Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans: 2013 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-12-15, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Tennessee Titans, pulling away with a 37–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Fitzpatrick (Tennessee Titans) paced the passing game, with +15.92 total EPA, and +4.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Fitzpatrick (Tennessee Titans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.92 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-40.3% win probability) landed in overtime when Tennessee Titans changed the game: (14:05) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right intended for 14-M.Preston INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Cason [22-T.Jefferson] at ARI 30. 20-A.Cason to ARI 46 for 16 yards (82-D.Walker).

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 R. Fitzpatrick · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +15.92 total EPA · 65 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +12.59 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Wright · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +5.90 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Ellington · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.88 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Johnson · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +5.23 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.74 EPA/play
6. 6 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.37 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Ballard · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Golden · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.72 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.86 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 — R. Mendenhall (Q1 49:34)
• Tennessee Titans — C. Johnson (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q1 45:09)
• Tennessee Titans — D. Walker (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q3 21:20)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Ballard (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 17:20)
• Arizona Cardinals — R. Mendenhall (Q4 6:53)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Cason (Q4 6:22)
• Tennessee Titans — M. Preston (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 3:17)
• Tennessee Titans — M. Preston (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 0:14)

Field goals

• Tennessee Titans — R. Bironas (Q1 54:40)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q2 37:25)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q3 28:38)
• Tennessee Titans — R. Bironas (Q4 0:52)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (OT 10:22)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 10–7. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the ARI 27 (Q1 54:40) — (9:40) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q1 49:34) — (4:34) 28-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q1 49:30) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the ARI 25 (Q1 45:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 28-C.Johnson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 45:00) — 2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TEN 7 (Q2 37:25) — (7:25) (Field Goal formation) 4-J.Feely 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–7. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TEN 29 (Q3 28:38) — (13:38) (Field Goal formation) 4-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 21:20) — (6:20) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 82-D.Walker for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 21:16) — 2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TEN 6 (Q3 17:20) — (2:20) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 86-J.Ballard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q3 17:14) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The fourth quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 17–14. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 28-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q4 6:50) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 86 (Q4 6:22); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q4 6:13) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q4 3:17) — (3:17) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 14-M.Preston for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 3:12); Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the ARI 6 (Q4 0:52) — (:52) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q4 0:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 14-M.Preston for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 0:10).

Overtime: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TEN 23 (OT 10:22) — (10:22) (Field Goal formation) 4-J.Feely 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

Turning points

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

• Tennessee Titans (OT 14:05) — (14:05) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right intended for 14-M.Preston INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Cason [22-T.Jefferson] at ARI 30. 20-A.Cason to ARI 46 for 16 yards (82-D.Walker). [WPA -40.3% · EPA -4.95]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 0:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 14-M.Preston for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.3% · EPA +3.60]
• Tennessee Titans (OT 14:44) — (14:44) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep middle to 85-N.Washington to ARI 43 for 33 yards (21-P.Peterson). [WPA +25.2% · EPA +2.55]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 18:41) — (3:41) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 38-A.Ellington to TEN 7 for 38 yards (24-C.Sensabaugh). [WPA +16.8% · EPA +3.14]
• Tennessee Titans (Q3 30:00) — 4-J.Feely kicks 40 yards from ARI 35 to TEN 25. 57-P.Bailey MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ARI-20-A.Cason at TEN 23. 20-A.Cason to TEN 23 for no gain (57-P.Bailey). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -4.96]

Impact plays

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

• Tennessee Titans (Q4 6:22) — (6:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right intended for 85-N.Washington INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Cason at TEN 20. 20-A.Cason for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.9% · EPA -6.38]
• Tennessee Titans (Q3 30:00) — 4-J.Feely kicks 40 yards from ARI 35 to TEN 25. 57-P.Bailey MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ARI-20-A.Cason at TEN 23. 20-A.Cason to TEN 23 for no gain (57-P.Bailey). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -4.96]
• Tennessee Titans (OT 14:05) — (14:05) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right intended for 14-M.Preston INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Cason [22-T.Jefferson] at ARI 30. 20-A.Cason to ARI 46 for 16 yards (82-D.Walker). [WPA -40.3% · EPA -4.95]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 0:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 14-M.Preston for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.3% · EPA +3.60]

Quarterback report card

R.Fitzpatrick led all passers in efficiency for Tennessee Titans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Fitzpatrick (Tennessee Titans) · 65 dropbacks · 55.4% completion · +4.9% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +15.92 total EPA
• C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 32 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +6.9% CPOE · +0.39 EPA/play · +12.59 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 (+0.17 vs +0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, +15.41 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 14 drives, +7.37 total EPA, 8 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.
• R. Fitzpatrick (Tennessee Titans) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Fitzpatrick (TEN) 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. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q1 54:40 · ARI 27 · Score 0-3
   (9:40) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
2. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 49:34 · TEN 1 · Score 6-3
   (4:34) 28-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 49:30 · TEN 2 · Score 7-3
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
4. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 45:09 · ARI 25 · Score 7-9
   (:09) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 28-C.Johnson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 45:00 · ARI 2 · Score 7-10
   2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
6. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 37:25 · TEN 7 · Score 10-10
   (7:25) (Field Goal formation) 4-J.Feely 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 28:38 · TEN 29 · Score 13-10
   (13:38) (Field Goal formation) 4-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
8. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 21:20 · ARI 1 · Score 13-16
   (6:20) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 82-D.Walker for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q3 21:16 · ARI 2 · Score 13-17
   2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
10. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 17:20 · TEN 6 · Score 19-17
    (2:20) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 86-J.Ballard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 17:14 · TEN 2 · Score 20-17
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 6:53 · TEN 1 · Score 26-17
    (6:53) 28-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 6:50 · TEN 2 · Score 27-17
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 6:22 · ARI 86 · Score 33-17
    (6:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right intended for 85-N.Washington INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Cason at TEN 20. 20-A.Cason for 20 yards, TOUCHDOW
15. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 6:13 · TEN 2 · Score 34-17
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
16. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 3:17 · ARI 10 · Score 34-23
    (3:17) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 14-M.Preston for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 3:12 · ARI 2 · Score 34-24
    2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern. PENALTY on ARI-92-D.Williams, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
18. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q4 0:52 · ARI 6 · Score 34-27
    (:52) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
19. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 0:14 · ARI 8 · Score 34-33
    (:14) (Shotgun) 4-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 14-M.Preston for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 0:10 · ARI 2 · Score 34-34
    2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern. PENALTY on ARI-31-J.Bethel, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
21. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — OT 10:22 · TEN 23 · Score 37-34
    (10:22) (Field Goal formation) 4-J.Feely 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.