Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints: 2015 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-12-21, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 35–27 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +10.64 total EPA, and -2.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.37 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+6.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (:18) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 85-E.Ebron to NO 14 for 45 yards (32-K.Vaccaro). Pass 4, YAC 42

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. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +14.37 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +10.64 total EPA · 59 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
3. 3 G. Tate · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.93 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Cooks · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.35 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
5. 5 E. Ebron · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.42 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Watson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.87 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Bell · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +3.53 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
8. 8 W. Snead · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.44 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.29 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 — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 52:56)
• Detroit Lions — M. Burton (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 44:18)
• Detroit Lions — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 34:32)
• Detroit Lions — A. Abdullah (Q3 26:58)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q3 20:10)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q4 10:11)
• Detroit Lions — J. Bell (Q4 5:28)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Watson (D. Brees pass) (Q4 1:58)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — K. Forbath (Q1 46:11)
• New Orleans Saints — K. Forbath (Q4 13:06)

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 7–3. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 52:56) — (7:56) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 1; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 52:51) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 27 (Q1 46:11) — (1:11) 5-K.Forbath 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q2 44:18) — (14:18) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 46-M.Burton for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 3; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 44:12) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q2 34:32); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 34:27) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q3 26:58) — (11:58) (Shotgun) 21-A.Abdullah left end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 26:50) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 27 (Q3 20:10); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 20:03) — 5-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 17–7. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 4 (Q4 13:06) — (13:06) 5-K.Forbath 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 11 (Q4 10:11) — (10:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 5; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 10:06) — 5-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 5:28) — (5:28) 77-C.Lucas reported in as eligible. 35-J.Bell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 5:24) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 82-B.Watson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 1; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 1:55) — 5-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 45:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 85-E.Ebron to NO 14 for 45 yards (32-K.Vaccaro). Pass 4, YAC 42 [WPA +6.9% · EPA +3.23]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 52:56) — (7:56) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 1 [WPA +5.2% · EPA +1.28]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 31:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 1 The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 9- [WPA +5.2% · EPA +3.01]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 58:43) — (13:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to 10-B.Cooks. [WPA -4.8% · EPA -1.76]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:43) — (:43) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower left guard to DET 1 for no gain (28-Q.Diggs). [WPA -4.8% · EPA -1.71]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 12:53) — (12:53) 21-A.Abdullah right tackle to DET 32 for 4 yards (50-S.Anthony; 44-H.Kikaha). New Orleans challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 21-A.Abdullah right tackl [WPA -4.7% · EPA -4.88]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:03) — (:03) Detroit attempted to call timeout before the play was run, but was out of timeouts. The referee said the down would be replayed, and no timeout granted. (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to [WPA -3.6% · EPA -3.38]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 45:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 85-E.Ebron to NO 14 for 45 yards (32-K.Vaccaro). Pass 4, YAC 42 [WPA +6.9% · EPA +3.23]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:21) — (2:21) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 82-B.Watson to DET 1 for 10 yards (32-J.Ihedigbo). Pass 10, YAC 0 [WPA +0.3% · EPA +3.04]

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) · 59 dropbacks · 57.6% completion · -2.0% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +10.64 total EPA
• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 30 dropbacks · 73.3% completion · +13.5% CPOE · +0.48 EPA/play · +14.37 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Detroit Lions generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.21 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +14.96 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +3.94 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.
• M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• 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 52:56 · NO 1 · Score 6-0
   (7:56) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 1
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 52:51 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 46:11 · DET 27 · Score 7-3
   (1:11) 5-K.Forbath 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 44:18 · NO 4 · Score 13-3
   (14:18) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 46-M.Burton for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 3
5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 44:12 · NO 15 · Score 14-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
6. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 34:32 · NO 5 · Score 20-3
   (4:32) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 15-G.Tate for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-39-B.Browner, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. Pass 5, YAC 0
7. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 34:27 · NO 15 · Score 21-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 26:58 · NO 15 · Score 27-3
   (11:58) (Shotgun) 21-A.Abdullah left end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 26:50 · NO 15 · Score 28-3
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 20:10 · DET 27 · Score 28-9
    (5:10) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 10-B.Cooks for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-E.Ansah]. Penalty on DET-32-J.Ihedigbo, Defensive Holding, declined. PENALTY on DET-94
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 20:03 · DET 15 · Score 28-10
    5-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
12. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 13:06 · DET 4 · Score 28-13
    (13:06) 5-K.Forbath 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 10:11 · DET 11 · Score 28-19
    (10:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 5
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 10:06 · DET 15 · Score 28-20
    5-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
15. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 5:28 · NO 1 · Score 34-20
    (5:28) 77-C.Lucas reported in as eligible. 35-J.Bell left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 5:24 · NO 15 · Score 35-20
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:58 · DET 1 · Score 35-26
    (1:58) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 82-B.Watson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 1
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:55 · DET 15 · Score 35-27
    5-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.