Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots: 2006 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-12-03, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 28–21 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Kitna (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +1.77 total EPA, and -2.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Furrey (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.84 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-22.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (6:03) 8-J.Kitna sacked at DET 40 for -7 yards (59-R.Colvin). FUMBLES (59-R.Colvin), RECOVERED by NE-99-M.Wright at DET 32.

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. Furrey · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +10.84 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Caldwell · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.83 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.20 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.64 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +4.08 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
6. 6 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.14 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Gaffney · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.04 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.04 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Kitna · Detroit Lions · Passing · +1.77 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.04 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

• Detroit Lions — M. Furrey (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 43:48)
• New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q2 31:19)
• New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q4 8:39)
• New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q4 2:38)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 47:51)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q2 33:23)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 30:03)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q3 24:13)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q3 20:13)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q4 13:11)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the DET 7 (Q1 47:51) — (2:51) 3-S.Gostkowski 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NE 5 (Q2 43:48) — (13:48) 8-J.Kitna pass short right to 87-M.Furrey for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 43:44) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NE 11 (Q2 33:23) — (3:23) 4-J.Hanson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q2 31:19) — (1:19) 28-C.Dillon left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 31:15) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the DET 9 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 3-S.Gostkowski 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 8–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NE 20 (Q3 24:13) — (9:13) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NE 31 (Q3 20:13) — (5:13) 4-J.Hanson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions registered a safety from the DET 91 (Q3 19:30).

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 15–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NE 8 (Q4 13:11); New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q4 8:39) — (8:39) 28-C.Dillon left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 28-Dillon 15th player in NFL history with 11,000+ career rushing yards.; New England Patriots registered a safety from the DET 2 (Q4 8:35) — shotgun formation TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q4 2:38); New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 2:33) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 6:03) — (6:03) 8-J.Kitna sacked at DET 40 for -7 yards (59-R.Colvin). FUMBLES (59-R.Colvin), RECOVERED by NE-99-M.Wright at DET 32. [WPA -22.4% · EPA -5.22]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 7:56) — (7:56) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 89-D.Campbell INTERCEPTED by 50-M.Vrabel at NE 49. 50-M.Vrabel to NE 46 for -3 yards (89-D.Campbell). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -4.38]
• New England Patriots (Q4 6:57) — (6:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 84-B.Watson to DET 30 for 9 yards (38-J.McGraw). FUMBLES (38-J.McGraw), RECOVERED by DET-42-T.Holt at DET 29. 42-T.Holt to DET 29 for no gai [WPA -14.3% · EPA -3.81]
• New England Patriots (Q2 34:25) — (4:25) 35-P.Pass left guard to NE 19 for 4 yards (93-C.Smith). FUMBLES (93-C.Smith), RECOVERED by DET-32-D.Bly at NE 19. 32-D.Bly to NE 14 for 5 yards (61-S.Neal). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -4.62]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 36:11) — (6:11) 34-K.Jones right guard to NE 5 for -1 yards (25-A.Hawkins). FUMBLES (25-A.Hawkins), RECOVERED by NE-50-M.Vrabel at NE 2. 50-M.Vrabel to NE 2 for no gain (30-C.Schlesinger). [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.11]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 6:03) — (6:03) 8-J.Kitna sacked at DET 40 for -7 yards (59-R.Colvin). FUMBLES (59-R.Colvin), RECOVERED by NE-99-M.Wright at DET 32. [WPA -22.4% · EPA -5.22]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 36:11) — (6:11) 34-K.Jones right guard to NE 5 for -1 yards (25-A.Hawkins). FUMBLES (25-A.Hawkins), RECOVERED by NE-50-M.Vrabel at NE 2. 50-M.Vrabel to NE 2 for no gain (30-C.Schlesinger). [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.11]
• New England Patriots (Q2 34:25) — (4:25) 35-P.Pass left guard to NE 19 for 4 yards (93-C.Smith). FUMBLES (93-C.Smith), RECOVERED by DET-32-D.Bly at NE 19. 32-D.Bly to NE 14 for 5 yards (61-S.Neal). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -4.62]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 7:56) — (7:56) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 89-D.Campbell INTERCEPTED by 50-M.Vrabel at NE 49. 50-M.Vrabel to NE 46 for -3 yards (89-D.Campbell). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -4.38]

Quarterback report card

J.Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Kitna (Detroit Lions) · 48 dropbacks · 45.8% completion · -2.6% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.77 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 44 dropbacks · 61.4% completion · +12.4% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.08 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 (Detroit Lions +0.01, New England Patriots +0.06) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +0.70 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 12 drives, +4.43 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots 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. Furrey (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) 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. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 47:51 · DET 7 · Score 0-3
   (2:51) 3-S.Gostkowski 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter.
2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 43:48 · NE 5 · Score 6-3
   (13:48) 8-J.Kitna pass short right to 87-M.Furrey for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 43:44 · NE 2 · Score 7-3
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
4. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 33:23 · NE 11 · Score 10-3
   (3:23) 4-J.Hanson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
5. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 31:19 · DET 6 · Score 10-9
   (1:19) 28-C.Dillon left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 31:15 · DET 2 · Score 10-10
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · DET 9 · Score 10-13
   (:03) 3-S.Gostkowski 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter.
8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 24:13 · NE 20 · Score 13-13
   (9:13) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
9. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 20:13 · NE 31 · Score 16-13
   (5:13) 4-J.Hanson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
10. Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q3 19:30 · DET 91 · Score 18-13
    (4:30) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE -2 for -11 yards (26-K.Kennedy). FUMBLES (26-K.Kennedy), recovered by NE-44-H.Evans at NE -2. 44-H.Evans tackled in End Zone, SAF
11. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 13:11 · NE 8 · Score 21-13
    (13:11) 4-J.Hanson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. DET 4-Hanson 13th player in NFL history with 1,500+ career points
12. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 8:39 · DET 2 · Score 21-19
    (8:39) 28-C.Dillon left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 28-Dillon 15th player in NFL history with 11,000+ career rushing yards.
13. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q4 8:35 · DET 2 · Score 21-21
    shotgun formation TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
14. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 2:38 · DET 4 · Score 21-27
    (2:38) 28-C.Dillon left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 28 Dillon 3 TD in game is his Patriots best. Career best is 4 TD (CIN vs. TEN 12/4/97)
15. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 2:33 · DET 2 · Score 21-28
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-15-K.Walter.