Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints: 2016 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-09-11, the Las Vegas Raiders took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 35–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 32 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Carr (Las Vegas Raiders) paced the passing game, with +17.86 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 +19.37 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-35.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (:05) 3-W.Lutz 61 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

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 · +19.37 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Carr · Las Vegas Raiders · Passing · +17.86 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
3. 3 W. Snead · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +15.37 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Cooks · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.67 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Crabtree · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +6.24 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Richard · Las Vegas Raiders · Rushing · +5.52 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Cooper · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +2.97 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Roberts · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.63 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

• Las Vegas Raiders — L. Murray (Q1 46:48)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Snead (D. Brees pass) (Q2 42:00)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q2 35:02)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q3 23:03)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Olawale (Q4 11:57)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Richard (Q4 8:38)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Cadet (D. Brees pass) (Q4 6:07)
• Las Vegas Raiders — S. Roberts (D. Carr pass) (Q4 0:52)

Field goals

• Las Vegas Raiders — S. Janikowski (Q1 57:28)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q1 51:36)
• Las Vegas Raiders — S. Janikowski (Q3 18:16)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q4 8:46)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 10–3. Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the NO 29 (Q1 57:28) — (12:28) 11-S.Janikowski 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-7-M.King.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LV 24 (Q1 51:36) — (6:36) 3-W.Lutz 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q1 46:48) — (1:48) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 46:43) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-7-M.King..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LV 1 (Q2 42:00) — (12:00) (Run formation) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 83-W.Snead for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LV 15 (Q2 41:57) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LV 15 (Q2 35:02) — (5:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 10-B.Cooks for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LV 15 (Q2 34:55) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LV 98 (Q3 23:03) — (8:03) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 10-B.Cooks for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 29, YAC 69; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LV 15 (Q3 22:52) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the NO 13 (Q3 18:16) — (3:16) 11-S.Janikowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-7-M.King..

The fourth quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 22–10. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q4 11:57) — (11:57) 49-J.Olawale left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LV 2 (Q4 8:46); Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NO 75 (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) 30-J.Richard left guard for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 8:26) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Carr pass to 89-A.Cooper is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LV 2 (Q4 6:07) — (6:07) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 38-T.Cadet for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 1; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LV 15 (Q4 6:03) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q4 0:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short left to 10-S.Roberts for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 0:47).

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 3-W.Lutz 61 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -35.7% · EPA -1.32]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 0:47) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Carr pass to 15-M.Crabtree is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. PENALTY on LV-15-M.Crabtree, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +24.8% · EPA +1.59]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) 30-J.Richard left guard for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.1% · EPA +6.17]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:32) — (7:32) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 83-W.Snead to LV 26 for 43 yards (25-D.Hayden) [95-J.Ward]. FUMBLES (25-D.Hayden), recovered by NO-13-M.Thomas at LV 12. 13-M.Thomas to LV 2 for 10 yards ( [WPA +22.2% · EPA +4.70]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 23:03) — (8:03) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 10-B.Cooks for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 29, YAC 69 [WPA +13.3% · EPA +6.89]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 23:03) — (8:03) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 10-B.Cooks for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 29, YAC 69 [WPA +13.3% · EPA +6.89]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) 30-J.Richard left guard for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.1% · EPA +6.17]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 59:52) — (14:52) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 21 for -4 yards (51-B.Irvin). FUMBLES (51-B.Irvin) [51-B.Irvin], RECOVERED by LV-95-J.Ward at NO 21. 95-J.Ward to NO 21 for no gain (73-J.Evans). [WPA -4.3% · EPA -4.79]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 7:32) — (7:32) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 83-W.Snead to LV 26 for 43 yards (25-D.Hayden) [95-J.Ward]. FUMBLES (25-D.Hayden), recovered by NO-13-M.Thomas at LV 12. 13-M.Thomas to LV 2 for 10 yards ( [WPA +22.2% · EPA +4.70]

Quarterback report card

D.Carr led all passers in efficiency for Las Vegas Raiders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Carr (Las Vegas Raiders) · 46 dropbacks · 52.2% completion · -2.0% CPOE · +0.39 EPA/play · +17.86 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 45 dropbacks · 62.2% completion · +3.7% CPOE · +0.43 EPA/play · +19.37 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Las Vegas Raiders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs +0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Las Vegas Raiders: 11 drives, +16.67 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +11.77 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Las Vegas Raiders 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.
• 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. Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q1 57:28 · NO 29 · Score 3-0
   (12:28) 11-S.Janikowski 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-7-M.King.
2. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 51:36 · LV 24 · Score 3-3
   (6:36) 3-W.Lutz 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q1 46:48 · NO 6 · Score 9-3
   (1:48) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q1 46:43 · NO 15 · Score 10-3
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-7-M.King.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 42:00 · LV 1 · Score 10-9
   (12:00) (Run formation) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 83-W.Snead for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 0
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 41:57 · LV 15 · Score 10-10
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 35:02 · LV 15 · Score 10-16
   (5:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 10-B.Cooks for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 0
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 34:55 · LV 15 · Score 10-17
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 23:03 · LV 98 · Score 10-23
   (8:03) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 10-B.Cooks for 98 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 29, YAC 69
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 22:52 · LV 15 · Score 10-24
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
11. Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q3 18:16 · NO 13 · Score 13-24
    (3:16) 11-S.Janikowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-59-J.Condo, Holder-7-M.King.
12. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 11:57 · NO 2 · Score 19-24
    (11:57) 49-J.Olawale left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 8:46 · LV 2 · Score 19-27
    (8:46) 3-W.Lutz 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. The field goal was hit by LV #96 D.Autry, but still was good.
14. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 8:38 · NO 75 · Score 25-27
    (8:38) 30-J.Richard left guard for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Las Vegas Raiders Safety (+2) — Q4 8:26 · NO 2 · Score 27-27
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Carr pass to 89-A.Cooper is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 6:07 · LV 2 · Score 27-33
    (6:07) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 38-T.Cadet for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 1
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 6:03 · LV 15 · Score 27-34
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
18. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 0:52 · NO 10 · Score 33-34
    (:52) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short left to 10-S.Roberts for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Las Vegas Raiders Safety (+2) — Q4 0:47 · NO 2 · Score 35-34
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-D.Carr pass to 15-M.Crabtree is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. PENALTY on LV-15-M.Crabtree, Unsportsmanlike Conduc