (11:08) (Shotgun) 23-T.Choice up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 56:05 · BAL 2 · Score 0-7
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
3. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q1 51:17 · DAL 7 · Score 3-7
   (6:17) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.
4. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q2 40:57 · DAL 11 · Score 6-7
   (10:57) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.
5. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · DAL 19 · Score 9-7
   (:02) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.
6. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q3 17:58 · DAL 13 · Score 15-7
   (2:58) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 85-D.Mason for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught left corner of the end zone.
7. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q3 17:51 · DAL 2 · Score 16-7
   3-M.Stover extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.
8. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 11:32 · BAL 17 · Score 16-10
   (11:32) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
9. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q4 6:34 · DAL 17 · Score 19-10
   (6:34) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Stover 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 3:54 · BAL 7 · Score 19-16
    (3:54) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 81-T.Owens for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 3-step drop back; pass caught right corner of the end zone.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 3:50 · BAL 2 · Score 19-17
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
12. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q4 3:42 · DAL 77 · Score 25-17
    (3:42) 23-W.McGahee up the middle for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q4 3:32 · DAL 2 · Score 26-17
    3-M.Stover extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:41 · BAL 21 · Score 26-23
    (1:41) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:36 · BAL 2 · Score 26-24
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
16. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q4 1:33 · DAL 82 · Score 32-24
    (1:33) 33-L.McClain right tackle for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q4 1:18 · DAL 2 · Score 33-24
    3-M.Stover extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.