Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions: 2005 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-11-24, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 27–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

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

J. Garcia (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -5.60 total EPA.

On the individual side, M. Williams (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.38 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (9:11) 3-J.Harrington pass intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Hall at ATL 21. 21-D.Hall pushed ob at DET 45 for 34 yards (24-S.Bryson).

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 M. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +10.38 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.73 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +9.66 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
3. 3 W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +5.33 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.83 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
5. 5 S. Vines · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.68 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Vick · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +4.61 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
7. 7 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Griffith · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.94 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.47 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

• Atlanta Falcons — T. Duckett (Q1 45:56)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (M. Vick pass) (Q2 40:52)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (M. Vick pass) (Q3 26:53)
• Detroit Lions — R. Williams (J. Garcia pass) (Q4 9:26)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — T. Peterson (Q1 55:16)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Peterson (Q3 20:15)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 3 (Q1 55:16) — (10:16) 2-T.Peterson 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q1 45:56) — (:56) 45-T.Duckett left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 45:52) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q2 40:52) — (10:52) 7-M.Vick pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-65-K.Forney, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 40:44) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 32 (Q3 26:53) — (11:53) 7-M.Vick pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 26:46); Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 5 (Q3 20:15) — (5:15) 2-T.Peterson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 31 (Q4 9:26); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 9:18) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) 3-J.Harrington pass intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Hall at ATL 21. 21-D.Hall pushed ob at DET 45 for 34 yards (24-S.Bryson). [WPA -16.0% · EPA -5.40]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 50:22) — (5:22) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to DET 47 for no gain (96-A.Lake). FUMBLES (96-A.Lake), RECOVERED by ATL-92-Ch.Davis at DET 42. 92-Ch.Davis to DET 42 for no gain (79-K.Butler). [WPA -12.6% · EPA -4.28]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:57) — (13:57) 28-W.Dunn left end to DET 27 for 17 yards (42-T.Holt). [WPA +7.4% · EPA +1.64]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:14) — (:14) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 28-W.Dunn INTERCEPTED by 53-N.Wayne at DET 15. 53-N.Wayne to DET 35 for 20 yards (83-A.Crumpler). [WPA -6.6% · EPA -2.89]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) 7-M.Vick pass to 83-A.Crumpler to 50 for 30 yards (26-K.Kennedy). [WPA +5.8% · EPA +2.01]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) 3-J.Harrington pass intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Hall at ATL 21. 21-D.Hall pushed ob at DET 45 for 34 yards (24-S.Bryson). [WPA -16.0% · EPA -5.40]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 50:22) — (5:22) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to DET 47 for no gain (96-A.Lake). FUMBLES (96-A.Lake), RECOVERED by ATL-92-Ch.Davis at DET 42. 92-Ch.Davis to DET 42 for no gain (79-K.Butler). [WPA -12.6% · EPA -4.28]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:21) — (:21) 9-D.Orlovsky sacked at ATL 4 for -1 yards (75-R.Coleman). FUMBLES (75-R.Coleman), RECOVERED by ATL-51-D.Williams at ATL 6. 51-D.Williams to ATL 6 for no gain (9-D.Orlovsky). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -4.09]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:42) — (:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Orlovsky pass to 88-M.Williams to ATL 6 for 20 yards (29-K.Carpenter). PENALTY on ATL, Defensive Delay of Game, 3 yards, enforced at ATL 6. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +3.82]

Quarterback report card

J.Garcia led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Garcia (Detroit Lions) · 30 dropbacks · 46.7% completion · -0.19 EPA/play · -5.60 total EPA
• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 26 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · +0.18 EPA/play · +4.61 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.21), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, +7.38 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -18.32 total EPA, 1 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Williams (Detroit Lions) 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.

1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 55:16 · DET 3 · Score 3-0
   (10:16) 2-T.Peterson 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
2. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 45:56 · DET 1 · Score 9-0
   (:56) 45-T.Duckett left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 45:52 · DET 2 · Score 10-0
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
4. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 40:52 · DET 6 · Score 16-0
   (10:52) 7-M.Vick pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-65-K.Forney, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
5. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 40:44 · DET 2 · Score 17-0
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 26:53 · DET 32 · Score 23-0
   (11:53) 7-M.Vick pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 26:46 · DET 2 · Score 24-0
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub. PENALTY on DET-42-T.Holt, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 20:15 · DET 5 · Score 27-0
   (5:15) 2-T.Peterson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 9:26 · ATL 31 · Score 27-6
   (9:26) 5-J.Garcia pass to 11-R.Williams for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Ball bounced off DET #11-R.Williams, tipped by ATL #29-K.Carpenter and back into William's hand
10. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 9:18 · ATL 2 · Score 27-7
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.