Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2016 Wild Card Recap

Game story

In the Wild Card of the 2016 NFL season on 2017-01-15, the Green Bay Packers took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

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

A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with +18.35 total EPA, and +4.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.35 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+31.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep left to 89-J.Cook ran ob at DAL 33 for 35 yards. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field was co

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. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +18.35 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +8.50 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +8.10 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Cook · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +6.66 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.27 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
7. 7 G. Allison · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.46 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

• Green Bay Packers — R. Rodgers (A. Rodgers pass) (Q1 54:06)
• Green Bay Packers — T. Montgomery (Q2 44:18)
• Green Bay Packers — T. Montgomery (Q2 37:42)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 36:10)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Cook (A. Rodgers pass) (Q3 26:29)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 11:43)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 4:12)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q1 56:28)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q2 31:03)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q4 1:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q4 0:40)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q4 0:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the GB 32 (Q1 56:28) — (11:28) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 34 (Q1 54:06); Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 53:58) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum..

The second quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 14–10. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q2 44:18) — (14:18) (Shotgun) 88-T.Montgomery left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 44:05) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 37:42) — (7:42) 88-T.Montgomery left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. GB-69-D.Bakhtiari was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 37:37) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the GB 40 (Q2 36:10) — (6:10) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN [48-J.Thomas]. Pass complete on a go pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q2 36:03) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. Dallas's Damien Wilson has an ankle injury; he may return.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the GB 15 (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 7–0. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q3 26:29) — (11:29) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 89-J.Cook for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 26:25).

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 18–6. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the GB 6 (Q4 11:43) — (11:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q4 11:39) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the GB 7 (Q4 4:12) — (4:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 88-D.Bryant for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the GB 2 (Q4 4:08) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the DAL 38 (Q4 1:38) — (1:38) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Crosby 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the GB 33 (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the DAL 33 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Crosby 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum..

Turning points

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q4 0:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep left to 89-J.Cook ran ob at DAL 33 for 35 yards. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field was co [WPA +31.1% · EPA +2.04]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Crosby 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum. [WPA +23.2% · EPA +0.88]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 4:12) — (4:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 88-D.Bryant for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.9% · EPA +2.20]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:40) — (:40) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. [WPA +15.7% · EPA +1.18]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:44) — (:44) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass incomplete short middle to 88-D.Bryant (53-N.Perry) [52-C.Matthews]. Perry batted ball down at the line of scrimmage. [WPA -14.6% · EPA -0.95]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 22:19) — (7:19) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 11-C.Beasley INTERCEPTED by 33-M.Hyde at GB 21. 33-M.Hyde to GB 39 for 18 yards (88-D.Bryant). [WPA -10.4% · EPA -6.61]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 17:31) — (2:31) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right intended for 17-D.Adams INTERCEPTED by 38-J.Heath at DAL 14. 38-J.Heath to DAL 41 for 27 yards (88-T.Montgomery). [WPA -4.7% · EPA -4.47]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 36:10) — (6:10) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN [48-J.Thomas]. Pass complete on a go pattern. [WPA +1.9% · EPA +3.67]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 54:06) — (9:06) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep left to 82-R.Rodgers for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-95-D.Irving, Defensive Offside, declined. [WPA +8.9% · EPA +3.42]

Quarterback report card

A.Rodgers led all passers in efficiency for Green Bay Packers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 50 dropbacks · 56.0% completion · +4.8% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +18.35 total EPA
• D.Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +5.0% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +8.50 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Green Bay Packers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.25 vs +0.18), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, +14.58 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Green Bay Packers: 10 drives, +20.68 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Green Bay Packers 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.
• A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• A. Rodgers (GB) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• D. Prescott (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. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 56:28 · GB 32 · Score 0-3
   (11:28) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
2. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 54:06 · DAL 34 · Score 6-3
   (9:06) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep left to 82-R.Rodgers for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-95-D.Irving, Defensive Offside, declined.
3. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 53:58 · DAL 15 · Score 7-3
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.
4. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 44:18 · DAL 3 · Score 13-3
   (14:18) (Shotgun) 88-T.Montgomery left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 44:05 · DAL 15 · Score 14-3
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.
6. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 37:42 · DAL 1 · Score 20-3
   (7:42) 88-T.Montgomery left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. GB-69-D.Bakhtiari was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
7. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 37:37 · DAL 15 · Score 21-3
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.
8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 36:10 · GB 40 · Score 21-9
   (6:10) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 88-D.Bryant for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN [48-J.Thomas]. Pass complete on a go pattern.
9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 36:03 · GB 15 · Score 21-10
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones. Dallas's Damien Wilson has an ankle injury; he may return.
10. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 31:03 · GB 15 · Score 21-13
    (1:03) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
11. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 26:29 · DAL 3 · Score 27-13
    (11:29) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 89-J.Cook for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 26:25 · DAL 15 · Score 28-13
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum. Injury update: Morgan Burnett has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a quad
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 11:43 · GB 6 · Score 28-19
    (11:43) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 82-J.Witten for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 11:39 · GB 15 · Score 28-20
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
15. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 4:12 · GB 7 · Score 28-26
    (4:12) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 88-D.Bryant for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 4:08 · GB 2 · Score 28-28
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
17. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q4 1:38 · DAL 38 · Score 31-28
    (1:38) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Crosby 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.
18. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 0:40 · GB 33 · Score 31-31
    (:40) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
19. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · DAL 33 · Score 34-31
    (:03) (Field Goal formation) 2-M.Crosby 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-10-J.Schum.