Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2023 Wild Card Recap

Game story

In the Wild Card of the 2023 NFL season on 2024-01-14, the Green Bay Packers took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 48–32 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 33 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +3.35 total EPA, and +2.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Love (Green Bay Packers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +24.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-9.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (:47) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 3-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Alexander at DAL 19. 23-J.Alexander to DAL 19 for no gain (3-B.Cooks).

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. Love · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +24.87 total EPA · 22 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Doubs · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +16.72 total EPA · 6 snaps · +2.79 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Ferguson · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +10.35 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Gallup · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Musgrave · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +5.37 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Jones · Green Bay Packers · Rushing · +4.28 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Wicks · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +3.35 total EPA · 74 snaps · +0.05 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 — A. Jones (Q1 52:12)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Jones (Q2 44:19)
• Green Bay Packers — D. Wicks (J. Love pass) (Q2 33:28)
• Green Bay Packers — D. Savage (Q2 32:00)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Ferguson (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 30:02)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Jones (Q3 21:41)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Pollard (Q3 18:07)
• Green Bay Packers — L. Musgrave (J. Love pass) (Q3 16:36)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Doubs (J. Love pass) (Q4 10:28)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Ferguson (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 5:58)
• Dallas Cowboys — J. Ferguson (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 3:30)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — B. Aubrey (Q3 24:27)

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 7–0. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q1 52:12) — (7:12) (Shotgun) 33-A.Jones right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q1 52:08) — 17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan..

The second quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 26–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 44:19) — (14:19) 33-A.Jones left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 44:15) — 17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 20 (Q2 33:28) — (3:28) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass deep middle to 13-D.Wicks for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 15 (Q2 33:23) — 17-A.Carlson extra point is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the GB 40 (Q2 32:00); Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 31:50) — 17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the GB 1 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 87-J.Ferguson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q2 30:00) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The third quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 14–9. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the GB 16 (Q3 24:27) — (9:27) 17-B.Aubrey 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 9 (Q3 21:41) — (6:41) 33-A.Jones right guard for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 21:38) — 17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the GB 1 (Q3 18:07) — (3:07) (Shotgun) 20-T.Pollard up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 38 (Q3 16:36) — (1:36) 10-J.Love pass deep right to 88-L.Musgrave for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 16:27) — 17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 18–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q4 10:28) — (10:28) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short middle to 87-R.Doubs for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q4 10:23) — 17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the GB 7 (Q4 5:58) — (5:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 87-J.Ferguson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the GB 2 (Q4 5:54) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 23-R.Dowdle rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the DAL 35 (Q4 5:54) — 17-B.Aubrey kicks onside 15 yards from DAL 35 to 50. 88-L.Musgrave (didn't try to advance) to 50 for no gain.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the GB 14 (Q4 3:30) — (3:30) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 87-J.Ferguson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the GB 2 (Q4 3:25) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott rushes left end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 45:47) — (:47) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 3-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Alexander at DAL 19. 23-J.Alexander to DAL 19 for no gain (3-B.Cooks). [WPA -9.8% · EPA -4.10]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Savage at GB 36. 26-D.Savage for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -7.9% · EPA -10.07]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 58:22) — (13:22) 10-J.Love pass deep middle to 87-R.Doubs to GB 49 for 22 yards (14-M.Bell) [97-O.Odighizuwa]. [WPA +7.6% · EPA +2.36]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 48:02) — (3:02) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass deep middle to 87-R.Doubs to DAL 49 for 26 yards (1-J.Kearse) [92-D.Armstrong]. [WPA +6.9% · EPA +3.03]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short middle to 87-R.Doubs to DAL 1 for 15 yards (26-D.Bland). [WPA +4.6% · EPA +1.79]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Savage at GB 36. 26-D.Savage for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -7.9% · EPA -10.07]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 45:47) — (:47) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 3-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Alexander at DAL 19. 23-J.Alexander to DAL 19 for no gain (3-B.Cooks). [WPA -9.8% · EPA -4.10]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 10:28) — (10:28) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short middle to 87-R.Doubs for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +3.86]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 16:36) — (1:36) 10-J.Love pass deep right to 88-L.Musgrave for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.2% · EPA +3.57]

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) · 74 dropbacks · 55.4% completion · +2.9% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +3.35 total EPA
• J.Love (Green Bay Packers) · 22 dropbacks · 72.7% completion · +13.1% CPOE · +1.13 EPA/play · +24.87 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 (+0.36 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +4.77 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Green Bay Packers: 11 drives, +26.70 total EPA, 5 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.
• J. Love (Green Bay Packers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Love (GB) 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. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 52:12 · DAL 3 · Score 6-0
   (7:12) (Shotgun) 33-A.Jones right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 52:08 · DAL 15 · Score 7-0
   17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.
3. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 44:19 · DAL 1 · Score 13-0
   (14:19) 33-A.Jones left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 44:15 · DAL 15 · Score 14-0
   17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.
5. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 33:28 · DAL 20 · Score 20-0
   (3:28) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass deep middle to 13-D.Wicks for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 33:23 · DAL 15 · Score 20-0
   17-A.Carlson extra point is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.
7. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · GB 40 · Score 26-0
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Savage at GB 36. 26-D.Savage for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 31:50 · DAL 15 · Score 27-0
   17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 30:02 · GB 1 · Score 27-6
   (:02) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 87-J.Ferguson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · GB 15 · Score 27-7
    17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
11. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 24:27 · GB 16 · Score 27-10
    (9:27) 17-B.Aubrey 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
12. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 21:41 · DAL 9 · Score 33-10
    (6:41) 33-A.Jones right guard for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 21:38 · DAL 15 · Score 34-10
    17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 18:07 · GB 1 · Score 34-16
    (3:07) (Shotgun) 20-T.Pollard up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 16:36 · DAL 38 · Score 40-16
    (1:36) 10-J.Love pass deep right to 88-L.Musgrave for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 16:27 · DAL 15 · Score 41-16
    17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.
17. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 10:28 · DAL 3 · Score 47-16
    (10:28) (Shotgun) 10-J.Love pass short middle to 87-R.Doubs for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 10:23 · DAL 15 · Score 48-16
    17-A.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-19-D.Whelan.
19. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 5:58 · GB 7 · Score 48-22
    (5:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 87-J.Ferguson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 5:54 · GB 2 · Score 48-24
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 23-R.Dowdle rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
21. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 5:54 · DAL 35 · Score 48-24
    17-B.Aubrey kicks onside 15 yards from DAL 35 to 50. 88-L.Musgrave (didn't try to advance) to 50 for no gain.
22. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 3:30 · GB 14 · Score 48-30
    (3:30) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 87-J.Ferguson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
23. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 3:25 · GB 2 · Score 48-32
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott rushes left end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.