Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2008 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-11-24, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 51–29 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with -1.70 total EPA, and -4.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +21.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+19.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (8:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 70 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 · +21.13 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
2. 2 G. Jennings · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +8.70 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.72 EPA/play
4. 4 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +7.84 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.51 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.51 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Driver · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +5.32 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.10 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Miller · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.07 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.77 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

• Green Bay Packers — J. Kuhn (Q1 53:42)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q1 53:30)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q1 49:48)
• Green Bay Packers — G. Jennings (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 43:47)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q2 38:27)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Rodgers (Q2 31:52)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Miller (D. Brees pass) (Q3 23:39)
• New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister (Q3 22:37)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q3 17:37)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Martin (A. Rodgers pass) (Q4 11:50)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q4 8:54)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 30:06)

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 14–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 53:42) — (8:42) 30-J.Kuhn right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 53:39) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-6-D.Frost.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 70 (Q1 53:30) — (8:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 7 (Q1 53:17) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 4 (Q1 49:48) — (4:48) 23-P.Thomas left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 49:44) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

The second quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 14–10. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q2 43:47) — (13:47) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 85-G.Jennings for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 43:43) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-6-D.Frost.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 14 (Q2 38:27) — (8:27) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 38:19) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q2 31:52) — (1:52) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers scrambles right end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 31:44) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-6-D.Frost.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 12 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 5-G.Hartley 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 16 (Q3 23:39) — (8:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 83-B.Miller for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 23:34) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 3 (Q3 22:37) — (7:37) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 22:32) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 70 (Q3 17:37) — (2:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 17:26) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

The fourth quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 8–6. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q4 11:50) — (11:50) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 82-R.Martin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 11:45) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-A.Rodgers pass to 82-R.Martin is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 31 (Q4 8:54) — (8:54) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:30) — (8:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +5.15]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 31:44) — 2-M.Crosby kicks 64 yards from GB 30 to NO 6. 15-C.Roby pushed ob at GB 32 for 62 yards (27-W.Blackmon). [WPA +9.3% · EPA +2.48]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 22:52) — (7:52) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left intended for 85-G.Jennings INTERCEPTED by 42-J.David at GB 45. 42-J.David pushed ob at GB 3 for 42 yards (12-A.Rodgers). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -7.15]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 31:52) — (1:52) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers scrambles right end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +3.42]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 27:29) — (12:29) 23-P.Thomas right tackle to NO 49 for 4 yards (96-M.Montgomery). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.52]

Impact plays

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q3 22:52) — (7:52) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left intended for 85-G.Jennings INTERCEPTED by 42-J.David at GB 45. 42-J.David pushed ob at GB 3 for 42 yards (12-A.Rodgers). [WPA -8.7% · EPA -7.15]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 17:37) — (2:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.5% · EPA +6.51]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:49) — (5:49) 16-L.Moore pass deep right intended for 23-P.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 37-A.Rouse [54-B.Chillar] at GB 6. 37-A.Rouse to GB 43 for 37 yards (16-L.Moore). [WPA -3.7% · EPA -6.39]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:30) — (8:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +5.15]

Quarterback report card

A.Rodgers led all passers in efficiency for Green Bay Packers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 50 dropbacks · 46.0% completion · -4.4% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.70 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 28 dropbacks · 71.4% completion · +13.2% CPOE · +0.75 EPA/play · +21.13 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 (+0.28 vs -0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Green Bay Packers: 13 drives, -0.79 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +20.19 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.
• A. Rodgers (GB) 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. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 53:42 · NO 1 · Score 6-0
   (8:42) 30-J.Kuhn right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 53:39 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-6-D.Frost.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 53:30 · GB 70 · Score 7-6
   (8:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 53:17 · GB 7 · Score 7-7
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 49:48 · GB 4 · Score 7-13
   (4:48) 23-P.Thomas left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 49:44 · GB 2 · Score 7-14
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
7. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 43:47 · NO 7 · Score 13-14
   (13:47) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 85-G.Jennings for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 43:43 · NO 2 · Score 14-14
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-6-D.Frost.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 38:27 · GB 14 · Score 14-20
   (8:27) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 38:19 · GB 2 · Score 14-21
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
11. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 31:52 · NO 10 · Score 20-21
    (1:52) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers scrambles right end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 31:44 · NO 2 · Score 21-21
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-6-D.Frost.
13. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · GB 12 · Score 21-24
    (:06) 5-G.Hartley 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 23:39 · GB 16 · Score 21-30
    (8:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 83-B.Miller for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 23:34 · GB 2 · Score 21-31
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 22:37 · GB 3 · Score 21-37
    (7:37) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 22:32 · GB 2 · Score 21-38
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
18. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 17:37 · GB 70 · Score 21-44
    (2:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 17:26 · GB 2 · Score 21-45
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
20. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 11:50 · NO 4 · Score 27-45
    (11:50) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 82-R.Martin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Green Bay Packers Safety (+2) — Q4 11:45 · NO 2 · Score 29-45
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-A.Rodgers pass to 82-R.Martin is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
22. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:54 · GB 31 · Score 29-51
    (8:54) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.