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NFL · Week 2 · September 23, 2001 · 12 min read

Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2001 Week 2 Recap

Broncos defeat Cardinals 38–17 in Week 2

B.Griese led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 38–17 Week 2 finish.

Denver Broncos 38 2–0 Winner
Final 38–17
Arizona Cardinals 17 0–1
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
38–17
Halftime
Denver Broncos 17–10 Arizona Cardinals
Top passer
B. Griese
FantasyHQ MVP
B.Griese
Game date
September 23, 2001

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • B.Griese 22/34 · 236 YDS · 3 TD +16.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith 14 REC · 162 YDS · 2 TD +14.2 Fantasy Impact
  • O.Gary 14 CAR · 90 YDS · 1 TD +5.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • Denzel Boston 8 REC · 145 YDS +10.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Jack Plummer
    Jack Plummer 16/32 · 243 YDS · 1 TD +5.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Terrance Mitchell
    Terrance Mitchell 1 REC · 20 YDS +1.8 Fantasy Impact
View Broncos vs Cardinals box score View all 2001 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 38–17 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime
Denver Broncos 17–10 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
B. Griese
Top passer
B. Griese
Biggest EPA play
(7:13) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 27-D.Walker at DEN 49. 27-D.Walker to ARI 31 for 2…
Game date
2001-09-23

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Arizona Cardinals 38–17 on 2001-09-23. B. Griese posted a game-high +16.95 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Denver Broncos017147038
Arizona Cardinals3707017

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DENDenver Broncos
ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

16 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 7:48FG
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 10
    Score
    0-3

    (7:48) 7-B.Gramatica 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player.

  2. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 15:00TD
    Truman Jones

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 1
    Score
    0-9

    (15:00) 26-T.Jones right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 14:57XP
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    0-10

    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player.

  4. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 11:36FG
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 31
    Score
    3-10

    (11:36) 1-J.Elam 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  5. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 5:17FG
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 12
    Score
    6-10

    (5:17) 1-J.Elam 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 3:39FG
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 17
    Score
    9-10

    (3:39) 1-J.Elam 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  7. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 0:38TD
    Ryan Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 10
    Score
    15-10

    (:38) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 0:32Safety
    BGB. Griese

    Points+2

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    17-10

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-B.Griese pass to 89-D.Carswell is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  9. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 12:01TD
    Ryan Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 34
    Score
    23-10

    (12:01) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 11:51XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    24-10

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 5:58TD
    PHP. Hape

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 1
    Score
    30-10

    (5:58) 14-B.Griese pass to 86-P.Hape for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 5:53XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    31-10

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  13. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 13:45TD
    OGO. Gary

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 9
    Score
    37-10

    (13:45) 22-O.Gary left tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 13:38XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    38-10

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  15. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 4:59TD
    THT. Hardy

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 6
    Score
    38-16

    (4:59) 16-J.Plummer pass to 80-T.Hardy for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  16. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 4:54XP
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    38-17

    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1B. Griese · Denver Broncos · Passing · +16.95 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
  2. 2Ryan SmithRyan Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +14.22 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
  3. 3Denzel Boston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +10.12 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
  4. 4Jack PlummerJack Plummer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +5.61 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  5. 5O. Gary · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +5.04 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
  6. 6D. Carswell · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
  7. 7Terrance MitchellTerrance Mitchell · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
  8. 8T. Hardy · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.43 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

B. Griese — DEN · Passing

B. Griese posted the highest total EPA (+16.95) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Denver Broncos. Across 34 counted snaps, they averaged +0.50 EPA per play.

B. Griese's top snap (+3.87 EPA): (12:01) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-4.25 EPA): Jack Plummer — (7:13) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 27-D.Walker at DEN 49. 27-D.Walker to ARI 31 for 20 yards (80-T.Hardy). FUMBLES (80-T.Hardy), and recovers at ARI 30.

Quarterback report card

B. Griese led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • B. Griese (Denver Broncos) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +0.50 EPA/play · +16.95 total EPA
  • Jack PlummerJack Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) · 32 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.18 EPA/play · +5.61 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDenver BroncosArizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play+0.266-0.012
Offensive success rate54.5%47.8%
Pass EPA/play+0.499+0.175
Rush EPA/play-0.007-0.360
Defensive EPA/play+0.012-0.266
Defensive success rate52.2%45.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Denver Broncos generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Denver Broncos: +0.27 EPA/play (97th percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: -0.01 EPA/play (49th percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -0.82 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +23.40 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Truman JonesArizona Cardinals — Truman Jones (Q2 15:00)
  • Ryan SmithDenver Broncos — Ryan Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q2 0:38)
  • Ryan SmithDenver Broncos — Ryan Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q3 12:01)
  • Denver Broncos — P. Hape (B. Griese pass) (Q3 5:58)
  • Denver Broncos — O. Gary (Q4 13:45)
  • Arizona Cardinals — T. Hardy (Jack Plummer pass) (Q4 4:59)

Field goals

  • Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica (Q1 7:48)
  • Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 11:36)
  • Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 5:17)
  • Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 3:39)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DEN 10 (Q1 7:48) — (7:48) 7-B.Gramatica 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 17–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) 26-T.Jones right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 14:57) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 31 (Q2 11:36) — (11:36) 1-J.Elam 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 12 (Q2 5:17) — (5:17) 1-J.Elam 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ARI 17 (Q2 3:39) — (3:39) 1-J.Elam 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q2 0:38) — (:38) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos registered a safety from the ARI 2 (Q2 0:32) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-B.Griese pass to 89-D.Carswell is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 34 (Q3 12:01) — (12:01) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 11:51) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 5:58) — (5:58) 14-B.Griese pass to 86-P.Hape for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 5:53) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q4 13:45) — (13:45) 22-O.Gary left tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 13:38) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DEN 6 (Q4 4:59) — (4:59) 16-J.Plummer pass to 80-T.Hardy for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 4:54) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 5:04) — 1-J.Elam kicks 67 yards from DEN 30 to ARI 3. 82-M.Jenkins to ARI 27 for 24 yards (55-K.Burns). FUMBLES (55-K.Burns), RECOVERED by DEN-52-I.Gold at ARI 23. [WPA -16.6% · EPA -3.93]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 7:13) — (7:13) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 27-D.Walker at DEN 49. 27-D.Walker to ARI 31 for 20 yards (80-T.Hardy). FUMBLES (80-T.Hardy), and recovers at ARI 30. [WPA -12.0% · EPA -4.25]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 12:46) — (12:46) 16-J.Plummer scrambles up the middle to DEN 31 for 19 yards (94-L.Lett). [WPA +9.7% · EPA +2.24]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 12:01) — (12:01) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +3.87]
  • Denver Broncos (Q2 0:38) — (:38) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.5% · EPA +3.30]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 7:13) — (7:13) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 27-D.Walker at DEN 49. 27-D.Walker to ARI 31 for 20 yards (80-T.Hardy). FUMBLES (80-T.Hardy), and recovers at ARI 30. [WPA -12.0% · EPA -4.25]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 5:04) — 1-J.Elam kicks 67 yards from DEN 30 to ARI 3. 82-M.Jenkins to ARI 27 for 24 yards (55-K.Burns). FUMBLES (55-K.Burns), RECOVERED by DEN-52-I.Gold at ARI 23. [WPA -16.6% · EPA -3.93]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 12:01) — (12:01) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +3.87]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 12:08) — (12:08) (Shotgun) 26-T.Jones right guard to ARI 34 for 2 yards (95-K.Pittman, 51-J.Mobley). FUMBLES (95-K.Pittman), RECOVERED by DEN-92-B.Berry at ARI 34. Play Challenged by ARI and Upheld. (Timeout # [WPA -6.5% · EPA -3.75]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 7:48 · DEN 10 · Score 0-3
    (7:48) 7-B.Gramatica 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player.
  2. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 15:00 · DEN 1 · Score 0-9
    (15:00) 26-T.Jones right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 14:57 · DEN 2 · Score 0-10
    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player.
  4. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 11:36 · ARI 31 · Score 3-10
    (11:36) 1-J.Elam 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  5. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 5:17 · ARI 12 · Score 6-10
    (5:17) 1-J.Elam 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  6. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 3:39 · ARI 17 · Score 9-10
    (3:39) 1-J.Elam 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  7. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 0:38 · ARI 10 · Score 15-10
    (:38) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Denver Broncos Safety (+2) — Q2 0:32 · ARI 2 · Score 17-10
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-B.Griese pass to 89-D.Carswell is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
  9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 12:01 · ARI 34 · Score 23-10
    (12:01) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 11:51 · ARI 2 · Score 24-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  11. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 5:58 · ARI 1 · Score 30-10
    (5:58) 14-B.Griese pass to 86-P.Hape for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 5:53 · ARI 2 · Score 31-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  13. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 13:45 · ARI 9 · Score 37-10
    (13:45) 22-O.Gary left tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 13:38 · ARI 2 · Score 38-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-63-D.Diaz-Infante, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  15. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 4:59 · DEN 6 · Score 38-16
    (4:59) 16-J.Plummer pass to 80-T.Hardy for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  16. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 4:54 · DEN 2 · Score 38-17
    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-86-T.Junkin, Holder-10-S.Player.

Key takeaways

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

  • Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • B. Griese (Denver Broncos) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals on 2001-09-23?

The Denver Broncos beat the Arizona Cardinals 38-17 in Week 2, 2001.

What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Denver Broncos 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q2: Denver Broncos 17, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q3: Denver Broncos 14, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: Denver Broncos 7, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: Denver Broncos 38, Arizona Cardinals 17.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals?

Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. Jones (Q2 15:00) Denver Broncos touchdown — R. Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q2 0:38) Denver Broncos touchdown — R. Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q3 12:01) Denver Broncos touchdown — P. Hape (B. Griese pass) (Q3 5:58) Denver Broncos touchdown — O. Gary (Q4 13:45) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. Hardy (J. Plummer pass) (Q4 4:59) Arizona Cardinals field goal — B. Gramatica (Q1 7:48, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 11:36, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 5:17, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 3:39, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals?

B. Griese (Denver Broncos), 64.7% completion, +0.50 EPA per dropback, +16.95 total passing EPA. Jack Plummer (Arizona Cardinals), 50.0% completion, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +5.61 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals?

B. Griese (Denver Broncos) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +16.95 total EPA on Passing plays. across 34 snaps. Their top snap (+3.87 EPA): (12:01) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

Denver Broncos

Entered 1-0 Now 2-0 W

Arizona Cardinals

Now 0-1 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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