Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2006 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-12-17, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 37–20 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -9.29 total EPA, and -5.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Cutler (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.35 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (7:59) 26-T.Bell left end to DEN 10 for -6 yards (56-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES (56-C.Okeafor), touched at DEN 4, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at DEN 4. 94-A.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 J. Cutler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +17.35 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Walker · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.97 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.20 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Scheffler · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Marshall · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.11 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.96 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Bell · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +3.72 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.23 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.81 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

• Denver Broncos — J. Walker (J. Cutler pass) (Q1 57:10)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Bell (Q2 37:59)
• Denver Broncos — R. Smith (J. Cutler pass) (Q3 24:01)
• Denver Broncos — M. Bell (Q4 13:54)
• Arizona Cardinals — E. James (Q4 7:50)
• Denver Broncos — M. Bell (Q4 2:49)

Field goals

• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q1 53:54)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 43:02)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 38:17)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 31:01)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q3 17:24)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 54 (Q1 57:10) — (12:10) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 84-J.Walker for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-A.Wilson].; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 57:00) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 12 (Q1 53:54) — (8:54) 1-J.Elam 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–6. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 4 (Q2 43:02) — (13:02) 1-J.Elam 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DEN 31 (Q2 38:17) — (8:17) 1-N.Rackers 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 84 (Q2 37:59); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 37:53) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 12 (Q2 31:01) — (1:01) 1-J.Elam 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q3 24:01) — (9:01) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 80-R.Smith for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 23:54) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DEN 20 (Q3 17:24) — (2:24) 1-N.Rackers 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 13:54) — (13:54) 20-M.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 13:51) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q4 7:50) — (7:50) 32-E.James up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 7:46) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 2:49) — (2:49) 20-M.Bell left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 2:44) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer..

Turning points

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

• Denver Broncos (Q2 37:59) — (7:59) 26-T.Bell left end to DEN 10 for -6 yards (56-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES (56-C.Okeafor), touched at DEN 4, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at DEN 4. 94-A.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -6.90]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 57:10) — (12:10) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 84-J.Walker for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-A.Wilson]. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.92]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 29:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 34-R.Griffith at ARI 49. 34-R.Griffith ran ob at DEN 28 for 23 yards (50-B.Hamilton). [WPA -10.5% · EPA -2.36]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:02) — (12:02) 1-N.Rackers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, NULLIFIED by Penalty, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. PENALTY on ARI-87-F.Wakefield, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DEN 22 - No Play. [WPA -8.3% · EPA -1.29]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:49) — (12:49) 28-J.Arrington left tackle to DEN 22 for -2 yards (52-I.Gold). [WPA -7.9% · EPA -1.55]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q2 37:59) — (7:59) 26-T.Bell left end to DEN 10 for -6 yards (56-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES (56-C.Okeafor), touched at DEN 4, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at DEN 4. 94-A.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -6.90]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 56:54) — (11:54) 7-M.Leinart pass short right intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at ARI 31. 24-C.Bailey to ARI 26 for 5 yards (81-A.Boldin). [WPA -3.2% · EPA -5.64]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 57:10) — (12:10) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 84-J.Walker for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-A.Wilson]. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.92]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) (Shotgun) 7-M.Leinart pass deep middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald to DEN 22 for 19 yards (41-K.Paymah). [WPA +2.0% · EPA +4.11]

Quarterback report card

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

• M.Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) · 40 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -5.3% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -9.29 total EPA
• J.Cutler (Denver Broncos) · 34 dropbacks · 61.8% completion · +7.7% CPOE · +0.51 EPA/play · +17.35 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.15 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, -8.53 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +12.68 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Cutler (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Leinart (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• J. Cutler (DEN) 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. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 57:10 · ARI 54 · Score 6-0
   (12:10) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 84-J.Walker for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN [24-A.Wilson].
2. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 57:00 · ARI 2 · Score 7-0
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
3. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 53:54 · ARI 12 · Score 10-0
   (8:54) 1-J.Elam 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
4. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 43:02 · ARI 4 · Score 13-0
   (13:02) 1-J.Elam 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
5. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 38:17 · DEN 31 · Score 13-3
   (8:17) 1-N.Rackers 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 37:59 · ARI 84 · Score 13-9
   (7:59) 26-T.Bell left end to DEN 10 for -6 yards (56-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES (56-C.Okeafor), touched at DEN 4, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at DEN 4. 94-A.Smith for
7. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 37:53 · DEN 2 · Score 13-10
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
8. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 31:01 · ARI 12 · Score 16-10
   (1:01) 1-J.Elam 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 24:01 · ARI 10 · Score 22-10
   (9:01) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 80-R.Smith for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 23:54 · ARI 2 · Score 23-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
11. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 17:24 · DEN 20 · Score 23-13
    (2:24) 1-N.Rackers 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
12. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 13:54 · ARI 1 · Score 29-13
    (13:54) 20-M.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 13:51 · ARI 2 · Score 30-13
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:50 · DEN 4 · Score 30-19
    (7:50) 32-E.James up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 7:46 · DEN 2 · Score 30-20
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
16. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 2:49 · ARI 1 · Score 36-20
    (2:49) 20-M.Bell left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 2:44 · ARI 2 · Score 37-20
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.