Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2011 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-12-26, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 45–16 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -2.90 total EPA, and +4.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.41 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-12.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (5:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Franks (25-W.Moore) at ATL 0. Touchback.

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 · +15.41 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +10.36 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.75 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Sproles · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.71 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.27 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
6. 6 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.59 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.53 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Weems · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.60 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 — P. Thomas (Q1 50:29)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 46:36)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 42:36)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:30)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q3 23:35)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 11:20)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Sproles (D. Brees pass) (Q4 2:56)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 53:57)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q3 19:47)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Kasay (Q3 18:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 12:48)

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 10–7. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 16 (Q1 53:57) — (8:57) 3-M.Bryant 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q1 50:29); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 50:25) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 21 (Q1 46:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, YAC 4; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 46:31) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 8 (Q2 42:36) — (12:36) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 4; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 42:32) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 9 (Q2 30:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:24) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 24 (Q3 23:35) — (8:35) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 23:28) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 33 (Q3 19:47) — (4:47) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 11 (Q3 18:09) — (3:09) 2-J.Kasay 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 12 (Q4 12:48) — (12:48) 3-M.Bryant 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 73 (Q4 11:20); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 11:09) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 9 (Q4 2:56); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 2:51) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Franks (25-W.Moore) at ATL 0. Touchback. [WPA -12.5% · EPA -5.51]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 44:15) — (14:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston to ATL 37 for 14 yards (28-T.DeCoud). Pass 13, YAC 1 [WPA +12.2% · EPA +2.47]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 46:36) — (1:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, YAC 4 [WPA +9.3% · EPA +3.59]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 31:10) — (1:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-R.Meachem to ATL 27 for 41 yards (28-T.DeCoud). Pass 40, YAC 1 [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.08]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 48:16) — (3:16) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 11-J.Jones to NO 37 for 25 yards (42-I.Abdul-Quddus). Pass 23, YAC 2 [WPA +9.0% · EPA +2.54]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 11:20) — (11:20) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones to ATL 35 for 8 yards (58-S.Shanle). FUMBLES (58-S.Shanle), touched at ATL 35, RECOVERED by NO-27-M.Jenkins at ATL 30. 27-M.Jenkins for 30 yar [WPA -3.0% · EPA -8.03]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Franks (25-W.Moore) at ATL 0. Touchback. [WPA -12.5% · EPA -5.51]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 19:41) — 5-M.Bosher kicks 71 yards from ATL 35 to NO -6. 43-D.Sproles pushed ob at ATL 14 for 92 yards (21-C.Owens). [WPA +1.2% · EPA +4.04]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:20) — (8:20) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to 84-R.White [41-R.Harper]. [WPA -0.1% · EPA -3.77]

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) · 54 dropbacks · 63.0% completion · +4.9% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -2.90 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 41 dropbacks · 56.1% completion · +0.5% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +15.41 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 (+0.27 vs -0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -5.07 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +21.93 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.
• D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) 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.

Every scoring play

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

1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 53:57 · NO 16 · Score 3-0
   (8:57) 3-M.Bryant 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
2. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 50:29 · ATL 4 · Score 3-6
   (5:29) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NO-23-P.Thomas, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. After the play, Tho
3. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 50:25 · ATL 2 · Score 3-7
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
4. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 46:36 · NO 21 · Score 9-7
   (1:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, YAC 4
5. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 46:31 · NO 2 · Score 10-7
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 42:36 · ATL 8 · Score 10-13
   (12:36) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 4
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 42:32 · ATL 2 · Score 10-14
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:30 · ATL 9 · Score 10-20
   (:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:24 · ATL 2 · Score 10-21
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 23:35 · ATL 24 · Score 10-27
    (8:35) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 0
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 23:28 · ATL 2 · Score 10-28
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
12. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 19:47 · NO 33 · Score 13-28
    (4:47) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
13. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 18:09 · ATL 11 · Score 13-31
    (3:09) 2-J.Kasay 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
14. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 12:48 · NO 12 · Score 16-31
    (12:48) 3-M.Bryant 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
15. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 11:20 · NO 73 · Score 16-37
    (11:20) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones to ATL 35 for 8 yards (58-S.Shanle). FUMBLES (58-S.Shanle), touched at ATL 35, RECOVERED by NO-27-M.Je
16. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 11:09 · ATL 2 · Score 16-38
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:56 · ATL 9 · Score 16-44
    (2:56) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 43-D.Sproles for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 7, YAC 2. Brees breaks single-season passing yardage record.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 2:51 · ATL 2 · Score 16-45
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.