Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2014 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-10-26, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Green Bay Packers, pulling away with a 44–23 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) paced the passing game, with +13.57 total EPA, and +2.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.07 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+21.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (13:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 18-R.Cobb for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 36

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 · +19.07 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +13.57 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Cobb · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +10.30 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Lacy · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +9.49 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Ingram · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +5.68 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Cooks · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.10 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Stills · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.81 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 — R. Cobb (A. Rodgers pass) (Q1 58:09)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (Q1 54:24)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q3 20:43)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q3 17:13)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Hill (D. Brees pass) (Q4 9:56)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Rodgers (Q4 5:13)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q4 3:24)

Field goals

• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q1 51:13)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q1 46:47)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q2 43:13)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q2 35:57)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q2 31:56)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (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: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 70 (Q1 58:09) — (13:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 18-R.Cobb for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 36; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 57:57) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 4 (Q1 54:24) — (9:24) 10-B.Cooks left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 54:20) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NO 13 (Q1 51:13) — (6:13) 2-M.Crosby 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 13 (Q1 46:47) — (1:47) 3-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NO 31 (Q2 43:13) — (13:13) 2-M.Crosby 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 11 (Q2 35:57) — (5:57) 3-S.Graham 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NO 9 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 2-M.Crosby 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 19 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 3-S.Graham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 50 (Q3 20:43) — (5:43) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 47, YAC 3; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 20:35) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 22 (Q3 17:13) — (2:13) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 22, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 17:06) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 2 (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 89-J.Hill for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 9:51) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 14 (Q4 5:13) — (5:13) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers scrambles up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 5:07) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 21 (Q4 3:24) — (3:24) 22-M.Ingram left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 3:16) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

Turning points

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q1 58:09) — (13:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 18-R.Cobb for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 36 [WPA +21.7% · EPA +7.09]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 53:16) — (8:16) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 27-E.Lacy to NO 3 for 67 yards (25-R.Bush; 50-C.Lofton). Pass -3, YAC 70 [WPA +19.8% · EPA +5.87]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:43) — (5:43) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 47, YAC 3 [WPA +14.9% · EPA +3.70]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 22:46) — (7:46) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left intended for 81-A.Quarless INTERCEPTED by 57-D.Hawthorne (24-C.White) at NO 2. 57-D.Hawthorne to NO 12 for 10 yards (27-E.Lacy). Quarless was hit by White [WPA -14.4% · EPA -5.17]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 43:13) — (13:13) 2-M.Crosby 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay. [WPA +9.9% · EPA +1.26]

Impact plays

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q1 58:09) — (13:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 18-R.Cobb for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 36 [WPA +21.7% · EPA +7.09]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 53:16) — (8:16) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 27-E.Lacy to NO 3 for 67 yards (25-R.Bush; 50-C.Lofton). Pass -3, YAC 70 [WPA +19.8% · EPA +5.87]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 22:46) — (7:46) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left intended for 81-A.Quarless INTERCEPTED by 57-D.Hawthorne (24-C.White) at NO 2. 57-D.Hawthorne to NO 12 for 10 yards (27-E.Lacy). Quarless was hit by White [WPA -14.4% · EPA -5.17]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 2:52) — (2:52) (Shotgun) 10-M.Flynn sacked at GB 23 for -5 yards (91-K.Edebali). FUMBLES (91-K.Edebali), RECOVERED by NO-98-P.Haralson at GB 23. 98-P.Haralson to GB 23 for no gain (10-M.Flynn). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -5.11]

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) · 49 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +2.0% CPOE · +0.28 EPA/play · +13.57 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 37 dropbacks · 73.0% completion · +16.0% CPOE · +0.52 EPA/play · +19.07 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 (+0.29 vs +0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Green Bay Packers: 10 drives, +4.50 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +23.81 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.
• 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 58:09 · NO 70 · Score 6-0
   (13:09) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 18-R.Cobb for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 34, YAC 36
2. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 57:57 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 54:24 · GB 4 · Score 7-6
   (9:24) 10-B.Cooks left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 54:20 · GB 2 · Score 7-7
   3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
5. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q1 51:13 · NO 13 · Score 10-7
   (6:13) 2-M.Crosby 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
6. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 46:47 · GB 13 · Score 10-10
   (1:47) 3-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
7. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q2 43:13 · NO 31 · Score 13-10
   (13:13) 2-M.Crosby 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
8. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 35:57 · GB 11 · Score 13-13
   (5:57) 3-S.Graham 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
9. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q2 31:56 · NO 9 · Score 16-13
   (1:56) 2-M.Crosby 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
10. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · GB 19 · Score 16-16
    (:04) 3-S.Graham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 20:43 · GB 50 · Score 16-22
    (5:43) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 47, YAC 3
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 20:35 · GB 2 · Score 16-23
    3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 17:13 · GB 22 · Score 16-29
    (2:13) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 22, YAC 0
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 17:06 · GB 2 · Score 16-30
    3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
15. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 9:56 · GB 2 · Score 16-36
    (9:56) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 89-J.Hill for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
16. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 9:51 · GB 2 · Score 16-37
    3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
17. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 5:13 · NO 14 · Score 22-37
    (5:13) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers scrambles up the middle for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 5:07 · NO 2 · Score 23-37
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
19. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:24 · GB 21 · Score 23-43
    (3:24) 22-M.Ingram left end for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:16 · GB 2 · Score 23-44
    3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.