Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2016 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2016 NFL season on 2017-01-01, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 27–13 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +5.16 total EPA, and +0.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, Z. Ertz (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.38 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (2:02) (Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right intended for 89-G.Escobar INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 49. 58-J.Hicks to DAL 49 for 2 yards (46-A.Morris).

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 Z. Ertz · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +9.38 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +6.06 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Wentz · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +5.16 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.71 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Watson · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +1.35 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
7. 7 D. McFadden · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.99 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Turner · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +0.92 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.23 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. Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q2 40:15)
• Philadelphia Eagles — Z. Ertz (C. Wentz pass) (Q2 30:10)
• Philadelphia Eagles — Z. Ertz (C. Wentz pass) (Q3 20:02)
• Philadelphia Eagles — T. Watson (Q4 1:26)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Sturgis (Q1 49:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q2 44:55)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q3 24:20)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Sturgis (Q4 2:21)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 3–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 3 (Q1 49:00) — (4:00) 6-C.Sturgis 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 31 (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) 5-D.Bailey 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 3 (Q2 40:15) — (10:15) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 83-T.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 40:11) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q2 30:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass short middle to 86-Z.Ertz for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 30:07) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 5 (Q3 24:20) — (9:20) 5-D.Bailey 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 20 (Q3 20:02) — (5:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass deep left to 86-Z.Ertz for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 19:56) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 15 (Q4 2:21) — (2:21) 6-C.Sturgis 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 1:26) — (1:26) 35-T.Watson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 1:23) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 32:02) — (2:02) (Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right intended for 89-G.Escobar INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 49. 58-J.Hicks to DAL 49 for 2 yards (46-A.Morris). [WPA -15.0% · EPA -4.57]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 36:54) — (6:54) (No Huddle) 3-M.Sanchez pass short middle intended for 46-A.Morris INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at DAL 37. 58-J.Hicks to DAL 35 for 2 yards (3-M.Sanchez). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -5.64]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:24) — (11:24) (Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right to 11-C.Beasley to PHI 30 for 33 yards (31-J.Mills). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +2.95]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 30:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass short middle to 86-Z.Ertz for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +3.04]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 20:02) — (5:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass deep left to 86-Z.Ertz for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.3% · EPA +2.52]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 36:54) — (6:54) (No Huddle) 3-M.Sanchez pass short middle intended for 46-A.Morris INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at DAL 37. 58-J.Hicks to DAL 35 for 2 yards (3-M.Sanchez). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -5.64]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 32:02) — (2:02) (Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right intended for 89-G.Escobar INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 49. 58-J.Hicks to DAL 49 for 2 yards (46-A.Morris). [WPA -15.0% · EPA -4.57]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 30:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass short middle to 86-Z.Ertz for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +3.04]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 26:24) — (11:24) (Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right to 11-C.Beasley to PHI 30 for 33 yards (31-J.Mills). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +2.95]

Quarterback report card

C.Wentz led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) · 47 dropbacks · 57.4% completion · +0.7% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.16 total EPA
• M.Sanchez (Dallas Cowboys) · 22 dropbacks · 40.9% completion · -14.7% CPOE · -0.60 EPA/play · -13.11 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 (+0.00 vs -0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, -11.94 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 11 drives, +0.12 total EPA, 5 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.
• Z. Ertz (Philadelphia Eagles) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Sanchez (DAL) 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 49:00 · DAL 3 · Score 0-3
   (4:00) 6-C.Sturgis 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones.
2. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 44:55 · PHI 31 · Score 3-3
   (14:55) 5-D.Bailey 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 40:15 · PHI 3 · Score 9-3
   (10:15) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 83-T.Williams for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 40:11 · PHI 15 · Score 10-3
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 30:10 · DAL 6 · Score 10-9
   (:10) (Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass short middle to 86-Z.Ertz for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 30:07 · DAL 15 · Score 10-10
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones.
7. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 24:20 · PHI 5 · Score 13-10
   (9:20) 5-D.Bailey 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
8. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 20:02 · DAL 20 · Score 13-16
   (5:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass deep left to 86-Z.Ertz for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 19:56 · DAL 15 · Score 13-17
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones.
10. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 2:21 · DAL 15 · Score 13-20
    (2:21) 6-C.Sturgis 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones.
11. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 1:26 · DAL 1 · Score 13-26
    (1:26) 35-T.Watson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 1:23 · DAL 15 · Score 13-27
    6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-D.Jones.