Seattle Seahawks vs. Buffalo Bills: 2012 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-16, the Seattle Seahawks took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 50–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with -21.76 total EPA, and -6.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.49 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Seattle Seahawks changed the game: (11:05) (Shotgun) 24-M.Lynch up the middle to BUF 4 for 54 yards (37-G.Wilson).

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 R. Wilson · Seattle Seahawks · Passing · +12.49 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
2. 2 St. Johnson · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +9.42 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Lynch · Seattle Seahawks · Rushing · +6.86 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Wilson · Seattle Seahawks · Rushing · +5.12 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Robinson · Seattle Seahawks · Rushing · +4.97 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.97 EPA/play
6. 6 Z. Miller · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +4.89 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play
7. 7 S. Rice · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Spiller · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +3.36 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.20 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

• Seattle Seahawks — R. Wilson (Q1 55:05)
• Seattle Seahawks — R. Wilson (Q1 50:54)
• Buffalo Bills — C. Spiller (Q1 45:40)
• Seattle Seahawks — Z. Miller (R. Wilson pass) (Q2 40:16)
• Seattle Seahawks — R. Wilson (Q2 35:38)
• Buffalo Bills — R. Fitzpatrick (Q2 31:16)
• Seattle Seahawks — M. Lynch (Q3 27:25)
• Seattle Seahawks — E. Thomas (Q3 21:33)

Field goals

• Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka (Q2 42:06)
• Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell (Q2 30:04)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka (Q3 22:32)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Hauschka (Q4 9:20)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 14–7. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the BUF 14 (Q1 55:05) — (10:05) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson right guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 55:00) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the BUF 25 (Q1 50:54) — (5:54) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson scrambles left tackle for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 50:46) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the SEA 14 (Q1 45:40) — (:40) 28-C.Spiller right tackle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q1 45:34) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..

The second quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 17–10. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the BUF 1 (Q2 42:06) — (12:06) 4-S.Hauschka 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the BUF 4 (Q2 40:16) — (10:16) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 86-Z.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 6 yds. into end zone, crossing from middle.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 40:10) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the BUF 13 (Q2 35:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 35:31) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the SEA 20 (Q2 31:16) — (1:16) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 13-St.Johnson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in front corner of end zone.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q2 31:10) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the SEA 23 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 9-R.Lindell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell..

The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 16–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the BUF 13 (Q3 27:25) — (12:25) 24-M.Lynch left tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the BUF 15 (Q3 22:32) — (7:32) 4-S.Hauschka 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the SEA 69 (Q3 21:33); Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 21:13) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The fourth quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 3–0. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the BUF 5 (Q4 9:20) — (9:20) 4-S.Hauschka 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

Turning points

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q2 41:05) — (11:05) (Shotgun) 24-M.Lynch up the middle to BUF 4 for 54 yards (37-G.Wilson). [WPA +8.8% · EPA +4.48]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q2 44:21) — (14:21) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 81-G.Tate to BUF 10 for 44 yards (25-D.Searcy). Flea-flicker, handoff to M.Lynch followed by pitch back to R.Wilson. Pass caught at BUF 13. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +2.92]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 50:54) — (5:54) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson scrambles left tackle for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +3.79]
• Buffalo Bills (Q1 45:40) — (:40) 28-C.Spiller right tackle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +1.90]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 56:43) — (11:43) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 26-M.Robinson pushed ob at BUF 25 for 20 yards (53-N.Bradham). Caught in flat at BUF 45. [WPA +7.0% · EPA +1.46]

Impact plays

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

• Buffalo Bills (Q3 21:33) — (6:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 84-S.Chandler INTERCEPTED by 29-E.Thomas [90-J.Jones] at SEA 43. 29-E.Thomas for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Receiver underthrown, E.Thomas went [WPA -0.7% · EPA -7.91]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 23:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick sacked at 50 for -11 yards (91-C.Clemons). FUMBLES (91-C.Clemons) [91-C.Clemons], RECOVERED by SEA-51-B.Irvin at BUF 45. 51-B.Irvin to BUF 10 for 35 yards (11-T.Graha [WPA -4.0% · EPA -7.65]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 28:08) — (13:08) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle intended for 84-S.Chandler INTERCEPTED by 50-K.Wright at BUF 44. 50-K.Wright pushed ob at BUF 20 for 24 yards (67-A.Levitre). Receiver underthrown. [WPA -6.1% · EPA -6.36]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 12:49) — (12:49) (Punt formation) 26-M.Robinson left guard to BUF 14 for 29 yards (33-R.Brooks). Snap to C.Maragos, inside handoff to M.Robinson. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +4.97]

Quarterback report card

R.Fitzpatrick led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) · 42 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -6.2% CPOE · -0.52 EPA/play · -21.76 total EPA
• R.Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) · 30 dropbacks · 46.7% completion · +1.9% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +12.49 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Seattle Seahawks generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.32 vs -0.20), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Buffalo Bills: 12 drives, -17.38 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 11 drives, +24.97 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Seattle Seahawks leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Fitzpatrick (BUF) 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. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 55:05 · BUF 14 · Score 6-0
   (10:05) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson right guard for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 55:00 · BUF 2 · Score 7-0
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
3. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 50:54 · BUF 25 · Score 13-0
   (5:54) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson scrambles left tackle for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 50:46 · BUF 2 · Score 14-0
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
5. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 45:40 · SEA 14 · Score 14-6
   (:40) 28-C.Spiller right tackle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 45:34 · SEA 2 · Score 14-7
   9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.
7. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q2 42:06 · BUF 1 · Score 17-7
   (12:06) 4-S.Hauschka 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
8. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 40:16 · BUF 4 · Score 23-7
   (10:16) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 86-Z.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 6 yds. into end zone, crossing from middle.
9. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 40:10 · BUF 2 · Score 24-7
   4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
10. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 35:38 · BUF 13 · Score 30-7
    (5:38) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 35:31 · BUF 2 · Score 31-7
    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
12. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 31:16 · SEA 20 · Score 31-13
    (1:16) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 13-St.Johnson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in front corner of end zone.
13. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 31:10 · SEA 2 · Score 31-14
    9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.
14. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · SEA 23 · Score 31-17
    (:04) 9-R.Lindell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-S.Powell.
15. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 27:25 · BUF 13 · Score 37-17
    (12:25) 24-M.Lynch left tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q3 22:32 · BUF 15 · Score 40-17
    (7:32) 4-S.Hauschka 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
17. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 21:33 · SEA 69 · Score 46-17
    (6:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 84-S.Chandler INTERCEPTED by 29-E.Thomas [90-J.Jones] at SEA 43. 29-E.Thomas for 57 yards, TOUCHDO
18. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 21:13 · BUF 2 · Score 47-17
    4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
19. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q4 9:20 · BUF 5 · Score 50-17
    (9:20) 4-S.Hauschka 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.