Game story
In Week 9 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-11-02, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 17–14 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -0.17 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.34 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-26.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (2:00) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 85-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 34-D.Jackson at ARI 49. 34-D.Jackson to CIN 37 for 14 yards (32-Ru.Johnson). Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.34 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
- 2 J. Blake · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +5.41 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 3 F. Jones · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.06 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
- 4 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.98 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
- 5 P. Warrick · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.56 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 6 T. Stewart · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
- 7 B. Gilmore · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.91 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
- 8 K. Washington · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Boldin — ARI · Receiving
A. Boldin posted the highest total EPA (+7.34) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.22 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.38 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (5:26) 31-M.Shipp right tackle to ARI 44 for -4 yards (57-A.Ross). FUMBLES (57-A.Ross), RECOVERED by CIN-94-T.Williams at ARI 40. 94-T.Williams to ARI 41 for -1 yards (42-J.Hodgins).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — F. Jones (J. Blake pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — unlisted player
- Cincinnati Bengals — P. Warrick (J. Kitna pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — A. Boldin (J. Blake pass)
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — T. Duncan
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q1 53:30) — (8:30) 11-J.Blake pass to 85-F.Jones for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CIN 7 (Q1 53:24) — 6-T.Duncan extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q1 46:18) — (1:18) 32-Ru.Johnson left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 46:14) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson..
The second quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–3. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the ARI 15 (Q2 43:44) — (13:44) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 43:39) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CIN 13 (Q2 34:18) — (4:18) 6-T.Duncan 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CIN 7 (Q3 23:16) — (8:16) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 23:12) — 6-T.Duncan 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.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 85-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 34-D.Jackson at ARI 49. 34-D.Jackson to CIN 37 for 14 yards (32-Ru.Johnson). Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 22:09) — (7:09) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 80-P.Warrick INTERCEPTED by 21-R.Hill at ARI 35. 21-R.Hill to ARI 42 for 7 yards (80-P.Warrick).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 26:06) — (11:06) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 85-F.Jones to CIN 30 for 17 yards (51-K.Hardy, 20-M.Roman).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 13:16) — (13:16) 6-T.Duncan 34 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 1:18) — (1:18) 3-J.Kitna pass to 85-C.Johnson pushed ob at CIN 23 for 16 yards (36-D.Barrett).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:26) — (5:26) 31-M.Shipp right tackle to ARI 44 for -4 yards (57-A.Ross). FUMBLES (57-A.Ross), RECOVERED by CIN-94-T.Williams at ARI 40. 94-T.Williams to ARI 41 for -1 yards (42-J.Hodgins).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 22:09) — (7:09) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 80-P.Warrick INTERCEPTED by 21-R.Hill at ARI 35. 21-R.Hill to ARI 42 for 7 yards (80-P.Warrick).
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 85-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 34-D.Jackson at ARI 49. 34-D.Jackson to CIN 37 for 14 yards (32-Ru.Johnson). Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q2 43:44) — (13:44) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
J.Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) · 39 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.17 total EPA
- J.Blake (Arizona Cardinals) · 32 dropbacks · 56.2% completion · +0.17 EPA/play · +5.41 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.070 | -0.052 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.2% | 41.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.007 | +0.199 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.146 | -0.226 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.052 | +0.070 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.1% | 60.8% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cincinnati Bengals -0.07, Arizona Cardinals -0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -4.48 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Cincinnati Bengals: 12 drives, -5.21 total EPA, 2 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.
- A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) 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.
- Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 53:30 · CIN 1 · Score 0-6
(8:30) 11-J.Blake pass to 85-F.Jones for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 53:24 · CIN 7 · Score 0-7
6-T.Duncan extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 46:18 · ARI 2 · Score 6-7
(1:18) 32-Ru.Johnson left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 46:14 · ARI 2 · Score 7-7
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 43:44 · ARI 15 · Score 13-7
(13:44) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 43:39 · ARI 2 · Score 14-7
17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-10-K.Richardson. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 34:18 · CIN 13 · Score 14-10
(4:18) 6-T.Duncan 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 23:16 · CIN 7 · Score 14-16
(8:16) (Shotgun) 11-J.Blake pass to 81-A.Boldin for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 23:12 · CIN 2 · Score 14-17
6-T.Duncan extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Bengals 17-14 in Week 9, 2003 on 2003-11-02.
What was the final score of Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was Cincinnati Bengals 14, Arizona Cardinals 17 (CIN 14-17 ARI) in Week 9, 2003 on 2003-11-02.
What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 14, Arizona Cardinals 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — F. Jones (J. Blake pass) (Q1 53:30) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — unlisted player (Q1 46:18) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — P. Warrick (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 43:44) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Boldin (J. Blake pass) (Q3 23:16) Arizona Cardinals field goal — T. Duncan (Q2 34:18, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals?
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals), 53.8% completion, -0.00 EPA per dropback, -0.17 total passing EPA. J. Blake (Arizona Cardinals), 56.2% completion, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +5.41 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals?
A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +7.34 on receiving plays. across 6 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.38 EPA): (5:26) 31-M.Shipp right tackle to ARI 44 for -4 yards (57-A.Ross). FUMBLES (57-A.Ross), RECOVERED by CIN-94-T.Williams at ARI 40. 94-T.Williams to ARI 41 for -1 yards (42-J.Hodgins. The biggest win-probability swing was -26.0%.
Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Arizona Cardinals won 17-14 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 3-4 Now 3-5 L
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 2-5 Now 3-5 W
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