Game story
In the Wild Card of the 2007 NFL season on 2008-01-13, the New York Giants took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 21–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +4.31 total EPA, and -1.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, E. Manning (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.09 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-22.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Dallas Cowboys changed the game: (:16) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Glenn INTERCEPTED by 25-R.McQuarters at NYG -5. Touchback.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +10.09 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 2 A. Toomer · New York Giants · Receiving · +9.50 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.38 EPA/play
- 3 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.57 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 4 T. Owens · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.81 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
- 5 M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.40 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 6 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +4.31 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 7 T. Glenn · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.96 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
- 8 S. Smith · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.89 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
E. Manning — NYG · Passing
E. Manning posted the highest total EPA (+10.09) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New York Giants's efficiency. Across 24 counted snaps, they averaged +0.42 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.89 EPA) came from New York Giants: (12:02) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 81-A.Toomer for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Toomer caught the pass on a curl route at the Dallas 39 before spinning away and running down left sideline for the score.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New York Giants — A. Toomer (E. Manning pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — T. Owens (T. Romo pass)
- Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber
- New York Giants — A. Toomer (E. Manning pass)
- New York Giants — B. Jacobs
Field goals
- Dallas Cowboys — N. Folk
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–0. New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 52 (Q1 57:02); New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 56:50) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..
The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 5 (Q2 45:00); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 44:56) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q2 31:01); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 30:53) — 6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 4 (Q2 30:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 81-A.Toomer for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:07) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..
The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NYG 16 (Q3 21:56) — (6:56) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson..
The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–0. New York Giants found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 13:33) — (13:33) 27-B.Jacobs right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 13:29) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:16) — (:16) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Glenn INTERCEPTED by 25-R.McQuarters at NYG -5. Touchback.
- New York Giants (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Punt formation) 18-J.Feagles punts 42 yards to DAL 44, Center-51-Z.DeOssie. 84-P.Crayton to NYG 48 for 8 yards (37-Ja.Butler).
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:50) — (1:50) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten to NYG 22 for 18 yards (25-R.McQuarters).
- New York Giants (Q1 57:02) — (12:02) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 81-A.Toomer for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Toomer caught the pass on a curl route at the Dallas 39 before spinning away and running down left sideline for the score.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q3 25:12) — (10:12) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 83-T.Glenn to NYG 27 for 19 yards (25-R.McQuarters). Romo stepped up in the pocket prior to the pass.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New York Giants (Q1 57:02) — (12:02) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 81-A.Toomer for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Toomer caught the pass on a curl route at the Dallas 39 before spinning away and running down left sideline for the score.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q1 48:05) — (3:05) 24-M.Barber up the middle to NYG 44 for 36 yards (28-G.Wilson).
- New York Giants (Q2 30:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 81-A.Toomer for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Dallas Cowboys (Q4 12:36) — (12:36) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 82-J.Witten to DAL 26 for 14 yards (37-Ja.Butler) [92-M.Strahan].
Quarterback report card
T.Romo led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 44 dropbacks · 40.9% completion · -1.6% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +4.31 total EPA
- E.Manning (New York Giants) · 24 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +20.4% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +10.09 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New York Giants | Dallas Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.228 | +0.086 |
| Offensive success rate | 52.5% | 41.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.421 | +0.098 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.040 | +0.131 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.086 | -0.228 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.9% | 47.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New York Giants generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, +7.73 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New York Giants: 9 drives, +13.44 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New York Giants 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.
- E. Manning (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- E. Manning (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.
- New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 57:02 · DAL 52 · Score 6-0
(12:02) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 81-A.Toomer for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Toomer caught the pass on a curl route at the Dallas 39 before spinning away and ru - New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 56:50 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · NYG 5 · Score 7-6
(15:00) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 81-T.Owens for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. New York Giants challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 44:56 · NYG 2 · Score 7-7
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 31:01 · NYG 1 · Score 7-13
(1:01) 24-M.Barber up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. - Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 30:53 · NYG 2 · Score 7-14
6-N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 30:11 · DAL 4 · Score 13-14
(:11) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 81-A.Toomer for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 30:07 · DAL 2 · Score 14-14
9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles. - Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 21:56 · NYG 16 · Score 14-17
(6:56) (Field Goal formation) 6-N.Folk 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson. - New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 13:33 · DAL 1 · Score 20-17
(13:33) 27-B.Jacobs right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 13:29 · DAL 2 · Score 21-17
9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
The New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 in Wild Card, 2007 on 2008-01-13.
What was the final score of New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
The final score was New York Giants 21, Dallas Cowboys 17 (NYG 21-17 DAL) in Wild Card, 2007 on 2008-01-13.
What was the score by quarter in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
Q1: New York Giants 7, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q2: New York Giants 7, Dallas Cowboys 14; Q3: New York Giants 0, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q4: New York Giants 7, Dallas Cowboys 0; Final: New York Giants 21, Dallas Cowboys 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
New York Giants touchdown — A. Toomer (E. Manning pass) (Q1 57:02) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Owens (T. Romo pass) (Q2 45:00) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Barber (Q2 31:01) New York Giants touchdown — A. Toomer (E. Manning pass) (Q2 30:11) New York Giants touchdown — B. Jacobs (Q4 13:33) Dallas Cowboys field goal — N. Folk (Q3 21:56, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 40.9% completion, -1.6% CPOE, +0.10 EPA per dropback, +4.31 total passing EPA. E. Manning (New York Giants), 50.0% completion, +20.4% CPOE, +0.42 EPA per dropback, +10.09 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys?
E. Manning (New York Giants) led the game in total EPA with +10.09 on passing plays. across 24 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.89 EPA): (12:02) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 81-A.Toomer for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Toomer caught the pass on a curl route at the Dallas 39 before spinning away and running down left side. The biggest win-probability swing was -22.6%.
Was New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. New York Giants won 21-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
New York Giants
Entered 11-6 Now 12-6 W
Dallas Cowboys
Entered 13-3 Now 13-4 L
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
