Game story
In Week 16 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-21, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 19–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Palmer (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with -0.82 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Toomer (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.66 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+13.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (14:55) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway to NYG 4 for 64 yards (31-I.Charlton). Pass complete deep out right side of the field.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Toomer · New York Giants · Receiving · +6.66 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
- 2 T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.99 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
- 3 J. Galloway · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.04 EPA/play
- 4 Q. Carter · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +4.00 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 5 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.46 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.46 EPA/play
- 6 T. Barber · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
- 7 A. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
- 8 D. Tyree · New York Giants · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Toomer — NYG · Receiving
A. Toomer posted the highest total EPA (+6.66) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New York Giants's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.33 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.77 EPA) came from Dallas Cowboys: 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. PENALTY on NYG-37-J.Harris, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (Q. Carter pass)
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff
- New York Giants — M. Bryant
- Dallas Cowboys — unlisted player
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff
- Dallas Cowboys — B. Cundiff
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 10–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 6 (Q1 57:56) — (12:56) 3-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 26 (Q1 54:07) — (9:07) 8-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 36 (Q1 47:29); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q1 47:22).
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 3 (Q3 25:06) — (10:06) 3-B.Cundiff 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 31 (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) 3-B.Cundiff 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 59:55) — (14:55) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway to NYG 4 for 64 yards (31-I.Charlton). Pass complete deep out right side of the field.
- New York Giants (Q1 57:22) — (12:22) 3-J.Palmer pass to 20-J.Finn pushed ob at DAL 41 for 25 yards (31-R.Williams). Pass complete left flat before turning up field.
- New York Giants (Q2 39:08) — (9:08) (Shotgun) 3-J.Palmer pass to 85-D.Tyree to NYG 27 for 5 yards (27-M.Edwards). PENALTY on DAL-96-E.Ekuban, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at NYG 27.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:29) — (2:29) 17-Q.Carter pass to 82-J.Witten for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The reception was the first touchdown catch and the longest catch of Witten's career.
- New York Giants (Q3 18:12) — (3:12) (Shotgun) 3-J.Palmer right end to DAL 17 for -5 yards (31-R.Williams).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 47:22) — 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. PENALTY on NYG-37-J.Harris, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
- New York Giants (Q3 20:28) — (5:28) (Shotgun) 3-J.Palmer pass to 81-A.Toomer to DAL 20 for 40 yards (28-D.Woodson). Penalty on DAL-28-D.Woodson, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 59:55) — (14:55) 17-Q.Carter pass to 84-J.Galloway to NYG 4 for 64 yards (31-I.Charlton). Pass complete deep out right side of the field.
- New York Giants (Q3 18:12) — (3:12) (Shotgun) 3-J.Palmer right end to DAL 17 for -5 yards (31-R.Williams).
Quarterback report card
J.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Palmer (New York Giants) · 36 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.82 total EPA
- Q.Carter (Dallas Cowboys) · 28 dropbacks · 60.7% completion · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.00 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New York Giants | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.141 | -0.016 |
| Offensive success rate | 35.5% | 44.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.023 | +0.195 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.334 | -0.278 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.016 | +0.141 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.0% | 64.5% |
By the numbers
Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.14), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, -1.22 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- New York Giants: 11 drives, -10.71 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.
- A. Toomer (New York Giants) 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.
- Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 57:56 · NYG 6 · Score 0-3
(12:56) 3-B.Cundiff 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New York Giants FG (+3) — Q1 54:07 · DAL 26 · Score 3-3
(9:07) 8-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-C.Dach, Holder-10-J.Feagles. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 47:29 · NYG 36 · Score 3-9
(2:29) 17-Q.Carter pass to 82-J.Witten for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The reception was the first touchdown catch and the longest catch of Witten's career. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 47:22 · NYG 2 · Score 3-10
3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. PENALTY on NYG-37-J.Harris, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced between downs. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 3-13
END QUARTER 2 - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 25:06 · NYG 3 · Score 3-16
(10:06) 3-B.Cundiff 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 11:27 · NYG 31 · Score 3-19
(11:27) 3-B.Cundiff 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 19-3 in Week 16, 2003 on 2003-12-21.
What was the final score of New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was New York Giants 3, Dallas Cowboys 19 (NYG 3-19 DAL) in Week 16, 2003 on 2003-12-21.
What was the score by quarter in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: New York Giants 3, Dallas Cowboys 10; Q2: New York Giants 0, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q3: New York Giants 0, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q4: New York Giants 0, Dallas Cowboys 3; Final: New York Giants 3, Dallas Cowboys 19.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Witten (Q. Carter pass) (Q1 47:29) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Cundiff (Q1 57:56, 3 pts) New York Giants field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 54:07, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — unlisted player (Q2 30:00, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Cundiff (Q3 25:06, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Cundiff (Q4 11:27, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
J. Palmer (New York Giants), 50.0% completion, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.82 total passing EPA. Q. Carter (Dallas Cowboys), 60.7% completion, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +4.00 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
A. Toomer (New York Giants) led the game in total EPA with +6.66 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.77 EPA): 3-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Robinson, Holder-4-T.Gowin. PENALTY on NYG-37-J.Harris, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced between downs.. The biggest win-probability swing was +13.1%.
Season records after this game
New York Giants
Entered 4-10 Now 4-11 L
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 9-5 Now 10-5 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
