Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2008 Conf. Championship Recap

Game story

In the Conf. Championship of the 2008 NFL season on 2009-02-01, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 27–23 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +5.10 total EPA, and +8.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.37 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-46.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (:18) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Harrison at PIT 0. 92-J.Harrison for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Super Bowl Record, longest interception return yar

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 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +13.37 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +11.02 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +8.14 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.05 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
5. 5 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.50 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Breaston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Warner · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +5.10 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
8. 8 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.07 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

• Pittsburgh Steelers — G. Russell (Q2 44:09)
• Arizona Cardinals — B. Patrick (K. Warner pass) (Q2 38:43)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Harrison (Q2 30:18)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q4 7:41)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q4 2:47)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Holmes (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 0:42)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q1 54:50)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Retkofsky (Q3 17:16)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the ARI 1 (Q1 54:50) — (9:50) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 44:09) — (14:09) 33-G.Russell right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 44:01) — (Kick formation) 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q2 38:43) — (8:43) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 89-B.Patrick for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 38:34) — (Kick formation) 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q2 30:18); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 30:00) — (Kick formation) 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the ARI 3 (Q3 17:16) — (2:16) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 16–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q4 7:41) — (7:41) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 7:33) — (Kick formation) 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the ARI 99 (Q4 3:04); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the PIT 64 (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 2:37) — (Kick formation) 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q4 0:42); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 0:35) — (Kick formation) 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger..

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Harrison at PIT 0. 92-J.Harrison for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Super Bowl Record, longest interception return yar [WPA -46.0% · EPA -12.21]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +42.1% · EPA +6.15]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:02) — (1:02) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-S.Holmes to ARI 6 for 40 yards (47-A.Francisco). [WPA +24.4% · EPA +3.02]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 0:42) — (:42) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-S.Holmes for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +19.7% · EPA +2.62]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:15) — (:15) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner sacked at PIT 49 for -5 yards (56-L.Woodley). FUMBLES (56-L.Woodley), RECOVERED by PIT-99-B.Keisel at PIT 43. 99-B.Keisel to PIT 43 for no gain (75-L.Brown). PENALTY on PIT [WPA -15.5% · EPA -0.74]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 30:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Harrison at PIT 0. 92-J.Harrison for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Super Bowl Record, longest interception return yar [WPA -46.0% · EPA -12.21]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +42.1% · EPA +6.15]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 39:31) — (9:31) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 81-A.Boldin to PIT 1 for 45 yards (25-R.Clark). [WPA +9.9% · EPA +4.05]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 32:09) — (2:09) (No Huddle) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 10-S.Holmes INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby (97-B.Robinson) at PIT 33. 58-K.Dansby to PIT 34 for -1 yards (21-M.Moore). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -3.36]

Quarterback report card

K.Warner led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 48 dropbacks · 64.6% completion · +8.5% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.10 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 39 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · +9.9% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +8.14 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 (Pittsburgh Steelers +0.11, Arizona Cardinals +0.06) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +4.58 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +8.45 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers 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.
• S. Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Warner (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) 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. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 54:50 · ARI 1 · Score 3-0
   (9:50) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 44:09 · ARI 1 · Score 9-0
   (14:09) 33-G.Russell right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 44:01 · ARI 2 · Score 10-0
   (Kick formation) 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 38:43 · PIT 1 · Score 10-6
   (8:43) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 89-B.Patrick for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 38:34 · PIT 2 · Score 10-7
   (Kick formation) 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:18 · PIT 1 · Score 16-7
   (:18) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 92-J.Harrison at PIT 0. 92-J.Harrison for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Super Bowl
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · ARI 2 · Score 17-7
   (Kick formation) 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 17:16 · ARI 3 · Score 20-7
   (2:16) (Field Goal formation) 3-Je.Reed 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:41 · PIT 1 · Score 20-13
   (7:41) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 7:33 · PIT 2 · Score 20-14
    (Kick formation) 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
11. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q4 3:04 · ARI 99 · Score 20-16
    (3:04) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 10-S.Holmes to PIT 20 for 19 yards (29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie). PENALTY on PIT-62-J.Hartwig, Offensive Holdi
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 2:47 · PIT 64 · Score 20-22
    (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 2:37 · PIT 2 · Score 20-23
    (Kick formation) 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 0:42 · ARI 6 · Score 26-23
    (:42) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-S.Holmes for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the p
15. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 0:35 · ARI 2 · Score 27-23
    (Kick formation) 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-17-M.Berger.