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NFL · Week 16 · December 21, 2014 · 12 min read

Indianapolis Colts vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2014 Week 16 Recap

Cowboys defeat Colts 42–7 in Week 16

T.Romo led Fantasy Impact as Cowboys prevailed in a 7–42 Week 16 finish.

Indianapolis Colts 7 10–5
Final 7–42
Dallas Cowboys 42 11–4 Winner
Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
7–42
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 0–28 Dallas Cowboys
Top passer
M. Hasselbeck
FantasyHQ MVP
T.Romo
Game date
December 21, 2014

Top fantasy performers · Colts

  • M.Hasselbeck 15/27 · 119 YDS · 1 TD +1.6 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Doyle 2 REC · 23 YDS +1.2 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Herron 3 REC · 37 YDS +0.7 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

  • T.Romo 18/25 · 235 YDS · 5 TD +24.2 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Witten 7 REC · 90 YDS · 1 TD +9.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Tyleik Williams
    Tyleik Williams 2 REC · 52 YDS · 2 TD +7.0 Fantasy Impact
View Colts vs Cowboys box score View all 2014 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
Dallas Cowboys 42–7 Indianapolis Colts
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 0–28 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
T. Romo
Top passer
M. Hasselbeck
Biggest EPA play
(1:25) 8-M.Hasselbeck sacked at IND 40 for -8 yards (32-O.Scandrick). FUMBLES (32-O.Scandr…
Game date
2014-12-21

Game summary

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts 42–7 on 2014-12-21. T. Romo posted a game-high +24.24 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Indianapolis Colts000707
Dallas Cowboys141477042

Scoring Map

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

INDIndianapolis Colts
DALDallas Cowboys

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q1 6:40TD
    Tyleik Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 9
    Score
    0-6

    (6:40) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.

  2. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q1 6:36XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-7

    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  3. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q1 4:30TD
    DBD. Bryant

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 19
    Score
    0-13

    (4:30) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on IND-28-G.Toler, Defensive Holding, declined.

  4. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q1 4:23XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-14

    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  5. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 14:19TD
    Cole Beasley

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 24
    Score
    0-20

    (14:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a skinny post.

  6. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 14:11XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-21

    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  7. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 6:38TD
    DMD. Murray

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 1
    Score
    0-27

    (6:38) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 6:32XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-28

    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  9. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 4:48TD
    JWJ. Witten

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 25
    Score
    0-34

    (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route. With that completion, Tony Romo passed Troy Aikman as the Dallas Cowboys all-time passing yards leader.

  10. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 4:41XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-35

    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  11. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 10:19TD
    Tyleik Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 43
    Score
    0-41

    (10:19) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep right to 83-T.Williams for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern.

  12. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 10:12XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-42

    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  13. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 5:29TD
    ZTZ. Tipton

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 1
    Score
    6-42

    (5:29) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right to 37-Z.Tipton for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 5:24XP
    AVA. Vinatieri

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 2
    Score
    7-42

    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +24.24 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
  2. 2J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +9.89 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
  3. 3Tyleik WilliamsTyleik Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.04 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.52 EPA/play
  4. 4D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.92 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
  5. 5B. Weeden · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +4.87 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.87 EPA/play
  6. 6L. Dunbar · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.88 EPA/play
  7. 7M. Hasselbeck · Indianapolis Colts · Passing · +1.64 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
  8. 8Cole BeasleyCole Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.53 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

T. Romo — DAL · Passing

T. Romo posted the highest total EPA (+24.24) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Dallas Cowboys. Across 25 counted snaps, they averaged +0.97 EPA per play.

T. Romo's top snap (+3.20 EPA): (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route. With that completion, Tony Romo passed Troy Aikman as the Dallas Cowboys all-time passing yards leader.

Biggest single play (-5.38 EPA): M. Hasselbeck — (1:25) 8-M.Hasselbeck sacked at IND 40 for -8 yards (32-O.Scandrick). FUMBLES (32-O.Scandrick), RECOVERED by DAL-99-G.Selvie at DAL 49. 99-G.Selvie to IND 49 for 2 yards (60-L.Louis). The Replay Offic

Quarterback report card

M. Hasselbeck led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • M. Hasselbeck (Indianapolis Colts) · 27 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +2.2% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +1.64 total EPA
  • T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 25 dropbacks · 72.0% completion · +21.3% CPOE · +0.97 EPA/play · +24.24 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatIndianapolis ColtsDallas Cowboys
Offensive EPA/play-0.310+0.189
Offensive success rate36.2%49.4%
Pass EPA/play-0.228+1.120
Rush EPA/play-0.678-0.314
Defensive EPA/play-0.189+0.310
Defensive success rate50.6%63.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs -0.31), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Indianapolis Colts: -0.31 EPA/play (4th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: +0.19 EPA/play (93rd percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: 10 drives, +14.53 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Indianapolis Colts: 12 drives, -24.83 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Tyleik WilliamsDallas Cowboys — Tyleik Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q1 6:40)
  • Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (T. Romo pass) (Q1 4:30)
  • Cole BeasleyDallas Cowboys — Cole Beasley (T. Romo pass) (Q2 14:19)
  • Dallas Cowboys — D. Murray (Q2 6:38)
  • Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q3 4:48)
  • Tyleik WilliamsDallas Cowboys — Tyleik Williams (B. Weeden pass) (Q4 10:19)
  • Indianapolis Colts — Z. Tipton (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q4 5:29)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 9 (Q1 6:40) — (6:40) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 6:36) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 19 (Q1 4:30) — (4:30) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on IND-28-G.Toler, Defensive Holding, declined.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 4:23) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 24 (Q2 14:19) — (14:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a skinny post.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 14:11) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q2 6:38) — (6:38) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 6:32) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–0. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 25 (Q3 4:48); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q3 4:41) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the IND 43 (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep right to 83-T.Williams for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 10:12) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q4 5:29) — (5:29) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right to 37-Z.Tipton for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 5:24) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 10:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 25-L.Dunbar to DAL 48 for -4 yards (50-J.Freeman). PENALTY on IND-50-J.Freeman, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced at DAL 48. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.40]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q1) — GAME Colt Captains: Walden, Allen, Luck, Vinatieri, Wayne, Redding; Dallas captains: Church, Witten, Bailey, Mincey. [WPA -7.2% · EPA -2.14]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 15:00) — (15:00) 29-D.Murray left guard to DAL 22 for 2 yards (30-L.Landry, 97-A.Jones). [WPA +6.2% · EPA -0.51]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q1 4:36) — (4:36) (Punt formation) 1-P.McAfee pass incomplete deep right to 31-D.McDonald. Pass thrown off fake punt incomplete at the Colts 35 on a go route. [WPA -5.0% · EPA -2.50]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 6:40) — (6:40) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern. [WPA +4.2% · EPA +2.17]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Indianapolis Colts (Q3 1:25) — (1:25) 8-M.Hasselbeck sacked at IND 40 for -8 yards (32-O.Scandrick). FUMBLES (32-O.Scandrick), RECOVERED by DAL-99-G.Selvie at DAL 49. 99-G.Selvie to IND 49 for 2 yards (60-L.Louis). The Replay Offic [WPA -0.0% · EPA -5.38]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q3 14:39) — (14:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short right intended for 87-R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by 59-A.Hitchens (96-N.Hayden) at IND 27. 59-A.Hitchens to IND 19 for 8 yards (12-A.Luck). Hitchens intercep [WPA -0.2% · EPA -4.93]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:19) — (10:19) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep right to 83-T.Williams for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +4.87]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 5:36) — (5:36) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep left intended for 87-R.Wayne INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at DAL -5. Touchback. PENALTY on DAL-39-B.Carr, Defensive Pass Interference, 22 yards, enforced at DAL 2 [WPA +0.0% · EPA +3.93]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 6:40 · IND 9 · Score 0-6
    (6:40) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.
  2. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 6:36 · IND 2 · Score 0-7
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  3. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 4:30 · IND 19 · Score 0-13
    (4:30) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on IND-28-G.Toler, Defensive Holding, declined.
  4. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 4:23 · IND 2 · Score 0-14
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  5. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 14:19 · IND 24 · Score 0-20
    (14:19) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 11-C.Beasley for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a skinny post.
  6. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 14:11 · IND 2 · Score 0-21
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 6:38 · IND 1 · Score 0-27
    (6:38) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 6:32 · IND 2 · Score 0-28
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 4:48 · IND 25 · Score 0-34
    (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route. With that completion, Tony Romo passed Troy Aikman as the Dallas Cowboys all-time pass
  10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 4:41 · IND 2 · Score 0-35
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  11. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 10:19 · IND 43 · Score 0-41
    (10:19) (Shotgun) 3-B.Weeden pass deep right to 83-T.Williams for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a fly pattern.
  12. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 10:12 · IND 2 · Score 0-42
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  13. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 5:29 · DAL 1 · Score 6-42
    (5:29) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right to 37-Z.Tipton for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 5:24 · DAL 2 · Score 7-42
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Overton, Holder-1-P.McAfee.

Key takeaways

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

  • Dallas Cowboys earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • T. Romo (DAL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys on 2014-12-21?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts 42-7 in Week 16, 2014.

What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?

Q1: Indianapolis Colts 0, Dallas Cowboys 14; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 0, Dallas Cowboys 14; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 0, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 7, Dallas Cowboys 7; Final: Indianapolis Colts 7, Dallas Cowboys 42.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?

Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q1 6:40) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Bryant (T. Romo pass) (Q1 4:30) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Beasley (T. Romo pass) (Q2 14:19) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Murray (Q2 6:38) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q3 4:48) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Williams (B. Weeden pass) (Q4 10:19) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — Z. Tipton (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q4 5:29) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?

M. Hasselbeck (Indianapolis Colts), 55.6% completion, +2.2% CPOE, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +1.64 total passing EPA. T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 72.0% completion, +21.3% CPOE, +0.97 EPA per dropback, +24.24 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys?

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +24.24 total EPA on Passing plays. across 25 snaps. Their top snap (+3.20 EPA): (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route. With that completion, Tony Romo passed Troy Aikman as the Dallas C.

Season records after this game

Indianapolis Colts

Entered 10-4 Now 10-5 L

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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