Arizona Cardinals vs. Cleveland Browns: 2015 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-01, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 34–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +25.18 total EPA, and +11.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +25.18 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-20.7% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:24) 23-C.Johnson right tackle to ARI 23 for -2 yards (95-A.Bryant). FUMBLES (95-A.Bryant), RECOVERED by CLE-24-J.Bademosi at ARI 28. 24-J.Bademosi to ARI 28 for no gain (84-J.Gresham).

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 · +25.18 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
2. 2 J. McCown · Cleveland Browns · Passing · +7.93 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.54 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Nelson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.00 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.06 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.53 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Johnson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.46 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Niklas · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.51 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Hartline · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.22 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 — T. Niklas (C. Palmer pass) (Q1 53:07)
• Cleveland Browns — B. Hartline (J. McCown pass) (Q1 47:45)
• Cleveland Browns — G. Barnidge (J. McCown pass) (Q2 44:53)
• Cleveland Browns — B. Hartline (J. McCown pass) (Q2 35:01)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Floyd (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 26:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Niklas (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 22:39)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 9:35)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q2 30:02)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q4 2:20)

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 CLE 11 (Q1 53:07) — (8:07) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 87-T.Niklas for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q1 52:59) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q1 47:45) — (2:45) (Shotgun) 13-J.McCown pass short middle to 83-B.Hartline for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-F.Rucker].; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 47:41) — 6-T.Coons extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-8-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 13–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q2 44:53) — (14:53) (Shotgun) 13-J.McCown pass short left to 82-G.Barnidge for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [44-M.Golden].; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 44:48) — 6-T.Coons extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q2 35:01); Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CLE 19 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 7-C.Catanzaro 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 60 (Q3 26:56) — (11:56) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 15-M.Floyd for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 26:46) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q3 22:39) — (7:39) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 87-T.Niklas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. ARI # 53 (Shipley) reports as an eligible receiver; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 22:35) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 6 (Q4 9:35) — (9:35) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-D.Bryant].; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 9:32) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CLE 17 (Q4 2:20) — (2:20) 7-C.Catanzaro 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 15:24) — (:24) 23-C.Johnson right tackle to ARI 23 for -2 yards (95-A.Bryant). FUMBLES (95-A.Bryant), RECOVERED by CLE-24-J.Bademosi at ARI 28. 24-J.Bademosi to ARI 28 for no gain (84-J.Gresham). [WPA -20.7% · EPA -4.95]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 13-J.McCown pass deep left intended for 18-T.Gabriel INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Johnson at ARI -3. Touchback. [WPA -20.3% · EPA -4.18]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 56:38) — (11:38) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 14-J.Nelson to CLE 30 for 38 yards (22-T.Williams). [WPA +13.5% · EPA +3.85]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 48:49) — (3:49) 23-C.Johnson left tackle to ARI 43 for 13 yards (56-K.Dansby). FUMBLES (56-K.Dansby), RECOVERED by CLE-95-A.Bryant at ARI 43. 95-A.Bryant to ARI 9 for 34 yards (3-C.Palmer). Penalty on ARI-68-J [WPA -13.5% · EPA -6.00]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 26:56) — (11:56) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 15-M.Floyd for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +5.32]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 48:49) — (3:49) 23-C.Johnson left tackle to ARI 43 for 13 yards (56-K.Dansby). FUMBLES (56-K.Dansby), RECOVERED by CLE-95-A.Bryant at ARI 43. 95-A.Bryant to ARI 9 for 34 yards (3-C.Palmer). Penalty on ARI-68-J [WPA -13.5% · EPA -6.00]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 7:39) — (7:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-J.McCown FUMBLES (Aborted) at ARI 40, RECOVERED by ARI-90-C.Redding at ARI 40. 90-C.Redding to ARI 40 for no gain (27-R.Turbin). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -5.61]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 26:56) — (11:56) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 15-M.Floyd for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +5.32]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 15:24) — (:24) 23-C.Johnson right tackle to ARI 23 for -2 yards (95-A.Bryant). FUMBLES (95-A.Bryant), RECOVERED by CLE-24-J.Bademosi at ARI 28. 24-J.Bademosi to ARI 28 for no gain (84-J.Gresham). [WPA -20.7% · EPA -4.95]

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) · 43 dropbacks · 53.5% completion · +11.1% CPOE · +0.59 EPA/play · +25.18 total EPA
• J.McCown (Cleveland Browns) · 39 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · -5.5% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +7.93 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 (+0.09 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, +9.04 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Cleveland Browns: 12 drives, -9.08 total EPA, 3 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. McCown (CLE) 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 53:07 · CLE 11 · Score 6-0
   (8:07) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 87-T.Niklas for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 52:59 · CLE 15 · Score 7-0
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
3. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q1 47:45 · ARI 10 · Score 7-6
   (2:45) (Shotgun) 13-J.McCown pass short middle to 83-B.Hartline for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-F.Rucker].
4. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q1 47:41 · ARI 15 · Score 7-7
   6-T.Coons extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-8-A.Lee.
5. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 44:53 · ARI 3 · Score 7-13
   (14:53) (Shotgun) 13-J.McCown pass short left to 82-G.Barnidge for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [44-M.Golden].
6. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 44:48 · ARI 15 · Score 7-14
   6-T.Coons extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-8-A.Lee.
7. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 35:01 · ARI 2 · Score 7-20
   (5:01) (Shotgun) 13-J.McCown pass short middle to 83-B.Hartline for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [20-D.Bucannon]. Penalty on ARI-32-T.Mathieu, Defensive Holding, declined
8. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · CLE 19 · Score 10-20
   (:02) 7-C.Catanzaro 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 26:56 · CLE 60 · Score 16-20
   (11:56) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 15-M.Floyd for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 26:46 · CLE 15 · Score 17-20
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 22:39 · CLE 1 · Score 23-20
    (7:39) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 87-T.Niklas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. ARI # 53 (Shipley) reports as an eligible receiver
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 22:35 · CLE 15 · Score 24-20
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 9:35 · CLE 6 · Score 30-20
    (9:35) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN [92-D.Bryant].
14. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 9:32 · CLE 15 · Score 31-20
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
15. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 2:20 · CLE 17 · Score 34-20
    (2:20) 7-C.Catanzaro 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.