Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2012 Week 11 Recap

Game story

In Week 11 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-11-18, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 23–19 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 19 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -20.21 total EPA, and -2.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, H. Douglas (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +1.71 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (4:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 32-Jz. Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 94-S.Acho (92-D.Williams) at ATL 34. 94-S.Acho to ATL 32 for 2 yards (72-S.Baker).

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 H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.71 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
2. 2 W. Powell · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +0.00 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.00 EPA/play
4. 4 DJ. Davis · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · -1.02 total EPA · 1 snaps · -1.02 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · -1.41 total EPA · 15 snaps · -0.09 EPA/play
6. 6 E. Doucet · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · -1.42 total EPA · 7 snaps · -0.20 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · -1.42 total EPA · 2 snaps · -0.71 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · -1.43 total EPA · 4 snaps · -0.36 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 — L. Stephens-Howling (Q1 58:59)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Babineaux (Q2 38:46)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q4 6:42)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q1 56:03)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q1 46:06)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 39:44)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 31:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q2 30:37)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 30:02)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q4 15:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 13–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q1 58:59) — (13:59) 36-L.Stephens-Howling right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 58:54) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 30 (Q1 56:03) — (11:03) 3-J.Feely 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 9 (Q1 46:06) — (1:06) 3-J.Feely 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 16–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 33 (Q2 39:44) — (9:44) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 79 (Q2 38:46); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 38:37) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 10 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 20 (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 3-J.Feely 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 30 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 9 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 3-J.Feely 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 6:42) — (6:42) 79-M.Johnson reported in as eligible. 33-M.Turner left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 6:40) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 4:16) — (4:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 32-Jz. Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 94-S.Acho (92-D.Williams) at ATL 34. 94-S.Acho to ATL 32 for 2 yards (72-S.Baker). [WPA -18.1% · EPA -4.70]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 16:49) — (1:49) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Washington at ATL 23. 58-D.Washington to ATL 16 for 7 yards (2-M.Ryan). [WPA -17.0% · EPA -5.93]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 3:13) — (3:13) (Shotgun) 14-R.Lindley pass incomplete deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald (25-W.Moore). [WPA -16.7% · EPA -3.07]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 38:46) — (8:46) (Shotgun) 14-R.Lindley sacked at ARI 14 for -7 yards (55-J.Abraham). FUMBLES (55-J.Abraham) [55-J.Abraham], RECOVERED by ATL-95-J.Babineaux at ARI 15. 95-J.Babineaux for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Th [WPA -16.1% · EPA -6.87]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:12) — (13:12) 5-M.Bosher punts 47 yards to ARI 33, Center-47-J.Harris. 21-P.Peterson to ATL 45 for 22 yards (47-J.Harris). PENALTY on ARI-58-D.Washington, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 10 yards, enforced a [WPA +10.5% · EPA +0.61]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 38:46) — (8:46) (Shotgun) 14-R.Lindley sacked at ARI 14 for -7 yards (55-J.Abraham). FUMBLES (55-J.Abraham) [55-J.Abraham], RECOVERED by ATL-95-J.Babineaux at ARI 15. 95-J.Babineaux for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Th [WPA -16.1% · EPA -6.87]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 59:52) — (14:52) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 49-R.Johnson at ATL 43. 49-R.Johnson to ATL 9 for 34 yards (72-S.Baker). [WPA -10.5% · EPA -6.66]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 16:49) — (1:49) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Washington at ATL 23. 58-D.Washington to ATL 16 for 7 yards (2-M.Ryan). [WPA -17.0% · EPA -5.93]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 4:16) — (4:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 32-Jz. Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 94-S.Acho (92-D.Williams) at ATL 34. 94-S.Acho to ATL 32 for 2 yards (72-S.Baker). [WPA -18.1% · EPA -4.70]

Quarterback report card

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

• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 48 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · -2.4% CPOE · -0.42 EPA/play · -20.21 total EPA
• R.Lindley (Arizona Cardinals) · 25 dropbacks · 36.0% completion · -16.7% CPOE · -0.80 EPA/play · -19.97 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 (-0.26 vs -0.31), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 15 drives, -23.71 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Atlanta Falcons: 16 drives, -23.08 total EPA, 4 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• H. Douglas (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Lindley (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. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 58:59 · ATL 3 · Score 6-0
   (13:59) 36-L.Stephens-Howling right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 58:54 · ATL 2 · Score 7-0
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
3. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 56:03 · ATL 30 · Score 10-0
   (11:03) 3-J.Feely 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
4. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 46:06 · ATL 9 · Score 13-0
   (1:06) 3-J.Feely 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 39:44 · ARI 33 · Score 13-3
   (9:44) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 38:46 · ATL 79 · Score 13-9
   (8:46) (Shotgun) 14-R.Lindley sacked at ARI 14 for -7 yards (55-J.Abraham). FUMBLES (55-J.Abraham) [55-J.Abraham], RECOVERED by ATL-95-J.Babineaux at ARI 15. 95
7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 38:37 · ARI 2 · Score 13-10
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 31:56 · ARI 10 · Score 13-13
   (1:56) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 30:37 · ATL 20 · Score 16-13
   (:37) 3-J.Feely 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · ARI 30 · Score 16-16
    (:02) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · ATL 9 · Score 19-16
    (15:00) 3-J.Feely 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 6:42 · ARI 1 · Score 19-22
    (6:42) 79-M.Johnson reported in as eligible. 33-M.Turner left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 6:40 · ARI 2 · Score 19-23
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.