Game story
In Week 3 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-09-24, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 16–14 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +12.06 total EPA, and +5.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-54.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (1:46) 13-K.Warner FUMBLES (Aborted) at LA 18, RECOVERED by LA-51-W.Witherspoon at LA 18. 51-W.Witherspoon to LA 18 for no gain (79-O.Ross).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Bulger · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +12.06 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 2 T. Holt · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +10.90 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
- 3 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +8.94 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
- 4 I. Bruce · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +7.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.49 EPA/play
- 5 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.36 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 6 S. Jackson · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.51 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
- 7 Bry. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.64 EPA/play
- 8 E. James · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.08 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Bulger — LA · Passing
M. Bulger posted the highest total EPA (+12.06) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.19 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (4:02) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 82-L.Pope INTERCEPTED by 52-D.Coakley at LA -2. Touchback.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — E. James
Field goals
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 12 (Q1 52:12) — (7:12) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q1 52:04) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 13–0. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 8 (Q2 41:28) — (11:28) 14-J.Wilkins 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q2 33:25) — (3:25) 10-M.Bulger pass short left to 81-T.Holt for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 33:20) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 29 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 14-J.Wilkins 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 3 (Q3 23:10) — (8:10) 14-J.Wilkins 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 6 (Q4 4:19) — (4:19) 32-E.James right tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 4:13) — 1-N.Rackers extra point 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 1:46) — (1:46) 13-K.Warner FUMBLES (Aborted) at LA 18, RECOVERED by LA-51-W.Witherspoon at LA 18. 51-W.Witherspoon to LA 18 for no gain (79-O.Ross).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 2:03) — (2:03) 10-M.Bulger FUMBLES (Aborted) at LA 34, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at LA 30. 94-A.Smith to LA 30 for no gain (10-M.Bulger).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 19:02) — (4:02) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 82-L.Pope INTERCEPTED by 52-D.Coakley at LA -2. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 2:45) — (2:45) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass short left to 81-T.Holt to LA 34 for 6 yards (22-M.Ware). Play Challenged by ARI and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by ARI.)
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:14) — (3:14) 13-K.Warner pass deep middle intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 34-F.Brown at ARI 45. 34-F.Brown to ARI 45 for no gain (81-A.Boldin).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 19:02) — (4:02) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 82-L.Pope INTERCEPTED by 52-D.Coakley at LA -2. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 2:03) — (2:03) 10-M.Bulger FUMBLES (Aborted) at LA 34, RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at LA 30. 94-A.Smith to LA 30 for no gain (10-M.Bulger).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 18:27) — (3:27) 10-M.Bulger pass short left to 84-S.McDonald to ARI 26 for 9 yards (22-M.Ware). FUMBLES (22-M.Ware), RECOVERED by ARI-54-G.Hayes at ARI 23. 54-G.Hayes to ARI 23 for no gain (82-J.Klopfenstein).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 36:25) — (6:25) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 21-O.Atogwe (50-P.Tinoisamoa) at LA 6. 21-O.Atogwe to LA 6 for no gain (75-L.Davis).
Quarterback report card
M.Bulger led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) · 33 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +5.2% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +12.06 total EPA
- K.Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 32 dropbacks · 59.4% completion · +5.6% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +0.82 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Rams | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.015 | -0.051 |
| Offensive success rate | 46.8% | 49.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.365 | +0.026 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.377 | -0.106 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.051 | -0.015 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.7% | 53.2% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Rams generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, -3.49 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 10 drives, +1.19 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.
- M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Bulger (LA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- K. Warner (ARI) 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.
- Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 52:12 · LA 12 · Score 0-6
(7:12) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 52:04 · LA 2 · Score 0-7
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 41:28 · ARI 8 · Score 3-7
(11:28) 14-J.Wilkins 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 33:25 · ARI 9 · Score 9-7
(3:25) 10-M.Bulger pass short left to 81-T.Holt for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 33:20 · ARI 2 · Score 10-7
14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · ARI 29 · Score 13-7
(:02) 14-J.Wilkins 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q3 23:10 · ARI 3 · Score 16-7
(8:10) 14-J.Wilkins 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 4:19 · LA 6 · Score 16-13
(4:19) 32-E.James right tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 4:13 · LA 2 · Score 16-14
1-N.Rackers extra point 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 16-14 in Week 3, 2006 on 2006-09-24.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was Los Angeles Rams 16, Arizona Cardinals 14 (LA 16-14 ARI) in Week 3, 2006 on 2006-09-24.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: Los Angeles Rams 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q2: Los Angeles Rams 13, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q3: Los Angeles Rams 3, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: Los Angeles Rams 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: Los Angeles Rams 16, Arizona Cardinals 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q1 52:12) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass) (Q2 33:25) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — E. James (Q4 4:19) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 41:28, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 30:02, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q3 23:10, 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?
M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams), 63.6% completion, +5.2% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +12.06 total passing EPA. K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals), 59.4% completion, +5.6% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +0.82 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals?
M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +12.06 on passing plays. across 33 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.19 EPA): (4:02) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 82-L.Pope INTERCEPTED by 52-D.Coakley at LA -2. Touchback.. The biggest win-probability swing was -54.6%.
Was Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Los Angeles Rams won 16-14 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
