Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos: 2014 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-10-05, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 41–20 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Manning (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +13.41 total EPA, and +3.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Manning (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.41 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.2% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (3:16) (Shotgun) 6-L.Thomas pass deep right to 38-A.Ellington for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe].

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 P. Manning · Denver Broncos · Passing · +13.41 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +12.49 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.59 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Ellington · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.40 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
5. 5 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.01 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
6. 6 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.48 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Tamme · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.49 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Thompson · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.48 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

• Denver Broncos — J. Thomas (P. Manning pass) (Q1 49:48)
• Denver Broncos — D. Thomas (P. Manning pass) (Q2 37:36)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Ellington (Q2 34:42)
• Denver Broncos — D. Thomas (P. Manning pass) (Q2 31:48)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Ellington (L. Thomas pass) (Q3 18:16)
• Denver Broncos — J. Thomas (P. Manning pass) (Q4 7:52)
• Denver Broncos — J. Thompson (Q4 4:37)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q1 54:13)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q1 46:46)
• Denver Broncos — B. McManus (Q3 24:38)
• Denver Broncos — B. McManus (Q4 13:53)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–6. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DEN 15 (Q1 54:13) — (9:13) 7-C.Catanzaro 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q1 49:48) — (4:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 49:43) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DEN 30 (Q1 46:46) — (1:46) 7-C.Catanzaro 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 31 (Q2 37:36) — (7:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 37:30) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DEN 5 (Q2 34:42) — (4:42) 38-A.Ellington right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 34:37) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 86 (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 86 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 31:37) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 25 (Q3 24:38) — (9:38) 8-B.McManus 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DEN 81 (Q3 18:16) — (3:16) (Shotgun) 6-L.Thomas pass deep right to 38-A.Ellington for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe].; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 18:03) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 17–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 23 (Q4 13:53) — (13:53) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 12 (Q4 7:52) — (7:52) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 7:47) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q4 4:37) — (4:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 40-J.Thompson up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 4:33) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 18:16) — (3:16) (Shotgun) 6-L.Thomas pass deep right to 38-A.Ellington for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe]. [WPA +15.2% · EPA +6.67]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 86 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +6.65]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 34:50) — (4:50) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left intended for 28-M.Ball INTERCEPTED by 93-C.Campbell at DEN 28. 93-C.Campbell to DEN 5 for 23 yards (18-P.Manning). [WPA -12.4% · EPA -5.80]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 43:32) — (13:32) (No Huddle) 18-P.Manning pass deep left intended for 83-W.Welker INTERCEPTED by 25-J.Powers at ARI 44. 25-J.Powers to ARI 45 for 1 yard (83-W.Welker). [WPA -10.8% · EPA -3.76]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 55:51) — (10:51) (Shotgun) 5-D.Stanton pass short middle to 38-A.Ellington pushed ob at DEN 25 for 17 yards (25-C.Harris). [WPA +10.1% · EPA +1.56]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 18:16) — (3:16) (Shotgun) 6-L.Thomas pass deep right to 38-A.Ellington for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe]. [WPA +15.2% · EPA +6.67]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 86 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +6.65]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 34:50) — (4:50) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left intended for 28-M.Ball INTERCEPTED by 93-C.Campbell at DEN 28. 93-C.Campbell to DEN 5 for 23 yards (18-P.Manning). [WPA -12.4% · EPA -5.80]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 37:36) — (7:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +4.12]

Quarterback report card

P.Manning led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Manning (Denver Broncos) · 52 dropbacks · 59.6% completion · +3.4% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +13.41 total EPA
• D.Stanton (Arizona Cardinals) · 28 dropbacks · 39.3% completion · -16.5% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.06 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.16), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 15 drives, -13.28 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Denver Broncos: 16 drives, +7.49 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Manning (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Manning (DEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• D. Stanton (ARI) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 54:13 · DEN 15 · Score 3-0
   (9:13) 7-C.Catanzaro 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
2. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 49:48 · ARI 7 · Score 3-6
   (4:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 49:43 · ARI 2 · Score 3-7
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
4. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 46:46 · DEN 30 · Score 6-7
   (1:46) 7-C.Catanzaro 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 37:36 · ARI 31 · Score 6-13
   (7:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 37:30 · ARI 2 · Score 6-14
   8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 34:42 · DEN 5 · Score 12-14
   (4:42) 38-A.Ellington right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 34:37 · DEN 2 · Score 13-14
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 31:48 · ARI 86 · Score 13-20
   (1:48) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 88-D.Thomas for 86 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 31:37 · ARI 2 · Score 13-21
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
11. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 24:38 · ARI 25 · Score 13-24
    (9:38) 8-B.McManus 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 18:16 · DEN 81 · Score 19-24
    (3:16) (Shotgun) 6-L.Thomas pass deep right to 38-A.Ellington for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe].
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 18:03 · DEN 2 · Score 20-24
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
14. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 13:53 · ARI 23 · Score 20-27
    (13:53) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
15. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 7:52 · ARI 12 · Score 20-33
    (7:52) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 80-J.Thomas for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 7:47 · ARI 2 · Score 20-34
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
17. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 4:37 · ARI 8 · Score 20-40
    (4:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 40-J.Thompson up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 4:33 · ARI 2 · Score 20-41
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.