Game story
In Week 6 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-10-21, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 20–13 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -9.36 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Crumpler (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.31 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+24.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (13:01) 12-C.Chandler pass to 84-S.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, Run 13
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.31 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
- 2 S. Jefferson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.13 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play
- 3 C. Chandler · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +4.77 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 4 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 5 C. Cleeland · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.48 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 6 B. Christian · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.30 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 7 R. Williams · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 8 M. Smith · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Crumpler — ATL · Receiving
A. Crumpler posted the highest total EPA (+6.31) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Atlanta Falcons's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.26 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.31 EPA) came from Atlanta Falcons: (13:21) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 24
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (C. Chandler pass)
- New Orleans Saints — C. Cleeland (A. Brooks pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — S. Jefferson (C. Chandler pass)
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 57 (Q1 58:21) — (13:21) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 24; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 58:09) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 13 (Q1 49:53) — (4:53) 4-J.Feely 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 5 (Q2 43:17) — (13:17) 3-J.Carney 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 19 (Q2 35:02) — (5:02) 2-A.Brooks pass to 85-C.Cleeland for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, Run 1; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 34:56) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 39 (Q4 13:01) — (13:01) 12-C.Chandler pass to 84-S.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, Run 13; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 12:53) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 20 (Q4 2:37) — (2:37) 4-J.Feely 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 13 (Q4 0:30) — (:30) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:01) — (13:01) 12-C.Chandler pass to 84-S.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, Run 13
- Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:21) — (13:21) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 24
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 26:12) — (11:12) 43-M.Smith right guard to ATL 21 for 1 yard. FUMBLES, touched at ATL 23, RECOVERED by NO-29-S.Knight at ATL 23. 29-S.Knight to ATL 23 for no gain (83-A.Crumpler).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 33:00) — (3:00) 12-C.Chandler pass to 84-S.Jefferson to NO 37 for 16 yards (20-J.Bellamy). Pass 16, Run 0
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 55:34) — (10:34) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 83-A.Connell INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Gordon at NO 46. 21-D.Gordon to NO 39 for 7 yards (83-A.Connell).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:21) — (13:21) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 24
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 26:12) — (11:12) 43-M.Smith right guard to ATL 21 for 1 yard. FUMBLES, touched at ATL 23, RECOVERED by NO-29-S.Knight at ATL 23. 29-S.Knight to ATL 23 for no gain (83-A.Crumpler).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:01) — (13:01) 12-C.Chandler pass to 84-S.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, Run 13
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 55:34) — (10:34) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 83-A.Connell INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Gordon at NO 46. 21-D.Gordon to NO 39 for 7 yards (83-A.Connell).
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) · 47 dropbacks · 48.9% completion · -0.20 EPA/play · -9.36 total EPA
- C.Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) · 23 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · +0.21 EPA/play · +4.77 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.074 | -0.186 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.1% | 35.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.072 | -0.209 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.196 | -0.316 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.186 | +0.074 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.4% | 60.9% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.07 vs -0.19), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, -5.09 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -16.18 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Atlanta Falcons 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.
- A. Crumpler (Atlanta Falcons) 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.
- Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 58:21 · NO 57 · Score 6-0
(13:21) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 24 - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 58:09 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 49:53 · NO 13 · Score 10-0
(4:53) 4-J.Feely 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 43:17 · ATL 5 · Score 10-3
(13:17) 3-J.Carney 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 35:02 · ATL 19 · Score 10-9
(5:02) 2-A.Brooks pass to 85-C.Cleeland for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, Run 1 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 34:56 · ATL 2 · Score 10-10
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 13:01 · NO 39 · Score 16-10
(13:01) 12-C.Chandler pass to 84-S.Jefferson for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, Run 13 - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 12:53 · NO 2 · Score 17-10
4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 2:37 · NO 20 · Score 20-10
(2:37) 4-J.Feely 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:30 · ATL 13 · Score 20-13
(:30) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 20-13 in Week 6, 2001 on 2001-10-21.
What was the final score of Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Atlanta Falcons 20, New Orleans Saints 13 (ATL 20-13 NO) in Week 6, 2001 on 2001-10-21.
What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Atlanta Falcons 10, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 0, New Orleans Saints 10; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 10, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Atlanta Falcons 20, New Orleans Saints 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
Atlanta Falcons touchdown — A. Crumpler (C. Chandler pass) (Q1 58:21) New Orleans Saints touchdown — C. Cleeland (A. Brooks pass) (Q2 35:02) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — S. Jefferson (C. Chandler pass) (Q4 13:01) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q1 49:53, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 43:17, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q4 2:37, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q4 0:30, 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), 48.9% completion, -0.20 EPA per dropback, -9.36 total passing EPA. C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons), 60.9% completion, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +4.77 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
A. Crumpler (Atlanta Falcons) led the game in total EPA with +6.31 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.31 EPA): (13:21) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, Run 24. The biggest win-probability swing was +24.1%.
Was Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Atlanta Falcons won 20-13 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 2-3 Now 3-3 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 3-1 Now 3-2 L
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