Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2008 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-28, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 44–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -36.54 total EPA, and -1.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (14:54) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 28-C.Buckhalter to DAL 6 for 59 yards (26-K.Hamlin).

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. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +13.06 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.43 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Buckhalter · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +6.53 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.18 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Jackson · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.07 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.54 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Celek · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.77 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.91 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +2.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.99 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Brown · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.57 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.57 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. McNabb (Q2 42:28)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Buckhalter (D. McNabb pass) (Q2 32:09)
• Philadelphia Eagles — B. Celek (D. McNabb pass) (Q2 30:15)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Clemons (Q3 26:37)
• Philadelphia Eagles — M. Barber (T. Romo pass) (Q3 23:28)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q1 53:54)
• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q1 45:41)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 30:03)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q3 21:10)
• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q4 7:49)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 22 (Q1 53:54) — (8:54) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 19 (Q1 45:41) — (:41) 6-N.Folk 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 24–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 42:28) — (12:28) 5-D.McNabb scrambles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 42:16) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q2 32:09) — (2:09) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 32:03) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 30:15) — (:15) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 87-B.Celek for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:13) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 31 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 2-D.Akers 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 17–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 19 (Q3 26:37); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 26:23) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 12 (Q3 23:28); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 23:11) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 24 (Q3 21:10) — (6:10) 2-D.Akers 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 24 (Q4 7:49) — (7:49) 6-N.Folk 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 28-C.Buckhalter to DAL 6 for 59 yards (26-K.Hamlin). [WPA +15.7% · EPA +4.88]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 34:02) — (4:02) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass deep right to 10-D.Jackson to DAL 3 for 34 yards (41-T.Newman). [WPA +8.8% · EPA +3.93]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:45) — (2:45) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 82-J.Witten ran ob at PHI 24 for 17 yards. [WPA +8.6% · EPA +2.48]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 58:38) — (13:38) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short middle to 36-B.Westbrook to DAL 31 for 7 yards (56-B.James). FUMBLES (56-B.James), RECOVERED by DAL-41-T.Newman at DAL 25. 41-T.Newman to DAL 25 for no gain (79 [WPA -7.7% · EPA -2.79]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:13) — (1:13) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 11-Roy E.Williams INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Brown at PHI 35. 24-S.Brown to DAL 42 for 23 yards (71-C.Procter). Penalty on DAL-71-C.Procter, Offensive H [WPA -7.4% · EPA -4.27]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 23:28) — (8:28) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 24-M.Barber to PHI 4 for 8 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-21-J.Hanson at PHI 4. 21-J.Hanson for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PHI-20 [WPA -0.1% · EPA -11.80]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:37) — (11:37) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo sacked at PHI 25 for -6 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins) [20-B.Dawkins], RECOVERED by PHI-91-C.Clemons at PHI 27. 91-C.Clemons for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.3% · EPA -10.50]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 28-C.Buckhalter to DAL 6 for 59 yards (26-K.Hamlin). [WPA +15.7% · EPA +4.88]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:13) — (1:13) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 11-Roy E.Williams INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Brown at PHI 35. 24-S.Brown to DAL 42 for 23 yards (71-C.Procter). Penalty on DAL-71-C.Procter, Offensive H [WPA -7.4% · EPA -4.27]

Quarterback report card

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

• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 43 dropbacks · 48.8% completion · -1.6% CPOE · -0.85 EPA/play · -36.54 total EPA
• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 26 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · -4.2% CPOE · +0.50 EPA/play · +13.06 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Philadelphia Eagles held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.38), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, -30.41 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 14 drives, +7.42 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. McNabb (PHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 53:54 · DAL 22 · Score 0-3
   (8:54) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
2. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 45:41 · PHI 19 · Score 3-3
   (:41) 6-N.Folk 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
3. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 42:28 · DAL 1 · Score 3-9
   (12:28) 5-D.McNabb scrambles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 42:16 · DAL 2 · Score 3-10
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 32:09 · DAL 4 · Score 3-16
   (2:09) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 28-C.Buckhalter for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 32:03 · DAL 2 · Score 3-17
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
7. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 30:15 · DAL 1 · Score 3-23
   (:15) 5-D.McNabb pass short right to 87-B.Celek for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 30:13 · DAL 2 · Score 3-24
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
9. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · DAL 31 · Score 3-27
   (:03) 2-D.Akers 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
10. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 26:37 · PHI 19 · Score 3-33
    (11:37) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo sacked at PHI 25 for -6 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins) [20-B.Dawkins], RECOVERED by PHI-91-C.Clemons at PHI 27. 91-C.Cl
11. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 26:23 · DAL 2 · Score 3-34
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
12. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 23:28 · PHI 12 · Score 3-40
    (8:28) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 24-M.Barber to PHI 4 for 8 yards (20-B.Dawkins). FUMBLES (20-B.Dawkins), RECOVERED by PHI-21-J.Hanson at PHI 4. 21-
13. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 23:11 · DAL 2 · Score 3-41
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
14. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q3 21:10 · DAL 24 · Score 3-44
    (6:10) 2-D.Akers 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
15. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 7:49 · PHI 24 · Score 6-44
    (7:49) 6-N.Folk 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.