New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2007 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-09-09, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 45–35 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 30 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

E. Manning (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with +14.90 total EPA, and +14.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +22.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (3:11) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-S.Hurd for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +22.45 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Burress · New York Giants · Receiving · +18.57 total EPA · 8 snaps · +2.32 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +14.90 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +13.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +2.27 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.78 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Toomer · New York Giants · Receiving · +6.79 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
7. 7 S. Hurd · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +5.98 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Crayton · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.48 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

• New York Giants — P. Burress (E. Manning pass) (Q1 58:42)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q2 39:49)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q2 34:01)
• New York Giants — P. Burress (E. Manning pass) (Q2 30:25)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q3 27:07)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Romo (Q3 16:18)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q4 11:52)
• New York Giants — D. Ward (E. Manning pass) (Q4 7:26)
• New York Giants — P. Burress (E. Manning pass) (Q4 4:15)
• Dallas Cowboys — S. Hurd (T. Romo pass) (Q4 3:11)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk (Q1 51:36)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q2 30:07)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q3 20:51)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q4 13:33)

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 6–3. New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 60 (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 17-P.Burress for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Deep middle post pattern.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 13 (Q1 51:36) — (6:36) 6-N.Folk 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–10. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 18 (Q2 39:49) — (9:49) 24-M.Barber right end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 39:40) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 12 (Q2 34:01) — (4:01) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 33:59) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. NYG's Jacobs has suffered a sprained knee and will not return.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q2 30:25) — (:25) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 17-P.Burress for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:21) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 26 (Q2 30:07) — (:07) 9-L.Tynes 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 22 (Q3 27:07) — (12:07) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 81-T.Owens for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 27:00) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 30 (Q3 20:51) — (5:51) 9-L.Tynes 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 9 (Q3 16:18) — (1:18) 9-T.Romo scrambles left end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 16:12) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 16–14. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 6 (Q4 13:33) — (13:33) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 47 (Q4 11:52); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 11:43) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 9 (Q4 7:26) — (7:26) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 34-D.Ward for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 10 (Q4 4:15) — (4:15) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 17-P.Burress for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught at the back of the end zone.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 4:09) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 51 (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-S.Hurd for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 3:03) — 6-N.Folk extra point 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.

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-S.Hurd for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.5% · EPA +5.98]
• New York Giants (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 17-P.Burress for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Deep middle post pattern. [WPA +15.2% · EPA +5.61]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 7:13) — (7:13) 9-T.Romo pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Wilson at DAL 32. 28-G.Wilson to DAL 22 for 10 yards (63-K.Kosier). Penalty on DAL, Illegal Formation, declined. [WPA -13.9% · EPA -4.92]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:21) — 9-L.Tynes kicks 66 yards from NYG 30 to DAL 4. 28-T.Thompson to DAL 25 for 21 yards (43-M.Johnson). FUMBLES (43-M.Johnson), RECOVERED by NYG-35-K.Dockery at DAL 26. [WPA -13.4% · EPA -1.92]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 39:49) — (9:49) 24-M.Barber right end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +3.77]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-S.Hurd for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.5% · EPA +5.98]
• New York Giants (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 17-P.Burress for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Deep middle post pattern. [WPA +15.2% · EPA +5.61]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 7:13) — (7:13) 9-T.Romo pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Wilson at DAL 32. 28-G.Wilson to DAL 22 for 10 yards (63-K.Kosier). Penalty on DAL, Illegal Formation, declined. [WPA -13.9% · EPA -4.92]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 11:52) — (11:52) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NYG-28-G.Wilson, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +6.2% · EPA +4.86]

Quarterback report card

E.Manning led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 43 dropbacks · 65.1% completion · +14.0% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +14.90 total EPA
• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 29 dropbacks · 51.7% completion · +5.5% CPOE · +0.77 EPA/play · +22.45 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.30 vs +0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +22.94 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 12 drives, +15.02 total EPA, 7 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.
• E. Manning (NYG) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• 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.

1. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 58:42 · DAL 60 · Score 6-0
   (13:42) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 17-P.Burress for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Deep middle post pattern.
2. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 51:36 · NYG 13 · Score 6-3
   (6:36) 6-N.Folk 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 39:49 · NYG 18 · Score 6-9
   (9:49) 24-M.Barber right end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 39:40 · NYG 2 · Score 6-10
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
5. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 34:01 · NYG 12 · Score 6-16
   (4:01) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 33:59 · NYG 2 · Score 6-17
   6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. NYG's Jacobs has suffered a sprained knee and will not return.
7. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 30:25 · DAL 4 · Score 12-17
   (:25) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 17-P.Burress for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 30:21 · DAL 2 · Score 13-17
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
9. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 30:07 · DAL 26 · Score 16-17
   (:07) 9-L.Tynes 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 27:07 · NYG 22 · Score 16-23
    (12:07) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 81-T.Owens for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 27:00 · NYG 2 · Score 16-24
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
12. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q3 20:51 · DAL 30 · Score 19-24
    (5:51) 9-L.Tynes 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 16:18 · NYG 9 · Score 19-30
    (1:18) 9-T.Romo scrambles left end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 16:12 · NYG 2 · Score 19-31
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
15. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 13:33 · DAL 6 · Score 22-31
    (13:33) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
16. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 11:52 · NYG 47 · Score 22-37
    (11:52) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NYG-28-G.Wilson, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
17. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 11:43 · NYG 2 · Score 22-38
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
18. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 7:26 · DAL 9 · Score 28-38
    (7:26) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 34-D.Ward for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 4:15 · DAL 10 · Score 34-38
    (4:15) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 17-P.Burress for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass caught at the back of the end zone.
20. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 4:09 · DAL 2 · Score 35-38
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
21. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 3:11 · NYG 51 · Score 35-44
    (3:11) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 17-S.Hurd for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 3:03 · NYG 2 · Score 35-45
    6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.