Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2005 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-10-16, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +10.48 total EPA.

On the individual side, A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.48 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-32.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (:04) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is BLOCKED (59-M.Boley), Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman, RECOVERED by ATL-51-D.Williams at ATL 41. 51-D.Williams for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +10.48 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Hakim · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.34 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.05 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.76 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Stecker · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.59 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.43 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.22 EPA/play
7. 7 W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +3.61 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.71 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.68 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

• New Orleans Saints — A. Smith (Q1 48:40)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Hall (Q2 34:17)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Williams (Q2 30:04)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Smith (Q3 22:44)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Griffith (M. Vick pass) (Q4 12:23)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Stallworth (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 7:02)
• Atlanta Falcons — W. Dunn (Q4 4:48)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Henderson (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 0:51)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — T. Peterson (Q1 54:43)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 39:58)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Peterson (Q4 0:02)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 19 (Q1 54:43) — (9:43) 2-T.Peterson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 24 (Q1 48:40) — (3:40) 32-A.Smith up the middle for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 48:37) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 1 (Q2 39:58) — (9:58) 3-J.Carney 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 32 (Q2 34:17); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 34:04) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-44-F.McCrary.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 29 (Q2 30:04); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 30:00) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 22:44) — (7:44) 32-A.Smith left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 22:39) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 17–14. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 12 (Q4 12:23) — (12:23) 7-M.Vick pass to 33-J.Griffith for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 12:17) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 27 (Q4 7:02) — (7:02) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ATL-36-J.Webster, Defensive Holding, declined.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 6:56) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 21 (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) 28-W.Dunn right end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 4:37) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q4 0:51) — (:51) 2-A.Brooks pass to 19-D.Henderson for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 0:46) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 18 (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 2-T.Peterson 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is BLOCKED (59-M.Boley), Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman, RECOVERED by ATL-51-D.Williams at ATL 41. 51-D.Williams for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -32.7% · EPA -9.11]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 34:17) — (4:17) 32-A.Smith to ATL 34 for -2 yards (59-M.Boley). FUMBLES (59-M.Boley), RECOVERED by ATL-21-D.Hall at ATL 34. 21-D.Hall for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -27.4% · EPA -10.36]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 5:21) — (5:21) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 56-K.Brooking at NO 33. 56-K.Brooking to NO 11 for 22 yards (44-M.Karney). [WPA -24.6% · EPA -5.46]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:51) — (:51) 2-A.Brooks pass to 19-D.Henderson for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.6% · EPA +3.09]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:02) — (7:02) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ATL-36-J.Webster, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +21.5% · EPA +3.03]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 34:17) — (4:17) 32-A.Smith to ATL 34 for -2 yards (59-M.Boley). FUMBLES (59-M.Boley), RECOVERED by ATL-21-D.Hall at ATL 34. 21-D.Hall for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -27.4% · EPA -10.36]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is BLOCKED (59-M.Boley), Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman, RECOVERED by ATL-51-D.Williams at ATL 41. 51-D.Williams for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -32.7% · EPA -9.11]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 85-D.Blakley INTERCEPTED by 29-J.Bullocks at NO 4. 29-J.Bullocks to ATL 45 for 51 yards (62-T.McClure). [WPA -20.9% · EPA -6.94]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 5:21) — (5:21) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 56-K.Brooking at NO 33. 56-K.Brooking to NO 11 for 22 yards (44-M.Karney). [WPA -24.6% · EPA -5.46]

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) · 43 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · +0.24 EPA/play · +10.48 total EPA
• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 30 dropbacks · 36.7% completion · -0.09 EPA/play · -2.62 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +5.40 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -0.40 total EPA, 7 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. 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.

1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 54:43 · NO 19 · Score 3-0
   (9:43) 2-T.Peterson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
2. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 48:40 · ATL 24 · Score 3-6
   (3:40) 32-A.Smith up the middle for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 48:37 · ATL 2 · Score 3-7
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
4. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 39:58 · ATL 1 · Score 3-10
   (9:58) 3-J.Carney 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 34:17 · ATL 32 · Score 9-10
   (4:17) 32-A.Smith to ATL 34 for -2 yards (59-M.Boley). FUMBLES (59-M.Boley), RECOVERED by ATL-21-D.Hall at ATL 34. 21-D.Hall for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 34:04 · NO 2 · Score 10-10
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-44-F.McCrary.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:04 · ATL 29 · Score 16-10
   (:04) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is BLOCKED (59-M.Boley), Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman, RECOVERED by ATL-51-D.Williams at ATL 41. 51-D.Williams for
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:00 · NO 2 · Score 17-10
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 22:44 · ATL 1 · Score 17-16
   (7:44) 32-A.Smith left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 22:39 · ATL 2 · Score 17-17
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 12:23 · NO 12 · Score 23-17
    (12:23) 7-M.Vick pass to 33-J.Griffith for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 12:17 · NO 2 · Score 24-17
    2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 7:02 · ATL 27 · Score 24-23
    (7:02) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ATL-36-J.Webster, Defensive Holding, declined.
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 6:56 · ATL 2 · Score 24-24
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 4:48 · NO 21 · Score 30-24
    (4:48) 28-W.Dunn right end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 4:37 · NO 2 · Score 31-24
    2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 0:51 · ATL 15 · Score 31-30
    (:51) 2-A.Brooks pass to 19-D.Henderson for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 0:46 · ATL 2 · Score 31-31
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
19. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · NO 18 · Score 34-31
    (:02) 2-T.Peterson 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-8-M.Schaub.