New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2011 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-10-02, the New York Giants took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 31–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

E. Manning (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with +9.78 total EPA, and +6.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, H. Nicks (New York Giants) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.85 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-28.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:56) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald (23-C.Webster).

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 H. Nicks · New York Giants · Receiving · +12.85 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
2. 2 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +9.78 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
3. 3 V. Cruz · New York Giants · Receiving · +5.06 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.03 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Ballard · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
6. 6 E. Doucet · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Sherman · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.61 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Smith · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.44 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.72 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 — A. Bradshaw (Q2 33:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells (Q3 25:28)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells (Q3 18:00)
• New York Giants — B. Jacobs (Q4 12:12)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Wells (Q4 5:20)
• New York Giants — J. Ballard (E. Manning pass) (Q4 3:44)
• New York Giants — H. Nicks (E. Manning pass) (Q4 2:46)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q1 58:07)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q2 38:01)
• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q2 30:05)

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 9 (Q1 58:07) — (13:07) 3-J.Feely 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 10–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NYG 9 (Q2 38:01) — (8:01) 3-J.Feely 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 13 (Q2 33:00) — (3:00) 44-A.Bradshaw right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 32:54) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ARI 12 (Q2 30:05).

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 21–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q3 25:28) — (10:28) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ARI-73-J.Bridges, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 25:24) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 73 (Q3 25:19); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q3 18:00) — (3:00) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 17:55) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 21–7. New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 12:12) — (12:12) 27-B.Jacobs left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 12:07) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 2 (Q4 5:20) — (5:20) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 5:16) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q4 3:44); New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 3:37) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 29 (Q4 2:46) — (2:46) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 88-H.Nicks for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 2:39) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:56) — (:56) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass incomplete short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald (23-C.Webster). [WPA -28.0% · EPA -1.39]
• New York Giants (Q4 2:46) — (2:46) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 88-H.Nicks for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.9% · EPA +3.71]
• New York Giants (Q3 18:42) — (3:42) 10-E.Manning sacked at NYG 9 for -11 yards (79-D.Carter). FUMBLES (79-D.Carter), RECOVERED by ARI-90-D.Dockett at NYG 5. 90-D.Dockett to NYG 5 for no gain (67-K.McKenzie). [WPA -17.6% · EPA -6.16]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:21) — (1:21) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb sacked at NYG 39 for -10 yards (72-O.Umenyiora). [WPA -17.5% · EPA -1.33]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:57) — (12:57) 4-K.Kolb pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to NYG 11 for 47 yards (34-D.Grant). [WPA +14.0% · EPA +3.17]

Impact plays

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

• New York Giants (Q3 18:42) — (3:42) 10-E.Manning sacked at NYG 9 for -11 yards (79-D.Carter). FUMBLES (79-D.Carter), RECOVERED by ARI-90-D.Dockett at NYG 5. 90-D.Dockett to NYG 5 for no gain (67-K.McKenzie). [WPA -17.6% · EPA -6.16]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 53:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb sacked at NYG 24 for -7 yards (72-O.Umenyiora). FUMBLES (72-O.Umenyiora), touched at NYG 22, RECOVERED by NYG-57-J.Williams at NYG 14. 57-J.Williams to NYG 14 for no gain (12 [WPA -6.1% · EPA -3.89]
• New York Giants (Q4 2:46) — (2:46) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 88-H.Nicks for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.9% · EPA +3.71]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:57) — (12:57) 4-K.Kolb pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to NYG 11 for 47 yards (34-D.Grant). [WPA +14.0% · EPA +3.17]

Quarterback report card

E.Manning led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 45 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +6.2% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +9.78 total EPA
• K.Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) · 43 dropbacks · 46.5% completion · -3.1% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.89 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 (+0.06 vs +0.00), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, +0.27 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 13 drives, +5.64 total EPA, 5 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• H. Nicks (New York Giants) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• E. Manning (NYG) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• K. Kolb (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 FG (+3) — Q1 58:07 · NYG 9 · Score 0-3
   (13:07) 3-J.Feely 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
2. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 38:01 · NYG 9 · Score 0-6
   (8:01) 3-J.Feely 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
3. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 33:00 · ARI 13 · Score 6-6
   (3:00) 44-A.Bradshaw right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 32:54 · ARI 2 · Score 7-6
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
5. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · ARI 12 · Score 10-6
   (:05) 9-L.Tynes 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford. Penalty on NYG-21-K.Phillips, Defensive Offside, declined. PENALTY on A
6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 25:28 · NYG 1 · Score 10-12
   (10:28) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ARI-73-J.Bridges, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
7. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 25:24 · NYG 2 · Score 10-13
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+7) — Q3 25:19 · ARI 73 · Score 10-13
   (10:19) 44-A.Bradshaw up the middle ran ob at NYG 48 for 21 yards (25-K.Rhodes). PENALTY on NYG-45-H.Hynoski, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NYG 27 -
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 18:00 · NYG 1 · Score 10-19
   (3:00) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 17:55 · NYG 2 · Score 10-20
    3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
11. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 12:12 · ARI 1 · Score 16-20
    (12:12) 27-B.Jacobs left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 12:07 · ARI 2 · Score 17-20
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 5:20 · NYG 2 · Score 17-26
    (5:20) 26-C.Wells left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 5:16 · NYG 2 · Score 17-27
    3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
15. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 3:44 · ARI 2 · Score 23-27
    (3:44) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 85-J.Ballard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.
16. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 3:37 · ARI 2 · Score 24-27
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
17. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 2:46 · ARI 29 · Score 30-27
    (2:46) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 88-H.Nicks for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 2:39 · ARI 2 · Score 31-27
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.