Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2013 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-09-08, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 23–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -3.07 total EPA, and +3.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.41 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-28.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (:49) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (32-K.Vaccaro) at NO 0. Touchback. The ball intended for Gonzales was first tipped by Vaccaro, and then

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 · +10.41 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Sproles · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
3. 3 H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.89 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Stills · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.38 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.32 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
7. 7 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.24 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Jackson · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.82 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.17 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 — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 53:40)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 39:16)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 26:45)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q3 21:29)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 46:30)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 40:58)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 31:50)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q4 3:16)

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 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q1 53:40) — (8:40) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 53:32) — 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 5 (Q1 46:30) — (1:30) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 30 (Q2 40:58) — (10:58) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 25 (Q2 39:16) — (9:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 25, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 39:10) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 13 (Q2 31:50) — (1:50) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q3 26:45) — (11:45) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 26:41) — 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 7 (Q3 21:29) — (6:29) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 6; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 21:22) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 4 (Q4 3:16) — (3:16) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (32-K.Vaccaro) at NO 0. Touchback. The ball intended for Gonzales was first tipped by Vaccaro, and then [WPA -28.2% · EPA -2.55]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:34) — (1:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-H.Douglas to NO 7 for 20 yards (32-K.Vaccaro). [WPA +18.5% · EPA +1.97]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 28:08) — (13:08) 39-S.Jackson right tackle pushed ob at NO 5 for 50 yards (27-M.Jenkins). [WPA +15.7% · EPA +4.04]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 19:47) — (4:47) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-R.Alford at ATL 45. 23-R.Alford to ATL 45 for no gain (12-M.Colston). [WPA -13.7% · EPA -3.91]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:11) — (5:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 84-K.Stills to ATL 9 for 67 yards (27-R.McClain; 23-R.Alford). Pass 24, YAC 43 [WPA +13.2% · EPA +4.64]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:11) — (5:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 84-K.Stills to ATL 9 for 67 yards (27-R.McClain; 23-R.Alford). Pass 24, YAC 43 [WPA +13.2% · EPA +4.64]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 40:53) — (10:53) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones to ATL 42 for 22 yards (27-M.Jenkins). FUMBLES (27-M.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-41-R.Harper at 50. 41-R.Harper to ATL 31 for 19 yards (76-L.Holmes). Pass 1 [WPA -9.9% · EPA -4.54]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 28:08) — (13:08) 39-S.Jackson right tackle pushed ob at NO 5 for 50 yards (27-M.Jenkins). [WPA +15.7% · EPA +4.04]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 19:47) — (4:47) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-R.Alford at ATL 45. 23-R.Alford to ATL 45 for no gain (12-M.Colston). [WPA -13.7% · EPA -3.91]

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) · 43 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +3.5% CPOE · -0.07 EPA/play · -3.07 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 40 dropbacks · 65.0% completion · +10.7% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +10.41 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 (+0.04 vs -0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, -1.51 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +3.02 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.
• 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.
• 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 53:40 · NO 7 · Score 6-0
   (8:40) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 53:32 · 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 46:30 · NO 5 · Score 10-0
   (1:30) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
4. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 40:58 · ATL 30 · Score 10-3
   (10:58) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 39:16 · ATL 25 · Score 10-9
   (9:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 25, YAC 0
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 39:10 · ATL 2 · Score 10-10
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 31:50 · ATL 13 · Score 10-13
   (1:50) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 26:45 · NO 4 · Score 16-13
   (11:45) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 26:41 · NO 2 · Score 17-13
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 21:29 · ATL 7 · Score 17-19
    (6:29) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 6
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 21:22 · ATL 2 · Score 17-20
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
12. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 3:16 · ATL 4 · Score 17-23
    (3:16) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.