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NFL · Week 16 · December 24, 2005 · 12 min read

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2005 Week 16 Recap

Cardinals defeat Eagles 27–21 in Week 16

J.McCown led Fantasy Impact as Cardinals prevailed in a 21–27 Week 16 finish.

Philadelphia Eagles 21 6–9
Final 21–27
Arizona Cardinals 27 5–10 Winner
Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
21–27
Halftime
Philadelphia Eagles 7–13 Arizona Cardinals
Top passer
J. McCown
FantasyHQ MVP
J.McCown
Game date
December 24, 2005

Top fantasy performers · Eagles

  • Ronnie Brown
    Ronnie Brown 6 REC · 69 YDS +4.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Clarence Lewis
    Clarence Lewis 1 REC · 12 YDS +3.3 Fantasy Impact
  • B.McMullen 2 REC · 25 YDS · 1 TD +3.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • J.McCown 27/45 · 293 YDS · 3 TD +11.4 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Boldin 9 REC · 81 YDS · 1 TD +7.4 Fantasy Impact
  • L.Fitzgerald 5 REC · 93 YDS · 1 TD +7.2 Fantasy Impact
View Eagles vs Cardinals box score View all 2005 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
Arizona Cardinals 27–21 Philadelphia Eagles
Halftime
Philadelphia Eagles 7–13 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
J. McCown
Top passer
J. McCown
Biggest EPA play
(10:35) 4-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby at PHI 11. 58-…
Game date
2005-12-24

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27–21 on 2005-12-24. J. McCown posted a game-high +11.41 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Philadelphia Eagles07014021
Arizona Cardinals6777027

Scoring Map

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

PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 7:27FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PHI 14
    Score
    0-3

    (7:27) 1-N.Rackers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  2. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 4:10FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PHI 14
    Score
    0-6

    (4:10) 1-N.Rackers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  3. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 10:35TD
    KDK. Dansby

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 80
    Score
    0-12

    (10:35) 4-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby at PHI 11. 58-K.Dansby for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 10:28XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PHI 2
    Score
    0-13

    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  5. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q2 6:44TD
    MMM. McMahon

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 1
    Score
    6-13

    (6:44) 4-M.McMahon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q2 6:38XP
    DAD. Akers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    7-13

    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.

  7. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 10:43TD
    LFL. Fitzgerald

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PHI 25
    Score
    7-19

    (10:43) 12-J.McCown pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 10:36XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PHI 2
    Score
    7-20

    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  9. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 11:32TD
    ABA. Boldin

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PHI 20
    Score
    7-26

    (11:32) 12-J.McCown pass to 81-A.Boldin for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 11:25XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PHI 2
    Score
    7-27

    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

  11. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q4 10:25TD
    BMB. McMullen

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 21
    Score
    13-27

    (10:25) 4-M.McMahon pass to 80-B.McMullen for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q4 10:21XP
    DAD. Akers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    14-27

    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.

  13. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q4 0:28TD
    MMM. McMahon

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 1
    Score
    20-27

    (:28) 4-M.McMahon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q4 0:26XP
    DAD. Akers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    21-27

    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1J. McCown · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +11.41 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
  2. 2A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.37 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
  3. 3L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +7.16 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
  4. 4A. Bergen · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
  5. 5Ronnie BrownRonnie Brown · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.50 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
  6. 6Buddy JohnsonBuddy Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.41 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
  7. 7Clarence LewisClarence Lewis · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.29 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.29 EPA/play
  8. 8B. McMullen · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.58 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

J. McCown — ARI · Passing

J. McCown posted the highest total EPA (+11.41) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 45 counted snaps, they averaged +0.25 EPA per play.

J. McCown's top snap (-4.73 EPA): (5:27) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Brown at PHI 35. 24-S.Brown to PHI 42 for 7 yards (81-A.Boldin).

Biggest single play (-7.18 EPA): M. McMahon — (10:35) 4-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby at PHI 11. 58-K.Dansby for 11 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) · 45 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +0.25 EPA/play · +11.41 total EPA
  • M. McMahon (Philadelphia Eagles) · 42 dropbacks · 28.6% completion · -0.23 EPA/play · -9.52 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatPhiladelphia EaglesArizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play-0.047+0.000
Offensive success rate41.7%46.4%
Pass EPA/play-0.169+0.254
Rush EPA/play-0.383-0.339
Defensive EPA/play-0.000+0.047
Defensive success rate53.6%58.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Philadelphia Eagles -0.05, Arizona Cardinals +0.00) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Philadelphia Eagles: -0.05 EPA/play (38th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: +0.00 EPA/play (50th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 16 drives, +0.01 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Philadelphia Eagles: 16 drives, -3.96 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Arizona Cardinals — K. Dansby (Q2 10:35)
  • Philadelphia Eagles — M. McMahon (Q2 6:44)
  • Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (J. McCown pass) (Q3 10:43)
  • Arizona Cardinals — A. Boldin (J. McCown pass) (Q4 11:32)
  • Philadelphia Eagles — B. McMullen (M. McMahon pass) (Q4 10:25)
  • Philadelphia Eagles — M. McMahon (Q4 0:28)

Field goals

  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 7:27)
  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q1 4:10)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 6–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the PHI 14 (Q1 7:27) — (7:27) 1-N.Rackers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the PHI 14 (Q1 4:10) — (4:10) 1-N.Rackers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 80 (Q2 10:35) — (10:35) 4-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby at PHI 11. 58-K.Dansby for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 10:28) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 6:44) — (6:44) 4-M.McMahon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 6:38) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the PHI 25 (Q3 10:43) — (10:43) 12-J.McCown pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q3 10:36) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the PHI 20 (Q4 11:32) — (11:32) 12-J.McCown pass to 81-A.Boldin for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q4 11:25) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ARI 21 (Q4 10:25) — (10:25) 4-M.McMahon pass to 80-B.McMullen for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 10:21) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 0:28) — (:28) 4-M.McMahon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 0:26) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 10:35) — (10:35) 4-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby at PHI 11. 58-K.Dansby for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -13.0% · EPA -7.18]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 0:08) — (:08) 1-N.Rackers 54 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. [WPA -9.7% · EPA -1.40]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 10:43) — (10:43) 12-J.McCown pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.7% · EPA +2.80]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 5:27) — (5:27) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Brown at PHI 35. 24-S.Brown to PHI 42 for 7 yards (81-A.Boldin). [WPA -6.6% · EPA -4.73]
  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 10:32) — (10:32) 23-R.Moats left end to ARI 49 for -1 yards (24-A.Wilson). [WPA -6.2% · EPA -2.79]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 10:35) — (10:35) 4-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby at PHI 11. 58-K.Dansby for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -13.0% · EPA -7.18]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 5:27) — (5:27) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Brown at PHI 35. 24-S.Brown to PHI 42 for 7 yards (81-A.Boldin). [WPA -6.6% · EPA -4.73]
  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 7:58) — (7:58) (Field Goal formation) 10-K.Detmer pass to 89-C.Lewis to ARI 20 for 12 yards (34-R.Griffith). [WPA +5.8% · EPA +3.29]
  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 0:55) — (:55) 4-M.McMahon pass incomplete to 80-B.McMullen. PENALTY on ARI-24-A.Wilson, Defensive Pass Interference, 30 yards, enforced at ARI 31 - No Play. [WPA +0.8% · EPA +3.19]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 7:27 · PHI 14 · Score 0-3
    (7:27) 1-N.Rackers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  2. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 4:10 · PHI 14 · Score 0-6
    (4:10) 1-N.Rackers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 10:35 · ARI 80 · Score 0-12
    (10:35) 4-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-K.Dansby at PHI 11. 58-K.Dansby for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 10:28 · PHI 2 · Score 0-13
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 6:44 · ARI 1 · Score 6-13
    (6:44) 4-M.McMahon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 6:38 · ARI 2 · Score 7-13
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
  7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 10:43 · PHI 25 · Score 7-19
    (10:43) 12-J.McCown pass to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 10:36 · PHI 2 · Score 7-20
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 11:32 · PHI 20 · Score 7-26
    (11:32) 12-J.McCown pass to 81-A.Boldin for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 11:25 · PHI 2 · Score 7-27
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
  11. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 10:25 · ARI 21 · Score 13-27
    (10:25) 4-M.McMahon pass to 80-B.McMullen for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 10:21 · ARI 2 · Score 14-27
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
  13. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 0:28 · ARI 1 · Score 20-27
    (:28) 4-M.McMahon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 0:26 · ARI 2 · Score 21-27
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.

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.
  • J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals on 2005-12-24?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-21 in Week 16, 2005.

What was the score by quarter in Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Philadelphia Eagles 0, Arizona Cardinals 6; Q2: Philadelphia Eagles 7, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q3: Philadelphia Eagles 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q4: Philadelphia Eagles 14, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: Philadelphia Eagles 21, Arizona Cardinals 27.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals?

Arizona Cardinals touchdown — K. Dansby (Q2 10:35) Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — M. McMahon (Q2 6:44) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (J. McCown pass) (Q3 10:43) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Boldin (J. McCown pass) (Q4 11:32) Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — B. McMullen (M. McMahon pass) (Q4 10:25) Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — M. McMahon (Q4 0:28) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q1 7:27, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q1 4:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals), 60.0% completion, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +11.41 total passing EPA. M. McMahon (Philadelphia Eagles), 28.6% completion, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -9.52 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. McCown (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.41 total EPA on Passing plays. across 45 snaps. Their top snap (-4.73 EPA): (5:27) 12-J.McCown pass intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Brown at PHI 35. 24-S.Brown to PHI 42 for 7 yards (81-A.Boldin)..

Was Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Arizona Cardinals won 27-21 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Philadelphia Eagles

Entered 6-8 Now 6-9 L

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 4-10 Now 5-10 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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