Buffalo Bills vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2012 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-10-14, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 19–16 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 12 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -8.43 total EPA, and -11.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.25 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-38.8% win probability) landed in overtime when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (12:08) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle intended for 84-R.Housler INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd at ARI 35. 31-J.Byrd to ARI 6 for 29 yards (15-M.Floyd).

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 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.25 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Spiller · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +4.77 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
3. 3 St. Johnson · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.16 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.55 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.55 EPA/play
5. 5 W. Powell · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.11 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Smith · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.64 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · -0.25 total EPA · 3 snaps · -0.08 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Maui'a · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · -0.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.26 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

• Buffalo Bills — C. Spiller (Q1 48:42)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Kolb pass) (Q2 34:53)
• Buffalo Bills — F. Jackson (Q3 15:35)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q1 58:55)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q3 18:17)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q4 1:14)
• Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell (OT 11:13)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 9–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the BUF 31 (Q1 58:55) — (13:55) 3-J.Feely 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Buffalo Bills registered a safety from the BUF 94 (Q1 53:45) — (8:45) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb sacked in End Zone for -6 yards, SAFETY (90-C.Kelsay).; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q1 48:42) — (3:42) 28-C.Spiller left tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 48:35) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the BUF 9 (Q2 34:53) — (4:53) 4-K.Kolb pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 34:47) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the BUF 31 (Q3 18:17) — (3:17) 3-J.Feely 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 15:35) — (:35) 22-F.Jackson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 15:27) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the BUF 43 (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) 3-J.Feely 61 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

Overtime: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ARI 7 (OT 11:13) — (11:13) 9-R.Lindell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (OT 12:08) — (12:08) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle intended for 84-R.Housler INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd at ARI 35. 31-J.Byrd to ARI 6 for 29 yards (15-M.Floyd). [WPA -38.8% · EPA -5.22]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 3-J.Feely 38 yard field goal is BLOCKED (92-A.Carrington), Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. [WPA -31.7% · EPA -2.60]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 6:02) — (6:02) 4-K.Kolb pass short middle intended for 87-J.King INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd at BUF 34. 31-J.Byrd to BUF 41 for 7 yards (33-W.Powell). [WPA -27.2% · EPA -4.98]
• Buffalo Bills (OT 14:13) — (14:13) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep left to 19-D.Jones. PENALTY on ARI-94-S.Acho, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at BUF 27 - No Play. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +2.26]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald to BUF 43 for 17 yards (43-B.Scott). [WPA +21.9% · EPA +3.21]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (OT 12:08) — (12:08) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short middle intended for 84-R.Housler INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd at ARI 35. 31-J.Byrd to ARI 6 for 29 yards (15-M.Floyd). [WPA -38.8% · EPA -5.22]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 6:02) — (6:02) 4-K.Kolb pass short middle intended for 87-J.King INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Byrd at BUF 34. 31-J.Byrd to BUF 41 for 7 yards (33-W.Powell). [WPA -27.2% · EPA -4.98]
• Buffalo Bills (Q1 59:55) — (14:55) 22-F.Jackson up the middle to BUF 28 for 4 yards (58-D.Washington). FUMBLES (58-D.Washington), RECOVERED by ARI-22-W.Gay at BUF 33. 22-W.Gay to BUF 33 for no gain (70-E.Wood; 76-C.Rinehart). [WPA -6.6% · EPA -4.31]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 4:00) — (4:00) Direct snap to 16-B.Smith. 16-B.Smith pass deep middle intended for 19-D.Jones INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Peterson at ARI 0. 21-P.Peterson to ARI 15 for 15 yards (79-E.Pears). [WPA -16.8% · EPA -3.25]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) · 37 dropbacks · 37.8% completion · -11.4% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -8.43 total EPA
• R.Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) · 36 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -11.2% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.22 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Buffalo Bills -0.08, Arizona Cardinals -0.12) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -10.43 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Buffalo Bills: 14 drives, -7.50 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Buffalo Bills 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.
• L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Kolb (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• R. Fitzpatrick (BUF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 58:55 · BUF 31 · Score 0-3
   (13:55) 3-J.Feely 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
2. Buffalo Bills Safety (+2) — Q1 53:45 · BUF 94 · Score 2-3
   (8:45) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb sacked in End Zone for -6 yards, SAFETY (90-C.Kelsay).
3. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 48:42 · ARI 10 · Score 8-3
   (3:42) 28-C.Spiller left tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 48:35 · ARI 2 · Score 9-3
   9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 34:53 · BUF 9 · Score 9-9
   (4:53) 4-K.Kolb pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 34:47 · BUF 2 · Score 9-10
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 18:17 · BUF 31 · Score 9-13
   (3:17) 3-J.Feely 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
8. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 15:35 · ARI 1 · Score 15-13
   (:35) 22-F.Jackson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 15:27 · ARI 2 · Score 16-13
   9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.
10. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 1:14 · BUF 43 · Score 16-16
    (1:14) 3-J.Feely 61 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
11. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — OT 11:13 · ARI 7 · Score 19-16
    (11:13) 9-R.Lindell 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.