Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2016 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-11-27, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 38–19 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +1.53 total EPA, and -6.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.07 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (6:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 12-M.Sanu to ARI 36 for 7 yards (36-D.Swearinger).

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 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +12.07 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +9.56 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.78 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.41 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Gabriel · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Hardy · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +1.53 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Gabriel · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.37 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.37 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 — J. Gresham (C. Palmer pass) (Q1 54:45)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q1 48:42)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gabriel (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 32:28)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Coleman (Q3 17:59)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gabriel (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 8:58)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 4:48)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q4 2:14)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q2 42:56)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 38:36)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q2 30:01)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q1 54:45) — (9:45) 70-E.Boehm reported in as eligible. 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 84-J.Gresham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 54:39) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q1 48:42) — (3:42) 76-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 24-D.Freeman right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 48:38) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–6. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 7 (Q2 42:56) — (12:56) 7-C.Catanzaro 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the ARI 27 (Q2 38:36) — (8:36) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 35 (Q2 32:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 32:19) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the ATL 36 (Q2 30:01) — (:01) 7-C.Catanzaro 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q3 17:59) — (2:59) (Shotgun) 26-T.Coleman right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 17:56) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–6. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 25 (Q4 8:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 8:48) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 31-D.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ARI 5 (Q4 2:14) — (2:14) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 2:07) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 51:24) — (6:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 12-M.Sanu to ARI 36 for 7 yards (36-D.Swearinger). [WPA +8.7% · EPA +3.24]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 32:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +3.69]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 44:22) — (14:22) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 9, and recovers at ATL 17. 3-C.Palmer to ATL 17 for no gain (32-J.Collins). [WPA -7.3% · EPA -2.35]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 20:31) — (5:31) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan scrambles right end ran ob at ARI 16 for 11 yards (20-D.Bucannon). [WPA +6.8% · EPA +1.63]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 36-D.Swearinger at ARI 31. 36-D.Swearinger to ARI 32 for 1 yard. Lateral to 32-T.Mathieu to ARI 37 for 5 yards (12-M.S [WPA -6.6% · EPA -3.44]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:30) — (1:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle intended for 84-J.Gresham INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Campbell [44-V.Beasley] at ARI 43. 59-D.Campbell to ARI 36 for 7 yards (53-A.Shipley). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -4.63]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 32:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +3.69]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 36-D.Swearinger at ARI 31. 36-D.Swearinger to ARI 32 for 1 yard. Lateral to 32-T.Mathieu to ARI 37 for 5 yards (12-M.S [WPA -6.6% · EPA -3.44]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 51:24) — (6:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 12-M.Sanu to ARI 36 for 7 yards (36-D.Swearinger). [WPA +8.7% · EPA +3.24]

Quarterback report card

C.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 51 dropbacks · 49.0% completion · -6.7% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.53 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 42 dropbacks · 61.9% completion · +6.8% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +12.07 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 (+0.20 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, -3.27 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +16.79 total EPA, 6 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.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Palmer (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 54:45 · ATL 1 · Score 6-0
   (9:45) 70-E.Boehm reported in as eligible. 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 84-J.Gresham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 54:39 · ATL 15 · Score 7-0
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 48:42 · ARI 1 · Score 7-6
   (3:42) 76-T.Compton reported in as eligible. 24-D.Freeman right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 48:38 · ARI 15 · Score 7-7
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
5. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 42:56 · ATL 7 · Score 10-7
   (12:56) 7-C.Catanzaro 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler.
6. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 38:36 · ARI 27 · Score 10-10
   (8:36) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 32:28 · ARI 35 · Score 10-16
   (2:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 32:19 · ARI 15 · Score 10-17
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 30:01 · ATL 36 · Score 13-17
   (:01) 7-C.Catanzaro 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-D.Butler.
10. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 17:59 · ARI 2 · Score 13-23
    (2:59) (Shotgun) 26-T.Coleman right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 17:56 · ARI 15 · Score 13-24
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 8:58 · ARI 25 · Score 13-30
    (8:58) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 18-T.Gabriel for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 8:48 · ARI 15 · Score 13-31
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 4:48 · ATL 3 · Score 19-31
    (4:48) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 31-D.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 2:14 · ARI 5 · Score 19-37
    (2:14) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 2:07 · ARI 15 · Score 19-38
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-8-M.Schaub.