Quick answer
- Winner
- Arizona Cardinals
- Final score
- Arizona Cardinals 21–19 San Francisco 49ers
- Halftime
- San Francisco 49ers 12–7 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- E. Doucet
- Top passer
- Arian Smith
- Biggest EPA play
- (7:21) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 85-E.Doucet for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Game date
- 2011-12-11
Game summary
The Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 21–19 on 2011-12-11, overcoming San Francisco 49ers's 12–7 halftime lead. E. Doucet posted a game-high +6.51 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 19 | |
| 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
E. Doucet · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play - 2
L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.56 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play - 3
K. Hunter · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.50 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play - 4
J. Skelton · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +2.22 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play - 5

Frank Gore Jr. · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +1.74 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play - 6

Kristian Williams · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.09 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play - 7
L. Stephens-Howling · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.96 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play - 8

Kristian Williams · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +0.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.35 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
E. Doucet — ARI · Receiving
E. Doucet posted the highest total EPA (+6.51) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Arizona Cardinals. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +1.63 EPA per play.
E. Doucet's top snap (+5.08 EPA): (7:21) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 85-E.Doucet for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
Arian Smith led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Arian Smith (San Francisco 49ers) · 43 dropbacks · 41.9% completion · -12.3% CPOE · -0.20 EPA/play · -8.41 total EPA
J. Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) · 34 dropbacks · 55.9% completion · +1.8% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +2.22 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.172 | -0.207 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.4% | 31.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.196 | -0.009 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.222 | -0.421 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.207 | +0.172 |
| Defensive success rate | 68.5% | 61.6% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (San Francisco 49ers -0.17, Arizona Cardinals -0.21) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- San Francisco 49ers: -0.17 EPA/play (13th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: -0.21 EPA/play (11th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -15.08 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 14 drives, -14.79 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Arizona Cardinals — E. Doucet (J. Skelton pass) 
San Francisco 49ers — Frank Gore Jr.
Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (J. Skelton pass)
Arizona Cardinals — A. Roberts (J. Skelton pass)
Field goals
San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers
San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers
San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers
San Francisco 49ers — D. Akers
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 28 (Q1 4:45) — (4:45) 2-D.Akers 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 9–7. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 5 (Q2 14:12) — (14:12) 2-D.Akers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 60 (Q2 7:21) — (7:21) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 85-E.Doucet for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 7:10) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 9 (Q2 2:34) — (2:34) 2-D.Akers 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 4 (Q2 0:10) — (:10) (Field Goal formation) 2-D.Akers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 37 (Q3 12:33) — (12:33) 21-F.Gore left tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 12:24) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 46 (Q3 9:13) — (9:13) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. SF-38-D.Goldson was injured during the play.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q3 9:04) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 3 (Q4 11:55) — (11:55) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short right to 12-A.Roberts for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 11:50) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 2:10) — (2:10) (Shotgun) 11-Alex Smith pass incomplete short right to 32-K.Hunter.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 1:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short left intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 25-T.Brown at SF 20. 25-T.Brown to SF 19 for -1 yards (12-A.Roberts). Arizona challenged the pass completion r
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 7:21) — (7:21) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 85-E.Doucet for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 19-J.Skelton pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald to SF 20 for 53 yards (31-D.Whitner).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short right intended for 12-A.Roberts INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Goldson (31-D.Whitner) at ARI 33. 38-D.Goldson pushed ob at ARI 16 for 17 yards (11-L.Fitzgerald).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 7:21) — (7:21) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 85-E.Doucet for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short right intended for 12-A.Roberts INTERCEPTED by 38-D.Goldson (31-D.Whitner) at ARI 33. 38-D.Goldson pushed ob at ARI 16 for 17 yards (11-L.Fitzgerald).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 9:13) — (9:13) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. SF-38-D.Goldson was injured during the play.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 1:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short left intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 25-T.Brown at SF 20. 25-T.Brown to SF 19 for -1 yards (12-A.Roberts). Arizona challenged the pass completion r
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 4:45 · ARI 28 · Score 3-0
(4:45) 2-D.Akers 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 14:12 · ARI 5 · Score 6-0
(14:12) 2-D.Akers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 7:21 · SF 60 · Score 6-6
(7:21) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 85-E.Doucet for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 7:10 · SF 2 · Score 6-7
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 2:34 · ARI 9 · Score 9-7
(2:34) 2-D.Akers 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 0:10 · ARI 4 · Score 12-7
(:10) (Field Goal formation) 2-D.Akers 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 12:33 · ARI 37 · Score 18-7
(12:33) 21-F.Gore left tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 12:24 · ARI 2 · Score 19-7
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 9:13 · SF 46 · Score 19-13
(9:13) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. SF-38-D.Goldson was injured during the play.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 9:04 · SF 2 · Score 19-14
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 11:55 · SF 3 · Score 19-20
(11:55) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass short right to 12-A.Roberts for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 11:50 · SF 2 · Score 19-21
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
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.
- E. Doucet (Arizona Cardinals) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Arian Smith (SF) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals on 2011-12-11?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 21-19 in Week 14, 2011.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 3, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 9, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: San Francisco 49ers 19, Arizona Cardinals 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — E. Doucet (J. Skelton pass) (Q2 7:21) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — F. Gore (Q3 12:33) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (J. Skelton pass) (Q3 9:13) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Roberts (J. Skelton pass) (Q4 11:55) San Francisco 49ers field goal — D. Akers (Q1 4:45, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — D. Akers (Q2 14:12, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — D. Akers (Q2 2:34, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — D. Akers (Q2 0:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arian Smith (San Francisco 49ers), 41.9% completion, -12.3% CPOE, -0.20 EPA per dropback, -8.41 total passing EPA. J. Skelton (Arizona Cardinals), 55.9% completion, +1.8% CPOE, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +2.22 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
E. Doucet (Arizona Cardinals) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.51 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps. Their top snap (+5.08 EPA): (7:21) (Shotgun) 19-J.Skelton pass deep middle to 85-E.Doucet for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Arizona Cardinals won 21-19 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 10-2 Now 10-3 L
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 5-7 Now 6-7 W