Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2020 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-10-12, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 30–27 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -1.12 total EPA, and -0.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, E. Sanders (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.19 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+42.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 37, YAC 27

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 E. Sanders · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.19 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Cook · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.28 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.09 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Williams · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +6.18 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Herbert · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +5.24 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.32 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Guyton · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.99 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.99 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Murray · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.79 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 Chargers — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass) (Q1 51:33)
• Los Angeles Chargers — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 41:07)
• Los Angeles Chargers — H. Henry (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 34:30)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Brees (Q2 30:16)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Cook (D. Brees pass) (Q4 11:29)
• Los Angeles Chargers — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass) (Q4 3:50)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hill (Q4 0:58)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q1 45:01)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q3 19:57)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (OT 5:11)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 6–3. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 17 (Q1 51:33) — (6:33) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 13-K.Allen for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LAC 30 (Q1 45:01) — (:01) 3-W.Lutz 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q2 41:07) — (11:07) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 81-M.Williams for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 41:01) — 4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q2 34:30) — (4:30) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 86-H.Henry for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 34:25) — 4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q2 30:16) — (:16) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q2 30:14) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LAC 35 (Q3 19:57) — (4:57) 3-W.Lutz 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 41 (Q4 11:29) — (11:29) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 31, YAC 10; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 11:21) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 64 (Q4 3:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 37, YAC 27; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 3:40) — 4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 9 (Q4 0:58) — (:58) 7-T.Hill at quarterback, (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 0:52) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Overtime: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LAC 18 (OT 5:11) — (5:11) 3-W.Lutz 36 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.

• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 3:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 37, YAC 27 [WPA +42.0% · EPA +6.20]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 4-M.Badgley 50 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long. [WPA -38.6% · EPA -2.18]
• New Orleans Saints (OT 5:11) — (5:11) 3-W.Lutz 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -38.4% · EPA +0.36]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:29) — (11:29) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 31, YAC 10 [WPA +32.5% · EPA +5.72]
• Los Angeles Chargers (OT 4:23) — (4:23) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 81-M.Williams to LAC 49 for 5 yards (23-M.Lattimore). LAC-81-M.Williams was injured during the play. His return is Probable. [WPA -28.1% · EPA +0.35]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 36:04) — (6:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 16-B.Fowler INTERCEPTED by 24-N.Adderley at NO 40. 24-N.Adderley to NO 1 for 39 yards (75-A.Peat; 87-J.Cook). [WPA -14.2% · EPA -6.57]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 3:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 37, YAC 27 [WPA +42.0% · EPA +6.20]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:29) — (11:29) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 31, YAC 10 [WPA +32.5% · EPA +5.72]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 43:12) — (13:12) 1-T.Long punts 58 yards to NO 21, Center-45-C.Mazza. 12-M.Callaway ran ob at NO 39 for 18 yards (40-G.Nabers). Penalty on NO-48-J.Gray, Offensive Holding, declined. PENALTY on NO-24-D.Washingt [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.83]

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) · 50 dropbacks · 66.0% completion · -0.1% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -1.12 total EPA
• J.Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) · 40 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +1.1% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +5.24 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Chargers -0.04, New Orleans Saints -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Los Angeles Chargers: 14 drives, -3.36 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, -2.37 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• E. Sanders (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. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 51:33 · NO 17 · Score 6-0
   (6:33) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 13-K.Allen for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, YAC 0
2. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 45:01 · LAC 30 · Score 6-3
   (:01) 3-W.Lutz 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 41:07 · NO 4 · Score 12-3
   (11:07) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 81-M.Williams for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0
4. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 41:01 · NO 15 · Score 13-3
   4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.
5. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 34:30 · NO 3 · Score 19-3
   (4:30) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 86-H.Henry for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 0
6. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 34:25 · NO 15 · Score 20-3
   4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:16 · LAC 1 · Score 20-9
   (:16) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:14 · LAC 15 · Score 20-10
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
9. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 19:57 · LAC 35 · Score 20-13
   (4:57) 3-W.Lutz 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 11:29 · LAC 41 · Score 20-19
    (11:29) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 31, YAC 10
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 11:21 · LAC 15 · Score 20-20
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
12. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 3:50 · NO 64 · Score 26-20
    (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 81-M.Williams for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 37, YAC 27
13. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 3:40 · NO 15 · Score 27-20
    4-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Mazza, Holder-1-T.Long.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 0:58 · LAC 9 · Score 27-26
    (:58) 7-T.Hill at quarterback, (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill right end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 0:52 · LAC 15 · Score 27-27
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
16. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — OT 5:11 · LAC 18 · Score 27-30
    (5:11) 3-W.Lutz 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.