Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2012 Week 10 Recap

Game story

In Week 10 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-11-11, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 31–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +20.49 total EPA, and +4.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.49 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-35.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (1:46) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to 84-R.White (33-J.Greer) [94-C.Jordan].

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 · +20.49 total EPA · 56 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +14.19 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +12.20 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +11.90 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.66 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.46 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Ivory · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.14 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
8. 8 H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.41 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. Johnson (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 56:43)
• New Orleans Saints — C. Ivory (Q1 52:03)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q2 43:33)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 36:32)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:40)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q3 24:27)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 13:32)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 54:24)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 9:12)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q4 5:59)

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 found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 56:43) — (11:43) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 79-M.Johnson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 0; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 56:38) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 19 (Q1 54:24) — (9:24) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 56 (Q1 52:03) — (7:03) 29-C.Ivory right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 51:49) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 29 (Q2 43:33) — (13:33) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 80-J.Graham for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 19, YAC 10; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 43:33) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 36:32) — (6:32) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 88-T.Gonzalez for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 36:27) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 14 (Q2 30:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 80-J.Graham for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 4; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:34) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 7 (Q3 24:27) — (9:27) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 3; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 24:23) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q4 13:32) — (13:32) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 13:27) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 2 (Q4 9:12) — (9:12) 3-M.Bryant 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 13 (Q4 5:59) — (5:59) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal 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.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:46) — (1:46) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short middle to 84-R.White (33-J.Greer) [94-C.Jordan]. [WPA -35.8% · EPA -3.05]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 11:10) — (11:10) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones to NO 10 for 52 yards (41-R.Harper; 33-J.Greer) [76-A.Hicks]. PENALTY on NO, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 5 yards, enforced at NO 10. Pass 38, YAC 14 Penalty [WPA +21.2% · EPA +4.21]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 57:39) — (12:39) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White pushed ob at NO 1 for 49 yards (41-R.Harper). Pass 46, YAC 3 [WPA +14.5% · EPA +3.96]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 3:03) — (3:03) 32-Jz. Rodgers right end to NO 10 for 18 yards (27-M.Jenkins). [WPA +14.3% · EPA +1.21]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 52:03) — (7:03) 29-C.Ivory right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.9% · EPA +4.87]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 56:33) — (11:33) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at NO 25. 22-A.Samuel to NO 12 for 13 yards (12-M.Colston). PENALTY on ATL-22-A.Samuel, Unsportsmanlik [WPA -7.5% · EPA -5.34]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 52:03) — (7:03) 29-C.Ivory right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.9% · EPA +4.87]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 11:10) — (11:10) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones to NO 10 for 52 yards (41-R.Harper; 33-J.Greer) [76-A.Hicks]. PENALTY on NO, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 5 yards, enforced at NO 10. Pass 38, YAC 14 Penalty [WPA +21.2% · EPA +4.21]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 57:39) — (12:39) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White pushed ob at NO 1 for 49 yards (41-R.Harper). Pass 46, YAC 3 [WPA +14.5% · EPA +3.96]

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) · 56 dropbacks · 60.7% completion · +4.5% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +20.49 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 33 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +3.0% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +11.90 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 +0.13, New Orleans Saints +0.15) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, +11.94 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +11.81 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.
• 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.

Every scoring play

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

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:43 · NO 1 · Score 6-0
   (11:43) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 79-M.Johnson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 0
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:38 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 54:24 · NO 19 · Score 10-0
   (9:24) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
4. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 52:03 · ATL 56 · Score 10-6
   (7:03) 29-C.Ivory right end for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 51:49 · ATL 2 · Score 10-7
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 43:33 · ATL 29 · Score 10-13
   (13:33) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 80-J.Graham for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 19, YAC 10
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 43:33 · ATL 2 · Score 10-14
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 36:32 · NO 2 · Score 16-14
   (6:32) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 88-T.Gonzalez for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 36:27 · NO 2 · Score 17-14
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:40 · ATL 14 · Score 17-20
    (:40) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 80-J.Graham for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 4
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:34 · ATL 2 · Score 17-21
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:27 · ATL 7 · Score 17-27
    (9:27) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 3
13. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:23 · ATL 2 · Score 17-28
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
14. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 13:32 · NO 6 · Score 23-28
    (13:32) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 13:27 · NO 2 · Score 24-28
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
16. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 9:12 · NO 2 · Score 27-28
    (9:12) 3-M.Bryant 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
17. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 5:59 · ATL 13 · Score 27-31
    (5:59) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.