Game story
In Week 16 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-12-24, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 13–12 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Bouman (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +2.58 total EPA.
On the individual side, R. Williams (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.76 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+39.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (:23) (No Huddle) 4-J.Hanson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.76 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.19 EPA/play
- 2 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.87 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
- 3 Z. Hilton · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 4 D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.01 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
- 5 T. Bouman · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +2.58 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 6 M. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.53 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.53 EPA/play
- 7 M. Pollard · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.92 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
- 8 A. Pinner · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Williams — DET · Receiving
R. Williams posted the highest total EPA (+8.76) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Detroit Lions's efficiency. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.19 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.96 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (5:57) 27-A.Stecker up the middle to NO 23 for -3 yards (96-J.Hall). FUMBLES (96-J.Hall), RECOVERED by DET-92-S.Rogers at NO 21. 92-S.Rogers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Detroit Lions — A. Stecker
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Detroit Lions — J. Hanson
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Detroit Lions — J. Hanson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 74 (Q2 35:57); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 35:45) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 16 (Q2 31:08) — (1:08) 3-J.Carney 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 29 (Q3 24:20) — (9:20) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 15 (Q3 20:53) — (5:53) 3-J.Carney 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 6–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 2 (Q4 7:17) — (7:17) 4-J.Hanson 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 2 (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) 3-J.Carney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 21 (Q4 0:23) — (:23) (No Huddle) 4-J.Hanson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 0:23) — (:23) (No Huddle) 4-J.Hanson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 0:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams pushed ob at NO 36 for 40 yards (34-M.McKenzie).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:57) — (5:57) 27-A.Stecker up the middle to NO 23 for -3 yards (96-J.Hall). FUMBLES (96-J.Hall), RECOVERED by DET-92-S.Rogers at NO 21. 92-S.Rogers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 0:23) — (:23) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams to NO 21 for 15 yards (34-M.McKenzie).
- Detroit Lions (Q1 51:00) — (6:00) 3-J.Harrington pass intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 22-F.Thomas at NO -6. Touchback.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:57) — (5:57) 27-A.Stecker up the middle to NO 23 for -3 yards (96-J.Hall). FUMBLES (96-J.Hall), RECOVERED by DET-92-S.Rogers at NO 21. 92-S.Rogers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 51:00) — (6:00) 3-J.Harrington pass intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 22-F.Thomas at NO -6. Touchback.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 11:58) — (11:58) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams to NO 14 for 49 yards (22-F.Thomas).NO-22-F.Thomas was injured during the play. His return is Probable.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 55:38) — (10:38) 3-J.Harrington pass to 21-A.Pinner pushed ob at NO 25 for 23 yards (24-D.Smith).
Quarterback report card
T.Bouman led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Bouman (New Orleans Saints) · 43 dropbacks · 48.8% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +2.58 total EPA
- J.Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 31 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.49 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.073 | -0.098 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.3% | 37.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.080 | +0.060 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.099 | -0.552 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.098 | +0.073 |
| Defensive success rate | 62.2% | 58.7% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions -0.07, New Orleans Saints -0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Detroit Lions: 10 drives, -5.48 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -8.03 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Detroit Lions 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.
- R. Williams (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 35:57 · DET 74 · Score 6-0
(5:57) 27-A.Stecker up the middle to NO 23 for -3 yards (96-J.Hall). FUMBLES (96-J.Hall), RECOVERED by DET-92-S.Rogers at NO 21. 92-S.Rogers for 21 yards, TOUCH - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 35:45 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 31:08 · DET 16 · Score 7-3
(1:08) 3-J.Carney 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 24:20 · DET 29 · Score 7-6
(9:20) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 20:53 · DET 15 · Score 7-9
(5:53) 3-J.Carney 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 7:17 · NO 2 · Score 10-9
(7:17) 4-J.Hanson 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 1:55 · DET 2 · Score 10-12
(1:55) 3-J.Carney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 0:23 · NO 21 · Score 13-12
(:23) (No Huddle) 4-J.Hanson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints?
The Detroit Lions beat the New Orleans Saints 13-12 in Week 16, 2005 on 2005-12-24.
What was the final score of Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Detroit Lions 13, New Orleans Saints 12 (DET 13-12 NO) in Week 16, 2005 on 2005-12-24.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints?
Q2: Detroit Lions 7, New Orleans Saints 3; Q3: Detroit Lions 0, New Orleans Saints 6; Q4: Detroit Lions 6, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Detroit Lions 13, New Orleans Saints 12.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints?
Detroit Lions touchdown — A. Stecker (Q2 35:57) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 31:08, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 24:20, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 20:53, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q4 7:17, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q4 1:55, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q4 0:23, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints?
T. Bouman (New Orleans Saints), 48.8% completion, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +2.58 total passing EPA. J. Harrington (Detroit Lions), 54.8% completion, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.49 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints?
R. Williams (Detroit Lions) led the game in total EPA with +8.76 on receiving plays. across 4 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.96 EPA): (5:57) 27-A.Stecker up the middle to NO 23 for -3 yards (96-J.Hall). FUMBLES (96-J.Hall), RECOVERED by DET-92-S.Rogers at NO 21. 92-S.Rogers for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +39.0%.
Was Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 1 points. Detroit Lions won 13-12 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 4-10 Now 5-10 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 3-11 Now 3-12 L
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