Buccaneers 20–26 Cowboys: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 15, 2016

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?

D. Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 72.7% completion, +18.6% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +1.35 total passing EPA. J. Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 40.5% completion, -6.6% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.65 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?

M. Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.91 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+2.20 EPA): (9:06) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass incomplete deep right to 13-M.Evans. PENALTY on DAL-39-B.Carr, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at DAL 46 - No Play..

Quick answer

Winner: Dallas Cowboys
Final score: Dallas Cowboys 26–20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Halftime: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6–17 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Mitchell Evans
Top passer: Dak Prescott
Biggest EPA play: (14:56) 3-J.Winston sacked at TB 18 for -7 yards (97-T.McClain). FUMBLES (97-T.McClain) [9…
Game date: 2016-12-18

Game summary

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26–20 on 2016-12-18. Mitchell Evans posted a game-high +4.91 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	3	3	14	0	0	20
Dallas Cowboys	0	17	0	9	0	26

Scoring Map

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

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

+3DAL 7

+3TB 9

TB 2

DAL 42

DAL 10

+3TB 22

+3TB 20

DALDallas Cowboys

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 5:58FG
RAR. Aguayo
Points+3
Yard line
DAL 7
Score
3-0
(5:58) (Field Goal formation) 19-R.Aguayo 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 15:00FG
Dominic Bailey
Points+3
Yard line
TB 9
Score
3-3
(15:00) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 12:38TD
Ezekiel Elliott
Points+6
Yard line
TB 2
Score
3-9
(12:38) 21-E.Elliott left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-21-E.Elliott, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 12:34XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
TB 15
Score
3-10
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 6:27TD
Dak Prescott
Points+6
Yard line
TB 2
Score
3-16
(6:27) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q2 6:24XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
TB 15
Score
3-17
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 1:55FG
RAR. Aguayo
Points+3
Yard line
DAL 16
Score
6-17
(1:55) (Field Goal formation) 19-R.Aguayo 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 11:52TD
Adam Humphries
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 42
Score
12-17
(11:52) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle to 11-A.Humphries for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete after roll left; ball was tipped by Carr near the goalline before Humprhies made the catch in the endzone.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 11:44XP
RAR. Aguayo
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 15
Score
13-17
19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 4:18TD
CBC. Brate
Points+6
Yard line
DAL 10
Score
19-17
(4:18) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short middle to 84-C.Brate for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 4:12XP
RAR. Aguayo
Points+1
Yard line
DAL 15
Score
20-17
19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q4 13:37FG
Dominic Bailey
Points+3
Yard line
TB 22
Score
20-20
(13:37) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q4 9:40FG
Dominic Bailey
Points+3
Yard line
TB 20
Score
20-23
(9:40) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
DALDallas Cowboys
Q4 3:03FG
Dominic Bailey
Points+3
Yard line
TB 15
Score
20-26
(3:03) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Mitchell Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.91 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
2D. Bryant · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.78 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
3C. Brate · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.67 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
4Cole Beasley · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
5L. Dunbar · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.86 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
6B. Butler · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
7F. Martino · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
8Tyleik Williams · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +1.66 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.42 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

Mitchell Evans — TB · Receiving

Mitchell Evans posted the highest total EPA (+4.91) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.61 EPA per play.

Mitchell Evans's top snap (+2.20 EPA): (9:06) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass incomplete deep right to 13-M.Evans. PENALTY on DAL-39-B.Carr, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at DAL 46 - No Play.

Biggest single play (-5.99 EPA): Jameis Winston — (14:56) 3-J.Winston sacked at TB 18 for -7 yards (97-T.McClain). FUMBLES (97-T.McClain) [97-T.McClain], touched at TB 18, RECOVERED by DAL-96-M.Collins at TB 14. 96-M.Collins to TB 14 for no gain (88-

Quarterback report card

Dak Prescott led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 44 dropbacks · 72.7% completion · +18.6% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.35 total EPA
Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 42 dropbacks · 40.5% completion · -6.6% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.65 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Dallas Cowboys
Offensive EPA/play	-0.109	-0.025
Offensive success rate	41.0%	48.4%
Pass EPA/play	-0.039	+0.031
Rush EPA/play	-0.276	+0.024
Defensive EPA/play	+0.025	+0.109
Defensive success rate	51.6%	59.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Dallas Cowboys held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.11 EPA/play (25th percentile vs. 2016 team-game averages)
Dallas Cowboys: -0.03 EPA/play (45th percentile vs. 2016 team-game averages)

Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, -2.26 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12 drives, -8.50 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Dallas Cowboys — Ezekiel Elliott (Q2 12:38)
Dallas Cowboys — Dak Prescott (Q2 6:27)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Adam Humphries (Jameis Winston pass) (Q3 11:52)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Brate (Jameis Winston pass) (Q3 4:18)

Field goals

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Aguayo (Q1 5:58)
Dallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey (Q2 15:00)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Aguayo (Q2 1:55)
Dallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey (Q4 13:37)
Dallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey (Q4 9:40)
Dallas Cowboys — Dominic Bailey (Q4 3:03)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 7 (Q1 5:58) — (5:58) (Field Goal formation) 19-R.Aguayo 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 17–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 9 (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q2 12:38); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 12:34) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q2 6:27) — (6:27) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 6:24) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DAL 16 (Q2 1:55) — (1:55) (Field Goal formation) 19-R.Aguayo 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 42 (Q3 11:52); Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 11:44) — 19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DAL 10 (Q3 4:18) — (4:18) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short middle to 84-C.Brate for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 4:12) — 19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 9–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 22 (Q4 13:37) — (13:37) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 20 (Q4 9:40) — (9:40) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the TB 15 (Q4 3:03) — (3:03) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Dallas Cowboys (Q4 8:45) — (8:45) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 82-J.Witten to DAL 44 for 3 yards (58-K.Alexander). FUMBLES (58-K.Alexander), RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at DAL 45. 54-L.David to DAL 45 for no gain (82-J.Witt [WPA -21.1% · EPA -5.21]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 6:43) — (6:43) (No Huddle) 3-J.Winston pass short left to 84-C.Brate to DAL 23 for 22 yards (31-B.Jones). [WPA +15.1% · EPA +2.22]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 14:56) — (14:56) 3-J.Winston sacked at TB 18 for -7 yards (97-T.McClain). FUMBLES (97-T.McClain) [97-T.McClain], touched at TB 18, RECOVERED by DAL-96-M.Collins at TB 14. 96-M.Collins to TB 14 for no gain (88- [WPA -15.0% · EPA -5.99]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 11:52) — (11:52) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle to 11-A.Humphries for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete after roll left; ball was tipped by Carr near the goalline before Humprhies made the catch in the endzone. [WPA +12.1% · EPA +4.34]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 9:06) — (9:06) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass incomplete deep right to 13-M.Evans. PENALTY on DAL-39-B.Carr, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at DAL 46 - No Play. [WPA +10.2% · EPA +2.20]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 14:56) — (14:56) 3-J.Winston sacked at TB 18 for -7 yards (97-T.McClain). FUMBLES (97-T.McClain) [97-T.McClain], touched at TB 18, RECOVERED by DAL-96-M.Collins at TB 14. 96-M.Collins to TB 14 for no gain (88- [WPA -15.0% · EPA -5.99]
Dallas Cowboys (Q4 8:45) — (8:45) 4-D.Prescott pass short middle to 82-J.Witten to DAL 44 for 3 yards (58-K.Alexander). FUMBLES (58-K.Alexander), RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at DAL 45. 54-L.David to DAL 45 for no gain (82-J.Witt [WPA -21.1% · EPA -5.21]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 11:52) — (11:52) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle to 11-A.Humphries for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete after roll left; ball was tipped by Carr near the goalline before Humprhies made the catch in the endzone. [WPA +12.1% · EPA +4.34]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 11:59) — (11:59) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep left intended for 11-A.Humphries INTERCEPTED by 38-J.Heath [95-D.Irving] at TB 41. 38-J.Heath to TB 22 for 19 yards (64-K.Pamphile). [WPA -8.8% · EPA -3.71]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 5:58 · DAL 7 · Score 3-0
(5:58) (Field Goal formation) 19-R.Aguayo 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 15:00 · TB 9 · Score 3-3
(15:00) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 12:38 · TB 2 · Score 3-9
(12:38) 21-E.Elliott left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-21-E.Elliott, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 12:34 · TB 15 · Score 3-10
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 6:27 · TB 2 · Score 3-16
(6:27) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 6:24 · TB 15 · Score 3-17
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 1:55 · DAL 16 · Score 6-17
(1:55) (Field Goal formation) 19-R.Aguayo 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 11:52 · DAL 42 · Score 12-17
(11:52) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle to 11-A.Humphries for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete after roll left; ball was tipped by Carr near the goalline before Humprhies made the catch in the endzone.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 11:44 · DAL 15 · Score 13-17
19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 4:18 · DAL 10 · Score 19-17
(4:18) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short middle to 84-C.Brate for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 4:12 · DAL 15 · Score 20-17
19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.
Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 13:37 · TB 22 · Score 20-20
(13:37) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 9:40 · TB 20 · Score 20-23
(9:40) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-6-C.Jones.
Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 3:03 · TB 15 · Score 20-26
(3:03) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 33 yard field goal 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.
Mitchell Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Dak Prescott (DAL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys on 2016-12-18?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-20 in Week 15, 2016.

What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Dallas Cowboys 17; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Dallas Cowboys 9; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Dallas Cowboys 26.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Dallas Cowboys touchdown — E. Elliott (Q2 12:38) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — D. Prescott (Q2 6:27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — A. Humphries (J. Winston pass) (Q3 11:52) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Brate (J. Winston pass) (Q3 4:18) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — R. Aguayo (Q1 5:58, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q2 15:00, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — R. Aguayo (Q2 1:55, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q4 13:37, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q4 9:40, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — D. Bailey (Q4 3:03, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 72.7% completion, +18.6% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +1.35 total passing EPA. Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 40.5% completion, -6.6% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.65 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys?

Mitchell Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.91 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+2.20 EPA): (9:06) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass incomplete deep right to 13-M.Evans. PENALTY on DAL-39-B.Carr, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at DAL 46 - No Play..

Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Dallas Cowboys won 26-20 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 8-5 Now 8-6 L

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 11-2 Now 12-2 W

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2016 Week 15 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

Quick answer

Game summary