Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2012 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-23, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 27–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Vick (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with -19.26 total EPA, and -8.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (5:02) 9-D.Zastudil punts 58 yards to PHI 26, Center-82-M.Leach. 13-D.Johnson to PHI 38 for 12 yards (35-A.Sherman). FUMBLES (35-A.Sherman), RECOVERED by ARI-82-M.Leach at PHI 38. 82-M.Leach to PHI 38

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 K. Kolb · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +6.97 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.70 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Johnson · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.30 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Roberts · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.87 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Avant · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Housler · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.06 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Williams · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.88 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.74 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.87 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 — M. Floyd (K. Kolb pass) (Q1 46:10)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Kolb pass) (Q2 37:40)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Sanders (Q2 30:06)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q1 55:43)
• Philadelphia Eagles — A. Henery (Q3 20:11)
• Philadelphia Eagles — A. Henery (Q3 15:06)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q4 3:57)

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 10–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the PHI 29 (Q1 55:43) — (10:43) 3-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the PHI 8 (Q1 46:10) — (1:10) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right to 15-M.Floyd for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q1 46:04) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the PHI 37 (Q2 37:40) — (7:40) 4-K.Kolb pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-T.Cole].; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 37:30) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 30:06); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 30:00).

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 6–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ARI 18 (Q3 20:11) — (5:11) 6-A.Henery 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-C.Henry.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ARI 22 (Q3 15:06) — (:06) 6-A.Henery 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-C.Henry..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the PHI 9 (Q4 3:57) — (3:57) 3-J.Feely 27 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 (Q1 50:02) — (5:02) 9-D.Zastudil punts 58 yards to PHI 26, Center-82-M.Leach. 13-D.Johnson to PHI 38 for 12 yards (35-A.Sherman). FUMBLES (35-A.Sherman), RECOVERED by ARI-82-M.Leach at PHI 38. 82-M.Leach to PHI 38 [WPA +12.2% · EPA +5.64]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 7-M.Vick sacked at ARI 7 for -6 yards (25-K.Rhodes). FUMBLES (25-K.Rhodes) [25-K.Rhodes], RECOVERED by ARI-39-J.Sanders at ARI 7. 39-J.Sanders for 93 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.4% · EPA -10.67]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 53:45) — (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass deep right to 13-D.Johnson to PHI 46 for 20 yards (39-J.Sanders) [93-C.Campbell]. [WPA +5.4% · EPA +2.41]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 44:30) — (14:30) 7-M.Vick right end to ARI 35 for 1 yard (94-S.Acho). Arizona challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 7-M.Vick sacked at ARI 36 for 0 yards (94-S.Acho). FUM [WPA -5.2% · EPA -4.57]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 58:25) — (13:25) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald to PHI 35 for 16 yards (59-D.Ryans). [WPA +4.7% · EPA +1.00]

Impact plays

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 7-M.Vick sacked at ARI 7 for -6 yards (25-K.Rhodes). FUMBLES (25-K.Rhodes) [25-K.Rhodes], RECOVERED by ARI-39-J.Sanders at ARI 7. 39-J.Sanders for 93 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -8.4% · EPA -10.67]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 50:02) — (5:02) 9-D.Zastudil punts 58 yards to PHI 26, Center-82-M.Leach. 13-D.Johnson to PHI 38 for 12 yards (35-A.Sherman). FUMBLES (35-A.Sherman), RECOVERED by ARI-82-M.Leach at PHI 38. 82-M.Leach to PHI 38 [WPA +12.2% · EPA +5.64]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 44:30) — (14:30) 7-M.Vick right end to ARI 35 for 1 yard (94-S.Acho). Arizona challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 7-M.Vick sacked at ARI 36 for 0 yards (94-S.Acho). FUM [WPA -5.2% · EPA -4.57]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 37:40) — (7:40) 4-K.Kolb pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-T.Cole]. [WPA +2.7% · EPA +3.47]

Quarterback report card

M.Vick led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Vick (Philadelphia Eagles) · 46 dropbacks · 37.0% completion · -8.6% CPOE · -0.42 EPA/play · -19.26 total EPA
• K.Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) · 30 dropbacks · 56.7% completion · +3.4% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +6.97 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.26), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, +0.95 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 11 drives, -19.98 total EPA, 3 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.
• K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Vick (PHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• K. Kolb (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 FG (+3) — Q1 55:43 · PHI 29 · Score 0-3
   (10:43) 3-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
2. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 46:10 · PHI 8 · Score 0-9
   (1:10) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short right to 15-M.Floyd for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 46:04 · PHI 2 · Score 0-10
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 37:40 · PHI 37 · Score 0-16
   (7:40) 4-K.Kolb pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-T.Cole].
5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 37:30 · PHI 2 · Score 0-17
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:06 · ARI 1 · Score 0-23
   (:06) 7-M.Vick sacked at ARI 7 for -6 yards (25-K.Rhodes). FUMBLES (25-K.Rhodes) [25-K.Rhodes], RECOVERED by ARI-39-J.Sanders at ARI 7. 39-J.Sanders for 93 yard
7. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · PHI 2 · Score 0-24
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. PENALTY on PHI-58-T.Cole, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Enforc
8. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q3 20:11 · ARI 18 · Score 3-24
   (5:11) 6-A.Henery 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-C.Henry.
9. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q3 15:06 · ARI 22 · Score 6-24
   (:06) 6-A.Henery 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-C.Henry.
10. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 3:57 · PHI 9 · Score 6-27
    (3:57) 3-J.Feely 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.