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NFL · Wild Card · January 10, 2009 · 12 min read

Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers: 2008 Wild Card Recap

Cardinals defeat Panthers 33–13 in Wild Card

L.Fitzgerald led Fantasy Impact as Cardinals prevailed in a 33–13 Wild Card finish.

Arizona Cardinals 33 11–7 Winner
Final 33–13
Carolina Panthers 13 12–5
Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
33–13
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 27–7 Carolina Panthers
Top passer
J. Delhomme
FantasyHQ MVP
L.Fitzgerald
Game date
January 10, 2009

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • L.Fitzgerald 8 REC · 166 YDS · 1 TD +16.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Kade Warner 21/33 · 218 YDS · 2 TD +4.8 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Hightower 17 CAR · 76 YDS +2.8 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • Shi Smith
    Shi Smith 2 REC · 43 YDS · 1 TD +4.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Malik Muhammad 5 REC · 55 YDS +3.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Josaiah Stewart
    Josaiah Stewart 3 REC · 39 YDS +2.5 Fantasy Impact
View Cardinals vs Panthers box score View all 2008 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Arizona Cardinals
Final score
Arizona Cardinals 33–13 Carolina Panthers
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 27–7 Carolina Panthers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
L. Fitzgerald
Top passer
J. Delhomme
Biggest EPA play
(8:06) 17-J.Delhomme pass short right intended for 89-S.Smith INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Rolle (2…
Game date
2009-01-10

Game summary

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Carolina Panthers 33–13 on 2009-01-10. L. Fitzgerald posted a game-high +16.55 total EPA in the receiving.

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

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Arizona Cardinals141333033
Carolina Panthers7006013

Scoring Map

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

ARIArizona Cardinals
CARCarolina Panthers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q1 12:00TD
    Josaiah Stewart

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 9
    Score
    0-6

    (12:00) 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q1 11:56XP
    JKJ. Kasay

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    0-7

    4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.

  3. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 2:47TD
    THT. Hightower

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 3
    Score
    6-7

    (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 34-T.Hightower for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 2:43XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    7-7

    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  5. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 1:51TD
    EJE. James

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 4
    Score
    13-7

    (1:51) 32-E.James up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 1:47XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    14-7

    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  7. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 10:21FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 31
    Score
    17-7

    (10:21) 1-N.Rackers 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  8. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 5:32FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 13
    Score
    20-7

    (5:32) 1-N.Rackers 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  9. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 3:41TD
    LFL. Fitzgerald

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 29
    Score
    26-7

    (3:41) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 3:32XP
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    27-7

    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  11. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 4:44FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 15
    Score
    30-7

    (4:44) 1-N.Rackers 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  12. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 3:14FG
    NRN. Rackers

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    33-7

    (3:14) 1-N.Rackers 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.

  13. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 0:57TD
    Shi Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 8
    Score
    33-13

    (:57) 17-J.Delhomme pass short left to 89-S.Smith for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +16.55 total EPA · 8 snaps · +2.07 EPA/play
  2. 2Kade Warner · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +4.77 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
  3. 3Shi SmithShi Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.31 EPA/play
  4. 4Malik Muhammad · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.51 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
  5. 5T. Hightower · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.77 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
  6. 6T. Hightower · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.54 EPA/play
  7. 7Josaiah StewartJosaiah Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.50 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
  8. 8S. Breaston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.04 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.51 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

L. Fitzgerald — ARI · Receiving

L. Fitzgerald posted the highest total EPA (+16.55) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +2.07 EPA per play.

L. Fitzgerald's top snap (-4.72 EPA): (9:19) 13-K.Warner pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 52-J.Beason at ARI 35. 52-J.Beason to ARI 31 for 4 yards (11-L.Fitzgerald).

Biggest single play (-6.73 EPA): J. Delhomme — (8:06) 17-J.Delhomme pass short right intended for 89-S.Smith INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Rolle (29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie) at ARI 27. 21-A.Rolle to CAR 26 for 47 yards (34-D.Williams).

Quarterback report card

J. Delhomme led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) · 38 dropbacks · 44.7% completion · -8.2% CPOE · -0.59 EPA/play · -22.58 total EPA
  • Kade Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 33 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +7.7% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.77 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatArizona CardinalsCarolina Panthers
Offensive EPA/play+0.062-0.267
Offensive success rate52.6%47.2%
Pass EPA/play+0.145-0.594
Rush EPA/play+0.008-0.056
Defensive EPA/play+0.267-0.062
Defensive success rate52.8%47.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Arizona Cardinals generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.27), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Arizona Cardinals: +0.06 EPA/play (65th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: -0.27 EPA/play (7th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, +5.91 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
  • Carolina Panthers: 13 drives, -19.25 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Josaiah StewartCarolina Panthers — Josaiah Stewart (Q1 12:00)
  • Arizona Cardinals — T. Hightower (Kade Warner pass) (Q1 2:47)
  • Arizona Cardinals — E. James (Q1 1:51)
  • Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (Kade Warner pass) (Q2 3:41)
  • Shi SmithCarolina Panthers — Shi Smith (J. Delhomme pass) (Q4 0:57)

Field goals

  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 10:21)
  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q2 5:32)
  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q3 4:44)
  • Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 3:14)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q1 12:00) — (12:00) 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 11:56) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 3 (Q1 2:47) — (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 34-T.Hightower for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q1 2:43) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q1 1:51) — (1:51) 32-E.James up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q1 1:47) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 13–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 31 (Q2 10:21) — (10:21) 1-N.Rackers 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 13 (Q2 5:32) — (5:32) 1-N.Rackers 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 29 (Q2 3:41) — (3:41) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 3:32) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 15 (Q3 4:44) — (4:44) 1-N.Rackers 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 6–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 2 (Q4 3:14) — (3:14) 1-N.Rackers 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q4 0:57) — (:57) 17-J.Delhomme pass short left to 89-S.Smith for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q1 2:43) — (2:43) 17-J.Delhomme sacked at CAR 14 for -6 yards (94-A.Smith). FUMBLES (94-A.Smith), RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at CAR 13. 94-A.Smith to CAR 13 for no gain (70-T.Wharton). [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.55]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) 17-J.Delhomme pass short right intended for 89-S.Smith INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at ARI 1. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie to ARI 20 for 19 yards (88-D.Rosario). [WPA -9.9% · EPA -4.75]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 2:47) — (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 34-T.Hightower for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.2% · EPA +2.54]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q1 13:40) — (13:40) (Shotgun) 17-J.Delhomme pass short right to 45-B.Hoover to ARI 40 for 7 yards (47-A.Francisco). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +1.68]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 11:06) — (11:06) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald to CAR 26 for 31 yards (43-C.Harris). [WPA +7.7% · EPA +3.48]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 8:06) — (8:06) 17-J.Delhomme pass short right intended for 89-S.Smith INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Rolle (29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie) at ARI 27. 21-A.Rolle to CAR 26 for 47 yards (34-D.Williams). [WPA -3.8% · EPA -6.73]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q1 2:43) — (2:43) 17-J.Delhomme sacked at CAR 14 for -6 yards (94-A.Smith). FUMBLES (94-A.Smith), RECOVERED by ARI-94-A.Smith at CAR 13. 94-A.Smith to CAR 13 for no gain (70-T.Wharton). [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.55]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) 17-J.Delhomme pass short right intended for 89-S.Smith INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at ARI 1. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie to ARI 20 for 19 yards (88-D.Rosario). [WPA -9.9% · EPA -4.75]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 9:19) — (9:19) 13-K.Warner pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 52-J.Beason at ARI 35. 52-J.Beason to ARI 31 for 4 yards (11-L.Fitzgerald). [WPA -4.3% · EPA -4.72]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 12:00 · ARI 9 · Score 0-6
    (12:00) 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 11:56 · ARI 2 · Score 0-7
    4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 2:47 · CAR 3 · Score 6-7
    (2:47) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 34-T.Hightower for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 2:43 · CAR 2 · Score 7-7
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 1:51 · CAR 4 · Score 13-7
    (1:51) 32-E.James up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 1:47 · CAR 2 · Score 14-7
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  7. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 10:21 · CAR 31 · Score 17-7
    (10:21) 1-N.Rackers 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  8. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 5:32 · CAR 13 · Score 20-7
    (5:32) 1-N.Rackers 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 3:41 · CAR 29 · Score 26-7
    (3:41) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 3:32 · CAR 2 · Score 27-7
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  11. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 4:44 · CAR 15 · Score 30-7
    (4:44) 1-N.Rackers 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 3:14 · CAR 2 · Score 33-7
    (3:14) 1-N.Rackers 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-5-B.Graham.
  13. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 0:57 · ARI 8 · Score 33-13
    (:57) 17-J.Delhomme pass short left to 89-S.Smith for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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.
  • L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • J. Delhomme (CAR) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
  • Kade Warner (ARI) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers on 2009-01-10?

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Carolina Panthers 33-13 in Wild Card, 2008.

What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

Q1: Arizona Cardinals 14, Carolina Panthers 7; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 13, Carolina Panthers 0; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 3, Carolina Panthers 0; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 3, Carolina Panthers 6; Final: Arizona Cardinals 33, Carolina Panthers 13.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Stewart (Q1 12:00) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — T. Hightower (K. Warner pass) (Q1 2:47) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — E. James (Q1 1:51) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q2 3:41) Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Smith (J. Delhomme pass) (Q4 0:57) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 10:21, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 5:32, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q3 4:44, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q4 3:14, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers), 44.7% completion, -8.2% CPOE, -0.59 EPA per dropback, -22.58 total passing EPA. Kade Warner (Arizona Cardinals), 63.6% completion, +7.7% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +4.77 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

L. Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +16.55 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (-4.72 EPA): (9:19) 13-K.Warner pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 52-J.Beason at ARI 35. 52-J.Beason to ARI 31 for 4 yards (11-L.Fitzgerald)..

Season records after this game

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 10-7 Now 11-7 W

Carolina Panthers

Entered 12-4 Now 12-5 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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