Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints: 2011 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2011 NFL season on 2012-01-07, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 45–28 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +24.17 total EPA, and +12.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +24.17 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.5% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (13:17) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 7

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 · +24.17 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +16.22 total EPA · 15 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +14.88 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.27 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Sproles · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +6.21 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.09 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.82 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.41 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.35 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.72 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 — W. Heller (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 56:04)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Sproles (Q2 44:06)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 39:18)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q3 28:17)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q3 19:07)
• Detroit Lions — M. Stafford (Q3 16:16)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Sproles (Q4 9:58)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q4 7:39)
• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 4:45)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q4 3:38)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Kasay (Q2 30:04)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q1 56:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 89-W.Heller for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 4; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 55:58) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 44:06) — (14:06) (Shotgun) 43-D.Sproles left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 44:01) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 13 (Q2 39:18) — (9:18) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, YAC 0; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 39:11) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 6 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 2-J.Kasay 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 41 (Q3 28:17) — (13:17) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 7; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 28:09) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q3 19:07) — (4:07) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 1; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 19:03) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 16:16); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 16:08) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 17 (Q4 9:58) — (9:58) 43-D.Sproles left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 9:53) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 56 (Q4 7:39) — (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-R.Meachem for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 40, YAC 16; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 7:29) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 12 (Q4 4:45) — (4:45) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 12, YAC 0; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 4:40) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 3:38) — (3:38) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 3:36) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 28:17) — (13:17) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 7 [WPA +15.5% · EPA +3.41]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:39) — (5:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at DET 44 for -7 yards (79-W.Young). FUMBLES (79-W.Young), RECOVERED by DET-52-J.Durant at DET 38. 52-J.Durant, dead ball declared at DET 38 for no gain. [WPA -13.9% · EPA -4.80]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 17:40) — (2:40) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 81-C.Johnson to NO 2 for 42 yards (27-M.Jenkins). Pass 42, YAC 0 [WPA +12.9% · EPA +3.96]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:24) — (8:24) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston to DET 18 for 13 yards (55-S.Tulloch). FUMBLES (55-S.Tulloch), RECOVERED by DET-52-J.Durant at DET 18. 52-J.Durant to DET 18 for no gain (81-M.Higgins [WPA -12.1% · EPA -4.40]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:05) — (13:05) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 16-T.Young to NO 33 for 15 yards (33-J.Greer) [93-J.Galette]. Pass 13, YAC 2 [WPA +9.6% · EPA +2.51]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:39) — (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-R.Meachem for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 40, YAC 16 [WPA +3.0% · EPA +5.37]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:39) — (5:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at DET 44 for -7 yards (79-W.Young). FUMBLES (79-W.Young), RECOVERED by DET-52-J.Durant at DET 38. 52-J.Durant, dead ball declared at DET 38 for no gain. [WPA -13.9% · EPA -4.80]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 3:13) — (3:13) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right intended for 13-N.Burleson INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Greer at 50. 33-J.Greer to DET 33 for 17 yards (13-N.Burleson). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -4.69]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:24) — (8:24) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston to DET 18 for 13 yards (55-S.Tulloch). FUMBLES (55-S.Tulloch), RECOVERED by DET-52-J.Durant at DET 18. 52-J.Durant to DET 18 for no gain (81-M.Higgins [WPA -12.1% · EPA -4.40]

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) · 49 dropbacks · 67.3% completion · +12.3% CPOE · +0.49 EPA/play · +24.17 total EPA
• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 44 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +4.3% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +14.88 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 (+0.31 vs +0.23), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 9 drives, +15.84 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +31.56 total EPA, 7 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.
• D. Brees (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Stafford (DET) 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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 56:04 · NO 10 · Score 6-0
   (11:04) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 89-W.Heller for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 4
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 55:58 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 44:06 · DET 2 · Score 7-6
   (14:06) (Shotgun) 43-D.Sproles left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 44:01 · DET 2 · Score 7-7
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 39:18 · NO 13 · Score 13-7
   (9:18) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, YAC 0
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 39:11 · NO 2 · Score 14-7
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · DET 6 · Score 14-10
   (:04) 2-J.Kasay 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 28:17 · DET 41 · Score 14-16
   (13:17) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 7
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 28:09 · DET 2 · Score 14-17
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 19:07 · DET 3 · Score 14-23
    (4:07) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 1
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 19:03 · DET 2 · Score 14-24
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 16:16 · NO 1 · Score 20-24
    (1:16) 9-M.Stafford right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
13. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 16:08 · NO 2 · Score 21-24
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 9:58 · DET 17 · Score 21-30
    (9:58) 43-D.Sproles left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 9:53 · DET 2 · Score 21-31
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 7:39 · DET 56 · Score 21-37
    (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-R.Meachem for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 40, YAC 16
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 7:29 · DET 2 · Score 21-38
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
18. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:45 · NO 12 · Score 27-38
    (4:45) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 81-C.Johnson for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 12, YAC 0
19. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 4:40 · NO 2 · Score 28-38
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-B.Graham.
20. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:38 · DET 1 · Score 28-44
    (3:38) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
21. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:36 · DET 2 · Score 28-45
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.