Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks: 2018 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-12-30, the Seattle Seahawks took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 27–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Rosen (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -22.17 total EPA, and -5.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Lockett (Seattle Seahawks) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.01 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-17.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Seattle Seahawks changed the game: (9:53) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right intended for 83-D.Moore INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Amerson at ARI 47. 38-D.Amerson to SEA 28 for 25 yards (32-C.Carson).

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 T. Lockett · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +6.01 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.00 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Davis · Seattle Seahawks · Rushing · +2.57 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Dickson · Seattle Seahawks · Rushing · +1.92 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.92 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Phillips · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.33 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Williams · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Carson · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +0.81 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Baldwin · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +0.50 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.17 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.01 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 — T. Lockett (R. Wilson pass) (Q1 46:31)
• Seattle Seahawks — C. Carson (Q2 41:43)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (J. Rosen pass) (Q2 35:48)
• Seattle Seahawks — M. Davis (Q3 19:40)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Dickson (Q3 15:21)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q1 52:25)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q2 31:18)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Janikowski (Q4 6:25)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q4 1:54)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Janikowski (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: Seattle Seahawks won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SEA 17 (Q1 52:25) — (7:25) 5-Z.Gonzalez 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 29 (Q1 46:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep right to 16-T.Lockett for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 46:25) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–7. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q2 41:43) — (11:43) (Shotgun) 32-C.Carson up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 41:39) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SEA 15 (Q2 35:48) — (5:48) 3-J.Rosen pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q2 35:44) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SEA 32 (Q2 31:18) — (1:18) 5-Z.Gonzalez 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 8–7. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 17 (Q3 19:40) — (4:40) 27-M.Davis right tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 19:34) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 75 (Q3 15:21) — (:21) 4-M.Dickson punt is BLOCKED by 94-C.Malveaux, Center-69-T.Ott, RECOVERED by ARI-92-D.Gardeck at SEA 0. TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the SEA 2 (Q3 15:11).

The fourth quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 6–3. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 24 (Q4 6:25) — (6:25) 11-S.Janikowski 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SEA 37 (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) 5-Z.Gonzalez 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 15 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 11-S.Janikowski 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson..

Turning points

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 54:53) — (9:53) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right intended for 83-D.Moore INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Amerson at ARI 47. 38-D.Amerson to SEA 28 for 25 yards (32-C.Carson). [WPA -17.5% · EPA -6.16]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 11-S.Janikowski 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson. [WPA +17.1% · EPA +0.20]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q3 15:21) — (:21) 4-M.Dickson punt is BLOCKED by 94-C.Malveaux, Center-69-T.Ott, RECOVERED by ARI-92-D.Gardeck at SEA 0. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.2% · EPA -5.75]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 1:02) — (1:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep right to 16-T.Lockett pushed ob at ARI 25 for 37 yards (33-T.Boston). [WPA +11.9% · EPA +2.45]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 48:57) — (3:57) 3-J.Rosen pass incomplete deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald. [WPA -11.5% · EPA -3.34]

Impact plays

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 54:53) — (9:53) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right intended for 83-D.Moore INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Amerson at ARI 47. 38-D.Amerson to SEA 28 for 25 yards (32-C.Carson). [WPA -17.5% · EPA -6.16]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q3 15:21) — (:21) 4-M.Dickson punt is BLOCKED by 94-C.Malveaux, Center-69-T.Ott, RECOVERED by ARI-92-D.Gardeck at SEA 0. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.2% · EPA -5.75]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 43:56) — (13:56) (Shotgun) 3-J.Rosen sacked at ARI 34 for -7 yards (59-J.Martin). FUMBLES (59-J.Martin) [59-J.Martin], RECOVERED by SEA-55-F.Clark at ARI 34. 55-F.Clark to ARI 34 for no gain (60-J.Barksdale). [WPA -9.0% · EPA -4.49]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 9:15) — (9:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Rosen sacked at ARI 31 for -9 yards. FUMBLES [55-F.Clark], RECOVERED by SEA-99-Q.Jefferson at ARI 31. 99-Q.Jefferson to ARI 31 for no gain (78-C.Gossett). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -4.33]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Rosen (Arizona Cardinals) · 41 dropbacks · 43.9% completion · -5.3% CPOE · -0.54 EPA/play · -22.17 total EPA
• R.Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) · 28 dropbacks · 42.9% completion · -4.6% CPOE · -0.31 EPA/play · -8.67 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Arizona Cardinals -0.23, Seattle Seahawks -0.21) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -19.09 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 14 drives, -17.80 total EPA, 6 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Lockett (Seattle Seahawks) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Rosen (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• R. Wilson (SEA) 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. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 52:25 · SEA 17 · Score 3-0
   (7:25) 5-Z.Gonzalez 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.
2. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 46:31 · ARI 29 · Score 3-6
   (1:31) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep right to 16-T.Lockett for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 46:25 · ARI 15 · Score 3-7
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
4. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 41:43 · ARI 7 · Score 3-13
   (11:43) (Shotgun) 32-C.Carson up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 41:39 · ARI 15 · Score 3-14
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 35:48 · SEA 15 · Score 9-14
   (5:48) 3-J.Rosen pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:44 · SEA 15 · Score 10-14
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.
8. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 31:18 · SEA 32 · Score 13-14
   (1:18) 5-Z.Gonzalez 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.
9. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 19:40 · ARI 17 · Score 13-20
   (4:40) 27-M.Davis right tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 19:34 · ARI 15 · Score 13-21
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 15:21 · ARI 75 · Score 19-21
    (:21) 4-M.Dickson punt is BLOCKED by 94-C.Malveaux, Center-69-T.Ott, RECOVERED by ARI-92-D.Gardeck at SEA 0. TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q3 15:11 · SEA 2 · Score 21-21
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 31-D.Johnson rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play wa
13. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q4 6:25 · ARI 24 · Score 21-24
    (6:25) 11-S.Janikowski 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
14. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 1:54 · SEA 37 · Score 24-24
    (1:54) 5-Z.Gonzalez 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-2-A.Lee.
15. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · ARI 15 · Score 24-27
    (:03) 11-S.Janikowski 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.