Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2012 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-16, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 38–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -26.32 total EPA, and -9.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Wells (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +2.55 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (9:42) 9-D.Zastudil punts 47 yards to DET 17, Center-82-M.Leach. 11-S.Logan MUFFS catch, touched at DET 20, RECOVERED by ARI-27-M.Adams at DET 5. 27-M.Adams to DET 5 for no gain (29-J.Wendling). The R

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 C. Wells · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.55 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Smith · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.94 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
4. 4 S. Logan · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.85 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Thomas · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.42 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · -0.18 total EPA · 5 snaps · -0.04 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Roberts · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · -0.26 total EPA · 5 snaps · -0.05 EPA/play
8. 8 W. Heller · Detroit Lions · Receiving · -0.65 total EPA · 3 snaps · -0.22 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

• Detroit Lions — M. Leshoure (Q2 42:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells (Q2 39:29)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells (Q2 33:20)
• Arizona Cardinals — R. Johnson (Q2 30:41)
• Arizona Cardinals — G. Toler (Q4 5:24)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells (Q4 3:47)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q3 24:24)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q3 19:16)

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 21–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 42:56) — (12:56) 25-M.Leshoure left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 42:51) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q2 39:29); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 39:18) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 33:20) — (3:20) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 33:16) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 57 (Q2 30:41); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 30:30) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 33 (Q3 24:24) — (9:24) 3-J.Feely 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 23 (Q3 19:16) — (4:16) 4-J.Hanson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q4 5:24); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 5:07) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 31 (Q4 3:47) — (3:47) 26-C.Wells right end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 3:39) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 39:42) — (9:42) 9-D.Zastudil punts 47 yards to DET 17, Center-82-M.Leach. 11-S.Logan MUFFS catch, touched at DET 20, RECOVERED by ARI-27-M.Adams at DET 5. 27-M.Adams to DET 5 for no gain (29-J.Wendling). The R [WPA +17.0% · EPA +6.38]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 85-T.Scheffler INTERCEPTED by 49-R.Johnson at ARI 47. 49-R.Johnson for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -7.57]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 34:10) — (4:10) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Peterson at DET 34. 21-P.Peterson to DET 3 for 31 yards (81-C.Johnson). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -4.76]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 53:59) — (8:59) 14-R.Lindley pass short middle intended for 87-J.King INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy at DET 49. 54-D.Levy to DET 48 for -1 yards (87-J.King). Penalty on ARI-87-J.King, Offensive Pass Interference, de [WPA -12.8% · EPA -4.72]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 30-K.Smith to ARI 30 for 13 yards (49-R.Johnson). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +2.45]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 5:24) — (5:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 18-K.Durham INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI -2. 28-G.Toler for 102 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.1% · EPA -10.12]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 85-T.Scheffler INTERCEPTED by 49-R.Johnson at ARI 47. 49-R.Johnson for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -7.57]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 39:42) — (9:42) 9-D.Zastudil punts 47 yards to DET 17, Center-82-M.Leach. 11-S.Logan MUFFS catch, touched at DET 20, RECOVERED by ARI-27-M.Adams at DET 5. 27-M.Adams to DET 5 for no gain (29-J.Wendling). The R [WPA +17.0% · EPA +6.38]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 34:10) — (4:10) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Peterson at DET 34. 21-P.Peterson to DET 3 for 31 yards (81-C.Johnson). [WPA -14.8% · EPA -4.76]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 54 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -9.5% CPOE · -0.49 EPA/play · -26.32 total EPA
• R.Lindley (Arizona Cardinals) · 25 dropbacks · 56.0% completion · -1.3% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -5.89 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 (-0.07 vs -0.34), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 16 drives, -5.25 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 16 drives, -33.53 total EPA, 4 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.
• C. Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) 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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 42:56 · ARI 1 · Score 6-0
   (12:56) 25-M.Leshoure left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 42:51 · ARI 2 · Score 7-0
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 39:29 · DET 5 · Score 7-6
   (9:29) 26-C.Wells up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 39:18 · DET 2 · Score 7-7
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 33:20 · DET 1 · Score 7-13
   (3:20) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 33:16 · DET 2 · Score 7-14
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:41 · ARI 57 · Score 7-20
   (:41) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 85-T.Scheffler INTERCEPTED by 49-R.Johnson at ARI 47. 49-R.Johnson for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:30 · DET 2 · Score 7-21
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 24:24 · DET 33 · Score 7-24
   (9:24) 3-J.Feely 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 19:16 · ARI 23 · Score 10-24
    (4:16) 4-J.Hanson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-5-N.Harris.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 5:24 · ARI 4 · Score 10-30
    (5:24) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 18-K.Durham INTERCEPTED by 28-G.Toler at ARI -2. 28-G.Toler for 102 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 5:07 · DET 2 · Score 10-31
    3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 3:47 · DET 31 · Score 10-37
    (3:47) 26-C.Wells right end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 3:39 · DET 2 · Score 10-38
    3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.