Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2021 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-11-07, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 27–25 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 32 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Siemian (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -3.46 total EPA, and -5.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+31.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (1:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-C.Patterson pushed ob at NO 11 for 64 yards (43-M.Williams) [5-K.Alexander]. Pass 28, YAC 36 The Replay Official reviewed the runner was inbounds ruling

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 · +18.03 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Patterson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +9.98 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.66 EPA/play
3. 3 O. Zaccheaus · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.82 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.61 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.91 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Harris · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.31 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Hill · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +2.60 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Pitts · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.26 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 — O. Zaccheaus (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 30:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Spriggs (Q3 20:18)
• Atlanta Falcons — O. Zaccheaus (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 10:46)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Callaway (T. Siemian pass) (Q4 8:02)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q4 4:39)
• New Orleans Saints — K. Stills (T. Siemian pass) (Q4 1:06)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q1 49:31)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Johnson (Q3 24:40)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Johnson (Q4 14:54)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q4 0:03)

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 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 14 (Q1 49:31) — (4:31) 7-Y.Koo 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 13–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q2 30:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q2 30:06) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 17 (Q3 24:40) — (9:40) 6-B.Johnson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 20:18) — (5:18) 69-J.Spriggs reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan scrambles right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 20:13) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 22–10. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 34 (Q4 14:54) — (14:54) 6-B.Johnson 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q4 10:46) — (10:46) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN [93-D.Onyemata]. Pass 6, YAC 0; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 20 (Q4 10:39) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q4 8:02) — (8:02) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass short right to 1-M.Callaway for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 7:57) — 6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q4 4:39) — (4:39) (Shotgun) 41-A.Kamara right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 8 (Q4 1:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass short left to 12-K.Stills for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 7, YAC 1; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 11 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 7-Y.Koo 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:01) — (1:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-C.Patterson pushed ob at NO 11 for 64 yards (43-M.Williams) [5-K.Alexander]. Pass 28, YAC 36 The Replay Official reviewed the runner was inbounds ruling [WPA +31.9% · EPA +3.90]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 7-Y.Koo 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt. [WPA +30.2% · EPA +0.07]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:46) — (2:46) 76-C.Throckmorton reported in as eligible. 15-T.Siemian pass deep right to 12-K.Stills to ATL 21 for 22 yards (23-E.Harris). Pass 19, YAC 3 [WPA +14.8% · EPA +1.49]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 59:19) — (14:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-C.Patterson to NO 40 for 34 yards (43-M.Williams). Pass 25, YAC 9 [WPA +12.2% · EPA +3.77]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:28) — (7:28) 28-M.Davis left guard to ATL 44 for -1 yards (20-P.Werner, 94-C.Jordan). [WPA -12.0% · EPA -3.37]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:57) — (10:57) 15-T.Siemian at quarterback. (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian sacked at NO 44 for -9 yards (93-J.Vaughters). FUMBLES (93-J.Vaughters) [93-J.Vaughters], RECOVERED by ATL-55-S.Means at NO 38. 55-S.Means t [WPA -10.8% · EPA -8.38]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 23:11) — (8:11) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 17-O.Zaccheaus pushed ob at NO 18 for 49 yards (43-M.Williams). Pass 34, YAC 15 [WPA +9.6% · EPA +4.00]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:01) — (1:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-C.Patterson pushed ob at NO 11 for 64 yards (43-M.Williams) [5-K.Alexander]. Pass 28, YAC 36 The Replay Official reviewed the runner was inbounds ruling [WPA +31.9% · EPA +3.90]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 59:19) — (14:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-C.Patterson to NO 40 for 34 yards (43-M.Williams). Pass 25, YAC 9 [WPA +12.2% · EPA +3.77]

Quarterback report card

T.Siemian led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Siemian (New Orleans Saints) · 46 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · -5.3% CPOE · -0.08 EPA/play · -3.46 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 37 dropbacks · 62.2% completion · +14.8% CPOE · +0.49 EPA/play · +18.03 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 -0.02, New Orleans Saints -0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, -1.33 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, -3.54 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons 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.
• T. Siemian (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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 49:31 · NO 14 · Score 3-0
   (4:31) 7-Y.Koo 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt.
2. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:09 · NO 3 · Score 9-0
   (:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+7) — Q2 30:06 · NO 15 · Score 10-0
   7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt.
4. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 24:40 · ATL 17 · Score 10-3
   (9:40) 6-B.Johnson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 20:18 · NO 1 · Score 16-3
   (5:18) 69-J.Spriggs reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan scrambles right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 20:13 · NO 15 · Score 17-3
   7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 14:54 · ATL 34 · Score 17-6
   (14:54) 6-B.Johnson 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 10:46 · NO 6 · Score 23-6
   (10:46) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN [93-D.Onyemata]. Pass 6, YAC 0
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 10:39 · NO 20 · Score 24-6
   7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:02 · ATL 5 · Score 24-12
    (8:02) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass short right to 1-M.Callaway for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 0
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 7:57 · ATL 15 · Score 24-13
    6-B.Johnson extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 4:39 · ATL 2 · Score 24-19
    (4:39) (Shotgun) 41-A.Kamara right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:06 · ATL 8 · Score 24-25
    (1:06) (Shotgun) 15-T.Siemian pass short left to 12-K.Stills for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 7, YAC 1
14. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · NO 11 · Score 27-25
    (:03) 7-Y.Koo 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-12-D.Colquitt.