New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2012 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-10-28, the New York Giants took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 29–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with -8.75 total EPA, and -0.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Randle (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.24 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-32.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (1:14) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 27-S.Brown at NYG 17. 27-S.Brown ran ob at NYG 17 for no gain. Penalty on DAL-68-D.Free, Offensive Holding, declined.

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 R. Randle · New York Giants · Receiving · +6.24 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.12 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.14 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.68 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +2.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Brown · New York Giants · Rushing · +2.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Phillips · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.19 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Hixon · New York Giants · Receiving · +0.58 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Tanner · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.06 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.06 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 — A. Brown (Q1 48:46)
• New York Giants — J. Pierre-Paul (Q2 43:15)
• Dallas Cowboys — F. Jones (Q2 35:27)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Romo (Q3 24:21)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Phillips (T. Romo pass) (Q3 18:50)

Field goals

• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q1 56:58)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q1 52:17)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q2 44:26)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q2 31:03)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q4 10:22)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q4 3:37)

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 13–0. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 23 (Q1 56:58) — (11:58) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 19 (Q1 52:17) — (7:17) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q1 48:46) — (3:46) 35-A.Brown left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 48:41) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 8 (Q2 44:26) — (14:26) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants found the end zone from the NYG 66 (Q2 43:15); New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 43:05) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q2 35:27) — (5:27) 28-F.Jones up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 35:22) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 33 (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q3 24:21) — (9:21) 9-T.Romo right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 24:16); Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q3 18:50) — (3:50) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 89-J.Phillips for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown pass comes off PLAY ACTION and a roll right.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 18:43) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 6–0. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 25 (Q4 10:22) — (10:22) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 19 (Q4 3:37) — (3:37) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right intended for 82-J.Witten INTERCEPTED by 27-S.Brown at NYG 17. 27-S.Brown ran ob at NYG 17 for no gain. Penalty on DAL-68-D.Free, Offensive Holding, declined. [WPA -32.8% · EPA -3.18]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:50) — (6:50) 28-F.Jones right tackle to NYG 49 for -1 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NYG-27-S.Brown at DAL 45. 27-S.Brown to DAL 45 for no gain (28-F.Jones). [WPA -30.1% · EPA -5.74]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass incomplete deep middle to 82-J.Witten. [WPA -26.6% · EPA -1.25]
• New York Giants (Q1 58:38) — (13:38) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 82-R.Randle to DAL 23 for 56 yards (39-B.Carr). Pass complete off play action; deep seam route. [WPA +17.0% · EPA +5.43]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 54:23) — (9:23) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 27-S.Brown at NYG 36. 27-S.Brown to DAL 27 for 37 yards (34-P.Tanner). [WPA -16.7% · EPA -6.73]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:15) — (13:15) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 28-F.Jones INTERCEPTED by 90-J.Pierre-Paul [99-C.Canty] at DAL 28. 90-J.Pierre-Paul for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -11.3% · EPA -8.35]
• New York Giants (Q1 46:08) — (1:08) (Punt formation) 5-S.Weatherford punts 53 yards to DAL 27, Center-51-Z.DeOssie. 88-D.Bryant MUFFS catch, and recovers at DAL 21. 88-D.Bryant to DAL 20 for -1 yards (51-Z.DeOssie). FUMBLES (51-Z [WPA +7.9% · EPA +6.87]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 54:23) — (9:23) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 27-S.Brown at NYG 36. 27-S.Brown to DAL 27 for 37 yards (34-P.Tanner). [WPA -16.7% · EPA -6.73]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:50) — (6:50) 28-F.Jones right tackle to NYG 49 for -1 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NYG-27-S.Brown at DAL 45. 27-S.Brown to DAL 45 for no gain (28-F.Jones). [WPA -30.1% · EPA -5.74]

Quarterback report card

T.Romo led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 68 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · -0.4% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -8.75 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 32 dropbacks · 46.9% completion · -10.2% CPOE · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.47 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New York Giants generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 15 drives, -11.87 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 15 drives, -1.54 total EPA, 6 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• R. Randle (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• E. Manning (NYG) 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. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q1 56:58 · DAL 23 · Score 3-0
   (11:58) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
2. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q1 52:17 · DAL 19 · Score 6-0
   (7:17) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
3. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 48:46 · DAL 1 · Score 12-0
   (3:46) 35-A.Brown left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 48:41 · DAL 2 · Score 13-0
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
5. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 44:26 · DAL 8 · Score 16-0
   (14:26) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
6. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 43:15 · NYG 66 · Score 22-0
   (13:15) 9-T.Romo pass short left intended for 28-F.Jones INTERCEPTED by 90-J.Pierre-Paul [99-C.Canty] at DAL 28. 90-J.Pierre-Paul for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 43:05 · DAL 2 · Score 23-0
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 35:27 · NYG 4 · Score 23-6
   (5:27) 28-F.Jones up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 35:22 · NYG 2 · Score 23-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.
10. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 31:03 · NYG 33 · Score 23-10
    (1:03) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.
11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 24:21 · NYG 1 · Score 23-16
    (9:21) 9-T.Romo right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 24:16 · NYG 2 · Score 23-17
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman. Injury update: X-rays on Pascoe of NY are negative; he is doubtful to return to the g
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 18:50 · NYG 1 · Score 23-23
    (3:50) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 89-J.Phillips for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Touchdown pass comes off PLAY ACTION and a roll right.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 18:43 · NYG 2 · Score 23-24
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.
15. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 10:22 · DAL 25 · Score 26-24
    (10:22) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
16. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 3:37 · DAL 19 · Score 29-24
    (3:37) (Field Goal formation) 9-L.Tynes 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.