Buffalo Bills vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2008 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-10-05, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 41–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +15.07 total EPA, and +14.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.07 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (12:28) 7-J.Losman FUMBLES (Aborted) at BUF 39, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at BUF 38. 94-A.Smith to BUF 38 for no gain (67-M.Fowler).

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 K. Warner · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +15.07 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Evans · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +8.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +4.38 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Breaston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.39 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.08 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Hightower · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +5.31 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
6. 6 E. Doucet · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Hardy · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.15 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.38 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Reed · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.88 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 — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q1 54:57)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower (Q2 44:21)
• Buffalo Bills — L. Evans (J. Losman pass) (Q2 42:21)
• Arizona Cardinals — E. James (Q2 35:55)
• Buffalo Bills — J. Losman (Q2 31:49)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q3 17:37)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower (Q4 10:38)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 30:05)
• Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell (Q3 24:39)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 15:00)

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 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q1 54:57) — (9:57) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 54:52).

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 17–14. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 17 (Q2 44:21) — (14:21) 34-T.Hightower left end for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 44:15) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 87 (Q2 42:21) — (12:21) (Shotgun) 7-J.Losman pass deep left to 83-L.Evans for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 42:09) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q2 35:55) — (5:55) 32-E.James up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 35:51) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q2 31:49) — (1:49) (Shotgun) 7-J.Losman up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 31:46) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the BUF 29 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 1-N.Rackers 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ARI 30 (Q3 24:39) — (9:39) 9-R.Lindell 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q3 17:37) — (2:37) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [43-B.Scott].; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 17:33) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the BUF 20 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 1-N.Rackers 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q4 10:38) — (10:38) 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 10:35) — 1-N.Rackers extra point 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.

• Buffalo Bills (Q1 57:28) — (12:28) 7-J.Losman FUMBLES (Aborted) at BUF 39, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at BUF 38. 94-A.Smith to BUF 38 for no gain (67-M.Fowler). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.07]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 42:21) — (12:21) (Shotgun) 7-J.Losman pass deep left to 83-L.Evans for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +8.64]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 22:31) — (7:31) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 28-J.Arrington to BUF 34 for 13 yards (37-Ge.Wilson, 20-D.Whitner). [WPA +6.2% · EPA +2.50]
• Buffalo Bills (Q1 58:30) — (13:30) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short middle to 81-J.Hardy to BUF 43 for 13 yards (56-C.Okeafor) [24-A.Wilson]. BUF-5-T.Edwards was injured during the play. [WPA +5.9% · EPA +1.86]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 25:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 23-M.Lynch right tackle to ARI 30 for -1 yards (58-K.Dansby). [WPA -5.0% · EPA -1.37]

Impact plays

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

• Buffalo Bills (Q2 42:21) — (12:21) (Shotgun) 7-J.Losman pass deep left to 83-L.Evans for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +8.64]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 17:28) — (2:28) 7-J.Losman pass short left to 84-R.Royal to BUF 39 for 5 yards (54-G.Hayes). FUMBLES (54-G.Hayes), RECOVERED by ARI-90-D.Dockett at BUF 41. 90-D.Dockett to BUF 28 for 13 yards (60-B.Butler). [WPA -4.5% · EPA -5.46]
• Buffalo Bills (Q1 57:28) — (12:28) 7-J.Losman FUMBLES (Aborted) at BUF 39, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at BUF 38. 94-A.Smith to BUF 38 for no gain (67-M.Fowler). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.07]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 13:42) — (13:42) (Shotgun) 7-J.Losman sacked at BUF 9 for -8 yards (98-G.Watson). FUMBLES (98-G.Watson), touched at BUF 11, RECOVERED by ARI-54-G.Hayes at BUF 19. 54-G.Hayes to BUF 19 for no gain (22-F.Jackson [WPA -0.8% · EPA -3.98]

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) · 42 dropbacks · 78.6% completion · +14.3% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +15.07 total EPA
• J.Losman (Buffalo Bills) · 28 dropbacks · 53.6% completion · +11.2% CPOE · -0.28 EPA/play · -7.72 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs -0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, +15.26 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, -8.32 total EPA, 3 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.
• K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Warner (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Losman (BUF) 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 TD (+6) — Q1 54:57 · BUF 2 · Score 0-6
   (9:57) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 54:52 · BUF 2 · Score 0-7
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson. PENALTY on BUF-26-A.Youboty, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 44:21 · BUF 17 · Score 0-13
   (14:21) 34-T.Hightower left end for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 44:15 · BUF 2 · Score 0-14
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
5. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 42:21 · ARI 87 · Score 6-14
   (12:21) (Shotgun) 7-J.Losman pass deep left to 83-L.Evans for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 42:09 · ARI 2 · Score 7-14
   9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 35:55 · BUF 1 · Score 7-20
   (5:55) 32-E.James up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:51 · BUF 2 · Score 7-21
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
9. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 31:49 · ARI 2 · Score 13-21
   (1:49) (Shotgun) 7-J.Losman up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 31:46 · ARI 2 · Score 14-21
    9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
11. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · BUF 29 · Score 14-24
    (:05) 1-N.Rackers 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
12. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 24:39 · ARI 30 · Score 17-24
    (9:39) 9-R.Lindell 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 17:37 · BUF 2 · Score 17-30
    (2:37) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [43-B.Scott].
14. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 17:33 · BUF 2 · Score 17-31
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
15. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · BUF 20 · Score 17-34
    (15:00) 1-N.Rackers 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
16. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 10:38 · BUF 2 · Score 17-40
    (10:38) 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 10:35 · BUF 2 · Score 17-41
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.