Washington Commanders vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2024 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-09-29, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 42–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Daniels (Washington Commanders) paced the passing game, with +17.13 total EPA, and +14.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Daniels (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+8.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Washington Commanders changed the game: (10:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 26-J.McNichols left end for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 J. Daniels · Washington Commanders · Passing · +17.13 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
2. 2 O. Zaccheaus · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +8.23 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Harrison · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.39 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
4. 4 J. McNichols · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +5.83 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Robinson · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +4.56 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
6. 6 N. Brown · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Conner · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.42 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Daniels · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +2.14 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.07 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 — M. Harrison (K. Murray pass) (Q1 54:57)
• Washington Commanders — B. Robinson (Q1 50:17)
• Washington Commanders — J. McNichols (Q2 40:26)
• Washington Commanders — J. Daniels (Q3 28:57)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Conner (Q3 15:15)
• Washington Commanders — T. McLaurin (J. Daniels pass) (Q4 8:35)
• Washington Commanders — J. McNichols (Q4 4:33)

Field goals

• Washington Commanders — A. Seibert (Q2 30:03)
• Washington Commanders — unlisted player (Q2 30:00)
• Washington Commanders — A. Seibert (Q3 20:19)

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 7–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the WAS 2 (Q1 54:57) — (9:57) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 18-M.Harrison for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q1 54:54) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q1 50:17) — (5:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-B.Robinson up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 50:13) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way..

The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 13–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 27 (Q2 40:26) — (10:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 26-J.McNichols left end for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 40:18) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the ARI 27 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 3-A.Seibert 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.

The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 10–7. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q3 28:57) — (13:57) (Shotgun) 5-J.Daniels right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 28:52) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the ARI 19 (Q3 20:19) — (5:19) 3-A.Seibert 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the WAS 6 (Q3 15:15) — (:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Conner up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q3 15:11) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin..

The fourth quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 15–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q4 8:35) — (8:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-J.Daniels pass short middle to 17-T.McLaurin for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q4 8:30) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 5-J.Daniels pass to 86-Z.Ertz is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the ARI 7 (Q4 4:33) — (4:33) 26-J.McNichols up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on WAS-26-J.McNichols, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the ARI 30 (Q4 4:30) — 3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way..

Turning points

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

• Washington Commanders (Q2 40:26) — (10:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 26-J.McNichols left end for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +2.88]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 36:50) — (6:50) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-J.Daniels pass deep middle intended for 17-T.McLaurin INTERCEPTED by 21-G.Williams at ARI 18. 21-G.Williams to ARI 18 for no gain (86-Z.Ertz). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -3.53]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 51:49) — (6:49) (No Huddle) 8-B.Robinson left end to ARI 23 for 17 yards (3-B.Baker; 21-G.Williams). [WPA +6.6% · EPA +2.03]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 54:57) — (9:57) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 18-M.Harrison for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.5% · EPA +2.34]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray sacked at WAS 42 for -7 yards (92-D.Armstrong). [WPA -5.8% · EPA -2.97]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 17:11) — (2:11) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 18-M.Harrison ran ob at WAS 32 for 19 yards. [WPA +1.6% · EPA +4.36]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 7:19) — (7:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left to 14-Mi.Wilson to WAS 24 for 22 yards (11-J.Chinn; 4-F.Luvu). Washington challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVER [WPA -0.1% · EPA -3.93]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 36:50) — (6:50) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-J.Daniels pass deep middle intended for 17-T.McLaurin INTERCEPTED by 21-G.Williams at ARI 18. 21-G.Williams to ARI 18 for no gain (86-Z.Ertz). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -3.53]
• Washington Commanders (Q4 7:02) — (7:02) (Shotgun) 8-B.Robinson right tackle to WAS 43 for 18 yards (7-K.White, 34-J.Thompson). PENALTY on ARI-45-D.Gardeck, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at WAS 43. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +3.35]

Quarterback report card

J.Daniels led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Daniels (Washington Commanders) · 39 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +14.3% CPOE · +0.44 EPA/play · +17.13 total EPA
• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 28 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +0.4% CPOE · -0.26 EPA/play · -7.35 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Washington Commanders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.37 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 9 drives, -4.36 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Washington Commanders: 9 drives, +31.40 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Washington Commanders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Daniels (Washington Commanders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Daniels (WAS) 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 54:57 · WAS 2 · Score 0-6
   (9:57) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 18-M.Harrison for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 54:54 · WAS 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
3. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 50:17 · ARI 6 · Score 6-7
   (5:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 8-B.Robinson up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 50:13 · ARI 15 · Score 7-7
   3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.
5. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 40:26 · ARI 27 · Score 13-7
   (10:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 26-J.McNichols left end for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 40:18 · ARI 15 · Score 14-7
   3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.
7. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · ARI 27 · Score 17-7
   (:03) 3-A.Seibert 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.
8. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 17-7
   END QUARTER 2
9. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 28:57 · ARI 9 · Score 23-7
   (13:57) (Shotgun) 5-J.Daniels right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 28:52 · ARI 15 · Score 24-7
    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.
11. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q3 20:19 · ARI 19 · Score 27-7
    (5:19) 3-A.Seibert 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 15:15 · WAS 6 · Score 27-13
    (:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 6-J.Conner up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 15:11 · WAS 15 · Score 27-14
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-12-B.Gillikin.
14. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 8:35 · ARI 10 · Score 33-14
    (8:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-J.Daniels pass short middle to 17-T.McLaurin for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Washington Commanders Safety (+2) — Q4 8:30 · ARI 2 · Score 35-14
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 5-J.Daniels pass to 86-Z.Ertz is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
16. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 4:33 · ARI 7 · Score 41-14
    (4:33) 26-J.McNichols up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on WAS-26-J.McNichols, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
17. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 4:30 · ARI 30 · Score 42-14
    3-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-10-T.Way.