Buccaneers 7–12 Cardinals: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2004

Quick answer

Winner: Arizona Cardinals
Final score: Arizona Cardinals 12–7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Halftime: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0–6 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: M. Clayton
Top passer: J. McCown
Biggest EPA play: (1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date: 2005-01-02

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12–7 on 2005-01-02. M. Clayton posted a game-high +7.85 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 7 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	0	0	7	0	0	7
Arizona Cardinals	3	3	0	6	0	12

Scoring Map

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

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

+1ARI 2

+3TB 13

ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

6 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

ARIArizona Cardinals
Q1 9:11FG
NRN. Rackers
Points+3
Yard line
TB 23
Score
0-3
(9:11) 1-N.Rackers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 0:08FG
NRN. Rackers
Points+3
Yard line
TB 27
Score
0-6
(:08) 1-N.Rackers 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 1:39TD
MCM. Clayton
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 75
Score
6-6
(1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 1:24XP
Jawaan Taylor
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 2
Score
7-6
6-J.Taylor extra point is GOOD, Center-85-K.Dilger, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 11:12FG
NRN. Rackers
Points+3
Yard line
TB 21
Score
7-9
(11:12) 1-N.Rackers 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 6:16FG
NRN. Rackers
Points+3
Yard line
TB 13
Score
7-12
(6:16) 1-N.Rackers 31 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).

1M. Clayton · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +7.85 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.93 EPA/play
2Michael Pittman · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.42 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
3J. Galloway · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.89 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
4L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
5A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
6Kristian Williams · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
7N. Lawrie · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
8J. Jurevicius · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.92 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.31 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. Clayton — TB · Receiving

M. Clayton posted the highest total EPA (+7.85) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +3.93 EPA per play.

M. Clayton's top snap (+6.63 EPA): (1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals) · 38 dropbacks · 42.1% completion · -0.33 EPA/play · -12.59 total EPA
C. Simms (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 36 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -0.27 EPA/play · -9.74 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Arizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play	-0.320	-0.219
Offensive success rate	30.3%	35.1%
Pass EPA/play	-0.287	-0.331
Rush EPA/play	-0.658	-0.267
Defensive EPA/play	+0.219	+0.320
Defensive success rate	64.9%	69.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.22 vs -0.32), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.32 EPA/play (2nd percentile vs. 2004 team-game averages)
Arizona Cardinals: -0.22 EPA/play (10th percentile vs. 2004 team-game averages)

Arizona Cardinals: 15 drives, -20.59 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 15 drives, -24.31 total EPA, 1 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Clayton (C. Simms pass) (Q3 1:39)

Field goals

Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 9:11)
Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 0:08)
Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 11:12)
Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 6:16)

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 TB 23 (Q1 9:11) — (9:11) 1-N.Rackers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TB 27 (Q2 0:08) — (:08) 1-N.Rackers 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ARI 75 (Q3 1:39) — (1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 1:24) — 6-J.Taylor extra point is GOOD, Center-85-K.Dilger, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 6–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TB 21 (Q4 11:12) — (11:12) 1-N.Rackers 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the TB 13 (Q4 6:16) — (6:16) 1-N.Rackers 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 1:00) — (1:00) 2-C.Simms pass INTERCEPTED by 90-D.Dockett at ARI 26. 90-D.Dockett to ARI 46 for 20 yards. FUMBLES (83-J.Jurevicius), RECOVERED by TB-32-M.Pittman at TB 17. 32-M.Pittman to TB 16 for -1 yards ( [WPA -25.0% · EPA -5.55]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 1:06) — (1:06) 2-C.Simms pass intended for 80-M.Clayton INTERCEPTED by 24-A.Wilson at ARI 36. 24-A.Wilson ran ob at TB 40 for 24 yards. [WPA -22.5% · EPA -3.26]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 1:39) — (1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.2% · EPA +6.63]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 8:02) — (8:02) 32-M.Pittman right guard to TB 12 for 3 yards (98-R.Davis). FUMBLES (98-R.Davis), RECOVERED by ARI-28-D.Starks at TB 14. 28-D.Starks to TB 14 for no gain (32-M.Pittman). [WPA -20.9% · EPA -4.48]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:10) — (1:10) 1-N.Rackers 47 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. [WPA -20.3% · EPA -2.45]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 1:39) — (1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.2% · EPA +6.63]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 1:00) — (1:00) 2-C.Simms pass INTERCEPTED by 90-D.Dockett at ARI 26. 90-D.Dockett to ARI 46 for 20 yards. FUMBLES (83-J.Jurevicius), RECOVERED by TB-32-M.Pittman at TB 17. 32-M.Pittman to TB 16 for -1 yards ( [WPA -25.0% · EPA -5.55]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 8:02) — (8:02) 32-M.Pittman right guard to TB 12 for 3 yards (98-R.Davis). FUMBLES (98-R.Davis), RECOVERED by ARI-28-D.Starks at TB 14. 28-D.Starks to TB 14 for no gain (32-M.Pittman). [WPA -20.9% · EPA -4.48]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 4:09) — (4:09) 2-C.Simms Aborted. 79-S.Mahan FUMBLES at TB 15, RECOVERED by ARI-90-D.Dockett at TB 15. 90-D.Dockett to TB 19 for -4 yards (80-M.Clayton). [WPA -7.2% · EPA -3.46]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 9:11 · TB 23 · Score 0-3
(9:11) 1-N.Rackers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 0:08 · TB 27 · Score 0-6
(:08) 1-N.Rackers 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 1:39 · ARI 75 · Score 6-6
(1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 1:24 · ARI 2 · Score 7-6
6-J.Taylor extra point is GOOD, Center-85-K.Dilger, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 11:12 · TB 21 · Score 7-9
(11:12) 1-N.Rackers 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 6:16 · TB 13 · Score 7-12
(6:16) 1-N.Rackers 31 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. Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals on 2005-01-02?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12-7 in Week 17, 2004.

What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Arizona Cardinals 6; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Arizona Cardinals 12.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Clayton (C. Simms pass) (Q3 1:39) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q1 9:11, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 0:08, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q4 11:12, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q4 6:16, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals), 42.1% completion, -0.33 EPA per dropback, -12.59 total passing EPA. C. Simms (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 44.4% completion, -0.27 EPA per dropback, -9.74 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals?

M. Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.85 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 2 snaps. Their top snap (+6.63 EPA): (1:39) 2-C.Simms pass to 80-M.Clayton for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 5 points. Arizona Cardinals won 12-7 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 5-10 Now 5-11 L

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 5-10 Now 6-10 W

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2004 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

Quick answer

Game summary