Quick answer
- Winner
- Arizona Cardinals
- Final score
- Arizona Cardinals 25–21 Detroit Lions
- Halftime
- Detroit Lions 14–10 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Cornelius Johnson
- Top passer
- C. Palmer
- Biggest EPA play
- (7:16) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 81-J.Dray INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Le…
- Game date
- 2013-09-15
Game summary
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Detroit Lions 25–21 on 2013-09-15, overcoming Detroit Lions's 14–10 halftime lead. Cornelius Johnson posted a game-high +7.50 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Detroit Lions | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
 Arizona Cardinals | 10 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
DETDetroit Lions(11:49) 4-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
(10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(7:38) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 38-A.Ellington for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
(2:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(10:37) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
(7:16) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 81-J.Dray INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy [90-N.Suh] at DET 34. 54-D.Levy for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(4:17) 4-J.Feely 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
(14:23) 4-J.Feely 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
(2:03) 28-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
ARIArizona CardinalsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 11:49FG JFJ. FeelyPoints+3
- Yard line
- DET 29
- Score
- 0-3
(11:49) 4-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 10:31TD Cornelius JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- ARI 72
- Score
- 6-3
(10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 10:20XP DAD. AkersPoints+1
- Yard line
- ARI 2
- Score
- 7-3
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 7:38TD AEA. EllingtonPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 36
- Score
- 7-9
(7:38) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 38-A.Ellington for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 7:32XP JFJ. FeelyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 7-10
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 2:00TD Cornelius JohnsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- ARI 3
- Score
- 13-10
(2:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 1:55XP DAD. AkersPoints+1
- Yard line
- ARI 2
- Score
- 14-10
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q3 10:37FG JFJ. FeelyPoints+3
- Yard line
- DET 5
- Score
- 14-13
(10:37) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q3 7:16TD DLD. LevyPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 38
- Score
- 20-13
(7:16) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 81-J.Dray INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy [90-N.Suh] at DET 34. 54-D.Levy for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q3 7:04XP DAD. AkersPoints+1
- Yard line
- ARI 2
- Score
- 21-13
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q3 4:17FG JFJ. FeelyPoints+3
- Yard line
- DET 25
- Score
- 21-16
(4:17) 4-J.Feely 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 14:23FG JFJ. FeelyPoints+3
- Yard line
- DET 15
- Score
- 21-19
(14:23) 4-J.Feely 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.
- ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 2:03TD RMR. MendenhallPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 1
- Score
- 21-25
(2:03) 28-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1Cornelius Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.50 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 2
Matthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +6.10 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play - 3A. Ellington · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.72 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.36 EPA/play
- 4
Keith Taylor · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play - 5R. Bush · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.32 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 6R. Mendenhall · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 7Jaheim Bell · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.57 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 8Patrick Peterson · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +1.10 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.10 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
Cornelius Johnson — DET · Receiving
Cornelius Johnson posted the highest total EPA (+7.50) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.94 EPA per play.
Cornelius Johnson's top snap (+6.75 EPA): (10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Biggest single play (-9.70 EPA): C. Palmer — (7:16) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 81-J.Dray INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy [90-N.Suh] at DET 34. 54-D.Levy for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
C. Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 44 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -1.8% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -4.51 total EPA
- Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 40 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · -2.1% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +6.10 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.101 | -0.047 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.3% | 38.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.152 | -0.076 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.476 | -0.053 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.047 | +0.101 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.1% | 55.7% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.05 vs -0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Detroit Lions: -0.10 EPA/play (23rd percentile vs. 2013 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: -0.05 EPA/play (34th percentile vs. 2013 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, -4.27 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
- Detroit Lions: 13 drives, -7.95 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Detroit Lions — Cornelius Johnson (Matthew Stafford pass)
- Arizona Cardinals — A. Ellington (C. Palmer pass)
- Detroit Lions — Cornelius Johnson (Matthew Stafford pass)
- Detroit Lions — D. Levy
- Arizona Cardinals — R. Mendenhall
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–10. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 29 (Q2 11:49) — (11:49) 4-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 72 (Q2 10:31) — (10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 10:20) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 36 (Q2 7:38) — (7:38) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 38-A.Ellington for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 7:32) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 1:55) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–6. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 5 (Q3 10:37) — (10:37) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 38 (Q3 7:16); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 7:04) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 25 (Q3 4:17) — (4:17) 4-J.Feely 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 9–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 15 (Q4 14:23) — (14:23) 4-J.Feely 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 2:03).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 7:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 81-J.Dray INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy [90-N.Suh] at DET 34. 54-D.Levy for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 10:31) — (10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass incomplete deep right to 12-A.Roberts. PENALTY on DET-28-D.Bentley, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enforced at DET 32 - No Play.
- Detroit Lions (Q3 12:02) — (12:02) 9-M.Stafford FUMBLES (Aborted) at DET 7, RECOVERED by ARI-93-C.Campbell at DET 7. 93-C.Campbell to DET 7 for no gain (75-L.Warford).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 1:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 13-N.Burleson to DET 46 for 3 yards (32-T.Mathieu).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 7:16) — (7:16) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 81-J.Dray INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy [90-N.Suh] at DET 34. 54-D.Levy for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 10:31) — (10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q3 12:02) — (12:02) 9-M.Stafford FUMBLES (Aborted) at DET 7, RECOVERED by ARI-93-C.Campbell at DET 7. 93-C.Campbell to DET 7 for no gain (75-L.Warford).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) 2-D.Akers 47 yard field goal is BLOCKED (31-J.Bethel), Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin, RECOVERED by ARI-96-R.Talley at ARI 24. 96-R.Talley pushed ob at ARI 42 for 18 yards (87-B.Pettig
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 11:49 · DET 29 · Score 0-3
(11:49) 4-J.Feely 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 10:31 · ARI 72 · Score 6-3
(10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 10:20 · ARI 2 · Score 7-3
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 7:38 · DET 36 · Score 7-9
(7:38) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 38-A.Ellington for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 7:32 · DET 2 · Score 7-10
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 2:00 · ARI 3 · Score 13-10
(2:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 1:55 · ARI 2 · Score 14-10
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 10:37 · DET 5 · Score 14-13
(10:37) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 7:16 · DET 38 · Score 20-13
(7:16) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right intended for 81-J.Dray INTERCEPTED by 54-D.Levy [90-N.Suh] at DET 34. 54-D.Levy for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 7:04 · ARI 2 · Score 21-13
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 4:17 · DET 25 · Score 21-16
(4:17) 4-J.Feely 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 14:23 · DET 15 · Score 21-19
(14:23) 4-J.Feely 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-9-D.Zastudil. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 2:03 · DET 1 · Score 21-25
(2:03) 28-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
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.
- Cornelius Johnson (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals on 2013-09-15?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the Detroit Lions 25-21 in Week 2, 2013.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q2: Detroit Lions 14, Arizona Cardinals 10; Q3: Detroit Lions 7, Arizona Cardinals 6; Q4: Detroit Lions 0, Arizona Cardinals 9; Final: Detroit Lions 21, Arizona Cardinals 25.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
Detroit Lions touchdown — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 10:31) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Ellington (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 7:38) Detroit Lions touchdown — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 2:00) Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Levy (Q3 7:16) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — R. Mendenhall (Q4 2:03) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q2 11:49, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q3 10:37, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q3 4:17, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — J. Feely (Q4 14:23, 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?
C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals), 50.0% completion, -1.8% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -4.51 total passing EPA. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 60.0% completion, -2.1% CPOE, +0.15 EPA per dropback, +6.10 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?
Cornelius Johnson (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.50 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+6.75 EPA): (10:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Arizona Cardinals won 25-21 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 1-0 Now 1-1 L
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W
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