Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions: 2015 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-10-11, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 42–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Orlovsky (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +0.09 total EPA, and -10.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.6% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (11:10) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 21-A.Abdullah INTERCEPTED by 90-C.Redding at DET 34. 90-C.Redding to DET 4 for 30 yards (9-M.Stafford).

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 · +9.06 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
2. 2 JO. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.61 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.65 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +4.57 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Moore · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Ellington · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.89 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Fells · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.40 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.22 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.18 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.31 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

• Detroit Lions — T. Riddick (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 47:27)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Fells (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 45:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q2 41:01)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q2 33:16)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Palmer (Q2 32:13)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 21:31)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Ellington (Q4 10:31)
• Detroit Lions — L. Moore (D. Orlovsky pass) (Q4 1:36)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q4 11:56)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q1 47:27) — (2:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 47:21) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 28–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 14 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 85-D.Fells for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 44:55) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q2 41:01) — (11:01) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 40:56) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 33:16) — (3:16) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 33:11) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 18 (Q2 32:13); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 32:08) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q3 21:31) — (6:31) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 21:27) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–7. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 22 (Q4 11:56) — (11:56) 5-M.Prater 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 63 (Q4 10:31) — (10:31) 38-A.Ellington left tackle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 10:20) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 13 (Q4 1:36) — (1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-D.Orlovsky pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 1:29) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q2 41:10) — (11:10) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 21-A.Abdullah INTERCEPTED by 90-C.Redding at DET 34. 90-C.Redding to DET 4 for 30 yards (9-M.Stafford). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -7.59]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 48:01) — (3:01) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 10-C.Fuller to ARI 6 for 48 yards (25-J.Powers) [51-K.Minter]. Penalty on ARI-90-C.Redding, Defensive Offside, declined. [WPA +10.2% · EPA +2.91]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 53:09) — (8:09) 21-A.Abdullah right tackle to ARI 40 for 2 yards (22-T.Jefferson). FUMBLES (22-T.Jefferson), RECOVERED by ARI-97-J.Mauro at ARI 39. 97-J.Mauro to ARI 39 for no gain (21-A.Abdullah). [WPA -10.0% · EPA -5.26]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 85-D.Fells for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.50]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 35:05) — (5:05) 3-C.Palmer pass deep right to 12-JO.Brown pushed ob at 50 for 49 yards (23-D.Slay). [WPA +9.4% · EPA +3.58]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q2 41:10) — (11:10) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 21-A.Abdullah INTERCEPTED by 90-C.Redding at DET 34. 90-C.Redding to DET 4 for 30 yards (9-M.Stafford). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -7.59]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 10:31) — (10:31) 38-A.Ellington left tackle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +5.42]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 53:09) — (8:09) 21-A.Abdullah right tackle to ARI 40 for 2 yards (22-T.Jefferson). FUMBLES (22-T.Jefferson), RECOVERED by ARI-97-J.Mauro at ARI 39. 97-J.Mauro to ARI 39 for no gain (21-A.Abdullah). [WPA -10.0% · EPA -5.26]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 25:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Peterson at ARI 28. 21-P.Peterson to DET 32 for 40 yards (63-M.Ramirez). [WPA -2.4% · EPA -4.74]

Quarterback report card

D.Orlovsky led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Orlovsky (Detroit Lions) · 40 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · -10.5% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.09 total EPA
• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 36 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · -5.9% CPOE · -0.31 EPA/play · -11.21 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 (+0.17 vs -0.18), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, +11.21 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 13 drives, -19.75 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.
• D. Orlovsky (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Stafford (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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 47:27 · ARI 6 · Score 0-6
   (2:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 47:21 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · DET 14 · Score 6-7
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 85-D.Fells for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 44:55 · DET 15 · Score 7-7
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 41:01 · DET 4 · Score 13-7
   (11:01) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 40:56 · DET 15 · Score 14-7
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 33:16 · DET 2 · Score 20-7
   (3:16) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 33:11 · DET 15 · Score 21-7
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 32:13 · DET 18 · Score 27-7
   (2:13) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 12-JO.Brown for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ARI-12-JO.Brown, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced bet
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 32:08 · DET 15 · Score 28-7
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 21:31 · DET 2 · Score 34-7
    (6:31) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 21:27 · DET 15 · Score 35-7
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
13. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 11:56 · ARI 22 · Score 35-10
    (11:56) 5-M.Prater 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 10:31 · DET 63 · Score 41-10
    (10:31) 38-A.Ellington left tackle for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 10:20 · DET 15 · Score 42-10
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
16. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 1:36 · ARI 13 · Score 42-16
    (1:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-D.Orlovsky pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 1:29 · ARI 15 · Score 42-17
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.