Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2006 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-10-01, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 32–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Vick (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -10.97 total EPA, and -0.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.67 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-27.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (6:12) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 12-M.Jenkins INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 1. 24-A.Wilson for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.67 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.89 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Norwood · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +5.25 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Vick · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +5.04 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.98 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Lelie · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.10 EPA/play
6. 6 L. Pope · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.34 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
7. 7 E. James · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.06 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
8. 8 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.95 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Arizona Cardinals — A. Wilson (Q2 36:12)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Hall (Q3 20:07)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Norwood (Q4 13:30)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Andersen (Q1 56:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Andersen (Q1 53:25)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 47:33)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Koenen (Q2 44:50)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Andersen (Q2 30:13)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Andersen (Q3 22:12)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Andersen (Q4 11:04)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 15 (Q1 56:00) — (11:00) 5-M.Andersen 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 22 (Q1 53:25) — (8:25) 5-M.Andersen 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 11 (Q1 47:33) — (2:33) 1-N.Rackers 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 33 (Q2 44:50) — (14:50) 9-M.Koenen 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q2 36:12) — (6:12) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 12-M.Jenkins INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 1. 24-A.Wilson for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 35:59) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 17 (Q2 30:13) — (:13) 5-M.Andersen 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 8 (Q3 22:12) — (7:12) 5-M.Andersen 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 73 (Q3 20:07) — (5:07) 13-K.Warner pass INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Hall (59-M.Boley) at ARI 37. 21-D.Hall for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 19:59) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 78 (Q4 13:30) — (13:30) 32-J.Norwood right end for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 13:18) — 5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 10 (Q4 11:04) — (11:04) 5-M.Andersen 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 36:12) — (6:12) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 12-M.Jenkins INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 1. 24-A.Wilson for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -27.1% · EPA -12.53]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 20:07) — (5:07) 13-K.Warner pass INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Hall (59-M.Boley) at ARI 37. 21-D.Hall for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.1% · EPA -7.84]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:35) — (5:35) 13-K.Warner pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ATL 10 for 46 yards (21-D.Hall). [WPA +8.1% · EPA +3.14]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 58:34) — (13:34) 10-S.Player punts 45 yards to ATL 36, Center-48-N.Hodel. 20-A.Rossum pushed ob at ARI 23 for 41 yards (96-A.Schable). [WPA -6.3% · EPA -2.13]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:52) — (:52) 7-M.Vick pass short middle to 12-M.Jenkins to ARI 21 for 19 yards (58-K.Dansby). [WPA +5.8% · EPA +1.59]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 36:12) — (6:12) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 12-M.Jenkins INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 1. 24-A.Wilson for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -27.1% · EPA -12.53]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 20:07) — (5:07) 13-K.Warner pass INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Hall (59-M.Boley) at ARI 37. 21-D.Hall for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.1% · EPA -7.84]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:30) — (13:30) 32-J.Norwood right end for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.9% · EPA +5.82]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 12:40) — (12:40) 7-M.Leinart to ARI 15 for -6 yards (90-G.Jackson). FUMBLES (90-G.Jackson), RECOVERED by ATL-75-R.Coleman at ARI 14. [WPA -0.9% · EPA -5.32]

Quarterback report card

M.Vick led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 28 dropbacks · 46.4% completion · -0.2% CPOE · -0.39 EPA/play · -10.97 total EPA
• K.Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 25 dropbacks · 44.0% completion · -18.6% CPOE · -0.36 EPA/play · -8.92 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.06 vs -0.36), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -27.49 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -5.14 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Warner (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 56:00 · ARI 15 · Score 0-3
   (11:00) 5-M.Andersen 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
2. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 53:25 · ARI 22 · Score 0-6
   (8:25) 5-M.Andersen 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
3. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 47:33 · ATL 11 · Score 3-6
   (2:33) 1-N.Rackers 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
4. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 44:50 · ARI 33 · Score 3-9
   (14:50) 9-M.Koenen 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 36:12 · ARI 3 · Score 9-9
   (6:12) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 12-M.Jenkins INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 1. 24-A.Wilson for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:59 · ATL 2 · Score 10-9
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:13 · ARI 17 · Score 10-12
   (:13) 5-M.Andersen 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 22:12 · ARI 8 · Score 10-15
   (7:12) 5-M.Andersen 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 20:07 · ATL 73 · Score 10-21
   (5:07) 13-K.Warner pass INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Hall (59-M.Boley) at ARI 37. 21-D.Hall for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 19:59 · ARI 2 · Score 10-22
    5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 13:30 · ARI 78 · Score 10-28
    (13:30) 32-J.Norwood right end for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 13:18 · ARI 2 · Score 10-29
    5-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
13. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 11:04 · ARI 10 · Score 10-32
    (11:04) 5-M.Andersen 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.