New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2008 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-11-23, the New York Giants took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 37–29 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 26 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +10.67 total EPA, and +3.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, E. Manning (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.27 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New York Giants changed the game: 1-N.Rackers kicks 75 yards from ARI 25 to NYG 0. 87-D.Hixon to ARI 17 for 83 yards (21-A.Rolle).

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 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +11.27 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Warner · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +10.67 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Breaston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.68 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.49 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.34 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Hixon · New York Giants · Receiving · +4.73 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Urban · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.72 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Smith · New York Giants · Receiving · +4.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.08 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

• New York Giants — D. Ward (Q2 41:46)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower (Q2 37:55)
• New York Giants — A. Toomer (E. Manning pass) (Q2 31:15)
• New York Giants — M. Hedgecock (E. Manning pass) (Q3 25:41)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower (Q3 15:53)
• New York Giants — K. Boss (E. Manning pass) (Q4 11:20)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Boldin (K. Warner pass) (Q4 4:07)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 51:23)
• New York Giants — J. Carney (Q2 36:56)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 33:52)
• New York Giants — J. Carney (Q4 6:22)
• New York Giants — J. Carney (Q4 2:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 0:42)

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 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NYG 16 (Q1 51:23) — (6:23) 1-N.Rackers 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson..

The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 17–9. New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 41:46) — (11:46) 34-D.Ward up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 41:38) — 5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q2 37:55) — (7:55) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ARI 15 (Q2 36:56); Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NYG 2 (Q2 33:52) — (3:52) 1-N.Rackers 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 12 (Q2 31:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 81-A.Toomer for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 31:08) — 5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q3 25:41) — (10:41) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 39-M.Hedgecock for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 25:35) — 5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q3 15:53) — (:53) 34-T.Hightower up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 15:49) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 13–10. New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q4 11:20) — (11:20) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 89-K.Boss for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 11:15) — 5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q4 6:22) — (6:22) 5-J.Carney 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 5 (Q4 4:07) — (4:07) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 81-A.Boldin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 4:02) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ARI 16 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 5-J.Carney 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NYG 26 (Q4 0:42) — (:42) 1-N.Rackers 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson..

Turning points

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

• New York Giants (Q2 37:45) — 1-N.Rackers kicks 75 yards from ARI 25 to NYG 0. 87-D.Hixon to ARI 17 for 83 yards (21-A.Rolle). [WPA +15.0% · EPA +3.89]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:47) — (12:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner sacked at ARI 40 for -3 yards (91-J.Tuck). FUMBLES (91-J.Tuck) [91-J.Tuck], RECOVERED by NYG-97-M.Kiwanuka at ARI 40. 97-M.Kiwanuka to ARI 40 for no gain (63-L.Sendlein). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -4.33]
• New York Giants (Q2 33:49) — 1-N.Rackers kicks 70 yards from ARI 30 to NYG 0. 87-D.Hixon to ARI 32 for 68 yards (85-J.Urban). [WPA +12.0% · EPA +2.83]
• New York Giants (Q2 31:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 81-A.Toomer for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.28]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:38) — 5-J.Carney kicks 67 yards from NYG 30 to ARI 3. 28-J.Arrington to NYG 42 for 55 yards (35-K.Dockery). [WPA +8.8% · EPA +2.19]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 10:39) — (10:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep middle intended for 15-S.Breaston INTERCEPTED by 24-T.Thomas at ARI 42. 24-T.Thomas to ARI 29 for 13 yards (15-S.Breaston). [WPA -2.3% · EPA -4.81]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:47) — (12:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner sacked at ARI 40 for -3 yards (91-J.Tuck). FUMBLES (91-J.Tuck) [91-J.Tuck], RECOVERED by NYG-97-M.Kiwanuka at ARI 40. 97-M.Kiwanuka to ARI 40 for no gain (63-L.Sendlein). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -4.33]
• New York Giants (Q2 37:45) — 1-N.Rackers kicks 75 yards from ARI 25 to NYG 0. 87-D.Hixon to ARI 17 for 83 yards (21-A.Rolle). [WPA +15.0% · EPA +3.89]
• New York Giants (Q2 31:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 81-A.Toomer for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.28]

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) · 54 dropbacks · 59.3% completion · +3.5% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +10.67 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 36 dropbacks · 72.2% completion · +18.7% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +11.27 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New York Giants generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs +0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, +10.80 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 12 drives, +22.58 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New York Giants leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• E. Manning (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Warner (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• E. Manning (NYG) 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. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 51:23 · NYG 16 · Score 0-3
   (6:23) 1-N.Rackers 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
2. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 41:46 · ARI 1 · Score 6-3
   (11:46) 34-D.Ward up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 41:38 · ARI 2 · Score 7-3
   5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 37:55 · NYG 4 · Score 7-9
   (7:55) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 36:56 · ARI 15 · Score 10-9
   (6:56) 5-J.Carney 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles. PENALTY on NYG-60-S.O'Hara, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced bet
6. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 33:52 · NYG 2 · Score 10-12
   (3:52) 1-N.Rackers 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
7. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 31:15 · ARI 12 · Score 16-12
   (1:15) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 81-A.Toomer for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 31:08 · ARI 2 · Score 17-12
   5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
9. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 25:41 · ARI 2 · Score 23-12
   (10:41) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 39-M.Hedgecock for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 25:35 · ARI 2 · Score 24-12
    5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 15:53 · NYG 1 · Score 24-18
    (:53) 34-T.Hightower up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 15:49 · NYG 2 · Score 24-19
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
13. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 11:20 · ARI 10 · Score 30-19
    (11:20) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 89-K.Boss for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 11:15 · ARI 2 · Score 31-19
    5-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
15. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 6:22 · ARI 9 · Score 34-19
    (6:22) 5-J.Carney 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
16. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 4:07 · NYG 5 · Score 34-25
    (4:07) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 81-A.Boldin for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 4:02 · NYG 2 · Score 34-26
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.
18. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · ARI 16 · Score 37-26
    (2:00) 5-J.Carney 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
19. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:42 · NYG 26 · Score 37-29
    (:42) 1-N.Rackers 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-9-D.Johnson.