Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2014 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-11-30, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 29–18 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +4.24 total EPA, and +4.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, H. Douglas (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.61 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.4% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (14:26) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Johnson at ARI 12. 26-R.Johnson for 88 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 H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.61 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +4.24 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Grice · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.01 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Toilolo · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.54 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Taylor · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Rodgers · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.62 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Taylor · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.54 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.27 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

• Atlanta Falcons — L. Toilolo (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 56:45)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 51:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — R. Johnson (Q2 44:26)
• Arizona Cardinals — S. Taylor (D. Stanton pass) (Q4 1:09)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 53:17)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q2 32:47)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 30:03)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q3 21:17)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 12:42)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 2:34)

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 17–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q1 56:45) — (11:45) 68-G.Carimi reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 80-L.Toilolo for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 56:39) — 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 2 (Q1 53:17); Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 32 (Q1 51:00); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 50:48) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 25 (Q2 44:26); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 44:07) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 26 (Q2 32:47) — (2:47) 7-C.Catanzaro 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 5 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 3 (Q3 21:17) — (6:17) 3-M.Bryant 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 8–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 27 (Q4 12:42) — (12:42) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q4 2:34) — (2:34) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 1:09) — (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-D.Stanton pass short left to 30-S.Taylor for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the ATL 1 (Q4 1:05) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 30-S.Taylor rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 44:26) — (14:26) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Johnson at ARI 12. 26-R.Johnson for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.4% · EPA -11.28]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 39-S.Jackson right tackle to ARI 1 for 55 yards (31-A.Cromartie). [WPA +13.3% · EPA +3.64]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 39:06) — (9:06) 5-D.Stanton pass short middle to 15-M.Floyd to ATL 31 for 13 yards (25-W.Moore). FUMBLES (25-W.Moore), RECOVERED by ATL-21-D.Trufant at ATL 25. 21-D.Trufant to ATL 40 for 15 yards (85-D.Fells). [WPA -10.0% · EPA -4.97]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 51:39) — (6:39) 5-D.Stanton pass deep left intended for 13-Ja. Brown INTERCEPTED by 20-D.Lowery at ATL 47. 20-D.Lowery pushed ob at ARI 32 for 21 yards (62-T.Larsen). [WPA -7.7% · EPA -5.54]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 56:45) — (11:45) 68-G.Carimi reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 80-L.Toilolo for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +2.27]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 44:26) — (14:26) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Johnson at ARI 12. 26-R.Johnson for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.4% · EPA -11.28]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 51:39) — (6:39) 5-D.Stanton pass deep left intended for 13-Ja. Brown INTERCEPTED by 20-D.Lowery at ATL 47. 20-D.Lowery pushed ob at ARI 32 for 21 yards (62-T.Larsen). [WPA -7.7% · EPA -5.54]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 7:28) — (7:28) (Shotgun) 5-D.Stanton pass short middle intended for 15-M.Floyd INTERCEPTED by 26-J.Wilson at ATL 32. 26-J.Wilson to ATL 47 for 15 yards (15-M.Floyd). [WPA -3.1% · EPA -5.34]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 39:06) — (9:06) 5-D.Stanton pass short middle to 15-M.Floyd to ATL 31 for 13 yards (25-W.Moore). FUMBLES (25-W.Moore), RECOVERED by ATL-21-D.Trufant at ATL 25. 21-D.Trufant to ATL 40 for 15 yards (85-D.Fells). [WPA -10.0% · EPA -4.97]

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) · 46 dropbacks · 65.2% completion · +4.4% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.24 total EPA
• D.Stanton (Arizona Cardinals) · 43 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · -0.2% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -9.06 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 (-0.01 vs -0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, -12.28 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -0.89 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.
• H. Douglas (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:45 · ARI 1 · Score 0-6
   (11:45) 68-G.Carimi reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 80-L.Toilolo for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:39 · ARI 2 · Score 0-7
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 53:17 · ARI 2 · Score 0-10
   (8:17) 3-M.Bryant 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. Penalty on ARI-28-J.Bethel, Defensive Offside, declined.
4. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 51:00 · ARI 32 · Score 0-16
   (6:00) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
5. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 50:48 · ARI 2 · Score 0-17
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 44:26 · ARI 25 · Score 6-17
   (14:26) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Johnson at ARI 12. 26-R.Johnson for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 44:07 · ATL 2 · Score 7-17
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
8. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 32:47 · ATL 26 · Score 10-17
   (2:47) 7-C.Catanzaro 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
9. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · ARI 5 · Score 10-20
   (:03) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 21:17 · ARI 3 · Score 10-23
    (6:17) 3-M.Bryant 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 12:42 · ARI 27 · Score 10-26
    (12:42) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
12. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 2:34 · ARI 9 · Score 10-29
    (2:34) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 1:09 · ATL 3 · Score 16-29
    (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-D.Stanton pass short left to 30-S.Taylor for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q4 1:05 · ATL 1 · Score 18-29
    (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 30-S.Taylor rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.