Game story
In Week 1 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-08, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 31–23 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
S. Matthews (Washington Commanders) paced the passing game, with +6.55 total EPA.
On the individual side, R. Gardner (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.02 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-17.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Washington Commanders changed the game: (1:10) 6-S.Matthews pass INTERCEPTED by 92-B.Tanner at WAS 25. 92-B.Tanner to WAS 8 for 17 yards (76-J.Jansen). Penalty on WAS-66-B.Stai, Illegal Touch Pass, declined.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | 10 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 23 |
| Washington Commanders | 3 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Gardner · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +12.02 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
- 2 D. Boston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.77 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 3 S. Matthews · Washington Commanders · Passing · +6.55 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 4 D. Thompson · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +5.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
- 5 J. Plummer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +1.69 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
- 6 D. Thompson · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +1.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.64 EPA/play
- 7 K. Lockett · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.61 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
- 8 M. Jenkins · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Gardner — WAS · Receiving
R. Gardner posted the highest total EPA (+12.02) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Washington Commanders's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +1.50 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.69 EPA) came from Washington Commanders: (1:10) 6-S.Matthews pass INTERCEPTED by 92-B.Tanner at WAS 25. 92-B.Tanner to WAS 8 for 17 yards (76-J.Jansen). Penalty on WAS-66-B.Stai, Illegal Touch Pass, declined.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Plummer
- Washington Commanders — K. Lockett (S. Matthews pass)
- Washington Commanders — S. Davis
- Washington Commanders — R. Gardner (S. Matthews pass)
- Washington Commanders — D. Thompson (S. Matthews pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — D. Boston (J. Plummer pass)
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — B. Conway
- Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica
- Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica
- Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica
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 10–3. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the ARI 18 (Q1 53:48) — (8:48) 5-B.Conway 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the WAS 18 (Q1 48:03) — (3:03) 7-B.Gramatica 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the WAS 7 (Q1 45:22) — (:22) 16-J.Plummer scrambles right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 45:10) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–3. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 26 (Q2 40:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 83-K.Lockett for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 40:10) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the WAS 2 (Q2 33:49) — (3:49) 7-B.Gramatica 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 14–3. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q3 24:55) — (9:55) 48-S.Davis left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 24:51) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the WAS 21 (Q3 23:26) — (8:26) 7-B.Gramatica 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 43 (Q3 21:35) — (6:35) 6-S.Matthews pass to 87-R.Gardner for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 21:28) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 17 (Q4 12:21) — (12:21) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 88-D.Thompson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 12:08) — 5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the WAS 29 (Q4 10:52) — (10:52) 16-J.Plummer pass to 89-D.Boston for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 10:39) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 46:10) — (1:10) 6-S.Matthews pass INTERCEPTED by 92-B.Tanner at WAS 25. 92-B.Tanner to WAS 8 for 17 yards (76-J.Jansen). Penalty on WAS-66-B.Stai, Illegal Touch Pass, declined.
- Washington Commanders (Q2 40:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 83-K.Lockett for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 21:35) — (6:35) 6-S.Matthews pass to 87-R.Gardner for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 24:44) — (9:44) 16-J.Plummer pass to 89-D.Boston to WAS 26 for 34 yards (54-J.Trotter).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 30:44) — (:44) 6-S.Matthews pass incomplete to 89-Z.Flemister.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 46:10) — (1:10) 6-S.Matthews pass INTERCEPTED by 92-B.Tanner at WAS 25. 92-B.Tanner to WAS 8 for 17 yards (76-J.Jansen). Penalty on WAS-66-B.Stai, Illegal Touch Pass, declined.
- Washington Commanders (Q2 40:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 83-K.Lockett for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 21:35) — (6:35) 6-S.Matthews pass to 87-R.Gardner for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 10:52) — (10:52) 16-J.Plummer pass to 89-D.Boston for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
S.Matthews led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- S.Matthews (Washington Commanders) · 42 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.16 EPA/play · +6.55 total EPA
- J.Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) · 39 dropbacks · 35.9% completion · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.69 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Arizona Cardinals | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.073 | +0.096 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.7% | 46.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.043 | +0.156 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.031 | +0.097 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.096 | -0.073 |
| Defensive success rate | 53.1% | 57.3% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Arizona Cardinals +0.07, Washington Commanders +0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, +5.47 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 13 drives, +9.25 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Washington Commanders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- R. Gardner (Washington Commanders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 53:48 · ARI 18 · Score 0-3
(8:48) 5-B.Conway 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 48:03 · WAS 18 · Score 3-3
(3:03) 7-B.Gramatica 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 45:22 · WAS 7 · Score 9-3
(:22) 16-J.Plummer scrambles right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 45:10 · WAS 2 · Score 10-3
7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 40:16 · ARI 26 · Score 10-9
(10:16) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 83-K.Lockett for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 40:10 · ARI 2 · Score 10-10
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 33:49 · WAS 2 · Score 13-10
(3:49) 7-B.Gramatica 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 24:55 · ARI 3 · Score 13-16
(9:55) 48-S.Davis left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 24:51 · ARI 2 · Score 13-17
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 23:26 · WAS 21 · Score 16-17
(8:26) 7-B.Gramatica 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 21:35 · ARI 43 · Score 16-23
(6:35) 6-S.Matthews pass to 87-R.Gardner for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 21:28 · ARI 2 · Score 16-24
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 12:21 · ARI 17 · Score 16-30
(12:21) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 88-D.Thompson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 12:08 · ARI 2 · Score 16-31
5-B.Conway extra point is GOOD, Center-77-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 10:52 · WAS 29 · Score 22-31
(10:52) 16-J.Plummer pass to 89-D.Boston for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 10:39 · WAS 2 · Score 23-31
7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Washington Commanders?
The Washington Commanders beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-23 in Week 1, 2002 on 2002-09-08.
What was the final score of Arizona Cardinals vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Arizona Cardinals 23, Washington Commanders 31 (ARI 23-31 WAS) in Week 1, 2002 on 2002-09-08.
What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Washington Commanders?
Q1: Arizona Cardinals 10, Washington Commanders 3; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 3, Washington Commanders 7; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 3, Washington Commanders 14; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 7, Washington Commanders 7; Final: Arizona Cardinals 23, Washington Commanders 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Washington Commanders?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — J. Plummer (Q1 45:22) Washington Commanders touchdown — K. Lockett (S. Matthews pass) (Q2 40:16) Washington Commanders touchdown — S. Davis (Q3 24:55) Washington Commanders touchdown — R. Gardner (S. Matthews pass) (Q3 21:35) Washington Commanders touchdown — D. Thompson (S. Matthews pass) (Q4 12:21) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — D. Boston (J. Plummer pass) (Q4 10:52) Washington Commanders field goal — B. Conway (Q1 53:48, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — B. Gramatica (Q1 48:03, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — B. Gramatica (Q2 33:49, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — B. Gramatica (Q3 23:26, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Washington Commanders?
S. Matthews (Washington Commanders), 66.7% completion, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +6.55 total passing EPA. J. Plummer (Arizona Cardinals), 35.9% completion, +0.04 EPA per dropback, +1.69 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Arizona Cardinals vs Washington Commanders?
R. Gardner (Washington Commanders) led the game in total EPA with +12.02 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.69 EPA): (1:10) 6-S.Matthews pass INTERCEPTED by 92-B.Tanner at WAS 25. 92-B.Tanner to WAS 8 for 17 yards (76-J.Jansen). Penalty on WAS-66-B.Stai, Illegal Touch Pass, declined.. The biggest win-probability swing was -17.8%.
Season records after this game
Arizona Cardinals
Now 0-1 L
Washington Commanders
Now 1-0 W
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