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NFL · Week 3 · September 27, 2020 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2020 Week 3 Recap

Lions defeat Cardinals 26–23 in Week 3

Matthew Stafford led Fantasy Impact as Lions prevailed in a 26–23 Week 3 finish.

Detroit Lions 26 1–2 Winner
Final 26–23
Arizona Cardinals 23 2–1
Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
26–23
Halftime
Detroit Lions 17–13 Arizona Cardinals
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Game date
September 27, 2020

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Matthew Stafford
    Matthew Stafford 22/39 · 232 YDS · 2 TD +8.9 Fantasy Impact
  • K.Golladay 6 REC · 57 YDS · 1 TD +4.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Jordan James
    Jordan James 3 REC · 28 YDS · 1 TD +4.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • Andy Isabella
    Andy Isabella 4 REC · 47 YDS · 2 TD +4.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Dustin Hopkins
    Dustin Hopkins 10 REC · 137 YDS +3.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Chris Edmonds
    Chris Edmonds 2 REC · 21 YDS +3.0 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Cardinals box score View all 2020 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
Detroit Lions 26–23 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime
Detroit Lions 17–13 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
Biggest EPA play
(9:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTER…
Game date
2020-09-27

Game summary

The Detroit Lions beat the Arizona Cardinals 26–23 on 2020-09-27. Matthew Stafford posted a game-high +8.93 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Detroit Lions31436026
Arizona Cardinals76100023

Scoring Map

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

DETDetroit Lions
ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 8:31FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 19
    Score
    3-0

    (8:31) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  2. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 0:20TD
    Andy Isabella

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 13
    Score
    3-6

    (:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 17-A.Isabella for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q1 0:14XP
    Zane Gonzalez

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    3-7

    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 6:20TD
    Jordan James

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 5
    Score
    9-7

    (6:20) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 83-J.James for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 6:15XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    10-7

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox. PENALTY on ARI-21-P.Peterson, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.

  6. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 2:00TD
    Kenneth Murray, Jr.

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    10-13

    (2:00) 71-J.Murray reported in as eligible. 1-K.Murray left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 0:35TD
    KGK. Golladay

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    16-13

    (:35) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 19-K.Golladay for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 0:31XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 15
    Score
    17-13

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  9. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 11:24FG
    Zane Gonzalez

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 36
    Score
    17-16

    (11:24) 5-Z.Gonzalez 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.

  10. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 5:30FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 6
    Score
    20-16

    (5:30) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  11. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 0:40TD
    Andy Isabella

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 4
    Score
    20-22

    (:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 17-A.Isabella for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q3 0:35XP
    Zane Gonzalez

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    20-23

    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.

  13. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 6:49FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 17
    Score
    23-23

    (6:49) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  14. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 0:04FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 21
    Score
    26-23

    (:04) 5-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +8.93 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
  2. 2Andy IsabellaAndy Isabella · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.92 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
  3. 3K. Golladay · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.45 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
  4. 4Jordan JamesJordan James · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.11 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
  5. 5Marcus JonesMarcus Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
  6. 6Dustin HopkinsDustin Hopkins · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
  7. 7Chris EdmondsChris Edmonds · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
  8. 8Kenyan DrakeKenyan Drake · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.32 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Matthew Stafford

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Matthew Stafford — DET · Passing

Matthew Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+8.93) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 39 counted snaps, they averaged +0.23 EPA per play.

Matthew Stafford's top snap (+3.17 EPA): (6:20) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 83-J.James for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].

Biggest single play (-5.32 EPA): Kenneth Murray, Jr. — (9:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Collins at ARI 28. 58-J.Collins to ARI 27 for 1 yard (11-L.Fitzgerald). DET-90-T.Flowers was in

Quarterback report card

Matthew Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · +4.4% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +8.93 total EPA
  • Kenneth Murray, Jr.Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) · 39 dropbacks · 59.0% completion · +0.5% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.58 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsArizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play+0.055-0.003
Offensive success rate44.8%55.1%
Pass EPA/play+0.229-0.041
Rush EPA/play-0.158+0.115
Defensive EPA/play+0.003-0.055
Defensive success rate44.9%55.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Detroit Lions generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.00), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: +0.06 EPA/play (58th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: -0.00 EPA/play (42nd percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, -0.26 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +4.82 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Andy IsabellaArizona Cardinals — Andy Isabella (Kenneth Murray, Jr. pass) (Q1 0:20)
  • Jordan JamesDetroit Lions — Jordan James (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q2 6:20)
  • Kenneth Murray, Jr.Arizona Cardinals — Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Q2 2:00)
  • Detroit Lions — K. Golladay (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q2 0:35)
  • Andy IsabellaArizona Cardinals — Andy Isabella (Kenneth Murray, Jr. pass) (Q3 0:40)

Field goals

  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q1 8:31)
  • Zane GonzalezArizona Cardinals — Zane Gonzalez (Q3 11:24)
  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q3 5:30)
  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q4 6:49)
  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q4 0:04)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 19 (Q1 8:31) — (8:31) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 13 (Q1 0:20) — (:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 17-A.Isabella for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 0:14) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–6. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 5 (Q2 6:20) — (6:20) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 83-J.James for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 6:15); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) 71-J.Murray reported in as eligible. 1-K.Murray left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ARI 15 (Q2 0:35); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 0:31) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the DET 36 (Q3 11:24) — (11:24) 5-Z.Gonzalez 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 6 (Q3 5:30) — (5:30) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q3 0:40) — (:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 17-A.Isabella for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 0:35) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 6–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 17 (Q4 6:49) — (6:49) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ARI 21 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 5-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 5-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +0.38]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 9:44) — (9:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Collins at ARI 28. 58-J.Collins to ARI 27 for 1 yard (11-L.Fitzgerald). DET-90-T.Flowers was in [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.32]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 7:51) — (7:51) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle intended for 10-D.Hopkins INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Okudah at DET 42. 30-J.Okudah pushed ob at ARI 22 for 36 yards (64-J.Sweezy). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.01]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 5:40) — (5:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle intended for 85-D.Arnold INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Harmon (58-J.Collins) [58-J.Collins] at DET 11. 26-D.Harmon to DET 32 for 21 yards (29-C.Edmonds). [WPA -13.1% · EPA -4.61]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 3:31) — (3:31) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray right end ran ob at DET 26 for 13 yards (21-T.Walker). [WPA +11.9% · EPA +2.15]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Arizona Cardinals (Q2 9:44) — (9:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 58-J.Collins at ARI 28. 58-J.Collins to ARI 27 for 1 yard (11-L.Fitzgerald). DET-90-T.Flowers was in [WPA -15.5% · EPA -5.32]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 7:51) — (7:51) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle intended for 10-D.Hopkins INTERCEPTED by 30-J.Okudah at DET 42. 30-J.Okudah pushed ob at ARI 22 for 36 yards (64-J.Sweezy). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -5.01]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q1 5:40) — (5:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle intended for 85-D.Arnold INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Harmon (58-J.Collins) [58-J.Collins] at DET 11. 26-D.Harmon to DET 32 for 21 yards (29-C.Edmonds). [WPA -13.1% · EPA -4.61]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 6:20) — (6:20) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 83-J.James for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard]. [WPA +6.7% · EPA +3.17]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 8:31 · ARI 19 · Score 3-0
    (8:31) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  2. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 0:20 · DET 13 · Score 3-6
    (:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 17-A.Isabella for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 0:14 · DET 15 · Score 3-7
    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
  4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 6:20 · ARI 5 · Score 9-7
    (6:20) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 83-J.James for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard].
  5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 6:15 · ARI 15 · Score 10-7
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox. PENALTY on ARI-21-P.Peterson, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
  6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 2:00 · DET 1 · Score 10-13
    (2:00) 71-J.Murray reported in as eligible. 1-K.Murray left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 0:35 · ARI 15 · Score 16-13
    (:35) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 19-K.Golladay for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the fiel
  8. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 0:31 · ARI 15 · Score 17-13
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 11:24 · DET 36 · Score 17-16
    (11:24) 5-Z.Gonzalez 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
  10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 5:30 · ARI 6 · Score 20-16
    (5:30) 5-M.Prater 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 0:40 · DET 4 · Score 20-22
    (:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 17-A.Isabella for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 0:35 · DET 15 · Score 20-23
    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
  13. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 6:49 · ARI 17 · Score 23-23
    (6:49) 5-M.Prater 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  14. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · ARI 21 · Score 26-23
    (:04) 5-M.Prater 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Detroit Lions earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matthew Stafford (DET) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals on 2020-09-27?

The Detroit Lions beat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23 in Week 3, 2020.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: Detroit Lions 3, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 14, Arizona Cardinals 6; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, Arizona Cardinals 10; Q4: Detroit Lions 6, Arizona Cardinals 0; Final: Detroit Lions 26, Arizona Cardinals 23.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?

Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Isabella (K. Murray pass) (Q1 0:20) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. James (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 6:20) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — K. Murray (Q2 2:00) Detroit Lions touchdown — K. Golladay (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 0:35) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — A. Isabella (K. Murray pass) (Q3 0:40) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q1 8:31, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — Z. Gonzalez (Q3 11:24, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q3 5:30, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q4 6:49, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q4 0:04, 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?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 56.4% completion, +4.4% CPOE, +0.23 EPA per dropback, +8.93 total passing EPA. Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), 59.0% completion, +0.5% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.58 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.93 total EPA on Passing plays. across 39 snaps. Their top snap (+3.17 EPA): (6:20) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 83-J.James for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [42-D.Kennard]..

Was Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Detroit Lions won 26-23 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 0-2 Now 1-2 W

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 2-0 Now 2-1 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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