Miami Dolphins vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2012 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-30, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 24–21 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -7.04 total EPA, and -2.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Roberts (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.25 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+33.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:29) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 12-A.Roberts for 15 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 A. Roberts · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +11.25 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Hartline · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +10.68 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Bess · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +8.14 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Housler · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Tannehill · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +3.19 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Fasano · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.03 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Lane · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +1.23 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Lane · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.05 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

• Miami Dolphins — J. Lane (Q2 32:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Kolb pass) (Q3 24:50)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Roberts (K. Kolb pass) (Q4 9:54)
• Miami Dolphins — B. Hartline (R. Tannehill pass) (Q4 7:17)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Roberts (K. Kolb pass) (Q4 0:29)

Field goals

• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q2 43:25)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q2 30:06)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (OT 8:34)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 13–0. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the ARI 14 (Q2 43:25) — (13:25) 5-D.Carpenter 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 41-J.Lane up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 31:56) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 5-D.Carpenter 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIA 3 (Q3 24:50) — (9:50) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 24:46) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–8. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIA 46 (Q4 9:54) — (9:54) 4-K.Kolb pass deep right to 12-A.Roberts for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 9:45) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the ARI 80 (Q4 7:17) — (7:17) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 82-B.Hartline for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 7:05) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 17-R.Tannehill pass to 41-J.Lane is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the MIA 15 (Q4 0:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 12-A.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 0:22) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

Overtime: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the MIA 28 (OT 8:34) — (8:34) 3-J.Feely 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 12-A.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +33.4% · EPA +4.48]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 7:17) — (7:17) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 82-B.Hartline for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +32.0% · EPA +6.16]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 8:25) — (8:25) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 19-L.Naanee to ARI 39 for 19 yards (24-A.Wilson). FUMBLES (24-A.Wilson), RECOVERED by ARI-21-P.Peterson at ARI 37. 21-P.Peterson to MIA 3 for 60 yards (19-L.Naa [WPA -30.8% · EPA -7.90]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 7:24) — (7:24) 4-K.Kolb pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Smith at MIA 0. Touchback. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA -30.3% · EPA -6.61]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 9:54) — (9:54) 4-K.Kolb pass deep right to 12-A.Roberts for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.7% · EPA +4.03]

Impact plays

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 8:25) — (8:25) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 19-L.Naanee to ARI 39 for 19 yards (24-A.Wilson). FUMBLES (24-A.Wilson), RECOVERED by ARI-21-P.Peterson at ARI 37. 21-P.Peterson to MIA 3 for 60 yards (19-L.Naa [WPA -30.8% · EPA -7.90]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 7:24) — (7:24) 4-K.Kolb pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Smith at MIA 0. Touchback. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA -30.3% · EPA -6.61]
• Miami Dolphins (Q4 7:17) — (7:17) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 82-B.Hartline for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +32.0% · EPA +6.16]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 12-A.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +33.4% · EPA +4.48]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) · 57 dropbacks · 50.9% completion · -2.7% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -7.04 total EPA
• R.Tannehill (Miami Dolphins) · 47 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · +4.7% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +3.19 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 (Miami Dolphins -0.08, Arizona Cardinals -0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 16 drives, -7.02 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Miami Dolphins: 15 drives, -7.13 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Arizona Cardinals 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. Roberts (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Tannehill (MIA) 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. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 43:25 · ARI 14 · Score 3-0
   (13:25) 5-D.Carpenter 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
2. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · ARI 1 · Score 9-0
   (2:00) 41-J.Lane up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 31:56 · ARI 2 · Score 10-0
   5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
4. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · ARI 9 · Score 13-0
   (:06) 5-D.Carpenter 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 24:50 · MIA 3 · Score 13-6
   (9:50) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 24:46 · MIA 2 · Score 13-7
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 9:54 · MIA 46 · Score 13-13
   (9:54) 4-K.Kolb pass deep right to 12-A.Roberts for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 9:45 · MIA 2 · Score 13-14
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
9. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 7:17 · ARI 80 · Score 19-14
   (7:17) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep left to 82-B.Hartline for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Miami Dolphins Safety (+2) — Q4 7:05 · ARI 2 · Score 21-14
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 17-R.Tannehill pass to 41-J.Lane is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 0:29 · MIA 15 · Score 21-20
    (:29) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 12-A.Roberts for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 0:22 · MIA 2 · Score 21-21
    3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
13. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — OT 8:34 · MIA 28 · Score 21-24
    (8:34) 3-J.Feely 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.