FantasyHQ+

FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 18 · January 4, 2015 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2014 Week 18 Recap

Cowboys defeat Lions 24–20 in Week 18

T.Romo led Fantasy Impact as Cowboys prevailed in a 20–24 Week 18 finish.

Detroit Lions 20 11–6
Final 20–24
Dallas Cowboys 24 13–4 Winner
Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
20–24
Halftime
Detroit Lions 17–7 Dallas Cowboys
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
FantasyHQ MVP
T.Romo
Game date
January 4, 2015

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Cornelius Johnson
    Cornelius Johnson 5 REC · 85 YDS +7.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Matthew Stafford
    Matthew Stafford 28/46 · 316 YDS · 1 TD +4.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Jaheim Bell
    Jaheim Bell 4 REC · 42 YDS +2.4 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

  • T.Romo 19/40 · 242 YDS · 2 TD +8.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Tyleik Williams
    Tyleik Williams 3 REC · 92 YDS · 2 TD +7.8 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Witten 5 REC · 63 YDS +7.2 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Cowboys box score View all 2014 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
Dallas Cowboys 24–20 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Detroit Lions 17–7 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
T. Romo
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
Biggest EPA play
(1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass…
Game date
2015-01-04

Game summary

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 24–20 on 2015-01-04, overcoming Detroit Lions's 17–7 halftime lead. T. Romo posted a game-high +8.53 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
Detroit Lions14330020
Dallas Cowboys07710024

Scoring Map

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

DETDetroit Lions
DALDallas Cowboys

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 11:34TD
    GTG. Tate

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 51
    Score
    6-0

    (11:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 15-G.Tate for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.

  2. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 11:22XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 2
    Score
    7-0

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. PENALTY on DAL-32-O.Scandrick, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.

  3. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 2:06TD
    RBR. Bush

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 18
    Score
    13-0

    (2:06) 21-R.Bush left end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 1:57XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 2
    Score
    14-0

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  5. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 1:50TD
    Tyleik Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 76
    Score
    14-6

    (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.

  6. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 1:37XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    14-7

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

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 0:07FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 21
    Score
    17-7

    (:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 8:44FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 19
    Score
    20-7

    (8:44) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  9. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 2:55TD
    DMD. Murray

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    20-13

    (2:55) 29-D.Murray left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 2:54XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    20-14

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

  11. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 12:21FG
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 33
    Score
    20-17

    (12:21) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

  12. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 2:39TD
    Tyleik Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 8
    Score
    20-23

    (2:39) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-E.Ansah]. Pass was caught middle back of the end zone.

  13. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 2:32XP
    Dominic Bailey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    20-24

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

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +8.53 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
  2. 2Tyleik WilliamsTyleik Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.85 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
  3. 3J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +7.22 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
  4. 4Cornelius JohnsonCornelius Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.11 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
  5. 5Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +4.93 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  6. 6D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.19 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
  7. 7Cole BeasleyCole Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.76 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
  8. 8Jaheim BellJaheim Bell · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.60 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 (+8.53) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Dallas Cowboys. Across 40 counted snaps, they averaged +0.21 EPA per play.

T. Romo's top snap (+7.00 EPA): (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.

Quarterback report card

Matthew Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 46 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · -1.6% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +4.93 total EPA
  • T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 40 dropbacks · 47.5% completion · -5.4% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +8.53 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsDallas Cowboys
Offensive EPA/play+0.026+0.065
Offensive success rate38.8%39.2%
Pass EPA/play+0.107+0.213
Rush EPA/play-0.025-0.051
Defensive EPA/play-0.065-0.026
Defensive success rate60.8%61.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions +0.03, Dallas Cowboys +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: +0.03 EPA/play (60th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: +0.07 EPA/play (68th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: 11 drives, +5.14 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +2.25 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Detroit Lions — G. Tate (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q1 11:34)
  • Detroit Lions — R. Bush (Q1 2:06)
  • Tyleik WilliamsDallas Cowboys — Tyleik Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q2 1:50)
  • Dallas Cowboys — D. Murray (Q3 2:55)
  • Tyleik WilliamsDallas Cowboys — Tyleik Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q4 2:39)

Field goals

  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q2 0:07)
  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q3 8:44)
  • Dominic BaileyDallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey (Q4 12:21)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 51 (Q1 11:34) — (11:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 15-G.Tate for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 11:22); Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 18 (Q1 2:06) — (2:06) 21-R.Bush left end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 1:57) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 76 (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 1:37) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 21 (Q2 0:07) — (:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 19 (Q3 8:44) — (8:44) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q3 2:55) — (2:55) 29-D.Murray left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 2:54) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 10–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 33 (Q4 12:21) — (12:21) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 8 (Q4 2:39); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 2:32) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten to DET 21 for 21 yards (42-I.Abdul-Quddus; 32-J.Ihedigbo). Pass complete on a curl route. [WPA +22.7% · EPA +3.95]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 1:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at DET 49 for -9 yards (90-D.Lawrence). FUMBLES (90-D.Lawrence) [90-D.Lawrence], RECOVERED by DAL-90-D.Lawrence at DET 47. 90-D.Lawrence to DET 47 for no gain (71- [WPA -21.5% · EPA -2.54]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 2:39) — (2:39) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-E.Ansah]. Pass was caught middle back of the end zone. [WPA +15.9% · EPA +3.19]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 11:34) — (11:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 15-G.Tate for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +5.08]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +7.00]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +7.00]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 11:34) — (11:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 15-G.Tate for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +5.08]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 15:00) — (15:00) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 15-G.Tate INTERCEPTED by 51-K.Wilber (92-J.Mincey) at DET 24. 51-K.Wilber to DET 19 for 5 yards (15-G.Tate). Pass deflected at the line of scrimmage [WPA -12.1% · EPA -5.07]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 82-J.Witten to DET 21 for 21 yards (42-I.Abdul-Quddus; 32-J.Ihedigbo). Pass complete on a curl route. [WPA +22.7% · EPA +3.95]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 11:34 · DAL 51 · Score 6-0
    (11:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 15-G.Tate for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.
  2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 11:22 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. PENALTY on DAL-32-O.Scandrick, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
  3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 2:06 · DAL 18 · Score 13-0
    (2:06) 21-R.Bush left end for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 1:57 · DAL 2 · Score 14-0
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  5. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 1:50 · DET 76 · Score 14-6
    (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern.
  6. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 1:37 · DET 2 · Score 14-7
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 0:07 · DAL 21 · Score 17-7
    (:07) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 8:44 · DAL 19 · Score 20-7
    (8:44) (Field Goal formation) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 2:55 · DET 1 · Score 20-13
    (2:55) 29-D.Murray left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 2:54 · DET 2 · Score 20-14
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  11. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 12:21 · DET 33 · Score 20-17
    (12:21) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
  12. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 2:39 · DET 8 · Score 20-23
    (2:39) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-E.Ansah]. Pass was caught middle back of the end zone.
  13. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 2:32 · DET 2 · Score 20-24
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

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.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • T. Romo (DAL) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys on 2015-01-04?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 24-20 in Week 18, 2014.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

Q1: Detroit Lions 14, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q2: Detroit Lions 3, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q4: Detroit Lions 0, Dallas Cowboys 10; Final: Detroit Lions 20, Dallas Cowboys 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

Detroit Lions touchdown — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 11:34) Detroit Lions touchdown — R. Bush (Q1 2:06) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q2 1:50) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Murray (Q3 2:55) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — T. Williams (T. Romo pass) (Q4 2:39) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q2 0:07, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q3 8:44, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q4 12:21, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 60.9% completion, -1.6% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +4.93 total passing EPA. T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys), 47.5% completion, -5.4% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +8.53 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys?

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.53 total EPA on Passing plays. across 40 snaps. Their top snap (+7.00 EPA): (1:50) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short middle to 83-T.Williams for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a slant pattern..

Was Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. Dallas Cowboys won 24-20 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 11-5 Now 11-6 L

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 12-4 Now 13-4 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

More 2014 game recaps

Week 18 · Jan 4, 2015

Cincinnati Bengals vs Indianapolis Colts

Read full recap →

Week 18 · Jan 3, 2015

Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Read full recap →

Week 18 · Jan 3, 2015

Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers

Read full recap →

Wild Card · Jan 11, 2015

Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers

Read full recap →

Week 17 · Dec 28, 2014

Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers

Read full recap →

Week 17 · Dec 28, 2014

Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Commanders

Read full recap →