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NFL · Week 17 · December 30, 2023 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2023 Week 17 Recap

Cowboys defeat Lions 20–19 in Week 17

A.St.Brown led Fantasy Impact as Cowboys prevailed in a 19–20 Week 17 finish.

Detroit Lions 19 11–5
Final 19–20
Dallas Cowboys 20 11–5 Winner
Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
19–20
Top passer
Dak Prescott
FantasyHQ MVP
A.St.Brown
Game date
December 30, 2023

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • A.St.Brown +6.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin
    Jalen Reeves-Maybin 1/1 · 31 YDS +4.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Khalil Dorsey
    Khalil Dorsey 1 REC · 31 YDS +4.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cowboys

  • Dak Prescott
    Dak Prescott 26/43 · 323 YDS · 2 TD +6.0 Fantasy Impact
  • CeeDee Lamb
    CeeDee Lamb 13 REC · 227 YDS · 1 TD +5.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Brandin Cooks
    Brandin Cooks 5 REC · 60 YDS · 1 TD +3.6 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Cowboys box score View all 2023 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Dallas Cowboys
Final score
Dallas Cowboys 20–19 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Halftime score unavailable
FantasyHQ MVP
A.St. Brown
Top passer
Dak Prescott
Biggest EPA play
(3:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2023-12-30

Game summary

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 20–19 on 2023-12-30. A.St. Brown posted a game-high +6.92 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q3Q4——T
Detroit Lions3790019
Dallas Cowboys73130020

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

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 10:50FG
    Michael Badgley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 23
    Score
    3-0

    (10:50) 17-M.Badgley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  2. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q1 3:40TD
    CeeDee Lamb

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 92
    Score
    3-6

    (3:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q1 3:26XP
    Brandon Aubrey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    3-7

    17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 4:38TD
    D.J. Montgomery

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 3
    Score
    9-7

    (4:38) 5-D.Montgomery left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 4:34XP
    Michael Badgley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DAL 15
    Score
    10-7

    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  6. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q3 0:27FG
    Brandon Aubrey

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 33
    Score
    10-10

    (:27) 17-B.Aubrey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 12:21FG
    Michael Badgley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 12
    Score
    13-10

    (12:21) 17-M.Badgley 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  8. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 7:25TD
    Brandin Cooks

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 8
    Score
    13-16

    (7:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 3-B.Cooks for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 7:20XP
    Brandon Aubrey

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    13-17

    17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.

  10. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 1:45FG
    Brandon Aubrey

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 25
    Score
    13-20

    (1:45) 17-B.Aubrey 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.

  11. DALDallas Cowboys
    Q4 1:41FG
    Brandon Aubrey

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DAL 35
    Score
    13-20

    17-B.Aubrey kicks 65 yards from DAL 35 to end zone, Touchback.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 0:27TD
    ASA. St

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DAL 11
    Score
    19-20

    (:27) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1A. St.Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.92 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
  2. 2Dak PrescottDak Prescott · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +5.96 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
  3. 3CeeDee LambCeeDee Lamb · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +4.99 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
  4. 4Jalen Reeves-MaybinJalen Reeves-Maybin · Detroit Lions · Passing · +4.14 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.14 EPA/play
  5. 5Khalil DorseyKhalil Dorsey · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.14 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.14 EPA/play
  6. 6Joshua WilliamsJoshua Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.65 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
  7. 7Brandin CooksBrandin Cooks · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.56 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
  8. 8Kalif RaymondKalif Raymond · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.15 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

A. St.Brown — DET · Receiving

A. St.Brown posted the highest total EPA (+6.92) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.87 EPA per play.

A. St.Brown's top snap (+2.74 EPA): (:27) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (+8.88 EPA): Dak Prescott — (3:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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) · 43 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +4.5% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +5.96 total EPA
  • Jared GoffJared Goff (Detroit Lions) · 35 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · -7.1% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.57 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsDallas Cowboys
Offensive EPA/play-0.049-0.044
Offensive success rate38.8%43.9%
Pass EPA/play+0.071+0.139
Rush EPA/play-0.177-0.375
Defensive EPA/play+0.044+0.049
Defensive success rate56.1%61.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions -0.05, Dallas Cowboys -0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: -0.05 EPA/play (45th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: -0.04 EPA/play (46th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, -3.64 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -4.15 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • CeeDee LambDallas Cowboys — CeeDee Lamb (Dak Prescott pass) (Q1 3:40)
  • D.J. MontgomeryDetroit Lions — D.J. Montgomery (Q3 4:38)
  • Brandin CooksDallas Cowboys — Brandin Cooks (Dak Prescott pass) (Q4 7:25)
  • Detroit Lions — A. St (Jared Goff pass) (Q4 0:27)

Field goals

  • Michael BadgleyDetroit Lions — Michael Badgley (Q1 10:50)
  • Brandon AubreyDallas Cowboys — Brandon Aubrey (Q3 0:27)
  • Michael BadgleyDetroit Lions — Michael Badgley (Q4 12:21)
  • Brandon AubreyDallas Cowboys — Brandon Aubrey (Q4 1:45)
  • Brandon AubreyDallas Cowboys — Brandon Aubrey (Q4 1:41)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 23 (Q1 10:50) — (10:50) 17-M.Badgley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 92 (Q1 3:40) — (3:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 3:26) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q3 4:38) — (4:38) 5-D.Montgomery left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the DAL 15 (Q3 4:34) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 33 (Q3 0:27) — (:27) 17-B.Aubrey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 13–9. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DAL 12 (Q4 12:21) — (12:21) 17-M.Badgley 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the DET 8 (Q4 7:25) — (7:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 3-B.Cooks for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 7:20) — 17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DET 25 (Q4 1:45) — (1:45) 17-B.Aubrey 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the DAL 35 (Q4 1:41) — 17-B.Aubrey kicks 65 yards from DAL 35 to end zone, Touchback.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DAL 11 (Q4 0:27) — (:27) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 3:40) — (3:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.3% · EPA +8.88]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 0:23) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-J.Goff pass to 82-J.Mitchell is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. [WPA -20.3% · EPA -0.95]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 14:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 9-J.Williams to DAL 14 for 63 yards (26-D.Bland) [11-M.Parsons]. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +5.18]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 2:11) — (2:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left intended for 87-S.LaPorta INTERCEPTED by 6-D.Wilson at DET 29. 6-D.Wilson to DET 29 for no gain (87-S.LaPorta). [WPA -17.3% · EPA -4.90]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 0:27) — (:27) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.0% · EPA +2.74]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 3:40) — (3:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.3% · EPA +8.88]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q2 10:43) — (10:43) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 88-C.Lamb to DET 1 for 4 yards (29-K.Vildor). FUMBLES (29-K.Vildor), ball out of bounds in End Zone, Touchback. [WPA -11.5% · EPA -6.83]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 14:10) — (14:10) 16-J.Goff pass short left intended for 5-D.Montgomery INTERCEPTED by 2-J.Lewis at DAL 46. 2-J.Lewis to DAL 46 for no gain (5-D.Montgomery). [WPA -14.4% · EPA -6.05]
  • Dallas Cowboys (Q1 8:10) — (8:10) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right intended for 88-C.Lamb INTERCEPTED by 6-I.Melifonwu at DET 19. 6-I.Melifonwu to DET 43 for 24 yards (88-C.Lamb). [WPA -15.2% · EPA -5.60]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 10:50 · DAL 23 · Score 3-0
    (10:50) 17-M.Badgley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q1 3:40 · DET 92 · Score 3-6
    (3:40) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass deep right to 88-C.Lamb for 92 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q1 3:26 · DET 15 · Score 3-7
    17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
  4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 4:38 · DAL 3 · Score 9-7
    (4:38) 5-D.Montgomery left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 4:34 · DAL 15 · Score 10-7
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  6. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q3 0:27 · DET 33 · Score 10-10
    (:27) 17-B.Aubrey 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
  7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 12:21 · DAL 12 · Score 13-10
    (12:21) 17-M.Badgley 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  8. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 7:25 · DET 8 · Score 13-16
    (7:25) (Shotgun) 4-D.Prescott pass short right to 3-B.Cooks for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 7:20 · DET 15 · Score 13-17
    17-B.Aubrey extra point is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
  10. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 1:45 · DET 25 · Score 13-20
    (1:45) 17-B.Aubrey 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-T.Sieg, Holder-5-B.Anger.
  11. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q4 1:41 · DAL 35 · Score 13-20
    17-B.Aubrey kicks 65 yards from DAL 35 to end zone, Touchback.
  12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 0:27 · DAL 11 · Score 19-20
    (:27) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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.
  • A.St. Brown (Detroit Lions) 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 Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys on 2023-12-30?

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions 20-19 in Week 17, 2023.

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

Q1: Detroit Lions 3, Dallas Cowboys 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 7, Dallas Cowboys 3; Q4: Detroit Lions 9, Dallas Cowboys 13; Final: Detroit Lions 19, Dallas Cowboys 20.

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

Dallas Cowboys touchdown — C. Lamb (D. Prescott pass) (Q1 3:40) Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Montgomery (Q3 4:38) Dallas Cowboys touchdown — B. Cooks (D. Prescott pass) (Q4 7:25) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. St (J. Goff pass) (Q4 0:27) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Badgley (Q1 10:50, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q3 0:27, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Badgley (Q4 12:21, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q4 1:45, 3 pts) Dallas Cowboys field goal — B. Aubrey (Q4 1:41, 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?

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), 60.5% completion, +4.5% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +5.96 total passing EPA. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), 54.3% completion, -7.1% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.57 total passing EPA.

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

A.St. Brown (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.92 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+2.74 EPA): (:27) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Dallas Cowboys won 20-19 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 11-4 Now 11-5 L

Dallas Cowboys

Entered 10-5 Now 11-5 W

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