Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints: 2014 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-11-24, the Baltimore Ravens took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 34–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +11.21 total EPA, and +11.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Smith (Baltimore Ravens) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.84 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-26.5% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 33-W.Hill at NO 44. 33-W.Hill for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 S. Smith · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +11.84 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Flacco · Baltimore Ravens · Passing · +11.35 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +11.21 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.36 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.09 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Forsett · Baltimore Ravens · Rushing · +8.04 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Smith · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +7.09 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Morgan · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.11 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Stills · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.10 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.46 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

• Baltimore Ravens — S. Smith (J. Flacco pass) (Q1 53:18)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q1 48:26)
• Baltimore Ravens — J. Forsett (Q2 39:14)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:24)
• Baltimore Ravens — W. Hill (Q3 20:10)
• Baltimore Ravens — J. Forsett (Q4 2:59)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q4 0:44)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q2 34:03)
• Baltimore Ravens — J. Tucker (Q3 23:36)
• Baltimore Ravens — J. Tucker (Q4 11:04)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q4 6:38)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q1 53:18) — (8:18) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 89-S.Smith for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 0; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 53:13) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BAL 10 (Q1 48:26) — (3:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 4; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q1 48:20) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the NO 13 (Q2 39:14) — (9:14) 29-J.Forsett right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 39:08) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the BAL 2 (Q2 34:03) — (4:03) 3-S.Graham 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BAL 26 (Q2 30:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q2 30:17) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The third quarter: Baltimore Ravens won the period 10–0. Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the NO 13 (Q3 23:36) — (8:36) 9-J.Tucker 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the BAL 59 (Q3 20:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 33-W.Hill at NO 44. 33-W.Hill for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 19:59) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the NO 37 (Q4 11:04) — (11:04) 9-J.Tucker 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the BAL 16 (Q4 6:38) — (6:38) 3-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the NO 20 (Q4 2:59) — (2:59) 29-J.Forsett left tackle for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 2:53) — 9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BAL 2 (Q4 0:44) — (:44) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q4 0:40) — 3-S.Graham extra point 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.

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 33-W.Hill at NO 44. 33-W.Hill for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -26.5% · EPA -8.34]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, YAC 0 [WPA +19.2% · EPA +4.35]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 59:33) — (14:33) 13-J.Morgan left end to BAL 2 for 67 yards (21-L.Webb). PENALTY on BAL-21-L.Webb, Horse Collar Tackle, 1 yard, enforced at BAL 2. [WPA +15.6% · EPA +4.11]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q3 27:50) — (12:50) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 89-S.Smith pushed ob at NO 48 for 20 yards (32-K.Vaccaro). PENALTY on NO-32-K.Vaccaro, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at NO 48. Pass 10, YAC [WPA +15.3% · EPA +3.78]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 44-K.Juszczyk to NO 1 for 6 yards (42-P.Warren). New Orleans challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 5-J.Flacco pass short le [WPA -13.3% · EPA -4.77]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 33-W.Hill at NO 44. 33-W.Hill for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -26.5% · EPA -8.34]
• Baltimore Ravens (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 44-K.Juszczyk to NO 1 for 6 yards (42-P.Warren). New Orleans challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 5-J.Flacco pass short le [WPA -13.3% · EPA -4.77]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, YAC 0 [WPA +19.2% · EPA +4.35]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 59:33) — (14:33) 13-J.Morgan left end to BAL 2 for 67 yards (21-L.Webb). PENALTY on BAL-21-L.Webb, Horse Collar Tackle, 1 yard, enforced at BAL 2. [WPA +15.6% · EPA +4.11]

Quarterback report card

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

• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 54 dropbacks · 64.8% completion · +11.6% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +11.21 total EPA
• J.Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) · 27 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +11.8% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +11.35 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Baltimore Ravens generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.28 vs +0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Baltimore Ravens: 11 drives, +21.10 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +8.27 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Baltimore Ravens 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.
• S. Smith (Baltimore Ravens) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Brees (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Flacco (BAL) 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. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q1 53:18 · NO 15 · Score 6-0
   (8:18) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short left to 89-S.Smith for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 0
2. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q1 53:13 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 48:26 · BAL 10 · Score 7-6
   (3:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 4
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 48:20 · BAL 2 · Score 7-7
   3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
5. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q2 39:14 · NO 13 · Score 13-7
   (9:14) 29-J.Forsett right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q2 39:08 · NO 2 · Score 14-7
   9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 34:03 · BAL 2 · Score 14-10
   (4:03) 3-S.Graham 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:24 · BAL 26 · Score 14-16
   (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 26, YAC 0
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:17 · BAL 2 · Score 14-17
   3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
10. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q3 23:36 · NO 13 · Score 17-17
    (8:36) 9-J.Tucker 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.
11. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q3 20:10 · BAL 59 · Score 23-17
    (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 33-W.Hill at NO 44. 33-W.Hill for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q3 19:59 · NO 2 · Score 24-17
    9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.
13. Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q4 11:04 · NO 37 · Score 27-17
    (11:04) 9-J.Tucker 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.
14. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 6:38 · BAL 16 · Score 27-20
    (6:38) 3-S.Graham 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
15. Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q4 2:59 · NO 20 · Score 33-20
    (2:59) 29-J.Forsett left tackle for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q4 2:53 · NO 2 · Score 34-20
    9-J.Tucker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-S.Koch.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 0:44 · BAL 2 · Score 34-26
    (:44) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 0:40 · BAL 2 · Score 34-27
    3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.