Dallas Cowboys vs. Cleveland Browns: 2016 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-11-06, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 35–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Kessler (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with -1.07 total EPA, and +10.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +25.35 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-11.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Cleveland Browns changed the game: (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 41 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Left Upright, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.

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 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +25.35 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +11.19 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.52 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.35 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
5. 5 T.Pryor Sr. · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
6. 6 I. Crowell · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.76 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Kessler · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +1.96 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.96 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Sanchez · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +1.80 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.80 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 — J. Witten (D. Prescott pass) (Q1 51:53)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (Q2 40:09)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Beasley (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 31:54)
• Cleveland Browns — T. Pryor (C. Kessler pass) (Q2 30:30)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (Q3 26:36)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Escobar (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 16:46)

Field goals

• Cleveland Browns — C. Parkey (Q1 57:44)

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 14–3. Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the DAL 13 (Q1 57:44) — (12:44) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CLE 26 (Q1 51:53) — (6:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 82-J.Witten for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q1 51:47) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CLE 94 (Q1 48:58) — (3:58) 21-E.Elliott left guard to DAL 6 for no gain (57-C.Johnson)..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CLE 10 (Q2 40:09) — (10:09) 21-E.Elliott right tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 40:02) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CLE 6 (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 11-C.Beasley for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 31:50) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the DAL 12 (Q2 30:30); Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 30:23) — 3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CLE 8 (Q3 26:36) — (11:36) 21-E.Elliott left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 26:30) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the CLE 2 (Q3 16:46) — (1:46) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 89-G.Escobar for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 16:41) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

Turning points

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

• Cleveland Browns (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 41 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Left Upright, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. [WPA -11.7% · EPA -3.21]
• Cleveland Browns (Q1 46:17) — (1:17) 6-C.Kessler up the middle to DAL 42 for 3 yards (93-B.Mayowa). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +1.96]
• Cleveland Browns (Q1 59:27) — (14:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-C.Kessler pass deep middle to 34-I.Crowell to DAL 15 for 44 yards (59-A.Hitchens). unbalanced line [WPA +8.7% · EPA +2.51]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 48:11) — (3:11) (Punt formation) 6-C.Jones punts 50 yards to CLE 44, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 29-D.Johnson Jr. to CLE 46 for 2 yards (57-D.Wilson). CLE-29-D.Johnson Jr. was injured during the play. His return is [WPA +8.6% · EPA +0.06]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:53) — (6:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 82-J.Witten for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +3.35]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:53) — (6:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 82-J.Witten for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +3.35]
• Cleveland Browns (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 41 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Left Upright, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. [WPA -11.7% · EPA -3.21]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 11-C.Beasley for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.5% · EPA +3.11]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:18) — (:18) 3-M.Sanchez kneels to CLE 18 for -1 yards. [EPA -2.99]

Quarterback report card

C.Kessler led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Kessler (Cleveland Browns) · 32 dropbacks · 59.4% completion · +10.7% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.07 total EPA
• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 30 dropbacks · 70.0% completion · +17.2% CPOE · +0.85 EPA/play · +25.35 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 (+0.28 vs -0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cleveland Browns: 8 drives, -7.55 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, +24.05 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.
• D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Kessler (CLE) 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.

1. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q1 57:44 · DAL 13 · Score 0-3
   (12:44) (Field Goal formation) 3-C.Parkey 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 51:53 · CLE 26 · Score 6-3
   (6:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 82-J.Witten for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 51:47 · CLE 15 · Score 7-3
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
4. Dallas Cowboys TD (+7) — Q1 48:58 · CLE 94 · Score 7-3
   (3:58) 21-E.Elliott left guard to DAL 6 for no gain (57-C.Johnson).
5. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 40:09 · CLE 10 · Score 13-3
   (10:09) 21-E.Elliott right tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 40:02 · CLE 15 · Score 14-3
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 31:54 · CLE 6 · Score 20-3
   (1:54) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 11-C.Beasley for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 31:50 · CLE 15 · Score 21-3
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
9. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 30:30 · DAL 12 · Score 21-9
   (:30) (Shotgun) 6-C.Kessler pass short right to 11-T.Pryor Sr. for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-90-D.Lawrence, Defensive Offside, declined.
10. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 30:23 · DAL 15 · Score 21-10
    3-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 26:36 · CLE 8 · Score 27-10
    (11:36) 21-E.Elliott left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 26:30 · CLE 15 · Score 28-10
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 16:46 · CLE 2 · Score 34-10
    (1:46) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 89-G.Escobar for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 16:41 · CLE 15 · Score 35-10
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.