Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears: 2015 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-20, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 48–23 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +16.76 total EPA, and +17.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.76 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+25.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: 9-R.Gould kicks 73 yards from CHI 35 to ARI -8. 31-D.Johnson for 108 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 C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +16.76 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +14.09 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
3. 3 JO. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Bellamy · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +4.20 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.10 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Cutler · Chicago Bears · Passing · +3.78 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.74 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Cutler · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +1.28 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
8. 8 JA. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.20 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.40 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 — D. Johnson (Q1 60:00)
• Chicago Bears — J. Bellamy (J. Cutler pass) (Q1 48:29)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Palmer (Q1 46:19)
• Chicago Bears — J. Langford (Q2 40:06)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 33:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Jefferson (Q2 33:08)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 27:49)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q3 21:13)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 2:49)

Field goals

• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 31:04)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 30:02)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q3 17:31)

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 14–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 35 (Q1 60:00) — 9-R.Gould kicks 73 yards from CHI 35 to ARI -8. 31-D.Johnson for 108 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 59:47) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 48 (Q1 48:29) — (3:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 11-J.Bellamy for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 48:20) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 6 (Q1 46:19) — (1:19) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 13-JA.Brown for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 46:13) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–13. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 40:06) — (10:06) 72-C.Leno Jr. reported in as eligible. 33-J.Langford left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 40:02) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 8 (Q2 33:56) — (3:56) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q2 33:51); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 79 (Q2 33:08); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q2 32:59) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ARI 22 (Q2 31:04); Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ARI 5 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 28 (Q3 27:49); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q3 27:41) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 13 (Q3 21:13) — (6:13) 31-D.Johnson left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q3 21:06) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ARI 33 (Q3 17:31) — (2:31) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 6–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CHI 9 (Q4 2:49) — (2:49) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — 9-R.Gould kicks 73 yards from CHI 35 to ARI -8. 31-D.Johnson for 108 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.2% · EPA +6.76]
• Chicago Bears (Q2 33:08) — (3:08) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle intended for 83-M.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Jefferson at CHI 26. 22-T.Jefferson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CHI-6-J.Cutler was injured during the play. He [WPA -16.7% · EPA -7.21]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 48:29) — (3:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 11-J.Bellamy for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.63]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 47:06) — (2:06) 3-C.Palmer pass incomplete deep right to 12-JO.Brown. PENALTY on CHI-23-K.Fuller, Defensive Pass Interference, 42 yards, enforced at ARI 47 - No Play. [WPA +13.1% · EPA +3.24]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 35:30) — (5:30) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass incomplete deep left to 12-JO.Brown. PENALTY on CHI-24-A.Ball, Defensive Pass Interference, 38 yards, enforced at ARI 46 - No Play. [WPA +12.1% · EPA +2.80]

Impact plays

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

• Chicago Bears (Q2 33:08) — (3:08) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle intended for 83-M.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Jefferson at CHI 26. 22-T.Jefferson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CHI-6-J.Cutler was injured during the play. He [WPA -16.7% · EPA -7.21]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 60:00) — 9-R.Gould kicks 73 yards from CHI 35 to ARI -8. 31-D.Johnson for 108 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.2% · EPA +6.76]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:59) — (:59) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 14-J.Nelson INTERCEPTED by 69-J.Allen at ARI 14. 69-J.Allen to ARI 12 for 2 yards (14-J.Nelson). [WPA -11.0% · EPA -5.20]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 48:29) — (3:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 11-J.Bellamy for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.63]

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) · 28 dropbacks · 60.7% completion · +17.4% CPOE · +0.60 EPA/play · +16.76 total EPA
• J.Clausen (Chicago Bears) · 26 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · -5.2% CPOE · -0.45 EPA/play · -11.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Arizona Cardinals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.31 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, +23.54 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Chicago Bears: 13 drives, -6.89 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Palmer (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Clausen (CHI) 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 60:00 · CHI 35 · Score 6-0
   9-R.Gould kicks 73 yards from CHI 35 to ARI -8. 31-D.Johnson for 108 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 59:47 · CHI 15 · Score 7-0
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
3. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 48:29 · ARI 48 · Score 7-6
   (3:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 11-J.Bellamy for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 48:20 · ARI 15 · Score 7-7
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 46:19 · CHI 6 · Score 13-7
   (1:19) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 13-JA.Brown for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 46:13 · CHI 15 · Score 14-7
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
7. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 40:06 · ARI 1 · Score 14-13
   (10:06) 72-C.Leno Jr. reported in as eligible. 33-J.Langford left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 40:02 · ARI 15 · Score 14-14
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 33:56 · CHI 8 · Score 20-14
   (3:56) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 33:51 · CHI 15 · Score 21-14
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler. PENALTY on CHI-93-W.Sutton, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 33:08 · ARI 79 · Score 27-14
    (3:08) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle intended for 83-M.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Jefferson at CHI 26. 22-T.Jefferson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CHI-6-J
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 32:59 · CHI 15 · Score 28-14
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
13. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 31:04 · ARI 22 · Score 28-17
    (1:04) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. Penalty on ARI-26-R.Johnson, Defensive Offside,
14. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · ARI 5 · Score 28-20
    (:02) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
15. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 27:49 · CHI 28 · Score 34-20
    (12:49) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-P.McPhee]. PENALTY on CHI-92-P.McPhee, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced
16. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 27:41 · CHI 15 · Score 35-20
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
17. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 21:13 · CHI 13 · Score 41-20
    (6:13) 31-D.Johnson left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 21:06 · CHI 15 · Score 42-20
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
19. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q3 17:31 · ARI 33 · Score 42-23
    (2:31) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-T.Gafford, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
20. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 2:49 · CHI 9 · Score 48-23
    (2:49) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.