Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2006 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-12-16, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 38–28 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 42 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Vick (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -2.07 total EPA, and +9.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.56 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-20.6% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (15:00) 7-M.Vick pass short left intended for 33-J.Griffith INTERCEPTED by 94-D.Ware at ATL 41. 94-D.Ware for 41 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 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +13.56 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +10.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.16 EPA/play
3. 3 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.68 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.89 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.92 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.66 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +6.23 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.23 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.74 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Griffith · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.22 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. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q1 46:40)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Ware (Q2 45:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Griffith (M. Vick pass) (Q2 41:19)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Jenkins (M. Vick pass) (Q2 36:35)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q2 33:15)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Lelie (M. Vick pass) (Q2 30:18)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Griffith (M. Vick pass) (Q3 26:12)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q3 17:37)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q4 2:23)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — M. Gramatica (Q3 22:22)

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 ATL 7 (Q1 46:40) — (1:40) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 81-T.Owens for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 46:32) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 28–14. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 49 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 7-M.Vick pass short left intended for 33-J.Griffith INTERCEPTED by 94-D.Ware at ATL 41. 94-D.Ware for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 44:50) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 41:19) — (11:19) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 33-J.Griffith for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-D.Ware, Defensive Holding, declined.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 41:11) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 9 (Q2 36:35) — (6:35) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 12-M.Jenkins for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 36:30) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 51 (Q2 33:15) — (3:15) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 81-T.Owens for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 33:08) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 8 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass short right to 87-A.Lelie for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:11) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 80 (Q2 30:11) — (:11) 9-T.Romo sacked at DAL 8 for -12 yards (75-R.Coleman)..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DAL 5 (Q3 26:12) — (11:12) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 33-J.Griffith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 26:09) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ATL 30 (Q3 22:22) — (7:22) 7-M.Gramatica 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 9 (Q3 17:37) — (2:37) 24-M.Barber right tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 17:32).

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 2:23); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 2:18) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 7-M.Vick pass short left intended for 33-J.Griffith INTERCEPTED by 94-D.Ware at ATL 41. 94-D.Ware for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -20.6% · EPA -9.43]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 19:50) — (4:50) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 83-T.Glenn pushed ob at ATL 34 for 34 yards (21-D.Hall). Penalty on ATL-94-J.Mallard, Defensive Offside, declined. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +3.77]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 33:15) — (3:15) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 81-T.Owens for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.84]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:53) — (12:53) 7-M.Vick pass incomplete short left to 87-A.Lelie (42-A.Henry). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -3.16]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:38) — (:38) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass deep right to 84-R.White to DAL 1 for 43 yards (33-N.Jones). Penalty on DAL-26-A.Glenn, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.37]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 7-M.Vick pass short left intended for 33-J.Griffith INTERCEPTED by 94-D.Ware at ATL 41. 94-D.Ware for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -20.6% · EPA -9.43]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 42:05) — (12:05) 9-T.Romo pass intended for 83-T.Glenn INTERCEPTED by 59-M.Boley (75-R.Coleman) at ATL 48. 59-M.Boley to DAL 12 for 40 yards (24-M.Barber). [WPA -11.5% · EPA -6.27]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 33:15) — (3:15) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 81-T.Owens for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.84]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:38) — (:38) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass deep right to 84-R.White to DAL 1 for 43 yards (33-N.Jones). Penalty on DAL-26-A.Glenn, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +13.5% · EPA +4.37]

Quarterback report card

M.Vick led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 36 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · +9.4% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -2.07 total EPA
• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 35 dropbacks · 62.9% completion · +13.3% CPOE · +0.39 EPA/play · +13.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Dallas Cowboys generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs -0.00), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -0.11 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +15.08 total EPA, 5 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.
• T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Vick (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Romo (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.

1. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 46:40 · ATL 7 · Score 6-0
   (1:40) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 81-T.Owens for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 46:32 · ATL 2 · Score 7-0
   7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · DAL 49 · Score 13-0
   (15:00) 7-M.Vick pass short left intended for 33-J.Griffith INTERCEPTED by 94-D.Ware at ATL 41. 94-D.Ware for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 44:50 · ATL 2 · Score 14-0
   7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 41:19 · DAL 1 · Score 14-6
   (11:19) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 33-J.Griffith for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-94-D.Ware, Defensive Holding, declined.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 41:11 · DAL 2 · Score 14-7
   5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 36:35 · DAL 9 · Score 14-13
   (6:35) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 12-M.Jenkins for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 36:30 · DAL 2 · Score 14-14
   5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 33:15 · ATL 51 · Score 20-14
   (3:15) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 81-T.Owens for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 33:08 · ATL 2 · Score 21-14
    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:18 · DAL 8 · Score 21-20
    (:18) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass short right to 87-A.Lelie for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:11 · DAL 2 · Score 21-21
    5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+7) — Q2 30:11 · ATL 80 · Score 21-21
    (:11) 9-T.Romo sacked at DAL 8 for -12 yards (75-R.Coleman).
14. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 26:12 · DAL 5 · Score 21-27
    (11:12) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 33-J.Griffith for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 26:09 · DAL 2 · Score 21-28
    5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
16. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 22:22 · ATL 30 · Score 24-28
    (7:22) 7-M.Gramatica 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
17. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 17:37 · ATL 9 · Score 30-28
    (2:37) 24-M.Barber right tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 17:32 · ATL 2 · Score 31-28
    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo. Penalty on DAL-75-M.Colombo, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on ATL-91-P.C
19. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:23 · ATL 3 · Score 37-28
    (2:23) 24-M.Barber up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-50-E.Hartwell, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
20. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 2:18 · ATL 2 · Score 38-28
    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.