Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2016 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-10-30, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 29–23 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +2.01 total EPA, and +2.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Matthews (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.60 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+22.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (3:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 22 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 J. Matthews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +4.49 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.47 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.47 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Elliott · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Green-Beckham · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Sproles · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +2.50 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Wentz · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +2.01 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.24 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 — D. Prescott (Q1 49:46)
• Philadelphia Eagles — R. Mathews (Q2 33:45)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Matthews (C. Wentz pass) (Q3 21:22)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 3:11)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (D. Prescott pass) (OT 7:56)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Sturgis (Q1 51:44)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q2 44:55)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Sturgis (Q2 30:01)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q3 16:00)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Sturgis (Q4 14:13)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q4 11:34)

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 7–3. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 12 (Q1 51:44); Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 7 (Q1 49:46) — (4:46) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q1 49:41) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 20 (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 33:45) — (3:45) 24-R.Mathews left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 33:41) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 37 (Q2 30:01) — (:01) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 5 (Q3 21:22) — (6:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass short middle to 81-J.Matthews for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 21:20) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 5 (Q3 16:00) — (1:00) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–3. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 16 (Q4 14:13) — (14:13) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 31 (Q4 11:34) — (11:34) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 22 (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q4 3:04) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

Overtime: Dallas Cowboys won the period 6–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 5 (OT 7:56) — (7:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 82-J.Witten for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.0% · EPA +3.06]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle intended for 19-B.Butler INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 0. Touchback. [WPA -16.5% · EPA -5.42]
• Dallas Cowboys (OT 13:46) — (13:46) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 11-C.Beasley to PHI 37 for 24 yards (31-J.Mills). [WPA +16.4% · EPA +1.48]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant to PHI 22 for 53 yards (21-L.McKelvin). Pass complete on a Go route. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +3.78]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) 28-W.Smallwood to PHI 38 for -3 yards (97-T.McClain). FUMBLES (97-T.McClain), RECOVERED by DAL-98-T.Crawford at PHI 36. 98-T.Crawford to PHI 36 for no gain (11-C.Wentz). [WPA -14.1% · EPA -5.72]

Impact plays

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) 28-W.Smallwood to PHI 38 for -3 yards (97-T.McClain). FUMBLES (97-T.McClain), RECOVERED by DAL-98-T.Crawford at PHI 36. 98-T.Crawford to PHI 36 for no gain (11-C.Wentz). [WPA -14.1% · EPA -5.72]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 31:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle intended for 19-B.Butler INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Hicks at PHI 0. Touchback. [WPA -16.5% · EPA -5.42]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 19:55) — (4:55) (Punt formation) 6-C.Jones left end to PHI 43 for 30 yards (43-D.Sproles). Fake punt run around left end. [WPA +10.0% · EPA +4.47]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 51:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant to PHI 22 for 53 yards (21-L.McKelvin). Pass complete on a Go route. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +3.78]

Quarterback report card

C.Wentz led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) · 50 dropbacks · 64.0% completion · +2.7% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +2.01 total EPA
• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 45 dropbacks · 42.2% completion · -8.1% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +4.49 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Philadelphia Eagles -0.01, Dallas Cowboys +0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +3.01 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 12 drives, -1.15 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• J. Matthews (Philadelphia Eagles) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Prescott (DAL) 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. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 51:44 · DAL 12 · Score 3-0
   (6:44) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones. Penalty on DAL-24-M.Claiborne, Running Into the Ki
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 49:46 · PHI 7 · Score 3-6
   (4:46) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 49:41 · PHI 15 · Score 3-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
4. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 44:55 · PHI 20 · Score 3-10
   (14:55) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 33:45 · DAL 1 · Score 9-10
   (3:45) 24-R.Mathews left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 33:41 · DAL 15 · Score 10-10
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
7. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 30:01 · DAL 37 · Score 13-10
   (:01) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
8. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 21:22 · DAL 5 · Score 19-10
   (6:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 11-C.Wentz pass short middle to 81-J.Matthews for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 21:20 · DAL 15 · Score 20-10
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
10. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 16:00 · PHI 5 · Score 20-13
    (1:00) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
11. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 14:13 · DAL 16 · Score 23-13
    (14:13) (Field Goal formation) 6-C.Sturgis 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
12. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 11:34 · PHI 31 · Score 23-16
    (11:34) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 3:11 · PHI 22 · Score 23-22
    (3:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 3:04 · PHI 15 · Score 23-23
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — OT 7:56 · PHI 5 · Score 23-29
    (7:56) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 82-J.Witten for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.