Game story
In Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-09, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Seattle Seahawks, pulling away with a 20–16 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R. Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) paced the passing game, with -6.16 total EPA, and -3.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.42 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-34.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Seattle Seahawks changed the game: (:21) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete short right to 17-B.Edwards.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 K. Kolb · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +5.42 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 2 E. Doucet · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.29 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
- 3 T. Heap · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
- 4 A. Roberts · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.18 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 5 Z. Miller · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +1.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 6 A. Roberts · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.31 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
- 7 L. Stephens-Howling · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.20 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 8 S. Rice · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +1.16 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
K. Kolb — ARI · Passing
K. Kolb posted the highest total EPA (+5.42) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +0.54 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.73 EPA) came from Seattle Seahawks: (11:08) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete short left to 24-M.Lynch (94-S.Acho). Arizona challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 3-R.Wilson FUMBLES (Aborted) at SEA 17, RECOVERED by ARI-51-P.Lenon at SE
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — L. Stephens-Howling
- Seattle Seahawks — S. Rice (R. Wilson pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — A. Roberts (K. Kolb pass)
Field goals
- Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
- Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka
- Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q1 52:31) — (7:31) 4-S.Hauschka 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SEA 3 (Q1 45:38) — (:38) 3-J.Feely 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..
The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SEA 1 (Q2 35:58) — (5:58) 36-L.Stephens-Howling up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q2 35:58) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..
The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 10–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SEA 13 (Q3 25:03) — (10:03) 3-J.Feely 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q3 22:57) — (7:57) 3-R.Wilson pass short middle to 18-S.Rice for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 22:51) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 29 (Q3 20:19) — (5:19) 4-S.Hauschka 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ARI 21 (Q4 9:25) — (9:25) 4-S.Hauschka 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SEA 6 (Q4 4:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 12-A.Roberts for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q4 4:59) — 3-J.Feely extra point 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.
- Seattle Seahawks (Q4 0:21) — (:21) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete short right to 17-B.Edwards.
- Seattle Seahawks (Q4 0:59) — (:59) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete deep right to 18-S.Rice. PENALTY on ARI-21-P.Peterson, Defensive Pass Interference, 14 yards, enforced at ARI 27 - No Play.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 22:51) — (7:51) 19-J.Skelton pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Sherman [91-C.Clemons] at ARI 34. 25-R.Sherman ran ob at ARI 34 for no gain. The Replay Assistant challenged the i
- Seattle Seahawks (Q4 0:42) — (:42) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete short right to 17-B.Edwards. PENALTY on ARI-22-W.Gay, Defensive Pass Interference, 7 yards, enforced at ARI 13 - No Play.
- Seattle Seahawks (Q4 1:05) — (1:05) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson sacked at ARI 27 for -1 yards (58-D.Washington).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Seattle Seahawks (Q3 26:08) — (11:08) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete short left to 24-M.Lynch (94-S.Acho). Arizona challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 3-R.Wilson FUMBLES (Aborted) at SEA 17, RECOVERED by
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 55:38) — (10:38) (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams up the middle to ARI 42 for no gain (50-K.Wright). FUMBLES (50-K.Wright), RECOVERED by SEA-92-B.Mebane at ARI 42. 92-B.Mebane to ARI 42 for no gain (19-J.Skelton). The
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 22:51) — (7:51) 19-J.Skelton pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Sherman [91-C.Clemons] at ARI 34. 25-R.Sherman ran ob at ARI 34 for no gain. The Replay Assistant challenged the i
- Seattle Seahawks (Q3 24:59) — 3-J.Feely kicks 72 yards from ARI 35 to SEA -7. 33-L.Washington pushed ob at ARI 24 for 83 yards (84-R.Housler).
Quarterback report card
R.Wilson led all passers in efficiency for Seattle Seahawks, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) · 50 dropbacks · 36.0% completion · -3.3% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -6.16 total EPA
- J.Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) · 32 dropbacks · 43.8% completion · -8.9% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -4.70 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.113 | -0.128 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.4% | 41.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.123 | +0.017 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.136 | -0.487 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.128 | +0.113 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.0% | 60.6% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Seattle Seahawks -0.11, Arizona Cardinals -0.13) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -9.96 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Seattle Seahawks: 12 drives, -11.19 total EPA, 4 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- R. Wilson (SEA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- J. Skelton (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.
- Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q1 52:31 · ARI 9 · Score 3-0
(7:31) 4-S.Hauschka 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 45:38 · SEA 3 · Score 3-3
(:38) 3-J.Feely 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 35:58 · SEA 1 · Score 3-9
(5:58) 36-L.Stephens-Howling up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:58 · SEA 2 · Score 3-10
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 25:03 · SEA 13 · Score 3-13
(10:03) 3-J.Feely 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 22:57 · ARI 10 · Score 9-13
(7:57) 3-R.Wilson pass short middle to 18-S.Rice for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 22:51 · ARI 2 · Score 10-13
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan. - Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q3 20:19 · ARI 29 · Score 13-13
(5:19) 4-S.Hauschka 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan. - Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q4 9:25 · ARI 21 · Score 16-13
(9:25) 4-S.Hauschka 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 4:59 · SEA 6 · Score 16-19
(4:59) (Shotgun) 4-K.Kolb pass short left to 12-A.Roberts for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 4:59 · SEA 2 · Score 16-20
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Seattle Seahawks 20-16 in Week 1, 2012 on 2012-09-09.
What was the final score of Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was Seattle Seahawks 16, Arizona Cardinals 20 (SEA 16-20 ARI) in Week 1, 2012 on 2012-09-09.
What was the score by quarter in Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: Seattle Seahawks 3, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q2: Seattle Seahawks 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q3: Seattle Seahawks 10, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q4: Seattle Seahawks 3, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: Seattle Seahawks 16, Arizona Cardinals 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Stephens-Howling (Q2 35:58) Seattle Seahawks touchdown — S. Rice (R. Wilson pass) (Q3 22:57) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Roberts (K. Kolb pass) (Q4 4:59) Seattle Seahawks field goal — S. Hauschka (Q1 52:31, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q1 45:38, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q3 25:03, 3 pts) Seattle Seahawks field goal — S. Hauschka (Q3 20:19, 3 pts) Seattle Seahawks field goal — S. Hauschka (Q4 9:25, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals?
R. Wilson (Seattle Seahawks), 36.0% completion, -3.3% CPOE, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -6.16 total passing EPA. J. Skelton (Arizona Cardinals), 43.8% completion, -8.9% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -4.70 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals?
K. Kolb (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +5.42 on passing plays. across 10 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.73 EPA): (11:08) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete short left to 24-M.Lynch (94-S.Acho). Arizona challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 3-R.Wilson FUMBLES (Aborted) at S. The biggest win-probability swing was -34.2%.
Was Seattle Seahawks vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Arizona Cardinals won 20-16 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Seattle Seahawks
Now 0-1 L
Arizona Cardinals
Now 1-0 W
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