New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2021 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-10, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 44–20 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +13.73 total EPA, and +3.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.73 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (12:06) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 49 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 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +13.73 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Toney · New York Giants · Receiving · +11.01 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +5.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.38 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
5. 5 E. Engram · New York Giants · Receiving · +4.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Schultz · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.25 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Booker · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.23 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Wilson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.68 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

• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 42:06)
• New York Giants — D. Booker (Q2 32:56)
• Dallas Cowboys — A. Cooper (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 30:41)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (D. Prescott pass) (Q3 22:17)
• Dallas Cowboys — E. Elliott (Q4 7:40)
• New York Giants — D. Booker (M. Glennon pass) (Q4 3:24)
• Dallas Cowboys — A. Brown (Q4 1:37)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q1 51:20)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q2 40:15)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q3 26:18)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q3 17:05)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q4 1:57)

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 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 12 (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) 2-G.Zuerlein 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–10. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 49 (Q2 42:06) — (12:06) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 41:59) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 33 (Q2 40:15) — (10:15) 5-G.Gano 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 32:56) — (2:56) 28-D.Booker up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 32:51) — 5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 24 (Q2 30:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 19-A.Cooper for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a skinny post.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 30:36) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–3. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the DAL 33 (Q3 26:18) — (11:18) 5-G.Gano 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q3 22:17) — (7:17) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q3 22:11) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 20 (Q3 17:05) — (2:05) 2-G.Zuerlein 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 17–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 13 (Q4 7:40) — (7:40) (Shotgun) 21-E.Elliott right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q4 7:34) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q4 3:24) — (3:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Glennon pass short left to 28-D.Booker for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 3:17) — 5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 13 (Q4 1:57) — (1:57) 2-G.Zuerlein 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DAL 62 (Q4 1:37); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q4 1:28) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 42:06) — (12:06) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +5.49]
• New York Giants (Q2 32:56) — (2:56) 28-D.Booker up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +2.36]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 45:38) — (:38) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott FUMBLES (Aborted) at NYG 10, RECOVERED by NYG-55-R.Ragland at NYG 8. [WPA -11.0% · EPA -5.41]
• New York Giants (Q3 26:55) — (11:55) (Shotgun) 2-M.Glennon FUMBLES (Aborted) at DAL 29, and recovers at DAL 33. [WPA -10.0% · EPA -2.31]
• New York Giants (Q1 55:52) — (10:52) 5-G.Gano 54 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon. [WPA -9.7% · EPA -3.91]

Impact plays

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

• New York Giants (Q4 1:37) — (1:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Glennon pass short right intended for 15-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 30-A.Brown at NYG 45. 30-A.Brown for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.0% · EPA -8.71]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 42:06) — (12:06) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +5.49]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 45:38) — (:38) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott FUMBLES (Aborted) at NYG 10, RECOVERED by NYG-55-R.Ragland at NYG 8. [WPA -11.0% · EPA -5.41]
• New York Giants (Q4 3:24) — (3:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Glennon pass short left to 28-D.Booker for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.1% · EPA +3.93]

Quarterback report card

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

• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 38 dropbacks · 57.9% completion · +3.6% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +13.73 total EPA
• M.Glennon (New York Giants) · 29 dropbacks · 55.2% completion · +4.6% CPOE · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.35 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 (+0.19 vs -0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +17.43 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 12 drives, -9.10 total EPA, 5 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.
• D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Prescott (DAL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Glennon (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.

1. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 51:20 · NYG 12 · Score 0-3
   (6:20) 2-G.Zuerlein 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 42:06 · NYG 49 · Score 0-9
   (12:06) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 41:59 · NYG 15 · Score 0-10
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
4. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 40:15 · DAL 33 · Score 3-10
   (10:15) 5-G.Gano 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
5. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 32:56 · DAL 1 · Score 9-10
   (2:56) 28-D.Booker up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 32:51 · DAL 15 · Score 10-10
   5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:41 · NYG 24 · Score 10-16
   (:41) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 19-A.Cooper for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a skinny post.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:36 · NYG 15 · Score 10-17
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
9. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q3 26:18 · DAL 33 · Score 13-17
   (11:18) 5-G.Gano 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 22:17 · NYG 4 · Score 13-23
    (7:17) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 21-E.Elliott for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 22:11 · NYG 15 · Score 13-24
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 17:05 · NYG 20 · Score 13-27
    (2:05) 2-G.Zuerlein 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 7:40 · NYG 13 · Score 13-33
    (7:40) (Shotgun) 21-E.Elliott right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 7:34 · NYG 15 · Score 13-34
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
15. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 3:24 · DAL 3 · Score 19-34
    (3:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Glennon pass short left to 28-D.Booker for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 3:17 · DAL 15 · Score 20-34
    5-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-58-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
17. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 1:57 · NYG 13 · Score 20-37
    (1:57) 2-G.Zuerlein 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
18. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:37 · DAL 62 · Score 20-43
    (1:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Glennon pass short right intended for 15-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 30-A.Brown at NYG 45. 30-A.Brown for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:28 · NYG 15 · Score 20-44
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.