Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2020 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-27, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 37–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

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

J. Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with -4.55 total EPA, and -6.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Dalton (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (6:03) (Shotgun) 2-J.Hurts pass deep right to 10-D.Jackson for 81 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 A. Dalton · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +17.10 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Gallup · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +10.94 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Jackson · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +6.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.44 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Cooper · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.81 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.01 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.01 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Hurts · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +2.80 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Goedert · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
8. 8 Q. Watkins · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.49 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.83 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — M. Sanders (Q1 54:04)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Jackson (J. Hurts pass) (Q1 51:03)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Gallup (A. Dalton pass) (Q2 43:16)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Gallup (A. Dalton pass) (Q2 30:16)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (A. Dalton pass) (Q3 27:35)
• Dallas Cowboys — C. Lamb (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q1 51:12)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q2 35:56)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Elliott (Q2 32:13)
• Dallas Cowboys — G. Zuerlein (Q3 23:34)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q1 54:04) — (9:04) (Shotgun) 26-M.Sanders right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 54:00) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 17 (Q1 51:12) — (6:12) 2-G.Zuerlein 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DAL 81 (Q1 51:03) — (6:03) (Shotgun) 2-J.Hurts pass deep right to 10-D.Jackson for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 50:48) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 17–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 21 (Q2 43:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 13-M.Gallup for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass completed on a slant pattern; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 43:09) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 2 (Q2 35:56) — (5:56) 2-G.Zuerlein 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the DAL 20 (Q2 32:13) — (2:13) 4-J.Elliott 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 7 (Q2 30:16) — (:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 13-M.Gallup for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 30:12) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 52 (Q3 27:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 27:26) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PHI 3 (Q3 23:34) — (8:34) 2-G.Zuerlein 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PHI 19 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 88-C.Lamb right end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q4 1:53) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 51:03) — (6:03) (Shotgun) 2-J.Hurts pass deep right to 10-D.Jackson for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.4% · EPA +6.44]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 30:16) — (:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 13-M.Gallup for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +2.15]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 38:07) — (8:07) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 13-M.Gallup pushed ob at PHI 9 for 55 yards (31-N.Robey). [WPA +12.5% · EPA +3.16]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 27:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.7% · EPA +4.97]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 43:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 13-M.Gallup for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass completed on a slant pattern [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.33]

Impact plays

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 51:03) — (6:03) (Shotgun) 2-J.Hurts pass deep right to 10-D.Jackson for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.4% · EPA +6.44]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 4:06) — (4:06) (Shotgun) 2-J.Hurts scrambles up the middle to DAL 15 for 3 yards (94-R.Gregory). FUMBLES (94-R.Gregory), RECOVERED by DAL-54-J.Smith at DAL 13. The Replay Official reviewed the fumble ruling, [WPA -6.6% · EPA -5.21]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 15:50) — (:50) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep middle intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Slay at PHI 47. 24-D.Slay to DAL 28 for 25 yards (20-T.Pollard). [WPA -6.5% · EPA -5.19]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 27:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.7% · EPA +4.97]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) · 50 dropbacks · 42.0% completion · -6.2% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -4.55 total EPA
• A.Dalton (Dallas Cowboys) · 35 dropbacks · 62.9% completion · +10.1% CPOE · +0.49 EPA/play · +17.10 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 (+0.17 vs -0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +14.81 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 13 drives, -6.67 total EPA, 3 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. Dalton (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Hurts (PHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• A. Dalton (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. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 54:04 · DAL 4 · Score 6-0
   (9:04) (Shotgun) 26-M.Sanders right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 54:00 · DAL 15 · Score 7-0
   4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.
3. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 51:12 · PHI 17 · Score 7-3
   (6:12) 2-G.Zuerlein 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.
4. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 51:03 · DAL 81 · Score 13-3
   (6:03) (Shotgun) 2-J.Hurts pass deep right to 10-D.Jackson for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 50:48 · DAL 15 · Score 14-3
   4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.
6. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 43:16 · PHI 21 · Score 14-9
   (13:16) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short right to 13-M.Gallup for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass completed on a slant pattern
7. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 43:09 · PHI 15 · Score 14-10
   2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.
8. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 35:56 · PHI 2 · Score 14-13
   (5:56) 2-G.Zuerlein 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.
9. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 32:13 · DAL 20 · Score 17-13
   (2:13) 4-J.Elliott 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.
10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:16 · PHI 7 · Score 17-19
    (:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass short left to 13-M.Gallup for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:12 · PHI 15 · Score 17-20
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.
12. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 27:35 · PHI 52 · Score 17-26
    (12:35) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 27:26 · PHI 15 · Score 17-27
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.
14. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 23:34 · PHI 3 · Score 17-30
    (8:34) 2-G.Zuerlein 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · PHI 19 · Score 17-36
    (2:00) 88-C.Lamb right end for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 1:53 · PHI 15 · Score 17-37
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-H.Niswander.