Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2017 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-15, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 38–33 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 34 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +8.40 total EPA, and +10.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Brate (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.92 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+6.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (7:45) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 48 for 29 yards (21-J.Evans) [93-G.McCoy].

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 C. Brate · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +8.92 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Fitzpatrick · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +8.40 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +5.33 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Humphries · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.44 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
6. 6 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.38 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
7. 7 Ja. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.44 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Niklas · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.94 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.97 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 — A. Peterson (Q1 57:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — T. Niklas (C. Palmer pass) (Q1 50:29)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 42:09)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Brown (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 27:06)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — D. Jackson (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q3 23:31)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Brate (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 13:38)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — L. Fitzgerald (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 13:05)
• Arizona Cardinals — A. Peterson (Q4 7:22)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — D. Martin (Q4 3:06)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 2:09)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — P. Dawson (Q2 35:33)

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 14–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 27 (Q1 57:00) — (12:00) 23-A.Peterson up the middle for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 56:52) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 14 (Q1 50:29) — (5:29) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 87-T.Niklas for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 50:24) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 11 (Q2 42:09) — (12:09) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 42:04) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TB 10 (Q2 35:33) — (5:33) 4-P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee. Penalty on TB-23-C.Conte, Defensive Offside, declined..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–6. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 17 (Q3 27:06) — (12:06) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 12-J.Brown for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q3 26:58) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 11-D.Jackson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 27–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q4 13:38) — (13:38) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 84-C.Brate for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the TB 85 (Q4 13:05); Tampa Bay Buccaneers registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 12:56) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 22-D.Martin rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q4 7:22); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 7:17) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 3:06) — (3:06) 77-C.Benenoch reported in as eligible. 22-D.Martin up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ARI 37 (Q4 2:09) — (2:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to 13-M.Evans for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 2:02) — 7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 52:45) — (7:45) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 48 for 29 yards (21-J.Evans) [93-G.McCoy]. [WPA +6.3% · EPA +3.04]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 57:33) — (12:33) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 84-J.Gresham pushed ob at TB 27 for 18 yards (24-B.Grimes). [WPA +6.2% · EPA +1.16]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 56:07) — (11:07) 3-J.Winston pass short right to 84-C.Brate to TB 44 for 15 yards (27-T.Branch). [WPA +5.4% · EPA +1.98]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 57:00) — (12:00) 23-A.Peterson up the middle for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.1% · EPA +2.59]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 19 for 4 yards (54-L.David). FUMBLES (54-L.David), RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at ARI 21. 54-L.David for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Off [WPA -4.2% · EPA -7.36]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 13:05) — (13:05) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 19 for 4 yards (54-L.David). FUMBLES (54-L.David), RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at ARI 21. 54-L.David for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Off [WPA -4.2% · EPA -7.36]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 7:28) — (7:28) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 25-T.Williams at TB 1. 25-T.Williams to TB 1 for no gain (13-M.Evans). [WPA -2.3% · EPA -5.65]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 22:56) — (7:56) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle intended for 14-J.Nelson INTERCEPTED by 24-B.Grimes at TB 19. 24-B.Grimes to ARI 42 for 39 yards (23-A.Peterson). [WPA -0.9% · EPA -5.46]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 29:23) — (14:23) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 11-D.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Bethea at ARI 46. 41-A.Bethea to TB 33 for 21 yards (74-A.Marpet). [WPA -2.3% · EPA -4.25]

Quarterback report card

R.Fitzpatrick led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · +10.7% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +8.40 total EPA
• C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 28 dropbacks · 64.3% completion · +20.0% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +5.33 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.02, Arizona Cardinals +0.06) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, +5.04 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12 drives, +1.43 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.
• C. Brate (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Fitzpatrick (TB) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Palmer (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 TD (+6) — Q1 57:00 · TB 27 · Score 0-6
   (12:00) 23-A.Peterson up the middle for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 56:52 · TB 15 · Score 0-7
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 50:29 · TB 14 · Score 0-13
   (5:29) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 87-T.Niklas for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 50:24 · TB 15 · Score 0-14
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 42:09 · TB 11 · Score 0-20
   (12:09) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 42:04 · TB 15 · Score 0-21
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.
7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 35:33 · TB 10 · Score 0-24
   (5:33) 4-P.Dawson 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee. Penalty on TB-23-C.Conte, Defensive Offside, declined.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 27:06 · TB 17 · Score 0-30
   (12:06) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 12-J.Brown for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 26:58 · TB 15 · Score 0-31
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 23:31 · ARI 4 · Score 6-31
    (8:31) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 11-D.Jackson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 13:38 · ARI 10 · Score 12-31
    (13:38) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 84-C.Brate for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 13:05 · TB 85 · Score 18-31
    (13:05) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 19 for 4 yards (54-L.David). FUMBLES (54-L.David), RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at ARI 21. 54-L.David
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety (+2) — Q4 12:56 · ARI 2 · Score 20-31
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 22-D.Martin rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:22 · TB 1 · Score 20-37
    (7:22) 70-E.Boehm reported in as eligible. 23-A.Peterson right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on TB-90-C.Baker, Defensive Offside, declined.
15. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 7:17 · TB 15 · Score 20-38
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Drescher, Holder-2-A.Lee.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 3:06 · ARI 1 · Score 26-38
    (3:06) 77-C.Benenoch reported in as eligible. 22-D.Martin up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:09 · ARI 37 · Score 32-38
    (2:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to 13-M.Evans for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 2:02 · ARI 15 · Score 33-38
    7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.