Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints: 2009 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-09-13, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 45–27 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -13.19 total EPA, and -15.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +25.19 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (14:11) 34-Kv.Smith left end for 4 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 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +25.19 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
2. 2 H. Evans · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.01 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.33 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.17 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Bush · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.52 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.05 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Fitzsimmons · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.21 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

• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q1 57:17)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q1 54:42)
• Detroit Lions — unlisted player (Q2 44:11)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Shockey (D. Brees pass) (Q2 33:49)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Shockey (D. Brees pass) (Q2 31:17)
• Detroit Lions — M. Stafford (Q3 26:50)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q3 18:11)
• Detroit Lions — M. Bell (Q3 16:43)
• New Orleans Saints — H. Evans (D. Brees pass) (Q4 8:38)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q1 50:18)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q3 21:15)
• Detroit Lions — J. Hanson (Q3 18:26)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 9 (Q1 57:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 57:11) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 39 (Q1 54:42) — (9:42) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-R.Meachem for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 54:34) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 29 (Q1 50:18) — (5:18) 4-J.Hanson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q2 44:11) — (14:11) 34-Kv.Smith left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 44:06) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 33:49); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 33:45) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 15 (Q2 31:17); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 31:10) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 17–10. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 26:50) — (11:50) 9-M.Stafford up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 26:47) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 20 (Q3 21:15) — (6:15) 3-J.Carney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 6 (Q3 18:26) — (3:26) 4-J.Hanson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 58 (Q3 18:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 18:03) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 30 (Q3 16:43); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 16:29) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 13 (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 44-H.Evans for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 8:29) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q2 44:11) — (14:11) 34-Kv.Smith left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.1% · EPA +3.36]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 21:11) — 6-T.Morstead kicks 69 yards from NO 30 to DET 1. 21-A.Brown to NO 12 for 87 yards (27-M.Jenkins). [WPA +6.8% · EPA +4.56]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper at NO 4. 42-D.Sharper to DET 45 for 51 yards (66-S.Peterman). PENALTY on DET, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at DE [WPA -6.5% · EPA -6.32]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 40:38) — (10:38) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 32-A.Henry [90-G.Jackson] at DET -2. 32-A.Henry to DET 24 for 26 yards (19-D.Henderson). [WPA -6.1% · EPA -3.15]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 16:43) — (1:43) 21-M.Bell left tackle to DET 32 for -2 yards (98-L.Cohen). FUMBLES (98-L.Cohen), touched at DET 32, RECOVERED by DET-26-L.Delmas at DET 35. 26-L.Delmas for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DET-29-E.King wa [WPA -5.7% · EPA -11.09]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 16:43) — (1:43) 21-M.Bell left tackle to DET 32 for -2 yards (98-L.Cohen). FUMBLES (98-L.Cohen), touched at DET 32, RECOVERED by DET-26-L.Delmas at DET 35. 26-L.Delmas for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DET-29-E.King wa [WPA -5.7% · EPA -11.09]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper at NO 4. 42-D.Sharper to DET 45 for 51 yards (66-S.Peterman). PENALTY on DET, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at DE [WPA -6.5% · EPA -6.32]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 5:02) — (5:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper at NO 13. 42-D.Sharper to NO 41 for 28 yards (70-D.Loper). PENALTY on DET-51-D.Raiola, Personal Foul [WPA -0.1% · EPA -6.22]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 29:11) — (14:11) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson pushed ob at NO 3 for 64 yards (31-P.Prioleau). [WPA +5.0% · EPA +5.99]

Quarterback report card

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

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 38 dropbacks · 42.1% completion · -15.9% CPOE · -0.35 EPA/play · -13.19 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 35 dropbacks · 74.3% completion · +15.4% CPOE · +0.72 EPA/play · +25.19 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 (+0.09 vs -0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 14 drives, -7.24 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, +7.84 total EPA, 8 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.
• D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 57:17 · DET 9 · Score 0-6
   (12:17) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 57:11 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 54:42 · DET 39 · Score 0-13
   (9:42) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-R.Meachem for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 54:34 · DET 2 · Score 0-14
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
5. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 50:18 · NO 29 · Score 3-14
   (5:18) 4-J.Hanson 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.
6. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 44:11 · NO 4 · Score 9-14
   (14:11) 34-Kv.Smith left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 44:06 · NO 2 · Score 10-14
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 33:49 · DET 1 · Score 10-20
   (3:49) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 88-J.Shockey for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-26-L.Delmas, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 33:45 · DET 2 · Score 10-21
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 31:17 · DET 15 · Score 10-27
    (1:17) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 88-J.Shockey for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-D.White]. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, a
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 31:10 · DET 2 · Score 10-28
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 26:50 · NO 1 · Score 16-28
    (11:50) 9-M.Stafford up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 26:47 · NO 2 · Score 17-28
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.
14. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 21:15 · DET 20 · Score 17-31
    (6:15) 3-J.Carney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
15. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 18:26 · NO 6 · Score 20-31
    (3:26) 4-J.Hanson 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 18:11 · DET 58 · Score 20-37
    (3:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 18:03 · DET 2 · Score 20-38
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
18. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 16:43 · DET 30 · Score 26-38
    (1:43) 21-M.Bell left tackle to DET 32 for -2 yards (98-L.Cohen). FUMBLES (98-L.Cohen), touched at DET 32, RECOVERED by DET-26-L.Delmas at DET 35. 26-L.Delmas f
19. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 16:29 · NO 2 · Score 27-38
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-Nick.Harris.
20. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:38 · DET 13 · Score 27-44
    (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 44-H.Evans for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 8:29 · DET 2 · Score 27-45
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.