Game story
In Week 16 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-12-24, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 24–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with -2.27 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Glenn (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.19 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+30.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (2:32) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 81-R.Proehl for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Carolina Panthers | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +11.19 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.80 EPA/play
- 2 K. Johnson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
- 3 R. Proehl · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.60 total EPA · 2 snaps · +4.30 EPA/play
- 4 J. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +6.07 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 5 D. Carter · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.58 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.86 EPA/play
- 6 D. Bledsoe · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +5.22 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 7 K. Mangum · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
- 8 N. Goings · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Glenn — DAL · Receiving
T. Glenn posted the highest total EPA (+11.19) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.80 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.71 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: (8:33) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn to CAR 29 for 51 yards (20-C.Gamble). PENALTY on CAR-96-A.Wallace, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 29. Penalty on CAR-27-M.McCree, Defensive Pass Interferen
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Carolina Panthers — D. Carter (J. Delhomme pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Jones
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Jones
- Carolina Panthers — R. Proehl (J. Delhomme pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Glenn (D. Bledsoe pass)
Field goals
- Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff
- Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–7. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the DAL 6 (Q1 55:13) — (10:13) 4-J.Kasay 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DAL 32 (Q1 54:56) — (9:56) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 18-D.Carter for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 54:49) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q1 52:05) — (7:05) 21-J.Jones left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q1 52:00) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the CAR 6 (Q2 41:03) — (11:03) 3-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the DAL 29 (Q2 36:55) — (6:55) 4-J.Kasay 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 43 (Q3 20:01) — (5:01) 21-J.Jones left guard for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 19:50) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DAL 35 (Q4 2:32) — (2:32) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 81-R.Proehl for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 2:32) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q4 0:29) — (:29) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 0:24) — 3-B.Cundiff 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.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:32) — (2:32) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 81-R.Proehl for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:29) — (:29) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:08) — (1:08) 3-B.Cundiff 33 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo. PENALTY on CAR-90-J.Peppers, Running Into the Kicker, 4 yards, enforced at CAR 15 - No Play. Play
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 20:01) — (5:01) 21-J.Jones left guard for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:07) — (:07) 3-B.Cundiff 32 yard field goal is BLOCKED (90-J.Peppers), Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 53:33) — (8:33) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn to CAR 29 for 51 yards (20-C.Gamble). PENALTY on CAR-96-A.Wallace, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 29. Penalty on CAR-27-M.McCree, Defen
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 20:01) — (5:01) 21-J.Jones left guard for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:32) — (2:32) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 81-R.Proehl for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Carolina Panthers (Q1 56:51) — (11:51) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 81-R.Proehl to DAL 11 for 69 yards (29-K.Davis).
Quarterback report card
J.Delhomme led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) · 34 dropbacks · 41.2% completion · -0.07 EPA/play · -2.27 total EPA
- D.Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys) · 30 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.17 EPA/play · +5.22 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Dallas Cowboys | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.068 | +0.007 |
| Offensive success rate | 50.5% | 42.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.174 | -0.067 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.067 | -0.162 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.007 | -0.068 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.3% | 49.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Dallas Cowboys generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs +0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Carolina Panthers: 15 drives, +0.51 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Dallas Cowboys: 14 drives, +6.34 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- T. Glenn (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 55:13 · DAL 6 · Score 0-3
(10:13) 4-J.Kasay 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 54:56 · DAL 32 · Score 0-9
(9:56) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 18-D.Carter for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 54:49 · DAL 2 · Score 0-10
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 52:05 · CAR 8 · Score 6-10
(7:05) 21-J.Jones left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 52:00 · CAR 2 · Score 7-10
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 41:03 · CAR 6 · Score 10-10
(11:03) 3-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 36:55 · DAL 29 · Score 10-13
(6:55) 4-J.Kasay 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 20:01 · CAR 43 · Score 16-13
(5:01) 21-J.Jones left guard for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 19:50 · CAR 2 · Score 17-13
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 2:32 · DAL 35 · Score 17-19
(2:32) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 81-R.Proehl for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 2:32 · DAL 2 · Score 17-20
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 0:29 · CAR 2 · Score 23-20
(:29) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 0:24 · CAR 2 · Score 24-20
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-9-T.Romo.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Carolina Panthers 24-20 in Week 16, 2005 on 2005-12-24.
What was the final score of Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers?
The final score was Dallas Cowboys 24, Carolina Panthers 20 (DAL 24-20 CAR) in Week 16, 2005 on 2005-12-24.
What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers?
Q1: Dallas Cowboys 7, Carolina Panthers 10; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 3, Carolina Panthers 3; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 7, Carolina Panthers 0; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 7, Carolina Panthers 7; Final: Dallas Cowboys 24, Carolina Panthers 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — D. Carter (J. Delhomme pass) (Q1 54:56) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Jones (Q1 52:05) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Jones (Q3 20:01) Carolina Panthers touchdown — R. Proehl (J. Delhomme pass) (Q4 2:32) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Glenn (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q4 0:29) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q1 55:13, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Cundiff (Q2 41:03, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q2 36:55, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers?
J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers), 41.2% completion, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -2.27 total passing EPA. D. Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys), 50.0% completion, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +5.22 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers?
T. Glenn (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +11.19 on receiving plays. across 4 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.71 EPA): (8:33) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-T.Glenn to CAR 29 for 51 yards (20-C.Gamble). PENALTY on CAR-96-A.Wallace, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 29. Penalty on CA. The biggest win-probability swing was +30.9%.
Was Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Dallas Cowboys won 24-20 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 8-6 Now 9-6 W
Carolina Panthers
Entered 10-4 Now 10-5 L
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