Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints: 2017 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-15, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 52–38 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -21.99 total EPA, and -17.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, G. Tate (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.71 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+13.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (7:14) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 8, YAC 37

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 G. Tate · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.71 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Ginn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.85 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.38 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Hoomanawanui · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.20 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Fells · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +0.13 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · -0.15 total EPA · 14 snaps · -0.01 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Ginn · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · -0.29 total EPA · 1 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

• New Orleans Saints — M. Stafford (Q1 56:10)
• Detroit Lions — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 52:14)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Ginn (D. Brees pass) (Q1 50:06)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q2 40:50)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q2 31:52)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Hoomanawanui (D. Brees pass) (Q3 24:21)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Lattimore (Q3 23:42)
• Detroit Lions — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 21:02)
• Detroit Lions — D. Fells (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 16:26)
• Detroit Lions — J. Agnew (Q4 11:15)
• Detroit Lions — A. Robinson (Q4 6:47)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Stafford (Q4 5:08)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q1 45:09)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q2 43:41)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 36:44)

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 17–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 96 (Q1 56:10); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 56:02) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 45 (Q1 52:14) — (7:14) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 8, YAC 37; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 52:02) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 20 (Q1 50:06); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 49:56) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 23 (Q1 45:09) — (:09) 3-W.Lutz 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 17–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DET 31 (Q2 43:41) — (13:41) 22-M.Ingram right end to DET 27 for 4 yards (32-T.Wilson).; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 40:50) — (10:50) 22-M.Ingram left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET, Defensive Offside, declined.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 40:46) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 22 (Q2 36:44) — (6:44) 5-M.Prater 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 31:52) — (1:52) 22-M.Ingram right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 25 (Q2 31:48) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q3 24:21) — (9:21) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 84-M.Hoomanawanui for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 24:17) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 73 (Q3 23:42); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 23:34) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 22 (Q3 21:02); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 20:56) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 22 (Q3 16:26) — (1:26) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 87-D.Fells for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 16:21) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 21–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 84 (Q4 11:15); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 11:03) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 69 (Q4 10:57) — (10:57) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short right to 42-Z.Line.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 99 (Q4 6:47); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 6:41); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 99 (Q4 5:08); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 5:04) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 52:14) — (7:14) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 8, YAC 37 [WPA +13.6% · EPA +5.01]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 56:10) — (11:10) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at DET 0 for -4 yards (57-A.Okafor). FUMBLES (57-A.Okafor) [57-A.Okafor], RECOVERED by NO-32-K.Vaccaro at DET 0. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -12.5% · EPA -5.13]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 52:02) — (7:02) 22-M.Ingram left end pushed ob at DET 24 for 51 yards (27-G.Quin). [WPA +10.8% · EPA +2.98]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 43:48) — (13:48) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at DET 39 for -12 yards (52-C.Robertson). FUMBLES (52-C.Robertson), RECOVERED by NO-52-C.Robertson at DET 39. 52-C.Robertson to DET 31 for 8 yards (9-M.Stafford). [WPA -9.1% · EPA -6.75]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:29) — (7:29) 41-A.Kamara right end to NO 1 for -4 yards (44-J.Reeves-Maybin). [WPA -7.3% · EPA -1.58]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q3 23:42) — (8:42) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 11-M.Jones INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore (91-T.Hendrickson) at DET 27. 23-M.Lattimore for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The ball was tipped at the lin [WPA -0.0% · EPA -7.41]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 43:48) — (13:48) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at DET 39 for -12 yards (52-C.Robertson). FUMBLES (52-C.Robertson), RECOVERED by NO-52-C.Robertson at DET 39. 52-C.Robertson to DET 31 for 8 yards (9-M.Stafford). [WPA -9.1% · EPA -6.75]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 5:08) — (5:08) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 85-E.Ebron INTERCEPTED by 94-C.Jordan at DET 0. TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NO-94-C.Jordan, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between do [WPA -6.8% · EPA -5.85]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 6:47) — (6:47) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 16-B.Coleman INTERCEPTED by 91-A.Robinson at NO 2. 91-A.Robinson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -1.0% · EPA -5.67]

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) · 64 dropbacks · 39.1% completion · -17.9% CPOE · -0.34 EPA/play · -21.99 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 32 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · -3.3% CPOE · -0.40 EPA/play · -12.86 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 (-0.17 vs -0.27), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 19 drives, -28.45 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 19 drives, -17.00 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.
• G. Tate (Detroit Lions) 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) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 56:10 · NO 96 · Score 0-6
   (11:10) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at DET 0 for -4 yards (57-A.Okafor). FUMBLES (57-A.Okafor) [57-A.Okafor], RECOVERED by NO-32-K.Vaccaro at DET 0. TOUCHDOWN
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 56:02 · DET 15 · Score 0-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 52:14 · NO 45 · Score 6-7
   (7:14) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 15-G.Tate for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 8, YAC 37
4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 52:02 · NO 15 · Score 7-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 50:06 · DET 20 · Score 7-13
   (5:06) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 19-T.Ginn for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 15 The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling,
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 49:56 · DET 15 · Score 7-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 45:09 · DET 23 · Score 7-17
   (:09) 3-W.Lutz 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
8. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 43:41 · DET 31 · Score 7-17
   (13:41) 22-M.Ingram right end to DET 27 for 4 yards (32-T.Wilson).
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 40:50 · DET 1 · Score 7-23
   (10:50) 22-M.Ingram left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET, Defensive Offside, declined.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 40:46 · DET 15 · Score 7-24
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
11. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 36:44 · NO 22 · Score 10-24
    (6:44) 5-M.Prater 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 31:52 · DET 2 · Score 10-30
    (1:52) 22-M.Ingram right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 31:48 · DET 25 · Score 10-31
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:21 · DET 2 · Score 10-37
    (9:21) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 84-M.Hoomanawanui for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:17 · DET 15 · Score 10-38
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 23:42 · NO 73 · Score 10-44
    (8:42) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 11-M.Jones INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore (91-T.Hendrickson) at DET 27. 23-M.Lattimore for 27 yards, T
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 23:34 · DET 15 · Score 10-45
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
18. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 21:02 · NO 22 · Score 16-45
    (6:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 11-M.Jones for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-20-K.Crawley, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 22,
19. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 20:56 · NO 15 · Score 17-45
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
20. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 16:26 · NO 22 · Score 23-45
    (1:26) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 87-D.Fells for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 16:21 · NO 15 · Score 24-45
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
22. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 11:15 · DET 84 · Score 30-45
    (11:15) 6-T.Morstead punts 58 yards to DET 26, Center-49-Z.Wood. 39-J.Agnew for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-39-J.Agnew, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced bet
23. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 11:03 · NO 15 · Score 31-45
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke.
24. Detroit Lions TD (+7) — Q4 10:57 · DET 69 · Score 31-45
    (10:57) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short right to 42-Z.Line.
25. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 6:47 · DET 99 · Score 37-45
    (6:47) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 16-B.Coleman INTERCEPTED by 91-A.Robinson at NO 2. 91-A.Robinson for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
26. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 6:41 · NO 15 · Score 38-45
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-18-J.Locke. PENALTY on NO-23-M.Lattimore, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
27. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 5:08 · NO 99 · Score 38-51
    (5:08) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 85-E.Ebron INTERCEPTED by 94-C.Jordan at DET 0. TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NO-94-C.Jordan, Unsportsmanlik
28. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 5:04 · DET 15 · Score 38-52
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.