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NFL · Week 14 · December 8, 2002 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2002 Week 14 Recap

Cardinals defeat Lions 23–20 in Week 14

M.Shipp led Fantasy Impact as Cardinals prevailed in a 20–23 Week 14 finish.

Detroit Lions 20 3–10
Final 20–23
Arizona Cardinals 23 5–8 Winner
Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
20–23
Halftime
Detroit Lions 17–14 Arizona Cardinals
Top passer
Jack Plummer
FantasyHQ MVP
M.Shipp
Game date
December 8, 2002

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Spencer Anderson
    Spencer Anderson 1 REC · 10 YDS +1.1 Fantasy Impact
  • L.Foster 1 REC · 7 YDS +0.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Josaiah Stewart
    Josaiah Stewart 14 CAR · 52 YDS +0.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • M.Shipp +2.5 Fantasy Impact
  • N.Poole +1.8 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Makovicka 2 CAR · 27 YDS +1.1 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Cardinals box score View all 2002 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
Arizona Cardinals 23–20 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Detroit Lions 17–14 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
M. Shipp
Top passer
Jack Plummer
Biggest EPA play
(13:37) 10-S.Player punts 45 yards to DET 27, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 73 yard…
Game date
2002-12-08

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Detroit Lions 23–20 on 2002-12-08, overcoming Detroit Lions's 17–14 halftime lead. M. Shipp posted a game-high +2.51 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4OTT
Detroit Lions14330020
Arizona Cardinals7733323

Scoring Map

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

DETDetroit Lions
ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 13:37TD
    EDE. Drummond

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 72
    Score
    6-0

    (13:37) 10-S.Player punts 45 yards to DET 27, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Ineligible Downfield Kick, declined.

  2. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 13:15XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    7-0

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  3. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 9:53TD
    JMJ. Makovicka

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    7-6

    (9:53) 16-J.Plummer pass to 34-J.Makovicka for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 9:47XP
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    7-7

    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 0:13TD
    MRM. Ricks

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 6
    Score
    13-7

    (:13) 3-J.Harrington pass to 86-M.Ricks for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 0:05XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    14-7

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 3:24FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 7
    Score
    17-7

    (3:24) 4-J.Hanson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  8. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 0:45TD
    NPN. Poole

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 10
    Score
    17-13

    (:45) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 19-N.Poole for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 0:38XP
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    17-14

    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  10. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 10:56FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    20-14

    (10:56) 4-J.Hanson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  11. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 5:27FG
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 11
    Score
    20-17

    (5:27) 7-B.Gramatica 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  12. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 3:27FG
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 24
    Score
    20-20

    (3:27) 7-B.Gramatica 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  13. ARIArizona Cardinals
    OT 10:53FG
    BGB. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 24
    Score
    20-23

    (10:53) 7-B.Gramatica 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1M. Shipp · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
  2. 2N. Poole · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.82 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
  3. 3Spencer AndersonSpencer Anderson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
  4. 4J. Makovicka · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +1.14 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
  5. 5L. Foster · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
  6. 6K. Kasper · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.63 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
  7. 7Josaiah StewartJosaiah Stewart · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.62 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
  8. 8F. Jones · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.54 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.08 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

M. Shipp — ARI · Receiving

M. Shipp posted the highest total EPA (+2.51) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +0.63 EPA per play.

Biggest single play (-5.75 EPA): S. Player — (13:37) 10-S.Player punts 45 yards to DET 27, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Ineligible Downfield Kick, declined.

Quarterback report card

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

  • Jack PlummerJack Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) · 55 dropbacks · 43.6% completion · -0.07 EPA/play · -4.01 total EPA
  • Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 39 dropbacks · 51.3% completion · -0.05 EPA/play · -1.91 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsArizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play-0.030-0.028
Offensive success rate43.6%45.8%
Pass EPA/play-0.080-0.073
Rush EPA/play-0.052-0.121
Defensive EPA/play+0.028+0.030
Defensive success rate54.2%56.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions -0.03, Arizona Cardinals -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: -0.03 EPA/play (43rd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: -0.03 EPA/play (44th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 15 drives, -3.00 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 13 drives, -2.31 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Detroit Lions — E. Drummond (Q1 13:37)
  • Arizona Cardinals — J. Makovicka (Jack Plummer pass) (Q1 9:53)
  • Detroit Lions — M. Ricks (Jax Harrington pass) (Q1 0:13)
  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Poole (Jack Plummer pass) (Q2 0:45)

Field goals

  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q2 3:24)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q3 10:56)
  • Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica (Q3 5:27)
  • Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica (Q4 3:27)
  • Arizona Cardinals — B. Gramatica (OT 10:53)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 72 (Q1 13:37); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 13:15) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q1 9:53) — (9:53) 16-J.Plummer pass to 34-J.Makovicka for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 9:47) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q1 0:13) — (:13) 3-J.Harrington pass to 86-M.Ricks for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 0:05) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 7 (Q2 3:24) — (3:24) 4-J.Hanson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 10 (Q2 0:45) — (:45) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 19-N.Poole for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 0:38) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 2 (Q3 10:56) — (10:56) 4-J.Hanson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 11 (Q3 5:27) — (5:27) 7-B.Gramatica 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 24 (Q4 3:27) — (3:27) 7-B.Gramatica 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

Overtime: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 24 (OT 10:53) — (10:53) 7-B.Gramatica 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Arizona Cardinals (OT 13:00) — (13:00) 16-J.Plummer pass to 11-K.Kasper to DET 28 for 23 yards (29-C.Cash). [WPA +27.0% · EPA +2.54]
  • Arizona Cardinals (OT 10:53) — (10:53) 7-B.Gramatica 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. [WPA +19.2% · EPA +1.19]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:13) — (1:13) 10-S.Player punts 43 yards to DET 19, Center-48-N.Hodel, fair catch by 18-E.Drummond. [WPA -13.9% · EPA -0.12]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 13:37) — (13:37) 10-S.Player punts 45 yards to DET 27, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Ineligible Downfield Kick, declined. [WPA -13.4% · EPA -5.75]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 5:44) — (5:44) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 11-K.Kasper INTERCEPTED by 24-T.Lyght at 50. 24-T.Lyght pushed ob at ARI 19 for 31 yards (50-J.Starkey). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.62]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 13:37) — (13:37) 10-S.Player punts 45 yards to DET 27, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Ineligible Downfield Kick, declined. [WPA -13.4% · EPA -5.75]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 5:44) — (5:44) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 11-K.Kasper INTERCEPTED by 24-T.Lyght at 50. 24-T.Lyght pushed ob at ARI 19 for 31 yards (50-J.Starkey). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.62]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 1:44) — (1:44) 10-S.Player punts 34 yards to DET 14, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ARI-41-J.Lucas at DET 17. [WPA +12.1% · EPA +4.09]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 15:00) — 7-B.Gramatica kicks 56 yards from ARI 30 to DET 14. 23-R.Cooper pushed ob at ARI 31 for 55 yards (23-J.Rhinehart). [WPA +8.7% · EPA +3.57]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 13:37 · DET 72 · Score 6-0
    (13:37) 10-S.Player punts 45 yards to DET 27, Center-48-N.Hodel. 18-E.Drummond for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI, Ineligible Downfield Kick, declined.
  2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 13:15 · ARI 2 · Score 7-0
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 9:53 · DET 1 · Score 7-6
    (9:53) 16-J.Plummer pass to 34-J.Makovicka for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 9:47 · DET 2 · Score 7-7
    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 0:13 · ARI 6 · Score 13-7
    (:13) 3-J.Harrington pass to 86-M.Ricks for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 0:05 · ARI 2 · Score 14-7
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 3:24 · ARI 7 · Score 17-7
    (3:24) 4-J.Hanson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 0:45 · DET 10 · Score 17-13
    (:45) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 19-N.Poole for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 0:38 · DET 2 · Score 17-14
    7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 10:56 · ARI 2 · Score 20-14
    (10:56) 4-J.Hanson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  11. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 5:27 · DET 11 · Score 20-17
    (5:27) 7-B.Gramatica 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 3:27 · DET 24 · Score 20-20
    (3:27) 7-B.Gramatica 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  13. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — OT 10:53 · DET 24 · Score 20-23
    (10:53) 7-B.Gramatica 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

Key takeaways

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

  • Arizona Cardinals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • M. Shipp (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals on 2002-12-08?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Detroit Lions 23-20 in Week 14, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Detroit Lions 14, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 3, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q4: Detroit Lions 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q5: Detroit Lions 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Final: Detroit Lions 20, Arizona Cardinals 23.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?

Detroit Lions touchdown — E. Drummond (Q1 13:37) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — J. Makovicka (J. Plummer pass) (Q1 9:53) Detroit Lions touchdown — M. Ricks (J. Harrington pass) (Q1 0:13) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — N. Poole (J. Plummer pass) (Q2 0:45) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 3:24, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 10:56, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — B. Gramatica (Q3 5:27, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — B. Gramatica (Q4 3:27, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — B. Gramatica (OT 10:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?

Jack Plummer (Arizona Cardinals), 43.6% completion, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -4.01 total passing EPA. Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions), 51.3% completion, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -1.91 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?

M. Shipp (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +2.51 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps.

Was Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Arizona Cardinals won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 3-9 Now 3-10 L

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 4-8 Now 5-8 W

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