Game story
In Week 5 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-10-09, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 28–14 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +9.84 total EPA, and +8.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.84 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+5.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (4:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 83-T.Williams to DAL 34 for 17 yards (26-J.Shaw). Pass complete on a crossing pattern.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Dalton · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +9.84 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 2 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +9.60 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 3 T. Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.58 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
- 4 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.24 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.56 EPA/play
- 5 B. LaFell · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +6.09 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 6 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.26 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
- 7 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
- 8 A. Green · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Dalton — CIN · Passing
A. Dalton posted the highest total EPA (+9.84) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Cincinnati Bengals's efficiency. Across 55 counted snaps, they averaged +0.18 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.52 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (:39) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott sacked at CIN 26 for -8 yards (96-C.Dunlap). FUMBLES (96-C.Dunlap) [96-C.Dunlap], touched at CIN 23, RECOVERED by CIN-57-V.Rey at CIN 31. 57-V.Rey to CIN 41 for 10 yards (72-T.Frederick).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Prescott
- Dallas Cowboys — C. Beasley (D. Prescott pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott
- Cincinnati Bengals — B. LaFell (A. Dalton pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — B. LaFell (A. Dalton pass)
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 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CIN 13 (Q1 56:15) — (11:15) (Shotgun) 21-E.Elliott up the middle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q1 56:09) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CIN 5 (Q2 44:47) — (14:47) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 44:43) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CIN 14 (Q2 34:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 11-C.Beasley for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 34:09) — 5-D.Bailey 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 CIN 60 (Q3 26:47) — (11:47) 21-E.Elliott right guard for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q3 26:38) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 14–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q4 10:14) — (10:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 11-B.LaFell for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 10:10) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the DAL 5 (Q4 2:44) — (2:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 11-B.LaFell for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 2:39) — 2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 49:40) — (4:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 83-T.Williams to DAL 34 for 17 yards (26-J.Shaw). Pass complete on a crossing pattern.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 58:08) — (13:08) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 83-T.Williams to CIN 39 for 11 yards (55-V.Burfict). Pass complete on a curl route.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 57:29) — (12:29) 21-E.Elliott left end to CIN 22 for 17 yards (43-G.Iloka; 24-A.Jones).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 46:24) — (1:24) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep middle to 83-T.Williams to CIN 4 for 21 yards (27-D.Kirkpatrick). Pass complete on a seam route.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 42:06) — (12:06) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 11-B.LaFell to CIN 43 for 14 yards (31-B.Jones). Pass complete on a bubble screen.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott sacked at CIN 26 for -8 yards (96-C.Dunlap). FUMBLES (96-C.Dunlap) [96-C.Dunlap], touched at CIN 23, RECOVERED by CIN-57-V.Rey at CIN 31. 57-V.Rey to CIN 41 for 10 yards (
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:47) — (11:47) 21-E.Elliott right guard for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 26:52) — (11:52) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Nugent 50 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 5:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 18-A.Green to DAL 49 for 5 yards (24-M.Claiborne, 42-B.Church).
Quarterback report card
A.Dalton led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) · 55 dropbacks · 52.7% completion · +8.6% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +9.84 total EPA
- D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 29 dropbacks · 62.1% completion · +7.6% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +9.60 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.007 | +0.222 |
| Offensive success rate | 49.4% | 52.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.179 | +0.331 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.031 | +0.298 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.222 | -0.007 |
| Defensive success rate | 47.1% | 50.6% |
By the numbers
Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 8 drives, +0.64 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, +15.06 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Dallas Cowboys leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- A. Dalton (CIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- D. Prescott (DAL) 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.
- Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 56:15 · CIN 13 · Score 0-6
(11:15) (Shotgun) 21-E.Elliott up the middle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 56:09 · CIN 15 · Score 0-7
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 44:47 · CIN 5 · Score 0-13
(14:47) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 44:43 · CIN 15 · Score 0-14
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 34:17 · CIN 14 · Score 0-20
(4:17) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 11-C.Beasley for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 34:09 · CIN 15 · Score 0-21
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 26:47 · CIN 60 · Score 0-27
(11:47) 21-E.Elliott right guard for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 26:38 · CIN 15 · Score 0-28
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 10:14 · DAL 7 · Score 6-28
(10:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short middle to 11-B.LaFell for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 10:10 · DAL 15 · Score 7-28
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 2:44 · DAL 5 · Score 13-28
(2:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 11-B.LaFell for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 2:39 · DAL 15 · Score 14-28
2-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Cincinnati Bengals 28-14 in Week 5, 2016 on 2016-10-09.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 14, Dallas Cowboys 28 (CIN 14-28 DAL) in Week 5, 2016 on 2016-10-09.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Dallas Cowboys 14; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q4: Cincinnati Bengals 14, Dallas Cowboys 0; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 14, Dallas Cowboys 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (Q1 56:15) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Prescott (Q2 44:47) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Beasley (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 34:17) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (Q3 26:47) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — B. LaFell (A. Dalton pass) (Q4 10:14) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — B. LaFell (A. Dalton pass) (Q4 2:44) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals), 52.7% completion, +8.6% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +9.84 total passing EPA. D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 62.1% completion, +7.6% CPOE, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +9.60 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys?
A. Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) led the game in total EPA with +9.84 on passing plays. across 55 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.52 EPA): (:39) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott sacked at CIN 26 for -8 yards (96-C.Dunlap). FUMBLES (96-C.Dunlap) [96-C.Dunlap], touched at CIN 23, RECOVERED by CIN-57-V.Rey at CIN 31. 57-V.Rey to C. The biggest win-probability swing was +5.0%.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 2-2 Now 2-3 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 3-1 Now 4-1 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
