Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2019 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-09-08, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 27–27 final that finished deadlocked.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 25 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -6.68 total EPA, and -9.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.18 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+66.2% win probability) landed in overtime when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (1:10) 4-A.Lee punts 41 yards to DET 5, Center-46-A.Brewer, downed by ARI-16-T.Sherfield.

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 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +11.18 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Hockenson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +9.60 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Amendola · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.06 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
7. 7 J. James · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.29 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Kirk · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.39 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.39 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 — D. Amendola (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 42:34)
• Detroit Lions — K. Golladay (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 33:45)
• Detroit Lions — T. Hockenson (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 14:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (K. Murray pass) (Q4 6:04)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Murray pass) (Q4 0:47)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 44:12)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q2 31:22)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q3 19:43)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q4 11:13)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (OT 7:21)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (OT 3:52)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 17–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 37 (Q2 44:12) — (14:12) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 47 (Q2 42:34) — (12:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 80-D.Amendola for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 42:23) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q2 33:45) — (3:45) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 33:38) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 2 (Q2 31:22) — (1:22) 5-Z.Gonzalez 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 24 (Q3 19:43) — (4:43) 5-Z.Gonzalez 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 18–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 23 (Q4 14:56) — (14:56) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 88-T.Hockenson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 14:47) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 16 (Q4 11:13) — (11:13) 5-Z.Gonzalez 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 27 (Q4 6:04) — (6:04) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 31-D.Johnson for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 5:57) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q4 0:47) — (:47) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the DET 2 (Q4 0:43) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 1-K.Murray pass to 13-C.Kirk is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Overtime: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 10 (OT 7:21) — (7:21) 5-Z.Gonzalez 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 15 (OT 3:52) — (3:52) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (OT 1:10) — (1:10) 4-A.Lee punts 41 yards to DET 5, Center-46-A.Brewer, downed by ARI-16-T.Sherfield. [WPA +66.2% · EPA -0.57]
• Arizona Cardinals (OT 7:21) — (7:21) 5-Z.Gonzalez 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee. [WPA -50.2% · EPA +0.14]
• Detroit Lions (OT 0:05) — (:05) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete deep right. [WPA +49.0% · EPA +0.11]
• Detroit Lions (OT 3:52) — (3:52) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. [WPA -32.2% · EPA +0.29]
• Arizona Cardinals (OT 9:31) — (9:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to DET 23 for 45 yards (21-T.Walker). [WPA +32.1% · EPA +2.83]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 51:51) — (6:51) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at ARI 34 for -10 yards (55-C.Jones). FUMBLES (55-C.Jones) [55-C.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-55-C.Jones at ARI 34. 55-C.Jones to ARI 34 for no gain (9-M.Stafford). [WPA -18.8% · EPA -6.60]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 31:49) — (1:49) 4-A.Lee punts 53 yards to DET 11, Center-46-A.Brewer. 39-J.Agnew MUFFS catch, touched at DET 11, RECOVERED by ARI-16-T.Sherfield at DET 8. Penalty on DET-27-J.Coleman, Illegal Block Above the W [WPA +8.0% · EPA +5.49]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 42:34) — (12:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 80-D.Amendola for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +4.57]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 13:46) — (13:46) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald to DET 37 for 41 yards (21-T.Walker). Penalty on DET-27-J.Coleman, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +1.8% · EPA +4.47]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 64 dropbacks · 45.3% completion · -9.9% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -6.68 total EPA
• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 50 dropbacks · 54.0% completion · +4.0% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +11.18 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 (Detroit Lions +0.00, Arizona Cardinals -0.02) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 17 drives, -2.46 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 15 drives, +0.16 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Detroit Lions 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. Stafford (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Murray (ARI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Stafford (DET) 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. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 44:12 · ARI 37 · Score 3-0
   (14:12) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 42:34 · ARI 47 · Score 9-0
   (12:34) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 80-D.Amendola for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 42:23 · ARI 15 · Score 10-0
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 33:45 · ARI 9 · Score 16-0
   (3:45) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 33:38 · ARI 15 · Score 17-0
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
6. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 31:22 · DET 2 · Score 17-3
   (1:22) 5-Z.Gonzalez 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 19:43 · DET 24 · Score 17-6
   (4:43) 5-Z.Gonzalez 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 14:56 · ARI 23 · Score 23-6
   (14:56) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 88-T.Hockenson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 14:47 · ARI 15 · Score 24-6
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
10. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 11:13 · DET 16 · Score 24-9
    (11:13) 5-Z.Gonzalez 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 6:04 · DET 27 · Score 24-15
    (6:04) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 31-D.Johnson for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 5:57 · DET 15 · Score 24-16
    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 0:47 · DET 4 · Score 24-22
    (:47) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q4 0:43 · DET 2 · Score 24-24
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 1-K.Murray pass to 13-C.Kirk is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
15. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — OT 7:21 · DET 10 · Score 24-27
    (7:21) 5-Z.Gonzalez 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
16. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — OT 3:52 · ARI 15 · Score 27-27
    (3:52) 5-M.Prater 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.