Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions: 2009 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-12-20, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 31–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -5.79 total EPA, and -3.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.36 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+19.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (11:21) 2-N.Harris punts 31 yards to ARI 17, Center-58-N.Hodel. 15-S.Breaston MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DET-49-Z.Follett at ARI 17.

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 · +4.36 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Wells · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.96 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Northcutt · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.89 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Hightower · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.17 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Morris · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.03 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Stanton · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.96 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Patrick · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.83 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.28 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 — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q1 46:43)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower (Q2 34:05)
• Detroit Lions — L. Delmas (Q3 22:45)
• Detroit Lions — M. Morris (Q3 20:21)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells (Q4 13:48)
• Detroit Lions — D. Stanton (Q4 3:48)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Boldin (K. Warner pass) (Q4 1:59)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — M. Nugent (Q2 43:05)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q3 17:08)

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 DET 1 (Q1 46:43) — (1:43) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 46:37) — 12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 30 (Q2 43:05) — (13:05) 12-M.Nugent 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 34:05) — (4:05) 34-T.Hightower left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 33:51) — 12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 17–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 20 (Q3 22:45) — (7:45) 13-K.Warner pass deep middle intended for 15-S.Breaston INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Delmas at DET 0. 26-L.Delmas for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 22:29) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-58-N.Hodel, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 64 (Q3 20:21) — (5:21) 28-M.Morris left end for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI-98-G.Watson, Defensive Holding, declined.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 20:10); Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 19 (Q3 17:08) — (2:08) 4-J.Hanson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-N.Hodel, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 18 (Q4 13:48) — (13:48) 26-C.Wells right tackle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 13:40) — 12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 3:48) — (3:48) 5-D.Stanton up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 3:48) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-58-N.Hodel, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q4 1:59); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 1:54) — 12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 11:21) — (11:21) 2-N.Harris punts 31 yards to ARI 17, Center-58-N.Hodel. 15-S.Breaston MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DET-49-Z.Follett at ARI 17. [WPA +19.5% · EPA +5.07]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 13:48) — (13:48) 26-C.Wells right tackle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +2.34]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 48:04) — (3:04) 5-B.Graham punts 28 yards to DET 15, Center-82-M.Leach. 86-D.Northcutt MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ARI-36-L.Stephens-Howling at DET 13. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +5.09]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:59) — (1:59) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 81-A.Boldin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +15.1% · EPA +2.90]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 3:02) — (3:02) 26-C.Wells left tackle to DET 11 for 34 yards (26-L.Delmas). [WPA +14.9% · EPA +2.10]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 22:45) — (7:45) 13-K.Warner pass deep middle intended for 15-S.Breaston INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Delmas at DET 0. 26-L.Delmas for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -10.8% · EPA -11.50]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 22:54) — (7:54) 5-D.Stanton pass deep right intended for 80-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at DET 35. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie pushed ob at DET 20 for 15 yards (51-D.Raiola). [WPA -3.0% · EPA -5.51]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 48:04) — (3:04) 5-B.Graham punts 28 yards to DET 15, Center-82-M.Leach. 86-D.Northcutt MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ARI-36-L.Stephens-Howling at DET 13. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +5.09]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 11:21) — (11:21) 2-N.Harris punts 31 yards to ARI 17, Center-58-N.Hodel. 15-S.Breaston MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by DET-49-Z.Follett at ARI 17. [WPA +19.5% · EPA +5.07]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 40 dropbacks · 57.5% completion · -3.9% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -5.79 total EPA
• D.Stanton (Detroit Lions) · 21 dropbacks · 47.6% completion · -12.5% CPOE · -0.45 EPA/play · -9.44 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 (-0.01 vs -0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 15 drives, -1.00 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 15 drives, -11.79 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Warner (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• D. Stanton (DET) 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 46:43 · DET 1 · Score 6-0
   (1:43) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 46:37 · DET 2 · Score 7-0
   12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
3. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 43:05 · DET 30 · Score 10-0
   (13:05) 12-M.Nugent 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 34:05 · DET 1 · Score 16-0
   (4:05) 34-T.Hightower left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 33:51 · DET 2 · Score 17-0
   12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
6. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 22:45 · DET 20 · Score 17-6
   (7:45) 13-K.Warner pass deep middle intended for 15-S.Breaston INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Delmas at DET 0. 26-L.Delmas for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 22:29 · ARI 2 · Score 17-7
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-58-N.Hodel, Holder-2-N.Harris.
8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 20:21 · ARI 64 · Score 17-13
   (5:21) 28-M.Morris left end for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI-98-G.Watson, Defensive Holding, declined.
9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 20:10 · ARI 2 · Score 17-14
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-58-N.Hodel, Holder-2-N.Harris. PENALTY on ARI-21-A.Rolle, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 17:08 · ARI 19 · Score 17-17
    (2:08) 4-J.Hanson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-N.Hodel, Holder-2-N.Harris.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 13:48 · DET 18 · Score 23-17
    (13:48) 26-C.Wells right tackle for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 13:40 · DET 2 · Score 24-17
    12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
13. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 3:48 · ARI 1 · Score 24-23
    (3:48) 5-D.Stanton up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 3:48 · ARI 2 · Score 24-24
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-58-N.Hodel, Holder-2-N.Harris.
15. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 1:59 · DET 5 · Score 30-24
    (1:59) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 81-A.Boldin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Up
16. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 1:54 · DET 2 · Score 31-24
    12-M.Nugent extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.