Game story
In Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-09-12, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 17–13 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
S. Bradford (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with -13.42 total EPA, and -6.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, S. Breaston (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.52 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-34.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Rams changed the game: (1:47) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass short left intended for 47-B.Bajema INTERCEPTED by 25-K.Rhodes [55-J.Porter] at ARI 6. 25-K.Rhodes to LA 29 for 65 yards (8-S.Bradford).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 S. Breaston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +14.52 total EPA · 7 snaps · +2.07 EPA/play
- 2 D. Anderson · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +4.25 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 3 E. Doucet · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.14 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 4 T. Hightower · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
- 5 M. Hoomanawanui · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +1.51 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
- 6 D. Fells · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +0.72 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 7 L. Robinson · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +0.45 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
- 8 K. Darby · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · -0.21 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.21 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
S. Breaston — ARI · Receiving
S. Breaston posted the highest total EPA (+14.52) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +2.07 EPA per play.
The signature play (-8.03 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (11:03) 34-T.Hightower left tackle to LA 21 for 1 yard (21-O.Atogwe). FUMBLES (21-O.Atogwe), RECOVERED by LA-32-B.Fletcher at LA 25. 32-B.Fletcher to ARI 32 for 43 yards (15-S.Breaston).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower
- Los Angeles Rams — L. Robinson (S. Bradford pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (D. Anderson pass)
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
- Los Angeles Rams — C. Massey
- Los Angeles Rams — C. Massey
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the LA 4 (Q2 43:57) — (13:57) 4-J.Feely 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 28 (Q2 35:33) — (5:33) 3-Josh.Brown 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 33:02) — (3:02) 34-T.Hightower left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q2 32:54) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 8-S.Bradford pass short right to 19-L.Robinson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 30:00) — 3-Josh.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 7 (Q3 23:32) — (8:32) 3-Josh.Brown 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 21 (Q4 6:18) — (6:18) (Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 6:13) — 4-J.Feely 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.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 1:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass short left intended for 47-B.Bajema INTERCEPTED by 25-K.Rhodes [55-J.Porter] at ARI 6. 25-K.Rhodes to LA 29 for 65 yards (8-S.Bradford).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:28) — (1:28) 34-T.Hightower right guard to LA 25 for 4 yards (59-L.Grant). FUMBLES (59-L.Grant), RECOVERED by LA-43-C.Dahl at LA 24. 43-C.Dahl to LA 24 for no gain (76-D.Lutui). The Replay Assistant challen
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 56:03) — (11:03) 34-T.Hightower left tackle to LA 21 for 1 yard (21-O.Atogwe). FUMBLES (21-O.Atogwe), RECOVERED by LA-32-B.Fletcher at LA 25. 32-B.Fletcher to ARI 32 for 43 yards (15-S.Breaston).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 0:05) — (:05) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass deep right intended for 81-M.Gilyard INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI -2. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 4:05) — (4:05) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass deep right to 89-M.Clayton pushed ob at ARI 33 for 33 yards (29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 56:03) — (11:03) 34-T.Hightower left tackle to LA 21 for 1 yard (21-O.Atogwe). FUMBLES (21-O.Atogwe), RECOVERED by LA-32-B.Fletcher at LA 25. 32-B.Fletcher to ARI 32 for 43 yards (15-S.Breaston).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 1:47) — (1:47) (Shotgun) 8-S.Bradford pass short left intended for 47-B.Bajema INTERCEPTED by 25-K.Rhodes [55-J.Porter] at ARI 6. 25-K.Rhodes to LA 29 for 65 yards (8-S.Bradford).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 51:37) — (6:37) 8-S.Bradford pass deep left intended for 89-M.Clayton INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at LA 43. 24-A.Wilson to LA 39 for 4 yards (46-D.Fells).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 16:34) — (1:34) (Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass short middle to 15-S.Breaston pushed ob at LA 45 for 35 yards (21-O.Atogwe) [96-J.Hall]. PENALTY on LA-96-J.Hall, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at LA 45.
Quarterback report card
S.Bradford led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- S.Bradford (Los Angeles Rams) · 57 dropbacks · 54.4% completion · -6.2% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -13.42 total EPA
- D.Anderson (Arizona Cardinals) · 46 dropbacks · 47.8% completion · +0.8% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.25 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.116 | -0.167 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.3% | 42.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.092 | -0.235 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.615 | -0.102 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.167 | +0.116 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.6% | 60.7% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Arizona Cardinals generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.12 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, -9.77 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 13 drives, -16.54 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.
- S. Breaston (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- S. Bradford (LA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 43:57 · LA 4 · Score 3-0
(13:57) 4-J.Feely 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 35:33 · ARI 28 · Score 3-3
(5:33) 3-Josh.Brown 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 33:02 · LA 1 · Score 9-3
(3:02) 34-T.Hightower left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 32:54 · LA 2 · Score 10-3
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 30:05 · ARI 1 · Score 10-9
(:05) 8-S.Bradford pass short right to 19-L.Robinson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · ARI 2 · Score 10-10
3-Josh.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q3 23:32 · ARI 7 · Score 10-13
(8:32) 3-Josh.Brown 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 6:18 · LA 21 · Score 16-13
(6:18) (Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 6:13 · LA 2 · Score 17-13
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Rams 17-13 in Week 1, 2010 on 2010-09-12.
What was the final score of Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
The final score was Arizona Cardinals 17, Los Angeles Rams 13 (ARI 17-13 LA) in Week 1, 2010 on 2010-09-12.
What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
Q2: Arizona Cardinals 10, Los Angeles Rams 10; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 0, Los Angeles Rams 3; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 7, Los Angeles Rams 0; Final: Arizona Cardinals 17, Los Angeles Rams 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. Hightower (Q2 33:02) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — L. Robinson (S. Bradford pass) (Q2 30:05) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (D. Anderson pass) (Q4 6:18) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q2 43:57, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — C. Massey (Q2 35:33, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — C. Massey (Q3 23:32, 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?
S. Bradford (Los Angeles Rams), 54.4% completion, -6.2% CPOE, -0.24 EPA per dropback, -13.42 total passing EPA. D. Anderson (Arizona Cardinals), 47.8% completion, +0.8% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +4.25 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams?
S. Breaston (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +14.52 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-8.03 EPA): (11:03) 34-T.Hightower left tackle to LA 21 for 1 yard (21-O.Atogwe). FUMBLES (21-O.Atogwe), RECOVERED by LA-32-B.Fletcher at LA 25. 32-B.Fletcher to ARI 32 for 43 yards (15-S.Brea. The biggest win-probability swing was -34.8%.
Was Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Arizona Cardinals won 17-13 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Arizona Cardinals
Now 1-0 W
Los Angeles Rams
Now 0-1 L
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