Detroit Lions vs. Las Vegas Raiders: 2007 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-09-09, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Las Vegas Raiders, pulling away with a 36–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. McCown (Las Vegas Raiders) paced the passing game, with -0.49 total EPA, and +8.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Curry (Las Vegas Raiders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.22 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (4:22) 8-J.Kitna pass to 84-S.McDonald for 32 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 R. Curry · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +12.22 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
2. 2 S. McDonald · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +9.94 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.12 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.78 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Kitna · Detroit Lions · Passing · +5.12 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Jordan · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Furrey · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
7. 7 S. McHugh · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Bell · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +2.84 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.19 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 — R. Williams (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 38:34)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (J. Kitna pass) (Q3 24:21)
• Las Vegas Raiders — R. Curry (J. McCown pass) (Q3 18:53)
• Las Vegas Raiders — L. Jordan (Q3 15:55)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Griffith (J. McCown pass) (Q4 7:49)
• Detroit Lions — S. McDonald (J. Kitna pass) (Q4 4:22)
• Detroit Lions — T. Bell (Q4 1:21)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q2 31:13)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q4 12:19)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q4 2:00)

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 10–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LV 13 (Q2 38:34) — (8:34) 8-J.Kitna pass to 11-R.Williams for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 38:27) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the LV 27 (Q2 31:13) — (1:13) 4-J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The third quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LV 16 (Q3 24:21) — (9:21) 8-J.Kitna pass short middle to 81-C.Johnson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q3 24:15) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q3 18:53); Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 18:49) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DET 12 (Q3 15:55) — (:55) 34-L.Jordan up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 15:49) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 19–7. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the LV 28 (Q4 12:19) — (12:19) 4-J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the DET 7 (Q4 7:49) — (7:49) 12-J.McCown pass short left to 36-J.Griffith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 7:43) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LV 32 (Q4 4:22) — (4:22) 8-J.Kitna pass to 84-S.McDonald for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the LV 5 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LV 14 (Q4 1:21) — (1:21) 28-T.Bell up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q4 1:16) — 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 (Q4 4:22) — (4:22) 8-J.Kitna pass to 84-S.McDonald for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +3.68]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q1) — Lions' Captains: #4 J.Hanson, #8 J.Kitna, #50 E.Sims, #51 D.Raiola [WPA +18.2% · EPA -0.02]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 3:19) — (3:19) 12-J.McCown pass short middle intended for 17-M.Williams INTERCEPTED by 99-D.White at LV 38. 99-D.White to LV 10 for 28 yards (80-Z.Miller). [WPA -18.0% · EPA -5.63]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 48:39) — (3:39) 8-J.Kitna pass INTERCEPTED by 52-K.Morrison at LV 5. Touchback. [WPA -15.2% · EPA -4.90]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 4:32) — (4:32) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass short left to 84-S.McDonald to LV 32 for 13 yards (24-M.Huff). [WPA +13.0% · EPA +1.84]

Impact plays

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

• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 3:19) — (3:19) 12-J.McCown pass short middle intended for 17-M.Williams INTERCEPTED by 99-D.White at LV 38. 99-D.White to LV 10 for 28 yards (80-Z.Miller). [WPA -18.0% · EPA -5.63]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 17:28) — (2:28) 8-J.Kitna pass deep right intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 26-S.Routt at LV 42. 26-S.Routt to DET 27 for 31 yards (8-J.Kitna). [WPA -11.7% · EPA -4.98]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 48:39) — (3:39) 8-J.Kitna pass INTERCEPTED by 52-K.Morrison at LV 5. Touchback. [WPA -15.2% · EPA -4.90]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 1:49) — (1:49) 12-J.McCown sacked at LV 30 for -7 yards (99-D.White). FUMBLES (99-D.White), recovered by LV-80-Z.Miller at LV 20. 80-Z.Miller to LV 23 for 3 yards (99-D.White). FUMBLES (99-D.White), RECOVERED [WPA -6.4% · EPA -4.70]

Quarterback report card

J.McCown led all passers in efficiency for Las Vegas Raiders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.McCown (Las Vegas Raiders) · 46 dropbacks · 65.2% completion · +8.6% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.49 total EPA
• J.Kitna (Detroit Lions) · 42 dropbacks · 64.3% completion · +8.8% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +5.12 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Detroit Lions generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.13 vs -0.10), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 13 drives, +10.68 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Las Vegas Raiders: 14 drives, -9.68 total EPA, 3 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.
• R. Curry (Las Vegas Raiders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. McCown (LV) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Kitna (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 TD (+6) — Q2 38:34 · LV 13 · Score 6-0
   (8:34) 8-J.Kitna pass to 11-R.Williams for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 38:27 · LV 2 · Score 7-0
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
3. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 31:13 · LV 27 · Score 10-0
   (1:13) 4-J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 24:21 · LV 16 · Score 16-0
   (9:21) 8-J.Kitna pass short middle to 81-C.Johnson for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 24:15 · LV 2 · Score 17-0
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
6. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q3 18:53 · DET 4 · Score 17-6
   (3:53) 12-J.McCown pass short middle to 89-R.Curry for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Detroit challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #2 a
7. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q3 18:49 · DET 2 · Score 17-7
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
8. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q3 15:55 · DET 12 · Score 17-13
   (:55) 34-L.Jordan up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q3 15:49 · DET 2 · Score 17-14
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 12:19 · LV 28 · Score 20-14
    (12:19) 4-J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
11. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 7:49 · DET 7 · Score 20-20
    (7:49) 12-J.McCown pass short left to 36-J.Griffith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 7:43 · DET 2 · Score 20-21
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
13. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:22 · LV 32 · Score 26-21
    (4:22) 8-J.Kitna pass to 84-S.McDonald for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · LV 5 · Score 29-21
    (2:00) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
15. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 1:21 · LV 14 · Score 35-21
    (1:21) 28-T.Bell up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 1:16 · LV 2 · Score 36-21
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.