Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks: 2016 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-12-24, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Seattle Seahawks, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 41 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) paced the passing game, with +8.85 total EPA, and +7.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.98 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+28.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:03) 7-C.Catanzaro 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.

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 · +11.98 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Wilson · Seattle Seahawks · Passing · +8.85 total EPA · 56 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Baldwin · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +7.75 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Nelson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.48 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
5. 5 P. Richardson · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +6.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Lockett · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +4.24 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Graham · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +2.55 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.57 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 — D. Johnson (Q1 52:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Nelson (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 34:04)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. Kearse (R. Wilson pass) (Q3 23:25)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q4 13:36)
• Seattle Seahawks — D. Baldwin (R. Wilson pass) (Q4 8:57)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q4 6:50)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. Graham (R. Wilson pass) (Q4 2:56)
• Seattle Seahawks — P. Richardson (R. Wilson pass) (Q4 1:05)

Field goals

• Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka (Q2 30:18)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q4 4:15)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro (Q4 0:03)

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 SEA 2 (Q1 52:56) — (7:56) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q1 52:52) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SEA 80 (Q2 34:04) — (4:04) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 14-J.Nelson for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q2 33:53) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) 4-S.Hauschka 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Frese, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 7–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q3 23:25) — (8:25) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 15-J.Kearse for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 23:20) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Frese, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The fourth quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 21–20. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SEA 1 (Q4 13:36) — (13:36) 61-C.Toner reported in as eligible. 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q4 13:32) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 42 (Q4 8:57) — (8:57) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 89-D.Baldwin for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 8:49) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 3-R.Wilson pass to 44-M.Reece is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SEA 1 (Q4 6:50) — (6:50) 31-D.Johnson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q4 6:47) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SEA 24 (Q4 4:15) — (4:15) 7-C.Catanzaro 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 37 (Q4 2:56) — (2:56) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short middle to 88-J.Graham for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 2:48) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Frese, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 5 (Q4 1:05) — (1:05) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 10-P.Richardson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SEA 25 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 7-C.Catanzaro 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 7-C.Catanzaro 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile. [WPA +28.0% · EPA +0.60]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 31-D.Johnson pushed ob at SEA 33 for 29 yards (31-K.Chancellor). [WPA +20.5% · EPA +1.53]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 89-D.Baldwin pushed ob at ARI 15 for 31 yards (21-P.Peterson) [51-K.Minter]. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +2.56]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 8:57) — (8:57) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 89-D.Baldwin for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +4.16]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 34:04) — (4:04) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 14-J.Nelson for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +6.49]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 34:04) — (4:04) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 14-J.Nelson for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +6.49]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 31-D.Johnson right tackle to ARI 7 for -4 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by SEA-50-K.Wright at ARI 9. 50-K.Wright to ARI 9 for no gain (78-E.Watford). [WPA -11.0% · EPA -4.69]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 2:56) — (2:56) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short middle to 88-J.Graham for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.8% · EPA +4.57]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 8:57) — (8:57) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 89-D.Baldwin for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +4.16]

Quarterback report card

R.Wilson led all passers in efficiency for Seattle Seahawks, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) · 56 dropbacks · 51.8% completion · +7.4% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +8.85 total EPA
• C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 29 dropbacks · 55.2% completion · +5.1% CPOE · +0.41 EPA/play · +11.98 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 (+0.03 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, +2.56 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 14 drives, -4.14 total EPA, 5 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.
• C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Wilson (SEA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Palmer (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 52:56 · SEA 2 · Score 6-0
   (7:56) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 52:52 · SEA 15 · Score 7-0
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 34:04 · SEA 80 · Score 13-0
   (4:04) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 14-J.Nelson for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 33:53 · SEA 15 · Score 14-0
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
5. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q2 30:18 · ARI 9 · Score 14-3
   (:18) 4-S.Hauschka 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Frese, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
6. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 23:25 · ARI 2 · Score 14-9
   (8:25) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 15-J.Kearse for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 23:20 · ARI 15 · Score 14-10
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Frese, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 13:36 · SEA 1 · Score 20-10
   (13:36) 61-C.Toner reported in as eligible. 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 13:32 · SEA 15 · Score 21-10
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
10. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q4 8:57 · ARI 42 · Score 21-16
    (8:57) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 89-D.Baldwin for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Seattle Seahawks Safety (+2) — Q4 8:49 · ARI 2 · Score 21-18
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 3-R.Wilson pass to 44-M.Reece is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 6:50 · SEA 1 · Score 27-18
    (6:50) 31-D.Johnson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 6:47 · SEA 15 · Score 28-18
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
14. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 4:15 · SEA 24 · Score 31-18
    (4:15) 7-C.Catanzaro 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
15. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q4 2:56 · ARI 37 · Score 31-24
    (2:56) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short middle to 88-J.Graham for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q4 2:48 · ARI 15 · Score 31-25
    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Frese, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
17. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q4 1:05 · ARI 5 · Score 31-31
    (1:05) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 10-P.Richardson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · SEA 25 · Score 34-31
    (:03) 7-C.Catanzaro 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.