Game story
In Week 15 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-12-18, the New York Giants took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 17–6 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 7 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +1.62 total EPA, and +1.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, O. Beckham (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.96 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-15.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (11:03) (Shotgun) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle to NYG 4 for 7 yards (25-L.Hall). FUMBLES (25-L.Hall), touched at NYG 3, RECOVERED by NYG-54-O.Vernon at NYG -5. Touchback.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| New York Giants | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 O. Beckham · New York Giants · Receiving · +6.96 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
- 2 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +4.19 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 3 S. Shepard · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 4 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.07 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 5 G. Tate · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 6 P. Perkins · New York Giants · Rushing · +1.73 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 7 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +1.62 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
- 8 W. Tye · New York Giants · Receiving · +1.08 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
O. Beckham — NYG · Receiving
O. Beckham posted the highest total EPA (+6.96) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New York Giants's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.87 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.87 EPA) came from Detroit Lions: (11:03) (Shotgun) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle to NYG 4 for 7 yards (25-L.Hall). FUMBLES (25-L.Hall), touched at NYG 3, RECOVERED by NYG-54-O.Vernon at NYG -5. Touchback.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New York Giants — S. Shepard (E. Manning pass)
- New York Giants — O. Beckham (E. Manning pass)
Field goals
- Detroit Lions — M. Prater
- New York Giants — R. Gould
- Detroit Lions — M. Prater
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–0. New York Giants found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q1 54:30) — (9:30) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 87-S.Shepard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 54:23) — 5-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NYG 29 (Q2 44:07) — (14:07) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DET 29 (Q2 35:06) — (5:06) 5-R.Gould 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NYG 15 (Q3 22:44) — (7:44) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–0. New York Giants found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q4 5:51) — (5:51) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 13-O.Beckham for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 5:47) — 5-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 41:03) — (11:03) (Shotgun) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle to NYG 4 for 7 yards (25-L.Hall). FUMBLES (25-L.Hall), touched at NYG 3, RECOVERED by NYG-54-O.Vernon at NYG -5. Touchback.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 41:50) — (11:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate to NYG 11 for 67 yards (41-D.Rodgers-Cromartie).
- New York Giants (Q1 56:34) — (11:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep right to 80-V.Cruz to DET 22 for 29 yards (32-T.Wilson).
- New York Giants (Q4 8:12) — (8:12) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 13-O.Beckham pushed ob at DET 36 for 25 yards (30-A.Jackson).
- Detroit Lions (Q3 27:04) — (12:04) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 11-M.Jones to NYG 25 for 21 yards (24-E.Apple).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 41:03) — (11:03) (Shotgun) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle to NYG 4 for 7 yards (25-L.Hall). FUMBLES (25-L.Hall), touched at NYG 3, RECOVERED by NYG-54-O.Vernon at NYG -5. Touchback.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 41:50) — (11:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate to NYG 11 for 67 yards (41-D.Rodgers-Cromartie).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 2:09) — (2:09) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left intended for 80-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 41-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at NYG -3. Touchback.
- New York Giants (Q4 8:12) — (8:12) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 13-O.Beckham pushed ob at DET 36 for 25 yards (30-A.Jackson).
Quarterback report card
M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 45 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · +1.0% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.62 total EPA
- E.Manning (New York Giants) · 31 dropbacks · 64.5% completion · +5.2% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.19 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | New York Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.121 | +0.015 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.2% | 46.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.036 | +0.135 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.628 | -0.126 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.015 | +0.121 |
| Defensive success rate | 53.8% | 61.8% |
By the numbers
New York Giants held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -9.17 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- New York Giants: 11 drives, +1.14 total EPA, 3 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.
- O. Beckham (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- E. Manning (NYG) 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.
- New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 54:30 · DET 6 · Score 0-6
(9:30) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 87-S.Shepard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 54:23 · DET 15 · Score 0-7
5-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 44:07 · NYG 29 · Score 3-7
(14:07) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 35:06 · DET 29 · Score 3-10
(5:06) 5-R.Gould 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 22:44 · NYG 15 · Score 6-10
(7:44) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 5:51 · DET 4 · Score 6-16
(5:51) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 13-O.Beckham for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 5:47 · DET 15 · Score 6-17
5-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs New York Giants?
The New York Giants beat the Detroit Lions 17-6 in Week 15, 2016 on 2016-12-18.
What was the final score of Detroit Lions vs New York Giants?
The final score was Detroit Lions 6, New York Giants 17 (DET 6-17 NYG) in Week 15, 2016 on 2016-12-18.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs New York Giants?
Q1: Detroit Lions 0, New York Giants 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 3, New York Giants 3; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, New York Giants 0; Q4: Detroit Lions 0, New York Giants 7; Final: Detroit Lions 6, New York Giants 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs New York Giants?
New York Giants touchdown — S. Shepard (E. Manning pass) (Q1 54:30) New York Giants touchdown — O. Beckham (E. Manning pass) (Q4 5:51) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q2 44:07, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — R. Gould (Q2 35:06, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q3 22:44, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs New York Giants?
M. Stafford (Detroit Lions), 53.3% completion, +1.0% CPOE, +0.04 EPA per dropback, +1.62 total passing EPA. E. Manning (New York Giants), 64.5% completion, +5.2% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +4.19 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Detroit Lions vs New York Giants?
O. Beckham (New York Giants) led the game in total EPA with +6.96 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.87 EPA): (11:03) (Shotgun) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle to NYG 4 for 7 yards (25-L.Hall). FUMBLES (25-L.Hall), touched at NYG 3, RECOVERED by NYG-54-O.Vernon at NYG -5. Touchback.. The biggest win-probability swing was -15.5%.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 9-4 Now 9-5 L
New York Giants
Entered 9-4 Now 10-4 W
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