Game story
In Week 1 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-09-12, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +5.16 total EPA.
On the individual side, I. Bruce (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.78 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+11.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: 14-J.Wilkins kicks 70 yards from LA 30 to ARI 0. 33-J.Scobey pushed ob at LA 29 for 71 yards (25-R.Coady).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 6 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 I. Bruce · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +7.78 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 2 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.68 EPA/play
- 3 T. Holt · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.90 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
- 4 M. Bulger · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +5.16 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 5 E. Smith · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.18 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 6 M. Faulk · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +1.96 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 7 B. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.72 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 8 S. McDonald · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
I. Bruce — LA · Receiving
I. Bruce posted the highest total EPA (+7.78) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +0.86 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.12 EPA) came from Los Angeles Rams: (:53) 10-M.Bulger pass to 89-D.Looker to ARI 21 for 9 yards (51-J.Darling). FUMBLES (51-J.Darling), RECOVERED by ARI-29-Q.Harris at ARI 18. 29-Q.Harris to ARI 18 for no gain (44-J.Goodspeed).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — E. Smith
- Los Angeles Rams — I. Bruce (M. Bulger pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
- Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 6–3. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 32 (Q2 41:27) — (11:27) 14-J.Wilkins 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the LA 5 (Q2 38:14) — (8:14) 1-N.Rackers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 10 (Q2 32:43) — (2:43) 14-J.Wilkins 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker..
The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 4 (Q3 20:55) — (5:55) 14-J.Wilkins 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 11 (Q3 16:03) — (1:03) 22-E.Smith left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q3 15:57) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 8–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q4 14:32) — (14:32) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 14:27) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 28-M.Faulk rushes left tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:21) — 14-J.Wilkins kicks 70 yards from LA 30 to ARI 0. 33-J.Scobey pushed ob at LA 29 for 71 yards (25-R.Coady).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 45:53) — (:53) 10-M.Bulger pass to 89-D.Looker to ARI 21 for 9 yards (51-J.Darling). FUMBLES (51-J.Darling), RECOVERED by ARI-29-Q.Harris at ARI 18. 29-Q.Harris to ARI 18 for no gain (44-J.Goodspeed).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 48:47) — (3:47) 10-M.Bulger pass intended for 80-I.Bruce INTERCEPTED by 29-Q.Harris at ARI 3. 29-Q.Harris to ARI 2 for -1 yards (80-I.Bruce).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 53:34) — (8:34) 39-S.Jackson left guard to ARI 26 for 14 yards (29-Q.Harris). FUMBLES (29-Q.Harris), touched at ARI 26, RECOVERED by ARI-24-A.Wilson at ARI 24. 24-A.Wilson to ARI 24 for no gain (67-A.McCollum)
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 14:32) — (14:32) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 45:53) — (:53) 10-M.Bulger pass to 89-D.Looker to ARI 21 for 9 yards (51-J.Darling). FUMBLES (51-J.Darling), RECOVERED by ARI-29-Q.Harris at ARI 18. 29-Q.Harris to ARI 18 for no gain (44-J.Goodspeed).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 53:34) — (8:34) 39-S.Jackson left guard to ARI 26 for 14 yards (29-Q.Harris). FUMBLES (29-Q.Harris), touched at ARI 26, RECOVERED by ARI-24-A.Wilson at ARI 24. 24-A.Wilson to ARI 24 for no gain (67-A.McCollum)
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:21) — 14-J.Wilkins kicks 70 yards from LA 30 to ARI 0. 33-J.Scobey pushed ob at LA 29 for 71 yards (25-R.Coady).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 52:55) — (7:55) 12-J.McCown sacked at ARI 13 for -16 yards (94-B.Fisher).
Quarterback report card
M.Bulger led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +0.14 EPA/play · +5.16 total EPA
- J.McCown (Arizona Cardinals) · 33 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.30 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.055 | +0.018 |
| Offensive success rate | 34.2% | 51.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.128 | +0.136 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.024 | -0.080 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.018 | +0.055 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.8% | 65.8% |
By the numbers
Los Angeles Rams held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, -4.19 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 10 drives, +1.46 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Rams 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.
- I. Bruce (Los Angeles Rams) 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.
- Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 41:27 · ARI 32 · Score 0-3
(11:27) 14-J.Wilkins 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 38:14 · LA 5 · Score 3-3
(8:14) 1-N.Rackers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 32:43 · ARI 10 · Score 3-6
(2:43) 14-J.Wilkins 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q3 20:55 · ARI 4 · Score 3-9
(5:55) 14-J.Wilkins 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 16:03 · LA 11 · Score 9-9
(1:03) 22-E.Smith left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 15:57 · LA 2 · Score 10-9
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 14:32 · ARI 8 · Score 10-15
(14:32) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams Safety (+2) — Q4 14:27 · ARI 2 · Score 10-17
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 28-M.Faulk rushes left tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals 17-10 in Week 1, 2004 on 2004-09-12.
What was the final score of Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
The final score was Arizona Cardinals 10, Los Angeles Rams 17 (ARI 10-17 LA) in Week 1, 2004 on 2004-09-12.
What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
Q2: Arizona Cardinals 3, Los Angeles Rams 6; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 7, Los Angeles Rams 3; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 0, Los Angeles Rams 8; Final: Arizona Cardinals 10, Los Angeles Rams 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — E. Smith (Q3 16:03) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — I. Bruce (M. Bulger pass) (Q4 14:32) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 41:27, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 38:14, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 32:43, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q3 20:55, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams), 60.5% completion, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +5.16 total passing EPA. J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals), 54.5% completion, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.30 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
I. Bruce (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +7.78 on receiving plays. across 9 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.12 EPA): (:53) 10-M.Bulger pass to 89-D.Looker to ARI 21 for 9 yards (51-J.Darling). FUMBLES (51-J.Darling), RECOVERED by ARI-29-Q.Harris at ARI 18. 29-Q.Harris to ARI 18 for no gain (44-J.. The biggest win-probability swing was +11.5%.
Was Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Los Angeles Rams won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Arizona Cardinals
Now 0-1 L
Los Angeles Rams
Now 1-0 W
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