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NFL · Week 17 · January 2, 2022 · 12 min read

Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2021 Week 17 Recap

Cardinals defeat Cowboys 25–22 in Week 17

Kenneth Murray, Jr. led Fantasy Impact as Cardinals prevailed in a 25–22 Week 17 finish.

Arizona Cardinals 25 11–5 Winner
Final 25–22
Dallas Cowboys 22 11–5
Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
25–22
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 13–7 Dallas Cowboys
Top passer
Dak Prescott
FantasyHQ MVP
Kenneth Murray, Jr.
Game date
January 2, 2022

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • Kenneth Murray, Jr.
    Kenneth Murray, Jr. 26/45 · 251 YDS · 2 TD +8.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Art Green
    Art Green 3 REC · 74 YDS +5.7 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Banjo 1/1 · 23 YDS +3.7 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

  • Dak Prescott
    Dak Prescott 24/48 · 244 YDS · 3 TD +7.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Cedrick Wilson Jr.
    Cedrick Wilson Jr. 6 REC · 35 YDS · 1 TD +6.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Michael Gallup
    Michael Gallup 3 REC · 36 YDS · 1 TD +3.8 Fantasy Impact
View Cardinals vs Cowboys box score View all 2021 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
Arizona Cardinals 25–22 Dallas Cowboys
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 13–7 Dallas Cowboys at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Kenneth Murray, Jr.
Top passer
Dak Prescott
Biggest EPA play
(9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs…
Game date
2022-01-02

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 25–22 on 2022-01-02. Kenneth Murray, Jr. posted a game-high +8.90 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 18 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Arizona Cardinals310123025
Dallas Cowboys07015022

Scoring Map

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

ARIArizona Cardinals
DALDallas Cowboys

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 7:49FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 6
    Score
    3-0

    (7:49) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.

  2. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 5:32TD
    Antoine Wesley

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 1
    Score
    9-0

    (5:32) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-A.Wesley for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 5:27XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 15
    Score
    10-0

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.

  4. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 1:30TD
    Michael Gallup

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 21
    Score
    10-6

    (1:30) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 13-M.Gallup for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN [55-C.Jones]. DAL-13-M.Gallup was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

  5. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q2 1:25XP
    Greg Zuerlein

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    10-7

    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.

  6. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 0:03FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 35
    Score
    13-7

    (:03) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.

  7. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 15:00FG
    Kenneth Murray, Jr.

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 75
    Score
    13-7

    (15:00) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass incomplete short left. PENALTY on ARI-68-K.Beachum, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at ARI 25 - No Play.

  8. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 9:44TD
    Antoine Wesley

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 19
    Score
    19-7

    (9:44) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-A.Wesley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 4:04FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 8
    Score
    22-7

    (4:04) 5-M.Prater 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.

  10. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 13:53TD
    Cedrick Wilson Jr.

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    22-13

    (13:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 1-C.Wilson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [34-J.Thompson].

  11. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 13:49XP
    Greg Zuerlein

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 20
    Score
    22-14

    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.

  12. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 8:36FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 20
    Score
    25-14

    (8:36) 5-M.Prater 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.

  13. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 4:48TD
    Amari Cooper

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 4
    Score
    25-20

    (4:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 19-A.Cooper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 4:42Safety
    Dak Prescott

    Points+2

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    25-22

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott pass to 1-C.Wilson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Kenneth Murray, Jr.Kenneth Murray, Jr. · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +8.90 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
  2. 2Dak PrescottDak Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +7.60 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
  3. 3Cedrick Wilson Jr.Cedrick Wilson Jr. · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.75 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
  4. 4Art GreenArt Green · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.74 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
  5. 5Michael GallupMichael Gallup · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
  6. 6C. Banjo · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +3.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.73 EPA/play
  7. 7Jonathan WardJonathan Ward · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.73 EPA/play
  8. 8Dalton SchultzDalton Schultz · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

Kenneth Murray, Jr.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Kenneth Murray, Jr. — ARI · Passing

Kenneth Murray, Jr. posted the highest total EPA (+8.90) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 45 counted snaps, they averaged +0.20 EPA per play.

Kenneth Murray, Jr.'s top snap (+4.66 EPA): (9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs).

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 PrescottDak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) · 48 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -8.3% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +7.60 total EPA
  • Kenneth Murray, Jr.Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) · 45 dropbacks · 57.8% completion · +7.0% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +8.90 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatArizona CardinalsDallas Cowboys
Offensive EPA/play+0.076-0.006
Offensive success rate44.6%46.9%
Pass EPA/play+0.275+0.194
Rush EPA/play-0.025-0.463
Defensive EPA/play+0.006-0.076
Defensive success rate53.1%55.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Arizona Cardinals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.08 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Arizona Cardinals: +0.08 EPA/play (70th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: -0.01 EPA/play (48th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +7.00 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Dallas Cowboys: 9 drives, -0.51 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Antoine WesleyArizona Cardinals — Antoine Wesley (Kenneth Murray, Jr. pass) (Q2 5:32)
  • Michael GallupDallas Cowboys — Michael Gallup (Dak Prescott pass) (Q2 1:30)
  • Antoine WesleyArizona Cardinals — Antoine Wesley (Kenneth Murray, Jr. pass) (Q3 9:44)
  • Cedrick Wilson Jr.Dallas Cowboys — Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Dak Prescott pass) (Q4 13:53)
  • Amari CooperDallas Cowboys — Amari Cooper (Dak Prescott pass) (Q4 4:48)

Field goals

  • Matt PraterArizona Cardinals — Matt Prater (Q1 7:49)
  • Matt PraterArizona Cardinals — Matt Prater (Q2 0:03)
  • Kenneth Murray, Jr.Arizona Cardinals — Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Q3 15:00)
  • Matt PraterArizona Cardinals — Matt Prater (Q3 4:04)
  • Matt PraterArizona Cardinals — Matt Prater (Q4 8:36)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 6 (Q1 7:49) — (7:49) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q2 5:32) — (5:32) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-A.Wesley for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q2 5:27) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 21 (Q2 1:30); Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 1:25) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 35 (Q2 0:03) — (:03) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 12–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 75 (Q3 15:00); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DAL 19 (Q3 9:44) — (9:44) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-A.Wesley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 8 (Q3 4:04) — (4:04) 5-M.Prater 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 15–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q4 13:53) — (13:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 1-C.Wilson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [34-J.Thompson].; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the ARI 20 (Q4 13:49) — 2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DAL 20 (Q4 8:36) — (8:36) 5-M.Prater 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 19-A.Cooper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 4:42) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott pass to 1-C.Wilson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 9:26) — (9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs). [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.66]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 4:11) — (4:11) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 86-D.Schultz pushed ob at ARI 26 for 14 yards (7-B.Murphy). [WPA +12.1% · EPA +3.65]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 2:39) — (2:39) 2-G.Zuerlein 43 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger. [WPA -11.5% · EPA -3.63]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 12:21) — (12:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 13-C.Kirk to DAL 23 for 43 yards (26-J.Lewis). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.92]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:42) — (10:42) (No Huddle) 4-D.Prescott scrambles up the middle to DAL 39 for 4 yards (9-I.Simmons). FUMBLES (9-I.Simmons), RECOVERED by ARI-45-D.Gardeck at DAL 44. [WPA -9.0% · EPA -4.25]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 9:26) — (9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs). [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.66]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:42) — (10:42) (No Huddle) 4-D.Prescott scrambles up the middle to DAL 39 for 4 yards (9-I.Simmons). FUMBLES (9-I.Simmons), RECOVERED by ARI-45-D.Gardeck at DAL 44. [WPA -9.0% · EPA -4.25]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 12:21) — (12:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 13-C.Kirk to DAL 23 for 43 yards (26-J.Lewis). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.92]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 10:33) — (10:33) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 31-C.Banjo. 31-C.Banjo pass deep middle to 29-J.Ward to DAL 41 for 23 yards (25-N.Wright). Penalty on DAL-25-N.Wright, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +3.73]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 7:49 · DAL 6 · Score 3-0
    (7:49) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
  2. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 5:32 · DAL 1 · Score 9-0
    (5:32) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-A.Wesley for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 5:27 · DAL 15 · Score 10-0
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
  4. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 1:30 · ARI 21 · Score 10-6
    (1:30) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep left to 13-M.Gallup for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN [55-C.Jones]. DAL-13-M.Gallup was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
  5. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 1:25 · ARI 15 · Score 10-7
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
  6. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 0:03 · DAL 35 · Score 13-7
    (:03) 5-M.Prater 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
  7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 15:00 · DAL 75 · Score 13-7
    (15:00) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass incomplete short left. PENALTY on ARI-68-K.Beachum, Ineligible Downfield Pass, 5 yards, enforced at ARI 25 - No Play.
  8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 9:44 · DAL 19 · Score 19-7
    (9:44) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-A.Wesley for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 4:04 · DAL 8 · Score 22-7
    (4:04) 5-M.Prater 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
  10. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 13:53 · ARI 2 · Score 22-13
    (13:53) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 1-C.Wilson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [34-J.Thompson].
  11. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 13:49 · ARI 20 · Score 22-14
    2-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-5-B.Anger.
  12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 8:36 · DAL 20 · Score 25-14
    (8:36) 5-M.Prater 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.
  13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 4:48 · ARI 4 · Score 25-20
    (4:48) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short left to 19-A.Cooper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Dallas Cowboys Safety (+2) — Q4 4:42 · ARI 2 · Score 25-22
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Prescott pass to 1-C.Wilson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

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.
  • Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Dak Prescott (DAL) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys on 2022-01-02?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys 25-22 in Week 17, 2021.

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

Q1: Arizona Cardinals 3, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 10, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 12, Dallas Cowboys 0; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 3, Dallas Cowboys 15; Final: Arizona Cardinals 25, Dallas Cowboys 22.

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

Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Wesley (K. Murray pass) (Q2 5:32) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — M. Gallup (D. Prescott pass) (Q2 1:30) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Wesley (K. Murray pass) (Q3 9:44) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Wilson (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 13:53) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — A. Cooper (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 4:48) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Prater (Q1 7:49, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Prater (Q2 0:03, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — K. Murray (Q3 15:00, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Prater (Q3 4:04, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Prater (Q4 8:36, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

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

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 50.0% completion, -8.3% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +7.60 total passing EPA. Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), 57.8% completion, +7.0% CPOE, +0.20 EPA per dropback, +8.90 total passing EPA.

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

Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.90 total EPA on Passing plays. across 45 snaps. Their top snap (+4.66 EPA): (9:26) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 18-A.Green to DAL 3 for 42 yards (7-T.Diggs)..

Was Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Arizona Cardinals won 25-22 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 10-5 Now 11-5 W

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 11-4 Now 11-5 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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