New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2023 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-09-17, the New York Giants took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 31–28 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 22 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Jones (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with +10.10 total EPA, and +6.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Dobbs (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.21 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New York Giants changed the game: (:23) 9-G.Gano 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.

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. Dobbs · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +11.21 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Jones · New York Giants · Passing · +10.10 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Hyatt · New York Giants · Receiving · +5.81 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.90 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Waller · New York Giants · Receiving · +5.65 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
5. 5 Mi. Wilson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.81 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Jones · New York Giants · Rushing · +4.37 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
7. 7 I. Hodgins · New York Giants · Receiving · +4.09 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Dobbs · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.42 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.14 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 — J. Conner (Q1 51:15)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Dobbs (Q2 45:00)
• New York Giants — D. Jones (Q3 28:48)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Brown (J. Dobbs pass) (Q3 24:39)
• New York Giants — S. Barkley (Q3 18:30)
• New York Giants — S. Barkley (D. Jones pass) (Q4 8:57)
• New York Giants — I. Hodgins (D. Jones pass) (Q4 4:29)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q2 38:47)
• Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater (Q2 31:13)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q4 0:23)
• New York Giants — G. Gano (Q4 0:19)

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 NYG 4 (Q1 51:15) — (6:15) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q1 51:11) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 13–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 23 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 9-J.Dobbs scrambles up the middle for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 44:51) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NYG 19 (Q2 38:47) — (8:47) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NYG 26 (Q2 31:13) — (1:13) 5-M.Prater 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney..

The third quarter: New York Giants won the period 14–8. New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 14 (Q3 28:48) — (13:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-D.Jones left end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 28:43) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NYG 3 (Q3 24:39) — (9:39) (Shotgun) 9-J.Dobbs pass short right to 2-M.Brown for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the NYG 2 (Q3 24:34) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-J.Dobbs rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 18:30) — (3:30) 74-M.Peart reported in as eligible. 26-S.Barkley right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 18:27) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 20–0. New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q4 8:57) — (8:57) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass short right to 26-S.Barkley for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 20 (Q4 8:51) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ARI 11 (Q4 4:29) — (4:29) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass short middle to 18-I.Hodgins for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 4:25) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ARI 16 (Q4 0:23) — (:23) 9-G.Gano 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the NYG 35 (Q4 0:19) — 9-G.Gano kicks 64 yards from NYG 35 to ARI 1. 83-G.Dortch to ARI 20 for 19 yards (23-G.Brightwell)..

Turning points

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

• New York Giants (Q4 0:23) — (:23) 9-G.Gano 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan. [WPA +18.6% · EPA +0.24]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:02) — (:02) (Shotgun) 9-J.Dobbs pass incomplete deep right. [WPA -13.1% · EPA -0.13]
• New York Giants (Q4 6:52) — (6:52) 8-D.Jones pass deep left to 13-J.Hyatt to ARI 18 for 31 yards (13-K.Clark). [WPA +12.4% · EPA +1.89]
• New York Giants (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass deep right to 86-D.Slayton to ARI 36 for 18 yards (20-Ma.Wilson). [WPA +11.1% · EPA +1.10]
• New York Giants (Q4 4:29) — (4:29) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass short middle to 18-I.Hodgins for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +2.70]

Impact plays

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

• New York Giants (Q2 34:30) — (4:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass short right intended for 26-S.Barkley INTERCEPTED by 34-J.Thompson at ARI 31. 34-J.Thompson ran ob at NYG 34 for 35 yards (8-D.Jones). [WPA -4.5% · EPA -6.62]
• New York Giants (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass deep middle to 13-J.Hyatt to ARI 17 for 58 yards (20-Ma.Wilson). [WPA +2.7% · EPA +3.92]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 57:17) — (12:17) 5-M.Prater 55 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney. [WPA -7.3% · EPA -3.16]
• New York Giants (Q4 8:57) — (8:57) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass short right to 26-S.Barkley for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.3% · EPA +3.12]

Quarterback report card

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

• D.Jones (New York Giants) · 46 dropbacks · 56.5% completion · +6.1% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +10.10 total EPA
• J.Dobbs (Arizona Cardinals) · 35 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +4.7% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +11.21 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 (+0.14 vs +0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +7.67 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 10 drives, +12.22 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.
• J. Dobbs (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Jones (NYG) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Dobbs (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.

1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 51:15 · NYG 4 · Score 0-6
   (6:15) (Shotgun) 6-J.Conner up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 51:11 · NYG 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · NYG 23 · Score 0-13
   (15:00) 9-J.Dobbs scrambles up the middle for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 44:51 · NYG 15 · Score 0-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney.
5. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 38:47 · NYG 19 · Score 0-17
   (8:47) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney.
6. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 31:13 · NYG 26 · Score 0-20
   (1:13) 5-M.Prater 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-16-N.Cooney.
7. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 28:48 · ARI 14 · Score 6-20
   (13:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-D.Jones left end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 28:43 · ARI 15 · Score 7-20
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 24:39 · NYG 3 · Score 7-26
   (9:39) (Shotgun) 9-J.Dobbs pass short right to 2-M.Brown for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q3 24:34 · NYG 2 · Score 7-28
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-J.Dobbs rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
11. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 18:30 · ARI 1 · Score 13-28
    (3:30) 74-M.Peart reported in as eligible. 26-S.Barkley right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 18:27 · ARI 15 · Score 14-28
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.
13. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 8:57 · ARI 9 · Score 20-28
    (8:57) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass short right to 26-S.Barkley for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 8:51 · ARI 20 · Score 21-28
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.
15. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 4:29 · ARI 11 · Score 27-28
    (4:29) (Shotgun) 8-D.Jones pass short middle to 18-I.Hodgins for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 4:25 · ARI 15 · Score 28-28
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.
17. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 0:23 · ARI 16 · Score 31-28
    (:23) 9-G.Gano 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-C.Kreiter, Holder-6-J.Gillan.
18. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 0:19 · NYG 35 · Score 31-28
    9-G.Gano kicks 64 yards from NYG 35 to ARI 1. 83-G.Dortch to ARI 20 for 19 yards (23-G.Brightwell).