Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants: 2004 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2004 NFL season on 2005-01-02, the New York Giants took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 28–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 29 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

V. Testaverde (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +5.28 total EPA.

On the individual side, J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+32.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New York Giants changed the game: (:16) 21-T.Barber up the middle for 3 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 · +9.06 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Tyree · New York Giants · Receiving · +7.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +7.23 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
4. 4 P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.06 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
5. 5 V. Testaverde · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +5.28 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +5.25 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Barber · New York Giants · Rushing · +3.88 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Barber · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 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

• New York Giants — V. Shiancoe (E. Manning pass) (Q2 43:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (V. Testaverde pass) (Q3 15:52)
• New York Giants — D. Tyree (E. Manning pass) (Q4 15:00)
• New York Giants — T. Barber (E. Manning pass) (Q4 12:04)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Jones (Q4 1:52)
• New York Giants — T. Barber (Q4 0:16)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q1 49:20)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q2 31:59)
• Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff (Q2 30:02)

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 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 22 (Q1 49:20) — (4:20) 3-B.Cundiff 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–6. New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 2 (Q2 43:00) — (13:00) 10-E.Manning pass to 82-V.Shiancoe for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 12 (Q2 42:48) — 2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 5 (Q2 31:59) — (1:59) 3-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 27 (Q2 30:02).

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 7 (Q3 15:52) — (:52) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 82-J.Witten for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 15:45) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 21–8. New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 15 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 10-E.Manning pass to 85-D.Tyree for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 14:55) — 2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q4 12:04) — (12:04) 10-E.Manning pass to 21-T.Barber for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 11:51) — 2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q4 1:52) — (1:52) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the NYG 2 (Q4 1:49) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-V.Testaverde pass to 82-J.Witten is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 21-T.Barber up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 0:11) — 2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles..

Turning points

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

• New York Giants (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 21-T.Barber up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +32.9% · EPA +2.03]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 14:49) — (14:49) 16-V.Testaverde sacked at DAL 12 for -7 yards (72-O.Umenyiora). FUMBLES (72-O.Umenyiora), RECOVERED by NYG-58-R.Torbor at DAL 20. 58-R.Torbor to DAL 20 for no gain (39-L.Polite). Officially, a [WPA -25.8% · EPA -4.28]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:52) — (1:52) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +3.12]
• New York Giants (Q4 1:41) — (1:41) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass to 21-T.Barber to DAL 43 for 23 yards (24-T.Dixon). PENALTY on DAL-91-L.Carson, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 43. [WPA +18.4% · EPA +2.03]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 3:35) — (3:35) 21-J.Jones left tackle to NYG 7 for 23 yards (22-T.Cousin). [WPA +16.8% · EPA +1.81]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 40:41) — (10:41) 84-P.Crayton pass intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 29-C.Burns at NYG 0. 29-C.Burns to NYG 12 for 12 yards (82-J.Witten). Crayton takes handoff from #21 - J.Jones prior to reverse pass a [WPA -16.1% · EPA -4.40]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 14:49) — (14:49) 16-V.Testaverde sacked at DAL 12 for -7 yards (72-O.Umenyiora). FUMBLES (72-O.Umenyiora), RECOVERED by NYG-58-R.Torbor at DAL 20. 58-R.Torbor to DAL 20 for no gain (39-L.Polite). Officially, a [WPA -25.8% · EPA -4.28]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:52) — (1:52) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +3.12]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:52) — (:52) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 82-J.Witten for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +3.06]

Quarterback report card

V.Testaverde led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• V.Testaverde (Dallas Cowboys) · 35 dropbacks · 65.7% completion · +0.15 EPA/play · +5.28 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 30 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +0.24 EPA/play · +7.23 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Dallas Cowboys +0.12, New York Giants +0.14) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +9.94 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 10 drives, +10.60 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New York Giants 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.
• J. Witten (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.

1. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 49:20 · NYG 22 · Score 3-0
   (4:20) 3-B.Cundiff 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
2. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 43:00 · DAL 2 · Score 3-6
   (13:00) 10-E.Manning pass to 82-V.Shiancoe for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 42:48 · DAL 12 · Score 3-7
   2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
4. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 31:59 · NYG 5 · Score 6-7
   (1:59) 3-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
5. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · NYG 27 · Score 9-7
   (:02) 3-B.Cundiff 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-1-M.McBriar. Penalty on NYG-20-J.Finn, Defensive Offside, declined.
6. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 15:52 · NYG 7 · Score 15-7
   (:52) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 82-J.Witten for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 15:45 · NYG 2 · Score 16-7
   3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
8. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · DAL 15 · Score 16-13
   (15:00) 10-E.Manning pass to 85-D.Tyree for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 14:55 · DAL 2 · Score 16-14
   2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
10. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 12:04 · DAL 3 · Score 16-20
    (12:04) 10-E.Manning pass to 21-T.Barber for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 11:51 · DAL 2 · Score 16-21
    2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.
12. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:52 · NYG 1 · Score 22-21
    (1:52) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 1:49 · NYG 2 · Score 24-21
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-V.Testaverde pass to 82-J.Witten is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
14. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 0:16 · DAL 3 · Score 24-27
    (:16) 21-T.Barber up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 0:11 · DAL 2 · Score 24-28
    2-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-90-R.Kuehl, Holder-17-J.Feagles.