Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2008 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-07, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 29–25 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +16.47 total EPA, and +15.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.47 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (10:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 42-J.David at NO 25. 42-J.David to NO 48 for 23 yards (84-R.White).

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 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +16.47 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
2. 2 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +13.21 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.77 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +7.03 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.70 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Finneran · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.25 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.13 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
8. 8 H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.64 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 — R. Bush (D. Brees pass) (Q1 53:34)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q2 40:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — B. Finneran (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 32:13)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 13:03)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Ryan (Q4 8:00)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q4 5:54)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 42:09)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 36:15)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 30:03)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q3 18:09)

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 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q1 53:34) — (8:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 25-R.Bush for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 53:29) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–9. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 8 (Q2 42:09) — (12:09) 5-G.Hartley 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q2 40:00) — (10:00) 33-M.Turner right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 39:55) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 28 (Q2 36:15) — (6:15) 5-G.Hartley 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 32:13); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 32:13) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 7 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 5-G.Hartley 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 5 (Q3 18:09) — (3:09) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–8. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 7 (Q4 13:03) — (13:03) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 12 (Q4 8:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan scrambles right end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 7:51) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-M.Ryan pass to 12-M.Jenkins is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q4 5:54) — (5:54) 23-P.Thomas left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 5:47) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:03) — (10:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 42-J.David at NO 25. 42-J.David to NO 48 for 23 yards (84-R.White). [WPA -18.8% · EPA -6.56]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:51) — 9-M.Koenen kicks 74 yards from ATL 30 to NO -4. 23-P.Thomas to ATL 16 for 88 yards (30-D.Irons). [WPA +17.8% · EPA +3.74]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson pushed ob at ATL 13 for 36 yards (23-C.Houston). [WPA +16.2% · EPA +3.61]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan scrambles right end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.3% · EPA +2.82]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 25:18) — (10:18) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 84-R.White to ATL 41 for 26 yards (51-J.Vilma). [WPA +10.7% · EPA +3.44]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:03) — (10:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 42-J.David at NO 25. 42-J.David to NO 48 for 23 yards (84-R.White). [WPA -18.8% · EPA -6.56]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 41:59) — (11:59) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White to NO 15 for 59 yards (29-J.Bullocks). [WPA +7.6% · EPA +3.93]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:51) — 9-M.Koenen kicks 74 yards from ATL 30 to NO -4. 23-P.Thomas to ATL 16 for 88 yards (30-D.Irons). [WPA +17.8% · EPA +3.74]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson pushed ob at ATL 13 for 36 yards (23-C.Houston). [WPA +16.2% · EPA +3.61]

Quarterback report card

M.Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 36 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +15.3% CPOE · +0.46 EPA/play · +16.47 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 33 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -9.4% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +7.03 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Atlanta Falcons +0.18, New Orleans Saints +0.21) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 9 drives, +14.81 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +16.51 total EPA, 6 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.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

1. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 53:34 · ATL 5 · Score 0-6
   (8:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 25-R.Bush for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 53:29 · ATL 2 · Score 0-7
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 42:09 · ATL 8 · Score 0-10
   (12:09) 5-G.Hartley 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
4. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 40:00 · NO 5 · Score 6-10
   (10:00) 33-M.Turner right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 39:55 · NO 2 · Score 7-10
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
6. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 36:15 · ATL 28 · Score 7-13
   (6:15) 5-G.Hartley 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 32:13 · NO 2 · Score 13-13
   (2:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 86-B.Finneran for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. New Orleans challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 32:13 · NO 2 · Score 14-13
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
9. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · ATL 7 · Score 14-16
   (:03) 5-G.Hartley 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 18:09 · NO 5 · Score 17-16
    (3:09) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 13:03 · ATL 7 · Score 17-22
    (13:03) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 8:00 · NO 12 · Score 23-22
    (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan scrambles right end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Atlanta Falcons Safety (+2) — Q4 7:51 · NO 2 · Score 25-22
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-M.Ryan pass to 12-M.Jenkins is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 5:54 · ATL 5 · Score 25-28
    (5:54) 23-P.Thomas left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 5:47 · ATL 2 · Score 25-29
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.