Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks: 2012 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-09, the Seattle Seahawks took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 58–0 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.

J. Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -27.54 total EPA, and -11.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.85 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-23.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (12:12) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short left intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Wagner (50-K.Wright) at SEA 31. 54-B.Wagner to ARI 24 for 45 yards (19-J.Skelton). PENALTY on ARI-19-J.S

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 M. Lynch · Seattle Seahawks · Rushing · +9.85 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
2. 2 A. McCoy · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +7.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.55 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Wilson · Seattle Seahawks · Passing · +5.52 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
4. 4 Z. Miller · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +4.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play
5. 5 S. Rice · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +3.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Flynn · Seattle Seahawks · Passing · +2.81 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Baldwin · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +2.24 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.14 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.23 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

• Seattle Seahawks — M. Lynch (Q1 47:13)
• Seattle Seahawks — M. Lynch (Q2 45:00)
• Seattle Seahawks — R. Sherman (Q2 40:20)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. Ryan (Q2 36:43)
• Seattle Seahawks — Z. Miller (R. Wilson pass) (Q2 30:11)
• Seattle Seahawks — M. Lynch (Q3 26:17)
• Seattle Seahawks — L. Washington (Q4 2:37)

Field goals

• Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka (Q1 55:04)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka (Q3 22:47)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka (Q3 17:10)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 10–0. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 13 (Q1 55:04) — (10:04) 4-S.Hauschka 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 20 (Q1 47:13) — (2:13) (Shotgun) 24-M.Lynch left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 47:04) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The second quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 28–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 24-M.Lynch right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 44:53) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the SEA 95 (Q2 40:20); Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 40:12) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 57 (Q2 36:43); Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 36:31) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 24 (Q2 30:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep middle to 86-Z.Miller for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 30:06) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 13–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 33 (Q3 26:17) — (11:17) 24-M.Lynch left tackle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 26:08) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 10 (Q3 22:47) — (7:47) 4-S.Hauschka 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 14 (Q3 17:10) — (2:10) 4-S.Hauschka 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The fourth quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 7–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q4 2:37) — (2:37) 33-L.Washington left tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 2:32) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 57:12) — (12:12) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short left intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Wagner (50-K.Wright) at SEA 31. 54-B.Wagner to ARI 24 for 45 yards (19-J.Skelton). PENALTY on ARI-19-J.S [WPA -23.0% · EPA -7.41]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 45:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 85-A.McCoy to ARI 4 for 67 yards (22-W.Gay). [WPA +6.7% · EPA +4.78]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 51:34) — (6:34) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 18-S.Rice to SEA 31 for 17 yards (28-G.Toler). [WPA +5.5% · EPA +2.76]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 55:36) — (10:36) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson sacked at ARI 13 for -7 yards (54-Q.Groves). [WPA -5.3% · EPA -2.11]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:20) — (10:20) 19-J.Skelton pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Sherman at ARI 19. 25-R.Sherman for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.6% · EPA -5.90]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 57:12) — (12:12) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short left intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Wagner (50-K.Wright) at SEA 31. 54-B.Wagner to ARI 24 for 45 yards (19-J.Skelton). PENALTY on ARI-19-J.S [WPA -23.0% · EPA -7.41]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q2 36:43) — (6:43) 9-J.Ryan punts 45 yards to ARI 12, Center-49-C.Gresham. 21-P.Peterson MUFFS catch, touched at ARI 6, RECOVERED by SEA-53-M.Smith at ARI 0. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.6% · EPA +6.62]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:20) — (10:20) 19-J.Skelton pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Sherman at ARI 19. 25-R.Sherman for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.6% · EPA -5.90]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:34) — (11:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton sacked at ARI 43 for -9 yards (91-C.Clemons). FUMBLES (91-C.Clemons), RECOVERED by SEA-91-C.Clemons at ARI 43. 91-C.Clemons to ARI 43 for no gain (19-J.Skelto [WPA -3.9% · EPA -5.22]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) · 23 dropbacks · 47.8% completion · -11.8% CPOE · -1.20 EPA/play · -27.54 total EPA
• R.Lindley (Arizona Cardinals) · 19 dropbacks · 42.1% completion · -13.6% CPOE · -0.35 EPA/play · -6.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Seattle Seahawks held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs -0.45), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -36.11 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 15 drives, +23.28 total EPA, 9 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Seattle Seahawks leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Skelton (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• R. Lindley (ARI) 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. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q1 55:04 · ARI 13 · Score 0-3
   (10:04) 4-S.Hauschka 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
2. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 47:13 · ARI 20 · Score 0-9
   (2:13) (Shotgun) 24-M.Lynch left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 47:04 · ARI 2 · Score 0-10
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
4. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · ARI 4 · Score 0-16
   (15:00) 24-M.Lynch right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 44:53 · ARI 2 · Score 0-17
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
6. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 40:20 · SEA 95 · Score 0-23
   (10:20) 19-J.Skelton pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Sherman at ARI 19. 25-R.Sherman for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 40:12 · ARI 2 · Score 0-24
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
8. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 36:43 · ARI 57 · Score 0-30
   (6:43) 9-J.Ryan punts 45 yards to ARI 12, Center-49-C.Gresham. 21-P.Peterson MUFFS catch, touched at ARI 6, RECOVERED by SEA-53-M.Smith at ARI 0. TOUCHDOWN.
9. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 36:31 · ARI 2 · Score 0-31
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
10. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 30:11 · ARI 24 · Score 0-37
    (:11) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep middle to 86-Z.Miller for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 30:06 · ARI 2 · Score 0-38
    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
12. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 26:17 · ARI 33 · Score 0-44
    (11:17) 24-M.Lynch left tackle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 26:08 · ARI 2 · Score 0-45
    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
14. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q3 22:47 · ARI 10 · Score 0-48
    (7:47) 4-S.Hauschka 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
15. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q3 17:10 · ARI 14 · Score 0-51
    (2:10) 4-S.Hauschka 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
16. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q4 2:37 · ARI 3 · Score 0-57
    (2:37) 33-L.Washington left tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q4 2:32 · ARI 2 · Score 0-58
    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.