Arizona Cardinals vs. Buffalo Bills: 2024 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-09-08, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 34–28 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +6.04 total EPA, and +1.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.96 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (9:55) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 13-M.Hollins for 11 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 J. Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +16.96 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +6.04 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Hollins · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.89 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.95 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Shakir · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.88 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Coleman · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.30 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
6. 6 G. Dortch · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.46 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Cook · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
8. 8 Mi. Wilson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.11 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 — K. Murray (Q1 52:54)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Conner (Q2 32:44)
• Buffalo Bills — J. Allen (Q2 30:25)
• Buffalo Bills — M. Hollins (J. Allen pass) (Q3 24:55)
• Buffalo Bills — K. Shakir (J. Allen pass) (Q3 17:43)
• Buffalo Bills — J. Allen (Q4 8:51)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Dallas (Q4 8:44)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q2 45:00)
• Buffalo Bills — T. Bass (Q2 39:51)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q4 13:35)
• Buffalo Bills — T. Bass (Q4 2:00)

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 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 5 (Q1 52:54) — (7:54) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 14-Mi.Wilson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q1 52:47) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 16–10. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the BUF 11 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 5-M.Prater 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ARI 19 (Q2 39:51) — (9:51) 2-T.Bass 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q2 32:44) — (2:44) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 32:40) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q2 30:25) — (:25) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 15 (Q2 30:19) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 11 (Q3 24:55) — (9:55) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 13-M.Hollins for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 24:51) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 11 (Q3 17:43) — (2:43) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 10-K.Shakir for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 17:37) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 11–10. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the BUF 12 (Q4 13:35); Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q4 8:51) — (8:51) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen scrambles right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 8:44) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 35 (Q4 8:44) — 2-T.Bass kicks 61 yards from BUF 35 to ARI 4. 20-D.Dallas for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the BUF 2 (Q4 8:31) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 6-J.Conner rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ARI 21 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 2-T.Bass 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin..

Turning points

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

• Buffalo Bills (Q3 24:55) — (9:55) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 13-M.Hollins for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +2.98]
• Buffalo Bills (Q1 50:33) — (5:33) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen sacked at ARI 30 for -11 yards (98-R.Lopez). FUMBLES (98-R.Lopez) [98-R.Lopez], RECOVERED by ARI-93-J.Jones at ARI 29. [WPA -15.4% · EPA -6.04]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 8:44) — 2-T.Bass kicks 61 yards from BUF 35 to ARI 4. 20-D.Dallas for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +5.80]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 20:32) — (5:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray sacked at ARI 19 for -5 yards (50-G.Rousseau). FUMBLES (50-G.Rousseau) [50-G.Rousseau], RECOVERED by BUF-42-Do.Williams at ARI 21. [WPA -13.4% · EPA -4.93]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:32) — (:32) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass incomplete deep left to 4-G.Dortch (46-J.Ingram). Receiver and coverage along sideline at BUF 2. [WPA -12.2% · EPA -2.05]

Impact plays

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

• Buffalo Bills (Q1 50:33) — (5:33) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen sacked at ARI 30 for -11 yards (98-R.Lopez). FUMBLES (98-R.Lopez) [98-R.Lopez], RECOVERED by ARI-93-J.Jones at ARI 29. [WPA -15.4% · EPA -6.04]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 8:44) — 2-T.Bass kicks 61 yards from BUF 35 to ARI 4. 20-D.Dallas for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +5.80]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 20:32) — (5:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray sacked at ARI 19 for -5 yards (50-G.Rousseau). FUMBLES (50-G.Rousseau) [50-G.Rousseau], RECOVERED by BUF-42-Do.Williams at ARI 21. [WPA -13.4% · EPA -4.93]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 16:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray scrambles left end ran ob at BUF 38 for 29 yards (47-C.Benford). [WPA +8.6% · EPA +3.16]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 38 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · +1.2% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +6.04 total EPA
• J.Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 32 dropbacks · 56.2% completion · +9.9% CPOE · +0.53 EPA/play · +16.96 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Arizona Cardinals +0.14, Buffalo Bills +0.19) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +10.73 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, +15.31 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Buffalo Bills 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.
• J. Allen (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Allen (BUF) 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 52:54 · BUF 5 · Score 6-0
   (7:54) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 14-Mi.Wilson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 52:47 · BUF 15 · Score 7-0
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
3. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 45:00 · BUF 11 · Score 10-0
   (15:00) 5-M.Prater 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
4. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 39:51 · ARI 19 · Score 10-3
   (9:51) 2-T.Bass 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 32:44 · BUF 3 · Score 16-3
   (2:44) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 32:40 · BUF 15 · Score 17-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
7. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 30:25 · ARI 7 · Score 17-9
   (:25) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Buffalo Bills TD (+7) — Q2 30:19 · ARI 15 · Score 17-10
   2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
9. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 24:55 · ARI 11 · Score 17-16
   (9:55) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short middle to 13-M.Hollins for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 24:51 · ARI 15 · Score 17-17
    2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
11. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 17:43 · ARI 11 · Score 17-23
    (2:43) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 10-K.Shakir for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 17:37 · ARI 15 · Score 17-24
    2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
13. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 13:35 · BUF 12 · Score 20-24
    (13:35) 5-M.Prater 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin. ** Injury Update: ARI-74-I.Adams has returned to the game.
14. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 8:51 · ARI 6 · Score 20-30
    (8:51) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen scrambles right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 8:44 · ARI 15 · Score 20-31
    2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.
16. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 8:44 · BUF 35 · Score 26-31
    2-T.Bass kicks 61 yards from BUF 35 to ARI 4. 20-D.Dallas for 96 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q4 8:31 · BUF 2 · Score 28-31
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 6-J.Conner rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
18. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · ARI 21 · Score 28-34
    (2:00) 2-T.Bass 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-S.Martin.