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NFL · Week 16 · December 25, 2010 · 12 min read

Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2010 Week 16 Recap

Cardinals defeat Cowboys 27–26 in Week 16

J.Witten led Fantasy Impact as Cardinals prevailed in a 26–27 Week 16 finish.

Dallas Cowboys 26 5–10
Final 26–27
Arizona Cardinals 27 5–10 Winner
Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
26–27
Halftime
Dallas Cowboys 10–21 Arizona Cardinals
Top passer
J. Skelton
FantasyHQ MVP
J.Witten
Game date
December 25, 2010

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

  • J.Witten 8 REC · 45 YDS · 1 TD +3.0 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Barber 8 CAR · 58 YDS · 1 TD +3.0 Fantasy Impact
  • S.McGee 11/22 · 119 YDS · 1 TD +2.9 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • A.Roberts 5 REC · 110 YDS · 1 TD +2.9 Fantasy Impact
  • R.Maui'a 1 REC · 10 YDS +0.7 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Skelton 11/28 · 199 YDS · 1 TD +0.3 Fantasy Impact
View Cowboys vs Cardinals box score View all 2010 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
Arizona Cardinals 27–26 Dallas Cowboys
Halftime
Dallas Cowboys 10–21 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
J. Witten
Top passer
J. Skelton
Biggest EPA play
(8:36) 3-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at …
Game date
2010-12-25

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 27–26 on 2010-12-25. J. Witten posted a game-high +3.01 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Dallas Cowboys010106026
Arizona Cardinals14706027

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DALDallas Cowboys
ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 12:56TD
    DRD. Rodgers-Cromartie

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 76
    Score
    0-6

    (12:56) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 19-M.Austin INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at DAL 32. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 12:47XP
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 2
    Score
    0-7

    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  3. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 8:36TD
    GTG. Toler

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 39
    Score
    0-13

    (8:36) 3-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI 34. 28-G.Toler for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 8:24XP
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 2
    Score
    0-14

    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  5. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 12:54FG
    DBD. Buehler

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 24
    Score
    3-14

    (12:54) 18-D.Buehler 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.

  6. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 12:11TD
    ARA. Roberts

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 74
    Score
    3-20

    (12:11) 19-J.Skelton pass deep left to 12-A.Roberts for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-21-M.Jenkins, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.

  7. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 11:57XP
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 2
    Score
    3-21

    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  8. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 5:15TD
    JWJ. Witten

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    9-21

    (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left to 82-J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 5:11XP
    DBD. Buehler

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    10-21

    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.

  10. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 6:53FG
    DBD. Buehler

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 35
    Score
    13-21

    (6:53) 18-D.Buehler 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.

  11. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 2:06TD
    MBM. Barber

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 24
    Score
    19-21

    (2:06) 24-M.Barber right tackle for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-24-M.Barber, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

  12. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 1:58XP
    DBD. Buehler

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    20-21

    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.

  13. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 3:50FG
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 31
    Score
    20-24

    (3:50) 4-J.Feely 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  14. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 1:47TD
    MAM. Austin

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 37
    Score
    26-24

    (1:47) (Shotgun) 7-S.McGee pass deep right to 19-M.Austin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  15. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 0:10FG
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 30
    Score
    26-27

    (:10) 4-J.Feely 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. PENALTY on ARI, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.01 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
  2. 2M. Barber · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +3.00 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
  3. 3S. McGee · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +2.94 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
  4. 4A. Roberts · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.92 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
  5. 5S. Hurd · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.20 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
  6. 6F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +1.04 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
  7. 7F. Jones · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +0.83 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
  8. 8R. Maui'a · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.71 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

J. Witten — DAL · Receiving

J. Witten posted the highest total EPA (+3.01) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Dallas Cowboys. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +0.27 EPA per play.

J. Witten's top snap (+3.87 EPA): (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left to 82-J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-10.17 EPA): J. Kitna — (8:36) 3-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI 34. 28-G.Toler for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

J. Skelton led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • J. Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) · 28 dropbacks · 39.3% completion · -20.2% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.35 total EPA
  • J. Kitna (Dallas Cowboys) · 26 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · -4.7% CPOE · -0.36 EPA/play · -9.43 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDallas CowboysArizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play-0.015-0.051
Offensive success rate42.4%43.5%
Pass EPA/play-0.135+0.012
Rush EPA/play+0.128-0.275
Defensive EPA/play+0.051+0.015
Defensive success rate56.5%57.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Dallas Cowboys -0.01, Arizona Cardinals -0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Dallas Cowboys: -0.01 EPA/play (46th percentile vs. 2010 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: -0.05 EPA/play (37th percentile vs. 2010 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -3.49 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, -1.51 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Arizona Cardinals — D. Rodgers-Cromartie (Q1 12:56)
  • Arizona Cardinals — G. Toler (Q1 8:36)
  • Arizona Cardinals — A. Roberts (J. Skelton pass) (Q2 12:11)
  • Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 5:15)
  • Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q3 2:06)
  • Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (S. McGee pass) (Q4 1:47)

Field goals

  • Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q2 12:54)
  • Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q3 6:53)
  • Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q4 3:50)
  • Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q4 0:10)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 76 (Q1 12:56); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 12:47) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 39 (Q1 8:36) — (8:36) 3-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI 34. 28-G.Toler for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 8:24) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ARI 24 (Q2 12:54) — (12:54) 18-D.Buehler 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DAL 74 (Q2 12:11); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 11:57) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q2 5:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left to 82-J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 5:11) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the ARI 35 (Q3 6:53) — (6:53) 18-D.Buehler 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 24 (Q3 2:06); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 1:58) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 31 (Q4 3:50) — (3:50) 4-J.Feely 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 37 (Q4 1:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 7-S.McGee pass deep right to 19-M.Austin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 30 (Q4 0:10).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 7-S.McGee pass deep right to 19-M.Austin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.9% · EPA +4.66]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:10) — (:10) 4-J.Feely 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. PENALTY on ARI, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +28.5% · EPA +0.81]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 7-S.McGee pass short right to 19-M.Austin to DAL 24 for 15 yards. FUMBLES, touched at DAL 22, RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at DAL 24. 25-K.Rhodes to DAL 24 for no gain (11-R.Williams). [WPA -19.8% · EPA +0.07]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 8:36) — (8:36) 3-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI 34. 28-G.Toler for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.8% · EPA -10.17]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 12:56) — (12:56) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 19-M.Austin INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at DAL 32. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.6% · EPA -6.94]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 8:36) — (8:36) 3-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI 34. 28-G.Toler for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.8% · EPA -10.17]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 12:56) — (12:56) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 19-M.Austin INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at DAL 32. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.6% · EPA -6.94]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 12:11) — (12:11) 19-J.Skelton pass deep left to 12-A.Roberts for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-21-M.Jenkins, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +4.7% · EPA +5.72]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 1:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 7-S.McGee pass deep right to 19-M.Austin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.9% · EPA +4.66]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 12:56 · ARI 76 · Score 0-6
    (12:56) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 19-M.Austin INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at DAL 32. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 12:47 · DAL 2 · Score 0-7
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 8:36 · ARI 39 · Score 0-13
    (8:36) 3-J.Kitna pass short right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI 34. 28-G.Toler for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 8:24 · DAL 2 · Score 0-14
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  5. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 12:54 · ARI 24 · Score 3-14
    (12:54) 18-D.Buehler 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
  6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 12:11 · DAL 74 · Score 3-20
    (12:11) 19-J.Skelton pass deep left to 12-A.Roberts for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DAL-21-M.Jenkins, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
  7. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 11:57 · DAL 2 · Score 3-21
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 5:15 · ARI 2 · Score 9-21
    (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left to 82-J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 5:11 · ARI 2 · Score 10-21
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
  10. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 6:53 · ARI 35 · Score 13-21
    (6:53) 18-D.Buehler 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
  11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 2:06 · ARI 24 · Score 19-21
    (2:06) 24-M.Barber right tackle for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-24-M.Barber, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
  12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 1:58 · ARI 2 · Score 20-21
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
  13. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 3:50 · DAL 31 · Score 20-24
    (3:50) 4-J.Feely 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 1:47 · ARI 37 · Score 26-24
    (1:47) (Shotgun) 7-S.McGee pass deep right to 19-M.Austin for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  15. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:10 · DAL 30 · Score 26-27
    (:10) 4-J.Feely 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. PENALTY on ARI, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

Key takeaways

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

  • Arizona Cardinals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • J. Skelton (ARI) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals on 2010-12-25?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-26 in Week 16, 2010.

What was the score by quarter in Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Dallas Cowboys 0, Arizona Cardinals 14; Q2: Dallas Cowboys 10, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q3: Dallas Cowboys 10, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: Dallas Cowboys 6, Arizona Cardinals 6; Final: Dallas Cowboys 26, Arizona Cardinals 27.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals?

Arizona Cardinals touchdown — D. Rodgers-Cromartie (Q1 12:56) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — G. Toler (Q1 8:36) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Roberts (J. Skelton pass) (Q2 12:11) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Witten (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 5:15) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Barber (Q3 2:06) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Austin (S. McGee pass) (Q4 1:47) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Buehler (Q2 12:54, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Buehler (Q3 6:53, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q4 3:50, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q4 0:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. Skelton (Arizona Cardinals), 39.3% completion, -20.2% CPOE, +0.01 EPA per dropback, +0.35 total passing EPA. J. Kitna (Dallas Cowboys), 46.2% completion, -4.7% CPOE, -0.36 EPA per dropback, -9.43 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. Witten (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +3.01 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 11 snaps. Their top snap (+3.87 EPA): (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left to 82-J.Witten for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Arizona Cardinals won 27-26 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 5-9 Now 5-10 L

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 4-10 Now 5-10 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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