Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints: 2016 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-11-27, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 49–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +10.90 total EPA, and +14.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (14:54) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 8 for -6 yards (99-A.Donald). FUMBLES (99-A.Donald) [99-A.Donald], RECOVERED by LA-26-M.Barron at NO 6. 26-M.Barron to NO 6 for no gain (73-J.Evans).

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 · +10.90 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.81 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Ingram · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.91 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
4. 4 W. Snead · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +4.87 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.87 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Hightower · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.73 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.37 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Fleener · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.43 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Hill · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.22 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Austin · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.96 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

• Los Angeles Rams — T. Austin (J. Goff pass) (Q1 57:14)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Coleman (D. Brees pass) (Q1 47:49)
• Los Angeles Rams — K. Britt (J. Goff pass) (Q2 44:47)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q2 39:43)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Brees (Q2 37:47)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q2 32:29)
• Los Angeles Rams — L. Kendricks (J. Goff pass) (Q2 31:00)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (D. Brees pass) (Q3 28:05)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q3 18:49)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hightower (W. Snead pass) (Q4 10:26)

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 7–7. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 24 (Q1 57:14); Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 57:08) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 3 (Q1 47:49) — (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-B.Coleman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 47:45) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–14. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q2 44:47) — (14:47) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 18-K.Britt for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 4; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 44:43) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 10 (Q2 39:43) — (9:43) 22-M.Ingram left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 39:38) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 37:47) — (7:47) (Run formation) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 37:46) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 6 (Q2 32:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 32:24) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q2 31:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 88-L.Kendricks for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, YAC 2; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 30:55) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 21 (Q3 28:05) — (13:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 22-M.Ingram for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -6, YAC 27; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q3 27:58) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 21 (Q3 18:49) — (3:49) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, YAC 8; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q3 18:42) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 50 (Q4 10:26); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 10:15) — 3-W.Lutz 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.

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 8 for -6 yards (99-A.Donald). FUMBLES (99-A.Donald) [99-A.Donald], RECOVERED by LA-26-M.Barron at NO 6. 26-M.Barron to NO 6 for no gain (73-J.Evans). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -6.45]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 39:32) — (9:32) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff sacked at LA 17 for -10 yards (98-S.Rankins). FUMBLES (98-S.Rankins) [98-S.Rankins], RECOVERED by NO-99-P.Kruger at LA 10. 99-P.Kruger to LA 10 for no gain (30-T.Gurley). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -6.42]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 39:43) — (9:43) 22-M.Ingram left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.8% · EPA +3.20]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q1 57:14) — (12:14) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 11-T.Austin for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 0 PENALTY on LA-18-K.Britt, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +9.9% · EPA +3.42]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 47:49) — (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-B.Coleman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0 [WPA +8.8% · EPA +2.11]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 8 for -6 yards (99-A.Donald). FUMBLES (99-A.Donald) [99-A.Donald], RECOVERED by LA-26-M.Barron at NO 6. 26-M.Barron to NO 6 for no gain (73-J.Evans). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -6.45]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 39:32) — (9:32) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff sacked at LA 17 for -10 yards (98-S.Rankins). FUMBLES (98-S.Rankins) [98-S.Rankins], RECOVERED by NO-99-P.Kruger at LA 10. 99-P.Kruger to LA 10 for no gain (30-T.Gurley). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -6.42]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:26) — (10:26) 83-W.Snead pass deep right to 34-T.Hightower for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN [26-M.Barron]. Pass 22, YAC 28. Brees took the snap, and threw backwards and left to Snead. Snead threw deep to Hightower o [WPA +0.1% · EPA +4.87]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q3 26:38) — (11:38) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 88-L.Kendricks INTERCEPTED by 32-K.Vaccaro at LA 49. 32-K.Vaccaro to LA 49 for no gain (88-L.Kendricks). [WPA -4.6% · EPA -4.74]

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) · 39 dropbacks · 71.8% completion · +14.2% CPOE · +0.28 EPA/play · +10.90 total EPA
• J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · -4.0% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -7.96 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 (+0.21 vs -0.16), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Los Angeles Rams: 13 drives, -11.80 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, +18.73 total EPA, 6 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.
• J. Goff (LA) 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. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 57:14 · NO 24 · Score 6-0
   (12:14) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 11-T.Austin for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 0 PENALTY on LA-18-K.Britt, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, e
2. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 57:08 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 47:49 · LA 3 · Score 7-6
   (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-B.Coleman for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 47:45 · LA 15 · Score 7-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
5. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 44:47 · NO 6 · Score 13-7
   (14:47) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 18-K.Britt for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 4
6. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 44:43 · NO 15 · Score 14-7
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 39:43 · LA 10 · Score 14-13
   (9:43) 22-M.Ingram left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 39:38 · LA 15 · Score 14-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 37:47 · LA 1 · Score 14-20
   (7:47) (Run formation) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 37:46 · LA 15 · Score 14-21
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 32:29 · LA 6 · Score 14-27
    (2:29) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 0
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 32:24 · LA 15 · Score 14-28
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
13. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 31:00 · NO 15 · Score 20-28
    (1:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 88-L.Kendricks for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, YAC 2
14. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 30:55 · NO 15 · Score 21-28
    4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
15. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 28:05 · LA 21 · Score 21-34
    (13:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 22-M.Ingram for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -6, YAC 27
16. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 27:58 · LA 15 · Score 21-35
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 18:49 · LA 21 · Score 21-41
    (3:49) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 13, YAC 8
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 18:42 · LA 15 · Score 21-42
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
19. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 10:26 · LA 50 · Score 21-48
    (10:26) 83-W.Snead pass deep right to 34-T.Hightower for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN [26-M.Barron]. Pass 22, YAC 28. Brees took the snap, and threw backwards and left t
20. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 10:15 · LA 15 · Score 21-49
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.