Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2020 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-06, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 38–28 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +18.33 total EPA, and +10.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.33 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+19.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (14:00) 4-A.Lee punts 54 yards to LA 11, Center-46-A.Brewer. 14-N.Webster to LA 18 for 7 yards (28-C.Washington). FUMBLES (28-C.Washington), RECOVERED by ARI-16-T.Sherfield at LA 15. Penalty on LA-82-

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 J. Goff · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +18.33 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Arnold · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +8.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.82 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.82 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.48 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Henderson · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +4.39 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Higbee · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.26 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Woods · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.80 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Brown · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.62 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.62 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

• Arizona Cardinals — D. Arnold (K. Murray pass) (Q1 58:35)
• Los Angeles Rams — C. Akers (Q2 40:40)
• Los Angeles Rams — T. Higbee (J. Goff pass) (Q2 30:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Hopkins (K. Murray pass) (Q3 19:08)
• Los Angeles Rams — J. Goff (Q4 14:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Drake (Q4 13:28)
• Los Angeles Rams — D. Henderson (Q4 10:15)
• Los Angeles Rams — T. Hill (Q4 4:42)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Arnold (K. Murray pass) (Q4 2:11)

Field goals

• Los Angeles Rams — M. Gay (Q3 25:31)

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 59 (Q1 58:35) — (13:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-D.Arnold for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 58:25) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 14–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q2 40:40) — (10:40) 23-C.Akers up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 40:35) — 1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 30:56) — (:56) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 89-T.Higbee for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 30:51) — 1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the ARI 21 (Q3 25:31) — (10:31) 1-M.Gay 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 4 (Q3 19:08) — (4:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q3 19:03) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 21–14. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 14:56) — (14:56) 16-J.Goff up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 14:52) — 1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 4 (Q4 13:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 41-K.Drake left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 13:21) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the ARI 38 (Q4 10:15) — (10:15) 27-D.Henderson up the middle for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 10:07) — 1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the LA 72 (Q4 4:42); Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 4:33) — 1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LA 2 (Q4 2:11) — (2:11) 1-K.Murray pass short middle to 85-D.Arnold for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-G.Gaines].; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 2:04) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 14:00) — (14:00) 4-A.Lee punts 54 yards to LA 11, Center-46-A.Brewer. 14-N.Webster to LA 18 for 7 yards (28-C.Washington). FUMBLES (28-C.Washington), RECOVERED by ARI-16-T.Sherfield at LA 15. Penalty on LA-82- [WPA +19.4% · EPA +5.72]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 58:35) — (13:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-D.Arnold for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.95]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 21:58) — (6:58) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 19-K.Johnson to LA 28 for 12 yards (22-T.Hill). [WPA +12.2% · EPA +4.14]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 35:28) — (5:28) (No Huddle) 23-C.Akers left tackle to ARI 2 for -1 yards (96-A.Blackson). [WPA -10.8% · EPA -4.51]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 12:10) — (12:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 81-G.Everett to LA 45 for 22 yards (58-J.Hicks). [WPA +10.3% · EPA +3.05]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 4:42) — (4:42) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 17-A.Isabella INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Hill at ARI 35. 22-T.Hill for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -5.2% · EPA -6.95]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 7:25) — (7:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray sacked at ARI 34 for -16 yards (58-J.Hollins). FUMBLES (58-J.Hollins) [58-J.Hollins], RECOVERED by LA-91-G.Gaines at ARI 26. [WPA -6.0% · EPA -6.66]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 14:00) — (14:00) 4-A.Lee punts 54 yards to LA 11, Center-46-A.Brewer. 14-N.Webster to LA 18 for 7 yards (28-C.Washington). FUMBLES (28-C.Washington), RECOVERED by ARI-16-T.Sherfield at LA 15. Penalty on LA-82- [WPA +19.4% · EPA +5.72]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 58:35) — (13:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-D.Arnold for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.95]

Quarterback report card

J.Goff led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 51 dropbacks · 72.5% completion · +10.2% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +18.33 total EPA
• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 43 dropbacks · 48.8% completion · -12.2% CPOE · -0.18 EPA/play · -7.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Los Angeles Rams generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs -0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -2.88 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Rams: 12 drives, +11.74 total EPA, 5 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.
• J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Goff (LA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• K. Murray (ARI) 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. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 58:35 · LA 59 · Score 0-6
   (13:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 85-D.Arnold for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 58:25 · LA 15 · Score 0-7
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
3. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 40:40 · ARI 9 · Score 6-7
   (10:40) 23-C.Akers up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 40:35 · ARI 15 · Score 7-7
   1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
5. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 30:56 · ARI 1 · Score 13-7
   (:56) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 89-T.Higbee for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 30:51 · ARI 15 · Score 14-7
   1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
7. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q3 25:31 · ARI 21 · Score 17-7
   (10:31) 1-M.Gay 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 19:08 · LA 4 · Score 17-13
   (4:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 19:03 · LA 15 · Score 17-14
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
10. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 14:56 · ARI 1 · Score 23-14
    (14:56) 16-J.Goff up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 14:52 · ARI 15 · Score 24-14
    1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 13:28 · LA 4 · Score 24-20
    (13:28) (Shotgun) 41-K.Drake left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 13:21 · LA 15 · Score 24-21
    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
14. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 10:15 · ARI 38 · Score 30-21
    (10:15) 27-D.Henderson up the middle for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 10:07 · ARI 15 · Score 31-21
    1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
16. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 4:42 · LA 72 · Score 37-21
    (4:42) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 17-A.Isabella INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Hill at ARI 35. 22-T.Hill for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 4:33 · ARI 15 · Score 38-21
    1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
18. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 2:11 · LA 2 · Score 38-27
    (2:11) 1-K.Murray pass short middle to 85-D.Arnold for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-G.Gaines].
19. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 2:04 · LA 15 · Score 38-28
    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.