Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints: 2018 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-11-04, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 45–35 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +16.63 total EPA, and +1.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +25.34 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+19.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (4:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-M.Thomas for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 48. PENALTY on NO-13-M.Thomas, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

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 · +25.34 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +16.74 total EPA · 15 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Goff · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +16.63 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.78 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Watson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.07 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Cooks · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.89 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Brown · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.35 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 (Q1 54:33)
• Los Angeles Rams — T. Gurley (Q1 51:11)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (D. Brees pass) (Q1 46:46)
• Los Angeles Rams — B. Cooks (J. Goff pass) (Q2 44:17)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q2 37:39)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Watson (D. Brees pass) (Q2 31:11)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q2 30:28)
• Los Angeles Rams — M. Brown (J. Goff pass) (Q3 24:47)
• Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (J. Goff pass) (Q4 9:57)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 4:02)

Field goals

• Los Angeles Rams — G. Zuerlein (Q2 30:02)
• Los Angeles Rams — G. Zuerlein (Q3 16:34)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q4 6:28)

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. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 11 (Q1 54:33) — (9:33) 41-A.Kamara left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 54:25) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q1 51:11) — (6:11) 30-T.Gurley right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 51:04) — 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 16 (Q1 46:46) — (1:46) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 41-A.Kamara for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 10; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 46:40) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–10. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q2 44:17) — (14:17) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 12-B.Cooks for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 44:12) — 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 4 (Q2 37:39) — (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 10-T.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 37:35) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 13 (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 82-B.Watson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 3; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 31:06) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q2 30:28) — (:28) 41-A.Kamara right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 30:26) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the NO 38 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) (Field Goal formation) 4-G.Zuerlein 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 18 (Q3 24:47) — (9:47) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 34-M.Brown for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 7, YAC 11; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 24:38) — 4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the NO 16 (Q3 16:34) — (1:34) (Field Goal formation) 4-G.Zuerlein 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–8. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 41 (Q4 9:57) — (9:57) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 18-C.Kupp for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 36; Los Angeles Rams registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 9:48) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-J.Goff pass to 81-G.Everett is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 35 (Q4 6:28) — (6:28) 3-W.Lutz 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 72 (Q4 4:02); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q4 3:52) — 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.

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:02) — (4:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-M.Thomas for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 48. PENALTY on NO-13-M.Thomas, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +7.00]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 9:57) — (9:57) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 18-C.Kupp for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 36 [WPA +17.7% · EPA +4.24]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 44:08) — (14:08) 22-M.Ingram right guard to NO 25 for no gain (50-S.Ebukam). FUMBLES (50-S.Ebukam), touched at NO 25, RECOVERED by LA-99-A.Donald at NO 22. 99-A.Donald to NO 22 for no gain (71-R.Ramczyk). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -6.10]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 8:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 13-M.Thomas to LA 40 for 18 yards (32-T.Hill). Pass 18, YAC 0 [WPA +13.1% · EPA +2.21]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 6:28) — (6:28) 3-W.Lutz 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA +12.3% · EPA +1.66]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:02) — (4:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-M.Thomas for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 48. PENALTY on NO-13-M.Thomas, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +7.00]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 44:08) — (14:08) 22-M.Ingram right guard to NO 25 for no gain (50-S.Ebukam). FUMBLES (50-S.Ebukam), touched at NO 25, RECOVERED by LA-99-A.Donald at NO 22. 99-A.Donald to NO 22 for no gain (71-R.Ramczyk). [WPA -15.5% · EPA -6.10]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 31:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 17-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 47-A.Anzalone at LA 36. 47-A.Anzalone to LA 34 for 2 yards (17-R.Woods). [WPA -4.7% · EPA -4.26]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q4 9:57) — (9:57) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 18-C.Kupp for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 36 [WPA +17.7% · EPA +4.24]

Quarterback report card

J.Goff led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 45 dropbacks · 62.2% completion · +1.0% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +16.63 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 39 dropbacks · 64.1% completion · +3.0% CPOE · +0.65 EPA/play · +25.34 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 (+0.23 vs +0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Los Angeles Rams: 11 drives, +11.87 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +20.08 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.
• D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

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

1. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 54:33 · LA 11 · Score 0-6
   (9:33) 41-A.Kamara left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 54:25 · LA 15 · Score 0-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 51:11 · NO 8 · Score 6-7
   (6:11) 30-T.Gurley right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 51:04 · NO 15 · Score 7-7
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 46:46 · LA 16 · Score 7-13
   (1:46) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 41-A.Kamara for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 10
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 46:40 · LA 15 · Score 7-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
7. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 44:17 · NO 4 · Score 13-14
   (14:17) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short right to 12-B.Cooks for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0
8. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 44:12 · NO 15 · Score 14-14
   4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 37:39 · LA 4 · Score 14-20
   (7:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 10-T.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 37:35 · LA 15 · Score 14-21
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 31:11 · LA 13 · Score 14-27
    (1:11) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 82-B.Watson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, YAC 3
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 31:06 · LA 15 · Score 14-28
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:28 · LA 1 · Score 14-34
    (:28) 41-A.Kamara right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:26 · LA 15 · Score 14-35
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
15. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · NO 38 · Score 17-35
    (:02) (Field Goal formation) 4-G.Zuerlein 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
16. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 24:47 · NO 18 · Score 23-35
    (9:47) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 34-M.Brown for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 7, YAC 11
17. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 24:38 · NO 15 · Score 24-35
    4-G.Zuerlein extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
18. Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q3 16:34 · NO 16 · Score 27-35
    (1:34) (Field Goal formation) 4-G.Zuerlein 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
19. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 9:57 · NO 41 · Score 33-35
    (9:57) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 18-C.Kupp for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 36
20. Los Angeles Rams Safety (+2) — Q4 9:48 · NO 2 · Score 35-35
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-J.Goff pass to 81-G.Everett is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
21. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 6:28 · LA 35 · Score 35-38
    (6:28) 3-W.Lutz 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
22. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 4:02 · LA 72 · Score 35-44
    (4:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-M.Thomas for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 24, YAC 48. PENALTY on NO-13-M.Thomas, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards,
23. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:52 · LA 15 · Score 35-45
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.