Game story
In Week 2 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-09-18, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 40–7 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.
J. Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -19.60 total EPA, and -9.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.07 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-10.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (3:12) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston sacked at ARI 34 for -5 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by ARI-22-T.Jefferson at ARI 32. 22-T.Jefferson to ARI 32 for no gain (74-A.Marpet).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 24 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +15.07 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 2 Ja. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +8.03 total EPA · 2 snaps · +4.02 EPA/play
- 3 D. Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
- 4 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.46 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 5 A. Humphries · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.04 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 6 J. Rodgers · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +1.95 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
- 7 A. Seferian-Jenkins · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.82 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
- 8 A. Ellington · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.52 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Palmer — ARI · Passing
C. Palmer posted the highest total EPA (+15.07) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 32 counted snaps, they averaged +0.47 EPA per play.
The signature play (-10.20 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left intended for 34-C.Sims INTERCEPTED by 41-M.Cooper (97-J.Mauro) at ARI 40. 41-M.Cooper for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — M. Floyd (C. Palmer pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — C. Palmer
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (J. Winston pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — M. Cooper
- Arizona Cardinals — C. Johnson
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro
- Arizona Cardinals — C. Catanzaro
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 24–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q2 44:59); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 44:54) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TB 5 (Q2 41:48) — (11:48) 7-C.Catanzaro 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q2 31:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 15-M.Floyd for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 31:30) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 51 (Q2 30:26) — (:26) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 13-Ja.Brown for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 30:20) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler..
The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 9–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ARI 19 (Q3 25:06) — (10:06) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 25:01) — 19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TB 22 (Q3 23:00) — (8:00) 7-C.Catanzaro 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 41 (Q3 20:15).
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 3 (Q4 12:15) — (12:15) 23-C.Johnson up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 12:11) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 33:12) — (3:12) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston sacked at ARI 34 for -5 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by ARI-22-T.Jefferson at ARI 32. 22-T.Jefferson to ARI 32 for no gain (74-A.Marpet).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 44:17) — (14:17) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle intended for 83-V.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 41-M.Cooper at TB 42. 41-M.Cooper pushed ob at TB 19 for 23 yards (64-K.Pamphile).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 55:44) — (10:44) 3-J.Winston pass deep right intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Peterson at ARI 0. 21-P.Peterson ran ob at ARI 25 for 25 yards (68-J.Hawley).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 47:32) — (2:32) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to TB 27 for 25 yards (23-C.Conte).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 51:49) — (6:49) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short right to 11-A.Humphries to TB 38 for 15 yards (27-T.Branch).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 20:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left intended for 34-C.Sims INTERCEPTED by 41-M.Cooper (97-J.Mauro) at ARI 40. 41-M.Cooper for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:26) — (:26) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 13-Ja.Brown for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 44:17) — (14:17) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep middle intended for 83-V.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 41-M.Cooper at TB 42. 41-M.Cooper pushed ob at TB 19 for 23 yards (64-K.Pamphile).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 33:12) — (3:12) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston sacked at ARI 34 for -5 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by ARI-22-T.Jefferson at ARI 32. 22-T.Jefferson to ARI 32 for no gain (74-A.Marpet).
Quarterback report card
J.Winston led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 60 dropbacks · 45.0% completion · -9.3% CPOE · -0.33 EPA/play · -19.60 total EPA
- C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 32 dropbacks · 53.1% completion · +1.0% CPOE · +0.47 EPA/play · +15.07 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.299 | +0.098 |
| Offensive success rate | 34.4% | 40.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.327 | +0.362 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.117 | -0.109 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.098 | +0.299 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.5% | 65.6% |
By the numbers
Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.30), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, +8.24 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 14 drives, -28.70 total EPA, 2 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.
- C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Winston (TB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 44:59 · TB 4 · Score 0-6
(14:59) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on TB-24-B.Grimes, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 44:54 · TB 15 · Score 0-7
7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 41:48 · TB 5 · Score 0-10
(11:48) 7-C.Catanzaro 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 31:35 · TB 1 · Score 0-16
(1:35) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 15-M.Floyd for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 31:30 · TB 15 · Score 0-17
7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:26 · TB 51 · Score 0-23
(:26) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 13-Ja.Brown for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:20 · TB 15 · Score 0-24
7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 25:06 · ARI 19 · Score 6-24
(10:06) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 25:01 · ARI 15 · Score 7-24
19-R.Aguayo extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 23:00 · TB 22 · Score 7-27
(8:00) 7-C.Catanzaro 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 20:15 · ARI 41 · Score 7-33
(5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left intended for 34-C.Sims INTERCEPTED by 41-M.Cooper (97-J.Mauro) at ARI 40. 41-M.Cooper for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 12:15 · TB 3 · Score 7-39
(12:15) 23-C.Johnson up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 12:11 · TB 15 · Score 7-40
7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Canaday, Holder-2-D.Butler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40-7 in Week 2, 2016 on 2016-09-18.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Arizona Cardinals 40 (TB 7-40 ARI) in Week 2, 2016 on 2016-09-18.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Arizona Cardinals 24; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Arizona Cardinals 9; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Arizona Cardinals 40.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 44:59) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Floyd (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 31:35) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — C. Palmer (Q2 30:26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Evans (J. Winston pass) (Q3 25:06) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Cooper (Q3 20:15) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — C. Johnson (Q4 12:15) Arizona Cardinals field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q2 41:48, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q3 23:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?
J. Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 45.0% completion, -9.3% CPOE, -0.33 EPA per dropback, -19.60 total passing EPA. C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals), 53.1% completion, +1.0% CPOE, +0.47 EPA per dropback, +15.07 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?
C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +15.07 on passing plays. across 32 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-10.20 EPA): (5:15) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass short left intended for 34-C.Sims INTERCEPTED by 41-M.Cooper (97-J.Mauro) at ARI 40. 41-M.Cooper for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -10.9%.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 1-0 Now 1-1 L
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W
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