Game story
In Week 8 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-10-30, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 21–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -15.33 total EPA.
On the individual side, J. Horn (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.73 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+14.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (5:29) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 80-D.Boston to NO 24 for 54 yards (22-F.Thomas, 34-M.McKenzie). PENALTY on NO-34-M.McKenzie, Face Mask (15 Yards), 12 yards, enforced at NO 24. Pass 49, Run 5
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 3 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 21 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.73 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 2 D. Boston · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.79 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.79 EPA/play
- 3 M. Booker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.97 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
- 4 D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.92 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
- 5 C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.01 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 6 G. Frerotte · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +2.75 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 7 W. Welker · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.87 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 8 R. Brown · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Horn — NO · Receiving
J. Horn posted the highest total EPA (+5.73) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.82 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.79 EPA) came from Miami Dolphins: (5:29) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 80-D.Boston to NO 24 for 54 yards (22-F.Thomas, 34-M.McKenzie). PENALTY on NO-34-M.McKenzie, Face Mask (15 Yards), 12 yards, enforced at NO 24. Pass 49, Run 5
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — C. Chambers (G. Frerotte pass)
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
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 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIA 8 (Q1 51:52) — (6:52) 3-J.Carney 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NO 19 (Q1 45:37) — (:37) 10-O.Mare 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 6–0. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NO 18 (Q2 37:22) — (7:22) 10-O.Mare 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NO 23 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 10-O.Mare 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–2. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIA 31 (Q3 18:42) — (3:42) 3-J.Carney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; Miami Dolphins registered a safety from the MIA 92 (Q3 17:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked in End Zone for -8 yards, SAFETY (93-K.Carter)..
The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NO 12 (Q4 14:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 84-C.Chambers for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 14:09) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NO 27 (Q4 9:33) — (9:33) 10-O.Mare 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 50:29) — (5:29) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 80-D.Boston to NO 24 for 54 yards (22-F.Thomas, 34-M.McKenzie). PENALTY on NO-34-M.McKenzie, Face Mask (15 Yards), 12 yards, enforced at NO 24. Pass 49, Run 5
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 19:52) — (4:52) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte sacked at MIA 25 for -9 yards (93-D.Howard). FUMBLES (93-D.Howard), RECOVERED by NO-93-D.Howard at MIA 29. 93-D.Howard to MIA 29 for no gain (66-R.Hadnot).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 27:20) — (12:20) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Howard at NO 46. 25-R.Howard to NO 41 for 5 yards (19-D.Henderson).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 18:42) — (3:42) 3-J.Carney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 14:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 84-C.Chambers for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 50:29) — (5:29) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 80-D.Boston to NO 24 for 54 yards (22-F.Thomas, 34-M.McKenzie). PENALTY on NO-34-M.McKenzie, Face Mask (15 Yards), 12 yards, enforced at NO 24. Pass 49, Run 5
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 27:20) — (12:20) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Howard at NO 46. 25-R.Howard to NO 41 for 5 yards (19-D.Henderson).
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 19:52) — (4:52) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte sacked at MIA 25 for -9 yards (93-D.Howard). FUMBLES (93-D.Howard), RECOVERED by NO-93-D.Howard at MIA 29. 93-D.Howard to MIA 29 for no gain (66-R.Hadnot).
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 14:16) — (14:16) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 84-C.Chambers for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
A.Brooks led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 40 dropbacks · 35.0% completion · -0.38 EPA/play · -15.33 total EPA
- G.Frerotte (Miami Dolphins) · 32 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.09 EPA/play · +2.75 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Miami Dolphins | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.023 | -0.233 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.5% | 38.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.086 | -0.383 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.050 | -0.239 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.233 | -0.023 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.1% | 63.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Miami Dolphins generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.23), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Miami Dolphins: 14 drives, +2.23 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -16.78 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Miami Dolphins leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Horn (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.
- New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 51:52 · MIA 8 · Score 0-3
(6:52) 3-J.Carney 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 45:37 · NO 19 · Score 3-3
(:37) 10-O.Mare 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 37:22 · NO 18 · Score 6-3
(7:22) 10-O.Mare 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · NO 23 · Score 9-3
(:02) 10-O.Mare 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 18:42 · MIA 31 · Score 9-6
(3:42) 3-J.Carney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - Miami Dolphins Safety (+2) — Q3 17:00 · MIA 92 · Score 11-6
(2:00) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked in End Zone for -8 yards, SAFETY (93-K.Carter). - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 14:16 · NO 12 · Score 17-6
(14:16) (Shotgun) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 84-C.Chambers for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 14:09 · NO 2 · Score 18-6
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 9:33 · NO 27 · Score 21-6
(9:33) 10-O.Mare 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-97-J.Denney, Holder-5-D.Jones.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints?
The Miami Dolphins beat the New Orleans Saints 21-6 in Week 8, 2005 on 2005-10-30.
What was the final score of Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Miami Dolphins 21, New Orleans Saints 6 (MIA 21-6 NO) in Week 8, 2005 on 2005-10-30.
What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Miami Dolphins 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Q2: Miami Dolphins 6, New Orleans Saints 0; Q3: Miami Dolphins 2, New Orleans Saints 3; Q4: Miami Dolphins 10, New Orleans Saints 0; Final: Miami Dolphins 21, New Orleans Saints 6.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — C. Chambers (G. Frerotte pass) (Q4 14:16) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q1 51:52, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q1 45:37, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q2 37:22, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q2 30:02, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 18:42, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q4 9:33, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints?
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 35.0% completion, -0.38 EPA per dropback, -15.33 total passing EPA. G. Frerotte (Miami Dolphins), 50.0% completion, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +2.75 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints?
J. Horn (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +5.73 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.79 EPA): (5:29) 11-G.Frerotte pass to 80-D.Boston to NO 24 for 54 yards (22-F.Thomas, 34-M.McKenzie). PENALTY on NO-34-M.McKenzie, Face Mask (15 Yards), 12 yards, enforced at NO 24. Pass 49. The biggest win-probability swing was +14.8%.
Season records after this game
Miami Dolphins
Entered 2-4 Now 3-4 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 2-5 Now 2-6 L
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