Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints: 2007 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-12-16, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 31–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Warner (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -0.46 total EPA, and +7.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.64 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (14:23) 27-A.Stecker right guard to NO 42 for 10 yards (58-K.Dansby, 47-A.Francisco). FUMBLES (58-K.Dansby), RECOVERED by ARI-51-D.Blackstock at NO 42. 51-D.Blackstock pushed ob at NO 8 for 34 yards (

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.64 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +9.31 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.70 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.35 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Boldin · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.56 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Patrick · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.74 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Morey · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.25 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.25 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Copper · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.06 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Bienemann · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.81 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.81 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Arizona Cardinals — T. Bienemann (K. Warner pass) (Q1 57:05)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q1 51:26)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Stecker (Q2 43:52)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q2 40:07)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Patten (D. Brees pass) (Q2 32:03)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Stecker (Q3 27:06)
• Arizona Cardinals — B. Patrick (K. Warner pass) (Q3 21:21)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — M. Gramatica (Q3 15:54)
• Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers (Q4 9:14)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 57:05) — (12:05) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 83-T.Bienemann for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 57:00) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-17-M.Berger.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 19 (Q1 51:26) — (6:26) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 51:18) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 43:52) — (13:52) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 43:47) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 18 (Q2 40:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 40:01); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 32 (Q2 32:03) — (2:03) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 81-D.Patten for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 31:56) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q3 27:06) — (12:06) 27-A.Stecker right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 27:02); Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q3 21:21) — (6:21) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 89-B.Patrick for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 21:14) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-17-M.Berger.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ARI 13 (Q3 15:54) — (:54) 1-M.Gramatica 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NO 8 (Q4 9:14) — (9:14) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-17-M.Berger..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 59:23) — (14:23) 27-A.Stecker right guard to NO 42 for 10 yards (58-K.Dansby, 47-A.Francisco). FUMBLES (58-K.Dansby), RECOVERED by ARI-51-D.Blackstock at NO 42. 51-D.Blackstock pushed ob at NO 8 for 34 yards ( [WPA -18.9% · EPA -7.22]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +3.96]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:58) — (12:58) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner sacked at ARI 40 for -9 yards (55-S.Fujita). FUMBLES (55-S.Fujita), RECOVERED by NO-58-S.Shanle at ARI 40. 58-S.Shanle pushed ob at ARI 14 for 26 yards (75-L.Brown). PENA [WPA -12.0% · EPA -5.98]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:34) — (3:34) 13-K.Warner pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Bienemann INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (43-K.Kaesviharn) at NO 14. 41-R.Harper to NO 45 for 31 yards (32-E.James). [WPA -11.7% · EPA -4.39]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 51:26) — (6:26) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.8% · EPA +2.77]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 59:23) — (14:23) 27-A.Stecker right guard to NO 42 for 10 yards (58-K.Dansby, 47-A.Francisco). FUMBLES (58-K.Dansby), RECOVERED by ARI-51-D.Blackstock at NO 42. 51-D.Blackstock pushed ob at NO 8 for 34 yards ( [WPA -18.9% · EPA -7.22]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 27:58) — (12:58) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner sacked at ARI 40 for -9 yards (55-S.Fujita). FUMBLES (55-S.Fujita), RECOVERED by NO-58-S.Shanle at ARI 40. 58-S.Shanle pushed ob at ARI 14 for 26 yards (75-L.Brown). PENA [WPA -12.0% · EPA -5.98]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:34) — (3:34) 13-K.Warner pass deep middle intended for 83-T.Bienemann INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (43-K.Kaesviharn) at NO 14. 41-R.Harper to NO 45 for 31 yards (32-E.James). [WPA -11.7% · EPA -4.39]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +3.96]

Quarterback report card

K.Warner led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 36 dropbacks · 52.8% completion · +7.5% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.46 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 31 dropbacks · 83.9% completion · +20.0% CPOE · +0.41 EPA/play · +12.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +0.57 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +4.66 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New Orleans Saints leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Warner (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• D. Brees (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 57:05 · NO 1 · Score 6-0
   (12:05) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 83-T.Bienemann for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 57:00 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-17-M.Berger.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 51:26 · ARI 19 · Score 7-6
   (6:26) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 51:18 · ARI 2 · Score 7-7
   1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 43:52 · ARI 1 · Score 7-13
   (13:52) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 43:47 · ARI 2 · Score 7-14
   1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 40:07 · NO 18 · Score 13-14
   (10:07) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 40:01 · NO 2 · Score 14-14
   1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-17-M.Berger. PENALTY on NO, Defensive 12 On-field, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 32:03 · ARI 32 · Score 14-20
   (2:03) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 81-D.Patten for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 31:56 · ARI 2 · Score 14-21
    1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 27:06 · ARI 6 · Score 14-27
    (12:06) 27-A.Stecker right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 27:02 · ARI 2 · Score 14-28
    1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford. PENALTY on ARI-21-A.Rolle, Neutral Zone Infraction, 5 yards, enforced between dow
13. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 21:21 · NO 3 · Score 20-28
    (6:21) 13-K.Warner pass short left to 89-B.Patrick for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 21:14 · NO 2 · Score 21-28
    1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-17-M.Berger.
15. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 15:54 · ARI 13 · Score 21-31
    (:54) 1-M.Gramatica 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
16. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 9:14 · NO 8 · Score 24-31
    (9:14) 1-N.Rackers 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-17-M.Berger.