Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions: 2003 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-09-07, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 42–24 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Blake (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +1.38 total EPA.

On the individual side, A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.31 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+29.2% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (14:13) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 71 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 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +20.31 total EPA · 10 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Harrington · Detroit Lions · Passing · +9.67 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Rogers · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
4. 4 F. Jones · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.26 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Schroeder · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Bryson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.81 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Ricks · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.72 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Schlesinger · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.50 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.83 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 — A. Boldin (J. Blake pass) (Q1 50:52)
• Detroit Lions — C. Rogers (J. Harrington pass) (Q1 47:05)
• Detroit Lions — C. Rogers (J. Harrington pass) (Q2 41:32)
• Arizona Cardinals — F. Jones (J. Blake pass) (Q2 35:39)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Boldin (J. Blake pass) (Q3 29:13)
• Detroit Lions — E. Drummond (Q3 23:36)
• Detroit Lions — C. Schlesinger (J. Harrington pass) (Q3 18:18)
• Detroit Lions — B. Schroeder (J. Harrington pass) (Q4 11:51)
• Detroit Lions — D. Bly (Q4 11:00)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica (Q3 15:49)

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 DET 7 (Q1 50:52) — (5:52) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 50:48) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q1 47:05) — (2:05) 3-J.Harrington pass to 80-C.Rogers for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 47:00) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 13 (Q2 41:32) — (11:32) 3-J.Harrington pass to 80-C.Rogers for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 41:27) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 12 (Q2 35:39) — (5:39) 11-J.Blake pass to 85-F.Jones for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 35:35) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–10. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 71 (Q3 29:13) — (14:13) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 28:59) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 80 (Q3 23:36) — (8:36) 10-S.Player punts 37 yards to DET 43, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 23:21) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q3 18:18) — (3:18) 3-J.Harrington pass to 30-C.Schlesinger for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 18:12) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 19 (Q3 15:49) — (:49) 7-B.Gramatica 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 5 (Q4 11:51) — (11:51) 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 11:43) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 58 (Q4 11:00) — (11:00) 11-J.Blake pass intended for 86-B.Gilmore INTERCEPTED by 32-D.Bly at ARI 48. 32-D.Bly for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 10:50) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 29:13) — (14:13) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +29.2% · EPA +7.53]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 23:36) — (8:36) 10-S.Player punts 37 yards to DET 43, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.3% · EPA -4.70]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 19:16) — (4:16) 19-J.Jett punts 38 yards to ARI 38, Center-89-B.Banta. 81-A.Boldin MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DET-55-D.Curry at ARI 35. DET wanted review because they felt that kick was not muffed, thus could b [WPA +18.6% · EPA +4.96]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 14:41) — (14:41) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake sacked at ARI 40 for -10 yards. FUMBLES, touched at ARI 40, RECOVERED by DET-96-J.Hall at ARI 36. 96-J.Hall to ARI 36 for no gain (11-J.Blake). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -5.62]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:17) — (:17) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 86-B.Gilmore to DET 15 for 11 yards (35-A.Goodman). [WPA -14.2% · EPA -2.04]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 11:00) — (11:00) 11-J.Blake pass intended for 86-B.Gilmore INTERCEPTED by 32-D.Bly at ARI 48. 32-D.Bly for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.2% · EPA -8.18]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 29:13) — (14:13) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +29.2% · EPA +7.53]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 14:41) — (14:41) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake sacked at ARI 40 for -10 yards. FUMBLES, touched at ARI 40, RECOVERED by DET-96-J.Hall at ARI 36. 96-J.Hall to ARI 36 for no gain (11-J.Blake). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -5.62]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 19:16) — (4:16) 19-J.Jett punts 38 yards to ARI 38, Center-89-B.Banta. 81-A.Boldin MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DET-55-D.Curry at ARI 35. DET wanted review because they felt that kick was not muffed, thus could b [WPA +18.6% · EPA +4.96]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Blake (Arizona Cardinals) · 54 dropbacks · 51.9% completion · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.38 total EPA
• J.Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 30 dropbacks · 56.7% completion · +0.32 EPA/play · +9.67 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Detroit Lions held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -4.49 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 13 drives, +10.41 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Detroit Lions leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 50:52 · DET 7 · Score 6-0
   (5:52) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 50:48 · DET 2 · Score 7-0
   7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 47:05 · ARI 4 · Score 7-6
   (2:05) 3-J.Harrington pass to 80-C.Rogers for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 47:00 · ARI 2 · Score 7-7
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 41:32 · ARI 13 · Score 7-13
   (11:32) 3-J.Harrington pass to 80-C.Rogers for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 41:27 · ARI 2 · Score 7-14
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 35:39 · DET 12 · Score 13-14
   (5:39) 11-J.Blake pass to 85-F.Jones for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:35 · DET 2 · Score 14-14
   7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 29:13 · DET 71 · Score 20-14
   (14:13) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 71 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 28:59 · DET 2 · Score 21-14
    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 23:36 · DET 80 · Score 21-20
    (8:36) 10-S.Player punts 37 yards to DET 43, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 23:21 · ARI 2 · Score 21-21
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
13. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 18:18 · ARI 8 · Score 21-27
    (3:18) 3-J.Harrington pass to 30-C.Schlesinger for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 18:12 · ARI 2 · Score 21-28
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
15. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 15:49 · DET 19 · Score 24-28
    (:49) 7-B.Gramatica 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
16. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 11:51 · ARI 5 · Score 24-34
    (11:51) 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 11:43 · ARI 2 · Score 24-35
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
18. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 11:00 · DET 58 · Score 24-41
    (11:00) 11-J.Blake pass intended for 86-B.Gilmore INTERCEPTED by 32-D.Bly at ARI 48. 32-D.Bly for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 10:50 · ARI 2 · Score 24-42
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.