Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2020 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-27, the Green Bay Packers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 37–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +10.78 total EPA, and +5.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.09 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+23.3% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (:50) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 41-A.Kamara for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -4, YAC 56

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 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +17.09 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Lazard · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +12.98 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +10.78 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Sanders · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.08 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.70 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Tonyan · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +3.53 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Lewis · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +1.33 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Murray · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.30 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.11 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 — A. Kamara (D. Brees pass) (Q1 50:15)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Lazard (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 40:36)
• New Orleans Saints — E. Sanders (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:09)
• Green Bay Packers — A. Jones (Q3 28:01)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Lewis (A. Rodgers pass) (Q3 17:26)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (D. Brees pass) (Q3 15:50)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Tonyan (A. Rodgers pass) (Q4 2:04)

Field goals

• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q1 52:36)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q2 44:17)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q2 34:34)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q3 20:59)
• Green Bay Packers — M. Crosby (Q4 8:52)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q4 0:35)

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 7–3. Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NO 34 (Q1 52:36) — (7:36) 2-M.Crosby 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 11 (Q1 50:15) — (5:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 41-A.Kamara for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 6; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q1 50:07) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NO 15 (Q2 44:17) — (14:17) 2-M.Crosby 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q2 40:36) — (10:36) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 13-A.Lazard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 0; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 40:32) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 26 (Q2 34:34) — (4:34) 3-W.Lutz 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 10 (Q2 30:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 17-E.Sanders for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q2 30:06) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 14–10. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 28:01) — (13:01) (Shotgun) 33-A.Jones right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 27:58) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 17 (Q3 20:59) — (5:59) 3-W.Lutz 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 18 (Q3 17:26) — (2:26) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 89-M.Lewis for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 3; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 17:17) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 52 (Q3 15:50) — (:50) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 41-A.Kamara for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -4, YAC 56; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 15 (Q3 15:33) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 10–3. Green Bay Packers connected on a field goal from the NO 31 (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) 2-M.Crosby 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 2:04) — (2:04) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 85-R.Tonyan for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 0; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 2:00) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 16 (Q4 0:35) — (:35) 3-W.Lutz 34 yard field goal 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.

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 15:50) — (:50) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 41-A.Kamara for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -4, YAC 56 [WPA +23.3% · EPA +4.17]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 29:50) — (14:50) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 13-A.Lazard to NO 3 for 72 yards (26-P.Williams). Pass 43, YAC 29 [WPA +22.5% · EPA +6.51]
• Green Bay Packers (Q3 17:26) — (2:26) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 89-M.Lewis for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 3 [WPA +16.0% · EPA +2.65]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:23) — (12:23) T.Hill at quarterback. (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill up the middle to GB 43 for -2 yards (55-Z.Smith). FUMBLES (55-Z.Smith), RECOVERED by GB-55-Z.Smith at GB 43. 55-Z.Smith to GB 43 for no gain (7-T.Hill [WPA -14.8% · EPA -5.72]
• Green Bay Packers (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) 2-M.Crosby 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott. [WPA +12.5% · EPA +1.39]

Impact plays

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q3 29:50) — (14:50) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 13-A.Lazard to NO 3 for 72 yards (26-P.Williams). Pass 43, YAC 29 [WPA +22.5% · EPA +6.51]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:23) — (12:23) T.Hill at quarterback. (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill up the middle to GB 43 for -2 yards (55-Z.Smith). FUMBLES (55-Z.Smith), RECOVERED by GB-55-Z.Smith at GB 43. 55-Z.Smith to GB 43 for no gain (7-T.Hill [WPA -14.8% · EPA -5.72]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 15:50) — (:50) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 41-A.Kamara for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -4, YAC 56 [WPA +23.3% · EPA +4.17]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 17-E.Sanders for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 0 [WPA +10.3% · EPA +3.82]

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) · 40 dropbacks · 72.5% completion · +5.9% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +10.78 total EPA
• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 37 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · +5.6% CPOE · +0.46 EPA/play · +17.09 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Green Bay Packers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs +0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Green Bay Packers: 11 drives, +17.28 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +4.04 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Green Bay Packers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) 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.
• A. Rodgers (GB) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 52:36 · NO 34 · Score 3-0
   (7:36) 2-M.Crosby 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.
2. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 50:15 · GB 11 · Score 3-6
   (5:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 41-A.Kamara for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 6
3. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 50:07 · GB 15 · Score 3-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
4. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q2 44:17 · NO 15 · Score 6-7
   (14:17) 2-M.Crosby 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.
5. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 40:36 · NO 5 · Score 12-7
   (10:36) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 13-A.Lazard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 0
6. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 40:32 · NO 15 · Score 13-7
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 34:34 · GB 26 · Score 13-10
   (4:34) 3-W.Lutz 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:09 · GB 10 · Score 13-16
   (:09) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 17-E.Sanders for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 0
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:06 · GB 15 · Score 13-17
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
10. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 28:01 · NO 1 · Score 19-17
    (13:01) (Shotgun) 33-A.Jones right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 27:58 · NO 15 · Score 20-17
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.
12. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 20:59 · GB 17 · Score 20-20
    (5:59) 3-W.Lutz 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
13. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 17:26 · NO 18 · Score 26-20
    (2:26) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 89-M.Lewis for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 3
14. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 17:17 · NO 15 · Score 27-20
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.
15. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 15:50 · GB 52 · Score 27-26
    (:50) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 41-A.Kamara for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -4, YAC 56
16. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 15:33 · GB 15 · Score 27-27
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
17. Green Bay Packers FG (+3) — Q4 8:52 · NO 31 · Score 30-27
    (8:52) 2-M.Crosby 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.
18. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 2:04 · NO 1 · Score 36-27
    (2:04) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 85-R.Tonyan for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 0
19. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 2:00 · NO 15 · Score 37-27
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-43-H.Bradley, Holder-6-J.Scott.
20. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:35 · GB 16 · Score 37-30
    (:35) 3-W.Lutz 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.