Game story
In Week 2 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-09-18, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 17–12 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -7.96 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.54 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-39.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:07) (Shotgun) PENALTY on ARI-75-L.Davis, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at LA 10 - No Play. (Penalty occured at 0:07 seconds. 10 second run-off ends game.)
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +10.54 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
- 2 T. Holt · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +8.22 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.05 EPA/play
- 3 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 4 I. Bruce · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.16 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
- 5 K. Curtis · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play
- 6 C. Lee · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.11 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 7 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.47 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
- 8 S. Jackson · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +2.01 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Boldin — ARI · Receiving
A. Boldin posted the highest total EPA (+10.54) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +1.32 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.88 EPA) came from Los Angeles Rams: (:36) 10-M.Bulger pass intended for 39-S.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 90-D.Dockett at ARI 20. 90-D.Dockett to ARI 34 for 14 yards (88-R.Williams).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Rams — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — S. Jackson
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
- Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
- Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
- Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 19 (Q1 56:46) — (11:46) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 56:42) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the LA 11 (Q1 50:41) — (5:41) 1-N.Rackers 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the LA 8 (Q2 38:58) — (8:58) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 11 (Q2 33:44) — (3:44) 14-J.Wilkins 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the LA 30 (Q3 25:34) — (10:34) 1-N.Rackers 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q3 20:51) — (5:51) 39-S.Jackson left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 20:45) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the LA 17 (Q4 7:03) — (7:03) 1-N.Rackers 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:07) — (:07) (Shotgun) PENALTY on ARI-75-L.Davis, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at LA 10 - No Play. (Penalty occured at 0:07 seconds. 10 second run-off ends game.)
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 45:36) — (:36) 10-M.Bulger pass intended for 39-S.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 90-D.Dockett at ARI 20. 90-D.Dockett to ARI 34 for 14 yards (88-R.Williams).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 57:33) — (12:33) 10-M.Bulger pass to 83-K.Curtis to ARI 19 for 23 yards (34-R.Griffith).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) 4-R.Hodges punts 36 yards to ARI 14, Center-45-C.Massey, fair catch by 87-R.Swinton.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 45:45) — (:45) 13-K.Warner sacked at ARI 20 for -8 yards. FUMBLES, touched at ARI 20, RECOVERED by LA-91-L.Little at ARI 20. 91-L.Little to ARI 20 for no gain (13-K.Warner).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 45:36) — (:36) 10-M.Bulger pass intended for 39-S.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 90-D.Dockett at ARI 20. 90-D.Dockett to ARI 34 for 14 yards (88-R.Williams).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 45:45) — (:45) 13-K.Warner sacked at ARI 20 for -8 yards. FUMBLES, touched at ARI 20, RECOVERED by LA-91-L.Little at ARI 20. 91-L.Little to ARI 20 for no gain (13-K.Warner).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 57:33) — (12:33) 10-M.Bulger pass to 83-K.Curtis to ARI 19 for 23 yards (34-R.Griffith).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 9:20) — (9:20) 13-K.Warner pass to 82-C.Lee to LA 30 for 20 yards (42-Jerome.Carter). Play Challenged by LA and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by LA.)
Quarterback report card
K.Warner led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- K.Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 50 dropbacks · 58.0% completion · -0.16 EPA/play · -7.96 total EPA
- M.Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.26 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Rams | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.011 | -0.079 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.7% | 42.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.037 | -0.159 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.021 | -0.099 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.079 | -0.011 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.6% | 58.3% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Rams generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -6.75 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 12 drives, +0.76 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Rams 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.
- A. Boldin (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.
- Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 56:46 · ARI 19 · Score 6-0
(11:46) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 56:42 · ARI 2 · Score 7-0
14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 50:41 · LA 11 · Score 7-3
(5:41) 1-N.Rackers 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 38:58 · LA 8 · Score 7-6
(8:58) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 33:44 · ARI 11 · Score 10-6
(3:44) 14-J.Wilkins 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 25:34 · LA 30 · Score 10-9
(10:34) 1-N.Rackers 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 20:51 · ARI 7 · Score 16-9
(5:51) 39-S.Jackson left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 20:45 · ARI 2 · Score 17-9
14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 7:03 · LA 17 · Score 17-12
(7:03) 1-N.Rackers 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals 17-12 in Week 2, 2005 on 2005-09-18.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was Los Angeles Rams 17, Arizona Cardinals 12 (LA 17-12 ARI) in Week 2, 2005 on 2005-09-18.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: Los Angeles Rams 7, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q2: Los Angeles Rams 3, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q3: Los Angeles Rams 7, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q4: Los Angeles Rams 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Final: Los Angeles Rams 17, Arizona Cardinals 12.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
Los Angeles Rams touchdown — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass) (Q1 56:46) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — S. Jackson (Q3 20:51) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q1 50:41, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 38:58, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 33:44, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q3 25:34, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q4 7:03, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals), 58.0% completion, -0.16 EPA per dropback, -7.96 total passing EPA. M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams), 52.9% completion, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.26 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
A. Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +10.54 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.88 EPA): (:36) 10-M.Bulger pass intended for 39-S.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 90-D.Dockett at ARI 20. 90-D.Dockett to ARI 34 for 14 yards (88-R.Williams).. The biggest win-probability swing was -39.0%.
Was Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Los Angeles Rams won 17-12 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 0-1 Now 0-2 L
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