Game story
In Week 16 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-12-21, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 42–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Hasselbeck (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +1.64 total EPA, and +2.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +24.24 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+9.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (10:05) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 25-L.Dunbar to DAL 48 for -4 yards (50-J.Freeman). PENALTY on IND-50-J.Freeman, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 48.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 42 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +24.24 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
- 2 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +9.89 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
- 3 T. Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.04 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.52 EPA/play
- 4 D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.92 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
- 5 B. Weeden · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +4.87 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.87 EPA/play
- 6 L. Dunbar · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.88 EPA/play
- 7 M. Hasselbeck · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +1.64 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 8 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Romo — DAL · Passing
T. Romo posted the highest total EPA (+24.24) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Dallas Cowboys's efficiency. Across 25 counted snaps, they averaged +0.97 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.38 EPA) came from Indianapolis Colts: (1:25) 8-M.Hasselbeck sacked at IND 40 for -8 yards (32-O.Scandrick). FUMBLES (32-O.Scandrick), RECOVERED by DAL-99-G.Selvie at DAL 49. 99-G.Selvie to IND 49 for 2 yards (60-L.Louis). The Replay Official challenged the f
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)
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (T. Romo pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — C. Beasley (T. Romo pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — D. Murray
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Williams (B. Weeden pass)
- Indianapolis Colts — Z. Tipton (M. Hasselbeck pass)
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 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 9 (Q1 51:40) — (6:40) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 51:36) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 19 (Q1 49:30) — (4:30) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on IND-28-G.Toler, Defensive Holding, declined.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 49:23) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 24 (Q2 44:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a skinny post.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 44:11) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q2 36:38) — (6:38) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 36:32) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 25 (Q3 19:48); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q3 19:41) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 43 (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep right to 83-T.Williams for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 10:12) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 5:29) — (5:29) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right to 37-Z.Tipton for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 5:24) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 25-L.Dunbar to DAL 48 for -4 yards (50-J.Freeman). PENALTY on IND-50-J.Freeman, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 48.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1) — GAME Colt Captains: Walden, Allen, Luck, Vinatieri, Wayne, Redding; Dallas captains: Church, Witten, Bailey, Mincey.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) 29-D.Murray left guard to DAL 22 for 2 yards (30-L.Landry, 97-A.Jones).
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 49:36) — (4:36) (Punt formation) 1-P.McAfee pass incomplete deep right to 31-D.McDonald. Pass thrown off fake punt incomplete at the Colts 35 on a go route.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:40) — (6:40) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q3 16:25) — (1:25) 8-M.Hasselbeck sacked at IND 40 for -8 yards (32-O.Scandrick). FUMBLES (32-O.Scandrick), RECOVERED by DAL-99-G.Selvie at DAL 49. 99-G.Selvie to IND 49 for 2 yards (60-L.Louis). The Replay Offic
- Indianapolis Colts (Q3 29:39) — (14:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right intended for 87-R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by 59-A.Hitchens (96-N.Hayden) at IND 27. 59-A.Hitchens to IND 19 for 8 yards (12-A.Luck). Hitchens intercep
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep right to 83-T.Williams for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q4 5:36) — (5:36) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep left intended for 87-R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at DAL -5. Touchback. PENALTY on DAL-39-B.Carr, Defensive Pass Interference, 22 yards, enforced at DAL 2
Quarterback report card
M.Hasselbeck led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Hasselbeck (Indianapolis Colts) · 27 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +2.2% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +1.64 total EPA
- T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 25 dropbacks · 72.0% completion · +21.3% CPOE · +0.97 EPA/play · +24.24 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Indianapolis Colts | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.310 | +0.189 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.2% | 49.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.228 | +1.120 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.678 | -0.314 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.189 | +0.310 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.6% | 63.7% |
By the numbers
Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs -0.31), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, +14.53 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Indianapolis Colts: 12 drives, -24.83 total EPA, 1 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.
- T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Romo (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.
- Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 51:40 · IND 9 · Score 0-6
(6:40) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 51:36 · IND 2 · Score 0-7
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 49:30 · IND 19 · Score 0-13
(4:30) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on IND-28-G.Toler, Defensive Holding, declined. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 49:23 · IND 2 · Score 0-14
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 44:19 · IND 24 · Score 0-20
(14:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a skinny post. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 44:11 · IND 2 · Score 0-21
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 36:38 · IND 1 · Score 0-27
(6:38) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 36:32 · IND 2 · Score 0-28
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 19:48 · IND 25 · Score 0-34
(4:48) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route. With that completion, Tony Romo passed Troy Ai - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 19:41 · IND 2 · Score 0-35
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 10:19 · IND 43 · Score 0-41
(10:19) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep right to 83-T.Williams for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 10:12 · IND 2 · Score 0-42
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 5:29 · DAL 1 · Score 6-42
(5:29) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right to 37-Z.Tipton for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 5:24 · DAL 2 · Score 7-42
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts 42-7 in Week 16, 2014 on 2014-12-21.
What was the final score of Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was Indianapolis Colts 7, Dallas Cowboys 42 (IND 7-42 DAL) in Week 16, 2014 on 2014-12-21.
What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: Indianapolis Colts 0, Dallas Cowboys 14; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 0, Dallas Cowboys 14; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 0, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 7, Dallas Cowboys 7; Final: Indianapolis Colts 7, Dallas Cowboys 42.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q1 51:40) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Bryant (T. Romo pass) (Q1 49:30) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Beasley (T. Romo pass) (Q2 44:19) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Murray (Q2 36:38) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q3 19:48) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Williams (B. Weeden pass) (Q4 10:19) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — Z. Tipton (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q4 5:29) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?
M. Hasselbeck (Indianapolis Colts), 55.6% completion, +2.2% CPOE, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +1.64 total passing EPA. T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 72.0% completion, +21.3% CPOE, +0.97 EPA per dropback, +24.24 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) led the game in total EPA with +24.24 on passing plays. across 25 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.38 EPA): (1:25) 8-M.Hasselbeck sacked at IND 40 for -8 yards (32-O.Scandrick). FUMBLES (32-O.Scandrick), RECOVERED by DAL-99-G.Selvie at DAL 49. 99-G.Selvie to IND 49 for 2 yards (60-L.Loui. The biggest win-probability swing was +9.4%.
Season records after this game
Indianapolis Colts
Entered 10-4 Now 10-5 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W
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