Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2009 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-11-02, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 35–27 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -7.24 total EPA, and -7.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.48 — 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: (8:39) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter (51-J.Vilma) at NO 1. 22-T.Porter to NO 19 for 18 yards (34-O.Mughelli).

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 · +8.48 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.16 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +6.66 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.05 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
6. 6 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.81 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.57 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.54 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.06 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

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q1 56:11)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q1 50:35)
• Atlanta Falcons — K. Biermann (Q1 47:22)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 40:44)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Bush (Q2 31:10)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Greer (Q2 30:52)
• Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 27:34)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 3:09)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q4 11:36)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q4 0:31)

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 14–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 13 (Q1 56:11) — (11:11) 33-M.Turner right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 56:03) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 22 (Q1 50:35); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 50:26) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 86 (Q1 47:22); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 47:14) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 18 (Q2 40:44) — (10:44) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, Catch 1; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 40:38) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 31:10) — (1:10) 25-R.Bush left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 12 (Q2 31:05) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 61 (Q2 30:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 32-J.Greer at ATL 48. 32-J.Greer for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:42) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 68 (Q3 27:34) — (12:34) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 43, Catch 25; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 27:25) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 7 (Q4 11:36) — (11:36) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -8, Catch 9; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 3:03) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 22 (Q4 0:31) — (:31) 1-J.Elam 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:39) — (8:39) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter (51-J.Vilma) at NO 1. 22-T.Porter to NO 19 for 18 yards (34-O.Mughelli). [WPA -24.1% · EPA -5.51]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 47:22) — (2:22) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 4 for -10 yards (28-T.DeCoud). FUMBLES (28-T.DeCoud) [28-T.DeCoud], RECOVERED by ATL-71-K.Biermann at NO 4. 71-K.Biermann for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.8% · EPA -8.00]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:13) — (10:13) 23-P.Thomas right tackle to NO 35 for 1 yard (26-E.Coleman). FUMBLES (26-E.Coleman), RECOVERED by ATL-54-S.Nicholas at NO 35. New Orleans challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA -17.4% · EPA -4.87]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 32-J.Greer at ATL 48. 32-J.Greer for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -8.04]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 27:34) — (12:34) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 43, Catch 25 [WPA +12.3% · EPA +6.67]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 32-J.Greer at ATL 48. 32-J.Greer for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -8.04]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 47:22) — (2:22) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 4 for -10 yards (28-T.DeCoud). FUMBLES (28-T.DeCoud) [28-T.DeCoud], RECOVERED by ATL-71-K.Biermann at NO 4. 71-K.Biermann for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.8% · EPA -8.00]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 27:34) — (12:34) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 43, Catch 25 [WPA +12.3% · EPA +6.67]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:39) — (8:39) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter (51-J.Vilma) at NO 1. 22-T.Porter to NO 19 for 18 yards (34-O.Mughelli). [WPA -24.1% · EPA -5.51]

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) · 48 dropbacks · 39.6% completion · -7.0% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -7.24 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 39 dropbacks · 64.1% completion · +14.1% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +8.48 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 (+0.01 vs -0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 14 drives, -4.79 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, +0.88 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.
• D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:11 · NO 13 · Score 6-0
   (11:11) 33-M.Turner right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:03 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 50:35 · ATL 22 · Score 7-6
   (5:35) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NO-23-P.Thomas, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Penalty was for ex
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 50:26 · ATL 2 · Score 7-7
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 47:22 · ATL 86 · Score 13-7
   (2:22) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 4 for -10 yards (28-T.DeCoud). FUMBLES (28-T.DeCoud) [28-T.DeCoud], RECOVERED by ATL-71-K.Biermann at NO 4. 71-K.Biermann for 4 ya
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 47:14 · NO 2 · Score 14-7
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 40:44 · ATL 18 · Score 14-13
   (10:44) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, Catch 1
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 40:38 · ATL 2 · Score 14-14
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 31:10 · ATL 1 · Score 14-20
   (1:10) 25-R.Bush left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 31:05 · ATL 12 · Score 14-21
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:52 · NO 61 · Score 14-27
    (:52) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 32-J.Greer at ATL 48. 32-J.Greer for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:42 · ATL 2 · Score 14-28
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 27:34 · NO 68 · Score 20-28
    (12:34) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 43, Catch 25
14. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 27:25 · NO 2 · Score 21-28
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
15. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 11:36 · NO 7 · Score 24-28
    (11:36) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:09 · ATL 1 · Score 24-34
    (3:09) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -8, Catch 9
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:03 · ATL 2 · Score 24-35
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
18. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:31 · NO 22 · Score 27-35
    (:31) 1-J.Elam 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.