Cowboys vs Dolphins Week 16 2023: Final Score 22

Final2023 Week 16

Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FLSun, Dec 24, 2023, 4:25 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys vs Miami Dolphins, Week 16 2023

Dallas Cowboys

Away

Miami Dolphins

HomeWon

Scoring by quarter
Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Cowboys	7	0	3	10	20
Dolphins	3	10	6	3	22

DAL 20MIA 22 Final

Passing leader
Tua Tagovailoa
MIA · QB
15.5PPR pts
24/37, 293 YDS, 1 TD
Top fantasy scorer
CeeDee Lamb
DAL · WR
25.2PPR pts
6 REC, 118 YDS, 1 TD
Cowboys leader
Dak Prescott
DAL · QB
18.6PPR pts
20/32, 253 YDS, 2 TD
Defensive playmaker
Andrew Van Ginkel
MIA
1.5 SACK, 10 TKL

Dolphins 22, Cowboys 20: Miami holds off Dallas

Miami led 13–7 at halftime and won 22–20, though Dallas took the second half 13–9. The Dolphins finished with a 375–339 edge in total offense and averaged 5.9 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Cowboys went 4-for-12 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Dolphins finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

+0.3 yards/play MIA 5.9 · DAL 5.6
+1 turnover margin MIA 0 turnovers
+36 total yards MIA 375 · DAL 339

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Dolphins Won

Miami won the efficiency, turnover, and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Cowboys vs Dolphins
Cowboys	Stat	Dolphins
5.6	Yards per play	5.9

1	Turnovers	0

339	Total yards	375

Other team stats
61	Plays	64

33%	Third-down conversion	46%

31:02	Time of possession	28:58

Scoring Summary

The Dolphins scored one touchdown and five field goals; the Cowboys scored two touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Cowboys vs Dolphins
Time	Team	Play	DAL	MIA
1st quarter
2:50	MIA	Jason Sanders 57-yard FG Takes lead	0	3
1:30	DAL	Dak Prescott → CeeDee Lamb, 49-yard TD Takes leadBrandon Aubrey XP	7	3
2nd quarter
4:31	MIA	Jason Sanders 52-yard FG	7	6
0:17	MIA	Tua Tagovailoa → Raheem Mostert, 4-yard TD Takes leadJason Sanders XP	7	13
3rd quarter
8:59	MIA	Jason Sanders 54-yard FG Extends lead	7	16
5:28	DAL	Brandon Aubrey 43-yard FG	10	16
1:24	MIA	Jason Sanders 35-yard FG Extends lead	10	19
4th quarter
12:31	DAL	Brandon Aubrey 33-yard FG	13	19
3:27	DAL	Dak Prescott → Brandin Cooks, 8-yard TD Takes leadBrandon Aubrey XP	20	19
0:00	MIA	Jason Sanders 29-yard FG Game winner	20	22

Fantasy Points: Cowboys vs Dolphins, Week 16 2023

Fantasy leaders

CeeDee LambDALWR25.2 PTSWR9
Tyreek HillMIAWR18.9 PTSWR16
Dak PrescottDALQB18.6 PTSQB15
Tua TagovailoaMIAQB15.5 PTSQB22

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	CMP/ATT	Pass YDS	TD	INT	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	Rate	Start/Sit
Tua TagovailoaMIAQB	15.5	QB22	24/37	293	1	0	2	-2	0	98.1	Start/Sit →
Dak PrescottDALQB	18.6	QB15	20/32	253	2	0	5	25	0	107.9	Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
Player	FPTS	FIN	POS	Rush ATT	Rush YDS	Rush TD	TGT	REC	Rec YDS	Rec TD	Start/Sit
CeeDee LambDALWR	25.2	WR9	WR	2	14	0	10	6	118	1	Start/Sit →
Tyreek HillMIAWR	18.9	WR16	WR	—	—	—	14	9	99	0
Raheem MostertMIARB	12.0	RB21	RB	11	46	0	1	1	4	1
Durham SmytheMIATE	10.6	TE15	TE	—	—	—	5	5	56	0	Start/Sit →
Brandin CooksDALWR	10.3	WR41	WR	1	9	0	2	2	14	1	Start/Sit →
Jake FergusonDALTE	8.5	TE24	TE	—	—	—	8	4	45	0	Start/Sit →
Cedrick WilsonMIAWR	7.2	WR61	WR	—	—	—	5	3	42	0
Jalen TolbertDALWR	7.1	WR63	WR	—	—	—	2	2	51	0	Start/Sit →
Jaylen WaddleMIAWR	6.2	WR68	WR	1	2	0	4	1	50	0	Start/Sit →
Tony PollardDALRB	5.3	RB48	RB	12	38	0	1	1	5	0	Start/Sit →
De'Von AchaneMIARB	4.1	RB52	RB	7	24	0	3	1	7	0
Jeff WilsonMIARB	3.5	RB54	RB	5	21	0	1	1	4	0
Robbie ChosenMIAWR	2.9	WR89	WR	—	—	—	1	1	19	0
Michael GallupDALWR	2.4	WR95	WR	—	—	—	2	2	4	0
KaVontae TurpinDALWR	1.8	WR106	WR	1	4	0	1	1	4	0	Start/Sit →
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE	1.4	TE59	TE	—	—	—	1	1	4	0	Start/Sit →
Rico DowdleDALRB	0.4	RB70	RB	2	4	0	2	0	0	0	Start/Sit →
Peyton HendershotDALTE	0.0	—	TE	—	—	—	2	0	0	0

Fantasy Usage

Dallas Cowboys

Snap Share

CeeDee LambWR58 snaps88%
Jake FergusonTE55 snaps83%
Brandin CooksWR52 snaps79%
Tony PollardRB46 snaps70%
Michael GallupWR33 snaps50%

Target Share31 targets

CeeDee Lamb32%, 10 targets
Jake Ferguson26%, 8 targets
Brandin Cooks6%, 2 targets
Michael Gallup6%, 2 targets
Rico Dowdle6%, 2 targets
Other23%, 7 targets

Carry Share23 carries

Tony Pollard52%, 12 carries
Dak Prescott22%, 5 carries
CeeDee Lamb9%, 2 carries
Rico Dowdle9%, 2 carries
Brandin Cooks4%, 1 carries
Other4%, 1 carries

Miami Dolphins

Snap Share

Tyreek HillWR55 snaps85%
Durham SmytheTE55 snaps85%
Cedrick WilsonWR40 snaps62%
De'Von AchaneRB36 snaps55%
Braxton BerriosWR30 snaps46%

Target Share34 targets

Tyreek Hill41%, 14 targets
Durham Smythe15%, 5 targets
Cedrick Wilson15%, 5 targets
Jaylen Waddle12%, 4 targets
De'Von Achane9%, 3 targets
Other9%, 3 targets

Carry Share26 carries

Raheem Mostert42%, 11 carries
De'Von Achane27%, 7 carries
Jeff Wilson19%, 5 carries
Tua Tagovailoa8%, 2 carries
Jaylen Waddle4%, 1 carries

View full usage tableHide full usage table

Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
Player	SNAPS	SNAP %	TGT	TGT %	CAR
CeeDee LambDALWR	58	88%	10	32%	2
Tyreek HillMIAWR	55	85%	14	41%	0
Durham SmytheMIATE	55	85%	5	15%	0
Jake FergusonDALTE	55	83%	8	26%	0
Brandin CooksDALWR	52	79%	2	6%	1
Tony PollardDALRB	46	70%	1	3%	12
Cedrick WilsonMIAWR	40	62%	5	15%	0
De'Von AchaneMIARB	36	55%	3	9%	7
Michael GallupDALWR	33	50%	2	6%	0
Braxton BerriosMIAWR	30	46%	0	0%	0
Jaylen WaddleMIAWR	28	43%	4	12%	1
Jalen TolbertDALWR	24	36%	2	6%	0
Raheem MostertMIARB	19	29%	1	3%	11
Peyton HendershotDALTE	16	24%	2	6%	0
Jeff WilsonMIARB	15	23%	1	3%	5
Luke SchoonmakerDALTE	13	20%	1	3%	0
Julian HillMIATE	11	17%	0	0%	0
Rico DowdleDALRB	11	17%	2	6%	2
KaVontae TurpinDALWR	9	14%	1	3%	1
Robbie ChosenMIAWR	5	8%	1	3%	0
Chase ClaypoolMIAWR	3	5%	0	0%	0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

PPRHalf PPRStandard

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Biggest overperformer+7.3CeeDee Lamb25.2 PTS vs 17.9 xFP
Biggest underperformer−5.2De'Von Achane4.1 PTS vs 9.3 xFP
Highest expected volume23.4 xFPTyreek Hill18.9 PTS scored

Usage and expected fantasy points
Player	PTS	xFP	vs xFP	Snap%	Usage	Rte%	Pass att	Car	Car%	Tgt	Tgt%
Tyreek HillMIA · WR	18.9	23.4	−4.5	85%	39% tgt	—	0	0	0%	14	39%
CeeDee LambDAL · WR	25.2	17.9	+7.3	88%	31% tgt	—	0	2	8%	10	31%
Tua TagovailoaMIA · QB	15.5	16.8	−1.3	100%	37 att	—	37	2	8%	0	0%
Dak PrescottDAL · QB	18.6	16.5	+2.1	100%	32 att	—	32	5	20%	0	0%
Jake FergusonDAL · TE	8.5	13.4	−4.9	83%	25% tgt	—	0	0	0%	8	25%
De'Von AchaneMIA · RB	4.1	9.3	−5.2	55%	27% car	—	0	7	27%	3	8%
Tony PollardDAL · RB	5.3	9.0	−3.7	70%	48% car	—	0	12	48%	1	3%
Raheem MostertMIA · RB	12.0	8.4	+3.6	29%	42% car	—	0	11	42%	1	3%
Cedrick Wilson Jr.MIA · WR	7.2	8.3	−1.1	62%	14% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	14%
Durham SmytheMIA · TE	10.6	8.3	+2.3	85%	14% tgt	—	0	0	0%	5	14%
Jaylen WaddleMIA · WR	6.2	7.3	−1.1	43%	11% tgt	—	0	1	4%	4	11%
Jeff Wilson Jr.MIA · RB	3.5	4.7	−1.2	23%	19% car	—	0	5	19%	1	3%
Rico DowdleDAL · RB	0.4	4.6	−4.2	17%	8% car	—	0	2	8%	2	6%
Brandin CooksDAL · WR	10.3	4.0	+6.3	79%	6% tgt	—	0	1	4%	2	6%
Alec IngoldMIA · RB	3.2	3.3	−0.1	—	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Jalen TolbertDAL · WR	7.1	3.3	+3.8	36%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Michael GallupDAL · WR	2.4	3.3	−0.9	50%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Peyton HendershotDAL · TE	0.0	3.3	−3.3	24%	6% tgt	—	0	0	0%	2	6%
Hunter LuepkeDAL · RB	2.1	2.9	−0.8	—	8% car	—	0	2	8%	1	3%
KaVontae TurpinDAL · WR	1.8	2.3	−0.5	14%	4% car	—	0	1	4%	1	3%
Luke SchoonmakerDAL · TE	1.4	1.7	−0.3	20%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%
Robbie ChosenMIA · WR	2.9	1.7	+1.2	8%	3% tgt	—	0	0	0%	1	3%

Team totals: Cowboys 32 targets and 25 carries; Dolphins 36 targets and 26 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Dak Prescott

DAL · QB · 18.6 pts on 16.5 expected

20 of 32 passing for 253 yards, 2 touchdowns; 5 carries for 25 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.5 expected.

Start/Sit: Dak Prescott →

Tua Tagovailoa

MIA · QB · 15.5 pts on 16.8 expected

24 of 37 passing for 293 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 carries for -2 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Tua Tagovailoa →

CeeDee Lamb Ran hot

DAL · WR · 25.2 pts on 17.9 expected

10 targets (31% of the team's), 6 catches for 118 yards and 1 touchdown; 2 carries (8% of the team's) for 14 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 17.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

A touchdown in 7 of the last 8 games.

Start/Sit: CeeDee Lamb →

Jake Ferguson

DAL · TE · 8.5 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (25% of the team's), 4 catches for 45 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.4 expected.

Fewest points since Week 12.

Start/Sit: Jake Ferguson →

Tyreek Hill Volume, no payoff

MIA · WR · 18.9 pts on 23.4 expected

14 targets (39% of the team's), 9 catches for 99 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 23.4 expected.

A touchdown in 5 of the last 8 games.

De'Von Achane Unlucky

MIA · RB · 4.1 pts on 9.3 expected

3 targets (8% of the team's), 1 catch for 7 yards; 7 carries (27% of the team's) for 24 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 9.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Fewest points since Week 11.

Brandin Cooks Ran hot

DAL · WR · 10.3 pts on 4.0 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 2 catches for 14 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 9 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 4.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Brandin Cooks →

Raheem Mostert

MIA · RB · 12.0 pts on 8.4 expected

1 target (3% of the team's), 1 catch for 4 yards and 1 touchdown; 11 carries (42% of the team's) for 46 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 8.4 expected.

Fewest points since Week 11. A touchdown in 7 of the last 8 games.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Miami Dolphins

Stock up: De'Von Achane led the backfield with 55% of the snaps after trailing Raheem Mostert before this game.
Stock up: Tyreek Hill played 85% of the snaps, up from a 65% season average.
Stock down: Raheem Mostert lost the backfield lead: 29% of the snaps to De'Von Achane's 55%.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cowboys defense and Dolphins defense
Points allowed to	Cowboys D	Dolphins D
QBs	15.1	17.9
RBs	19.0	19.2
WRs	27.6	34.1
TEs	10.1	13.2

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Miami opened at 50% win probability, fell as low as <1%, then rallied to win.

Dolphins win probability

Key Swings

−23Prescott → Lamb, 49-yd TD60% → 37%Q1 1:30
+11Sanders 52-yd FG35% → 46%Q2 4:31
+28Tagovailoa → Mostert, 4-yd TD46% → 73%Q2 0:17
−59Prescott → Cooks, 8-yd TD97% → 38%Q4 3:27
+100Sanders 29-yd FG<1% → >99%Q4 0:00

Swing in Dolphins win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cowboys vs Dolphins
Dallas Cowboys	Measure	Miami Dolphins
61	Plays	64
59%	Pass rate	59%
6.7	Yds / dropback	7.5
3.9	Yds / carry	3.5
4/12	Third downs	6/13

Efficiency edge Miami ran 3 more plays and gained 0.8 more yards per dropback.

Top targets
DAL Lamb 31% · Ferguson 25% · Cooks 6%
MIA Hill 39% · Wilson 14% · Smythe 14%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cowboys vs Dolphins
Result	DAL	MIA
Touchdowns	2	1
Field goals	2	5
Punts	3	2
Turnovers	1	0
Turnovers on downs	0	1

MIA turnover edge: +1

The Dolphins opened the scoring on their first possession, a 10-play, 59-yard drive that ended in a field goal.

All 18 possessions, drive by drive

Drive chart
Team	Start	Plays	Yards	Time	Result
DAL	Q1 15:00	15	73	7:43	Fumble
MIA	Q1 7:17	10	59	4:27	Field goal
DAL	Q1 2:50	3	75	1:20	Touchdown
MIA	Q1 1:30	12	70	5:28	Downs
DAL	Q2 11:02	5	14	3:41	Punt
MIA	Q2 7:21	6	31	2:50	Field goal
DAL	Q2 4:31	3	2	2:08	Punt
MIA	Q2 2:23	8	71	2:06	Touchdown
DAL	Q2 0:17	1	-1	0:17	End of half
MIA	Q3 15:00	4	15	2:17	Punt
DAL	Q3 12:43	3	1	0:50	Punt
MIA	Q3 11:53	5	24	2:54	Field goal
DAL	Q3 8:59	6	50	3:31	Field goal
MIA	Q3 5:28	9	58	4:04	Field goal
DAL	Q3 1:24	10	60	3:53	Field goal
MIA	Q4 12:31	3	-7	1:25	Punt
DAL	Q4 11:06	17	69	7:39	Touchdown
MIA	Q4 3:27	12	64	3:27	Field goal

About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cowboys vs Dolphins Head-to-Head

The Cowboys and Dolphins first met in 1971 and have played 16 times since.

All-time series: 8–8Series tied, 16 meetings since 1971
Postseason: 1–0Cowboys won in 1971
Largest Cowboys win: 31–62019
Largest Dolphins win: 40–212003

Since 2021

1–0 Dolphins lead

1 meeting since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. D = Dolphins win, C = Cowboys win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

2023 Wk 16 Cowboys at Dolphins Sun, Dec 24, 2023 MIA 22 DAL 20 MIA W

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cowboys vs Dolphins
Cowboys	Stat	Dolphins
12-5	Record	11-6

29.9	Points per game	29.2

371.6	Yards per game	401.3

5.6	Yards per play	6.5

18.5	Points allowed per game	23.0

299.7	Yards allowed per game	318.3

Cowboys and Dolphins in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Cowboy or a Dolphin, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cowboys vs Dolphins Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Cowboys vs Dolphins Week 16 game?

The Miami Dolphins beat the Dallas Cowboys 22–20 in Week 16 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, on December 24, 2023. See the Dolphins' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Cowboys vs Dolphins?

The final score was Dolphins 22, Cowboys 20. The Dolphins led 13–7 at halftime, and the second half went Cowboys 13, Dolphins 9.

What happened in the Cowboys vs Dolphins game?

Miami led 13–7 at halftime and won 22–20, though Dallas took the second half 13–9. The Dolphins finished with a 375–339 edge in total offense and averaged 5.9 yards per play. CeeDee Lamb led all players with 6 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, plus 2 carries for 14 rushing yards. The Cowboys committed 1 turnover, the Dolphins none.

What was the game-winning score in Cowboys vs Dolphins?

Jason Sanders' 29-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the Dolphins a 22–20 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cowboys vs Dolphins?

CeeDee Lamb led the game with 25.2 PPR fantasy points, the WR9 of Week 16, on 6 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, plus 2 carries for 14 rushing yards. Tyreek Hill was next with 18.9 (WR16). See CeeDee Lamb's 2023 game log.

Who led Cowboys vs Dolphins in passing, rushing and receiving?

Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) led all passers with 24 of 37 for 293 yards and a touchdown. Raheem Mostert (MIA) led in rushing with 11 carries for 46 yards. CeeDee Lamb (DAL) led in receiving with 6 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did CeeDee Lamb score against the Dolphins?

CeeDee Lamb scored 25.2 points in PPR leagues, 22.2 in half-PPR and 19.2 in standard scoring against the Dolphins in Week 16 of the 2023 season, on 6 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, plus 2 carries for 14 rushing yards. He drew 31% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Dolphins?

CeeDee Lamb outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 25.2 PPR points on 17.9 xFP (+7.3). De'Von Achane fell furthest short, with 4.1 points on 9.3 xFP (−5.2). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Cowboys vs Dolphins?

Tyreek Hill had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 23.4 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 18.9. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Dolphins come back to beat the Cowboys?

The Dolphins' chances of winning fell as low as <1% in overtime. Jason Sanders' 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Jason Sanders' 29-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Cowboys vs Dolphins?

The Dolphins won the turnover battle 1–0: the Cowboys gave the ball away 1 time and the Dolphins not at all. The Dolphins won the game.

What was the turning point of Cowboys vs Dolphins?

Jason Sanders' 29-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Dolphins' win probability from <1% to >99%.

What is the all-time Cowboys vs Dolphins record?

The all-time series is tied 8–8 across 16 meetings since 1971, and the Cowboys are 1–0 in the postseason.

Have the Cowboys and Dolphins played in the Super Bowl?

Yes, once: the Cowboys won Super Bowl VI 24–3 over the Dolphins after the 1971 season.

When did the Cowboys and Dolphins last play before this game?

Before Week 16 of 2023, they last met in the 2019 season on September 22, 2019, when the Cowboys beat the Dolphins 31–6.