Game story
In Week 16 of the 2000 NFL season on 2000-12-17, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 23–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +7.01 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.01 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+54.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: M.Andersen kicks 68 yards from ATL 30 to NO 2. F.McAfee to NO 27 for 25 yards (A.Jordan).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| New Orleans Saints | 13 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +7.01 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 2 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.95 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 3 J. Anderson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.61 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
- 4 T. Gowin · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.33 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.33 EPA/play
- 5 W. Jackson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 6 C. Morton · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 7 K. Poole · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.62 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
- 8 A. Glover · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +0.66 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Brooks — NO · Passing
A. Brooks posted the highest total EPA (+7.01) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.18 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.83 EPA) came from Atlanta Falcons: T.Gowin kicks 58 yards from NO 30 to ATL 12. D.Vaughn for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
- Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
- New Orleans Saints — unlisted player
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 2 (Q2 44:19) — (14:19) D.Brien 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 75 (Q2 42:39) — (12:39) D.Johnson pass intended for T.Mathis INTERCEPTED by S.Knight at ATL 31. S.Knight for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 42:30) — D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 28 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) D.Brien 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 30 (Q3 30:00) — T.Gowin kicks 58 yards from NO 30 to ATL 12. D.Vaughn for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 29:43) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q3 24:49) — (9:49) T.Allen right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 24:45) — D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 29 (Q4 4:59) — (4:59) D.Brien 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 60:00) — M.Andersen kicks 68 yards from ATL 30 to NO 2. F.McAfee to NO 27 for 25 yards (A.Jordan).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 48:20) — (3:20) A.Brooks FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 1, RECOVERED by ATL-G.McBurrows at ATL 3.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 42:39) — (12:39) D.Johnson pass intended for T.Mathis INTERCEPTED by S.Knight at ATL 31. S.Knight for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 30:00) — T.Gowin kicks 58 yards from NO 30 to ATL 12. D.Vaughn for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) A.Brooks pass to J.Horn to ATL 2 for 52 yards (R.Buchanan). Pass 47, Run 5
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 30:00) — T.Gowin kicks 58 yards from NO 30 to ATL 12. D.Vaughn for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 42:39) — (12:39) D.Johnson pass intended for T.Mathis INTERCEPTED by S.Knight at ATL 31. S.Knight for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 21:52) — (6:52) C.Chandler pass intended for T.Mathis INTERCEPTED by A.Molden at NO 0. Touchback.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 48:20) — (3:20) A.Brooks FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 1, RECOVERED by ATL-G.McBurrows at ATL 3.
Quarterback report card
A.Brooks led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 38 dropbacks · 63.2% completion · +0.18 EPA/play · +7.01 total EPA
- D.Johnson (Atlanta Falcons) · 14 dropbacks · 35.7% completion · -0.78 EPA/play · -10.91 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.263 | -0.015 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.1% | 41.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.595 | +0.185 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.326 | -0.350 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.015 | +0.263 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.9% | 60.9% |
By the numbers
New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.26), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, -16.83 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, -1.33 total EPA, 4 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.
- A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 44:19 · ATL 2 · Score 0-3
(14:19) D.Brien 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 42:39 · NO 75 · Score 0-9
(12:39) D.Johnson pass intended for T.Mathis INTERCEPTED by S.Knight at ATL 31. S.Knight for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 42:30 · ATL 2 · Score 0-10
D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · ATL 28 · Score 0-13
(:04) D.Brien 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · NO 30 · Score 6-13
T.Gowin kicks 58 yards from NO 30 to ATL 12. D.Vaughn for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 29:43 · NO 2 · Score 7-13
M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:49 · ATL 2 · Score 7-19
(9:49) T.Allen right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:45 · ATL 2 · Score 7-20
D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 4:59 · ATL 29 · Score 7-23
(4:59) D.Brien 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-K.Houser, Holder-T.Gowin.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-7 in Week 16, 2000 on 2000-12-17.
What was the final score of Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Atlanta Falcons 7, New Orleans Saints 23 (ATL 7-23 NO) in Week 16, 2000 on 2000-12-17.
What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
Q2: Atlanta Falcons 0, New Orleans Saints 13; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 7, New Orleans Saints 7; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 0, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Atlanta Falcons 7, New Orleans Saints 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 42:39) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 30:00) New Orleans Saints touchdown — unlisted player (Q3 24:49) New Orleans Saints field goal — unlisted player (Q2 44:19, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — unlisted player (Q2 30:04, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — unlisted player (Q4 4:59, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 63.2% completion, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +7.01 total passing EPA. D. Johnson (Atlanta Falcons), 35.7% completion, -0.78 EPA per dropback, -10.91 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +7.01 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.83 EPA): T.Gowin kicks 58 yards from NO 30 to ATL 12. D.Vaughn for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +54.6%.
Season records after this game
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 3-11 Now 3-12 L
New Orleans Saints
Entered 9-5 Now 10-5 W
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