Game story
In Week 11 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-11-19, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Kitna (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -0.94 total EPA, and -2.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.86 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-16.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (7:14) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 47-A.Francisco (54-G.Hayes) at ARI 3. 47-A.Francisco to ARI 20 for 17 yards (76-J.Backus).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Leinart · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +9.86 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 2 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +8.14 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play
- 3 M. Furrey · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.86 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
- 4 R. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.38 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 5 C. Bradford · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.18 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
- 6 Bry. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.75 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 7 D. Ellis · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.00 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
- 8 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Leinart — ARI · Passing
M. Leinart posted the highest total EPA (+9.86) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.30 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.20 EPA) came from Detroit Lions: (7:14) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 47-A.Francisco (54-G.Hayes) at ARI 3. 47-A.Francisco to ARI 20 for 17 yards (76-J.Backus).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — M. Leinart
- Arizona Cardinals — M. Leinart
- Detroit Lions — A. Harris
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
- Detroit Lions — J. Hanson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 36:32) — (6:32) 7-M.Leinart pass short left to 80-Bry.Johnson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 36:28) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 18 (Q2 31:57) — (1:57) 1-N.Rackers 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 9 (Q3 27:09) — (12:09) 7-M.Leinart scrambles left end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 26:57) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 14 (Q3 17:53) — (2:53) 4-J.Hanson 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 4:37) — (4:37) 33-A.Harris left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 4:35) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 52:14) — (7:14) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 47-A.Francisco (54-G.Hayes) at ARI 3. 47-A.Francisco to ARI 20 for 17 yards (76-J.Backus).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 53:49) — (8:49) 10-S.Player punt is BLOCKED by 82-C.Fitzsimmons, Center-48-N.Hodel, recovered by ARI-10-S.Player at ARI 15. 10-S.Player to ARI 15 for no gain (82-C.Fitzsimmons).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:21) — (5:21) 10-S.Player punts 53 yards to DET 12, Center-48-N.Hodel. 32-D.Bly to DET 48 for 36 yards (30-O.Ayanbadejo). Drummond received ball and handed off to Bly.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 59:23) — (14:23) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass short left to 87-M.Furrey ran ob at DET 36 for 14 yards.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 39:50) — (9:50) 7-M.Leinart pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald pushed ob at DET 21 for 24 yards (25-F.Bryant).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 52:14) — (7:14) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 47-A.Francisco (54-G.Hayes) at ARI 3. 47-A.Francisco to ARI 20 for 17 yards (76-J.Backus).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 53:49) — (8:49) 10-S.Player punt is BLOCKED by 82-C.Fitzsimmons, Center-48-N.Hodel, recovered by ARI-10-S.Player at ARI 15. 10-S.Player to ARI 15 for no gain (82-C.Fitzsimmons).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 11:26) — (11:26) 4-J.Hanson 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 28:04) — (13:04) 7-M.Leinart pass deep left to 81-A.Boldin to DET 11 for 44 yards (32-D.Bly). Penalty on DET-32-D.Bly, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
Quarterback report card
J.Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Kitna (Detroit Lions) · 44 dropbacks · 52.3% completion · -2.8% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.94 total EPA
- M.Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) · 33 dropbacks · 57.6% completion · +0.1% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +9.86 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.044 | +0.036 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.5% | 45.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.021 | +0.299 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.088 | -0.089 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.036 | +0.044 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.8% | 59.5% |
By the numbers
Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Arizona Cardinals: 9 drives, +2.60 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Detroit Lions: 9 drives, -3.49 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.
- M. Leinart (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) — Q2 36:32 · DET 2 · Score 0-6
(6:32) 7-M.Leinart pass short left to 80-Bry.Johnson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 36:28 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 31:57 · DET 18 · Score 0-10
(1:57) 1-N.Rackers 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 27:09 · DET 9 · Score 0-16
(12:09) 7-M.Leinart scrambles left end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 26:57 · DET 2 · Score 0-17
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 17:53 · ARI 14 · Score 3-17
(2:53) 4-J.Hanson 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:37 · ARI 1 · Score 9-17
(4:37) 33-A.Harris left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 4:35 · ARI 2 · Score 10-17
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Detroit Lions 17-10 in Week 11, 2006 on 2006-11-19.
What was the final score of Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was Detroit Lions 10, Arizona Cardinals 17 (DET 10-17 ARI) in Week 11, 2006 on 2006-11-19.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q2: Detroit Lions 0, Arizona Cardinals 10; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q4: Detroit Lions 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Final: Detroit Lions 10, Arizona Cardinals 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Leinart (Q2 36:32) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Leinart (Q3 27:09) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. Harris (Q4 4:37) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 31:57, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 17:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
J. Kitna (Detroit Lions), 52.3% completion, -2.8% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.94 total passing EPA. M. Leinart (Arizona Cardinals), 57.6% completion, +0.1% CPOE, +0.30 EPA per dropback, +9.86 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
M. Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +9.86 on passing plays. across 33 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.20 EPA): (7:14) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 47-A.Francisco (54-G.Hayes) at ARI 3. 47-A.Francisco to ARI 20 for 17 yards (76-J.Backus).. The biggest win-probability swing was -16.7%.
Was Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Arizona Cardinals won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 2-7 Now 2-8 L
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 1-8 Now 2-8 W