Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2008 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-07, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 23–13 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +6.30 total EPA, and +2.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.50 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-21.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (9:33) 14-J.O'Sullivan sacked at ARI 27 for -7 yards (92-B.Berry). FUMBLES (92-B.Berry), touched at ARI 26, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at ARI 21. 94-A.Smith to ARI 37 for 16 yards (85-V.Davis). C.Oke

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 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +8.50 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Warner · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +6.30 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Breaston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.04 EPA/play
4. 4 F. Gore · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +3.37 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
5. 5 V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.23 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
6. 6 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.90 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Battle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.45 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Hightower · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.30 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.29 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

• San Francisco 49ers — F. Gore (Q1 51:11)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q2 40:31)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower (Q3 19:06)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 56:10)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney (Q2 31:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q3 23:29)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney (Q4 12:09)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 2:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 7 (Q1 56:10) — (11:10) 1-N.Rackers 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 41 (Q1 51:11) — (6:11) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 51:00) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q2 40:31) — (10:31) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 40:25) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 21 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 6-J.Nedney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 13 (Q3 23:29) — (8:29) 1-N.Rackers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 2 (Q3 19:06) — (4:06) 34-T.Hightower up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q3 19:03) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 12 (Q4 12:09) — (12:09) 6-J.Nedney 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 12 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 1-N.Rackers 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson..

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 39:33) — (9:33) 14-J.O'Sullivan sacked at ARI 27 for -7 yards (92-B.Berry). FUMBLES (92-B.Berry), touched at ARI 26, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at ARI 21. 94-A.Smith to ARI 37 for 16 yards (85-V.Davis). C.Oke [WPA -21.7% · EPA -5.93]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:43) — (10:43) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 15-S.Breaston pushed ob at SF 1 for 40 yards (38-D.Goldson). Caught at SF 11. [WPA +14.6% · EPA +4.50]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 46:13) — (1:13) (Shotgun) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short middle intended for 83-A.Battle INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 39. 24-A.Wilson to SF 33 for 28 yards (84-J.Morgan; 74-J.Staley). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.16]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 23:25) — 1-N.Rackers kicks 39 yards from ARI 30 to SF 31. 51-T.Spikes MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ARI-22-M.Ware at SF 33. [WPA -12.4% · EPA -4.32]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 51:11) — (6:11) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.7% · EPA +3.96]

Impact plays

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 39:33) — (9:33) 14-J.O'Sullivan sacked at ARI 27 for -7 yards (92-B.Berry). FUMBLES (92-B.Berry), touched at ARI 26, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at ARI 21. 94-A.Smith to ARI 37 for 16 yards (85-V.Davis). C.Oke [WPA -21.7% · EPA -5.93]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 46:13) — (1:13) (Shotgun) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short middle intended for 83-A.Battle INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 39. 24-A.Wilson to SF 33 for 28 yards (84-J.Morgan; 74-J.Staley). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.16]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:57) — (1:57) (Shotgun) 14-J.O'Sullivan sacked at SF 15 for -5 yards (55-T.LaBoy). FUMBLES (55-T.LaBoy) [55-T.LaBoy], RECOVERED by ARI-55-T.LaBoy at SF 15. 55-T.LaBoy to SF 15 for no gain (14-J.O'Sullivan). [WPA -2.1% · EPA -4.74]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:43) — (10:43) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 15-S.Breaston pushed ob at SF 1 for 40 yards (38-D.Goldson). Caught at SF 11. [WPA +14.6% · EPA +4.50]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 34 dropbacks · 55.9% completion · +2.5% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +6.30 total EPA
• J.O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers) · 25 dropbacks · 56.0% completion · +5.2% CPOE · -0.59 EPA/play · -14.77 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 (-0.01 vs -0.26), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, -1.07 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, -14.95 total EPA, 4 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.
• A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. O'Sullivan (SF) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 56:10 · SF 7 · Score 3-0
   (11:10) 1-N.Rackers 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
2. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 51:11 · ARI 41 · Score 3-6
   (6:11) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 51:00 · ARI 2 · Score 3-7
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 40:31 · SF 1 · Score 9-7
   (10:31) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 40:25 · SF 2 · Score 10-7
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
6. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 31:56 · ARI 21 · Score 10-10
   (1:56) 6-J.Nedney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 23:29 · SF 13 · Score 13-10
   (8:29) 1-N.Rackers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 19:06 · SF 2 · Score 19-10
   (4:06) 34-T.Hightower up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 19:03 · SF 2 · Score 20-10
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
10. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 12:09 · ARI 12 · Score 20-13
    (12:09) 6-J.Nedney 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
11. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · SF 12 · Score 23-13
    (2:00) 1-N.Rackers 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.