Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions: 2015 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-26, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 45–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +23.47 total EPA, and +4.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.47 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+9.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (11:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right to 17-N.Agholor to DET 28 for 12 yards (23-D.Slay; 59-T.Whitehead). PHI-71-J.Peters was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.

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 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +23.47 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.24 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Riddick · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.61 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Matthews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +6.39 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Bell · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Burton · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
7. 7 G. Tate · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.61 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Huff · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.12 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

• Detroit Lions — T. Riddick (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 47:14)
• Philadelphia Eagles — B. Celek (M. Sanchez pass) (Q2 44:26)
• Detroit Lions — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 37:58)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 30:17)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 22:13)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 20:10)
• Detroit Lions — J. Bell (Q4 10:45)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Matthews (M. Sanchez pass) (Q4 3:02)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 35:04)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PHI 8 (Q1 47:14) — (2:14) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q1 47:10) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 17–7. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 44:26) — (14:26) (Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right to 87-B.Celek for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 44:20) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PHI 2 (Q2 37:58) — (7:58) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 37:53) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the PHI 30 (Q2 35:04) — (5:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PHI 25 (Q2 30:17) — (:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 81-C.Johnson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 30:12) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PHI 4 (Q3 22:13) — (7:13) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 22:09) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PHI 3 (Q3 20:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 81-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 20:05) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PHI 1 (Q4 10:45) — (10:45) 77-C.Lucas reported in as eligible. 35-J.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q4 10:42) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the DET 24 (Q4 3:02); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 2:56) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 56:26) — (11:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right to 17-N.Agholor to DET 28 for 12 yards (23-D.Slay; 59-T.Whitehead). PHI-71-J.Peters was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. [WPA +9.0% · EPA +2.56]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 57:28) — (12:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) PENALTY on DET-94-E.Ansah, Neutral Zone Infraction, 4 yards, enforced at DET 42 - No Play. [WPA +8.9% · EPA +1.46]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 50:17) — (5:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick to PHI 22 for 23 yards (31-B.Maxwell). [WPA +7.7% · EPA +2.26]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 45:53) — (:53) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short middle to 47-T.Burton pushed ob at DET 5 for 43 yards (55-S.Tulloch). DET-27-G.Quin was injured during the play. He is Out. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +3.17]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 58:24) — (13:24) (No Huddle) 3-M.Sanchez pass deep middle to 81-J.Matthews to DET 47 for 23 yards (42-I.Abdul-Quddus). [WPA +7.6% · EPA +2.58]

Impact plays

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 21:42) — (6:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez sacked at PHI 15 for -8 yards (94-E.Ansah). FUMBLES (94-E.Ansah) [92-H.Ngata], RECOVERED by DET-94-E.Ansah at PHI 15. 94-E.Ansah to PHI 14 for 1 yard (29-D.Murr [WPA -0.4% · EPA -4.61]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:17) — (:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 81-C.Johnson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.0% · EPA +4.39]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 54:39) — (9:39) 6-C.Sturgis 50 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones. [WPA -6.8% · EPA -4.21]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 3:02) — (3:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass deep left to 81-J.Matthews for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-32-J.Ihedigbo, Illegal Contact, declined. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +3.82]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 43 dropbacks · 62.8% completion · +4.1% CPOE · +0.55 EPA/play · +23.47 total EPA
• M.Sanchez (Philadelphia Eagles) · 35 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · +2.9% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.05 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Detroit Lions held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs -0.16), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +19.28 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 12 drives, -12.88 total EPA, 2 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Detroit Lions leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) 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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 47:14 · PHI 8 · Score 0-6
   (2:14) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 47:10 · PHI 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
3. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 44:26 · DET 2 · Score 6-7
   (14:26) (Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass short right to 87-B.Celek for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 44:20 · DET 15 · Score 7-7
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 37:58 · PHI 2 · Score 7-13
   (7:58) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 37:53 · PHI 15 · Score 7-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 35:04 · PHI 30 · Score 7-17
   (5:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 30:17 · PHI 25 · Score 7-23
   (:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 81-C.Johnson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 30:12 · PHI 15 · Score 7-24
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 22:13 · PHI 4 · Score 7-30
    (7:13) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 22:09 · PHI 15 · Score 7-31
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 20:10 · PHI 3 · Score 7-37
    (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 81-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 20:05 · PHI 15 · Score 7-38
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
14. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 10:45 · PHI 1 · Score 7-44
    (10:45) 77-C.Lucas reported in as eligible. 35-J.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 10:42 · PHI 15 · Score 7-45
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
16. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 3:02 · DET 24 · Score 13-45
    (3:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-M.Sanchez pass deep left to 81-J.Matthews for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-32-J.Ihedigbo, Illegal Contact, declined.
17. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 2:56 · DET 15 · Score 14-45
    6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.