Game story
In Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-09-09, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 14–9 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 9 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +0.10 total EPA, and +10.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, V. Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-10.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 V. Shiancoe · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.28 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 2 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
- 3 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 4 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.47 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 5 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 6 G. Camarillo · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.36 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
- 7 J. Dugan · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 8 A. Peterson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +0.61 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
V. Shiancoe — MIN · Receiving
V. Shiancoe posted the highest total EPA (+3.28) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.47 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.20 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — V. Shiancoe (B. Favre pass)
- New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas
Field goals
- Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell
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 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 29 (Q1 58:04); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 57:56) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 9–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NO 23 (Q2 35:32) — (5:32) 8-R.Longwell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 20 (Q2 30:40) — (:40) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0.
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q3 21:17) — (6:17) 23-P.Thomas left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 21:13) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 32:34) — (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:46) — (:46) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe to NO 20 for 33 yards (58-S.Shanle, 20-R.Gay). Pass 21, YAC 12
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 30:40) — (:40) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 9:14) — (9:14) 5-G.Hartley 32 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:20) — (8:20) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass deep left to 85-G.Camarillo pushed ob at NO 43 for 29 yards (27-M.Jenkins). Pass 18, YAC 11
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 32:34) — (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 9:14) — (9:14) 5-G.Hartley 32 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 58:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-29-L.Sheppard, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs. Pass 29, YAC 7
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 31:24) — (1:24) 5-G.Hartley 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
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) · 38 dropbacks · 71.1% completion · +10.4% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.10 total EPA
- B.Favre (Minnesota Vikings) · 31 dropbacks · 48.4% completion · -5.8% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -6.41 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.133 | -0.066 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.7% | 43.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.207 | +0.003 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.102 | +0.045 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.066 | +0.133 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.2% | 60.3% |
By the numbers
New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.07 vs -0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, -9.07 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -5.29 total EPA, 2 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.
- V. Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) 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.
- B. Favre (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 58:04 · MIN 29 · Score 0-6
(13:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-29-L.Sheppard, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced be - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 57:56 · MIN 2 · Score 0-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 35:32 · NO 23 · Score 3-7
(5:32) 8-R.Longwell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 30:40 · NO 20 · Score 9-7
(:40) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 21:17 · MIN 1 · Score 9-13
(6:17) 23-P.Thomas left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 21:13 · MIN 2 · Score 9-14
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 14-9 in Week 1, 2010 on 2010-09-09.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 9, New Orleans Saints 14 (MIN 9-14 NO) in Week 1, 2010 on 2010-09-09.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 0, New Orleans Saints 7; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 9, New Orleans Saints 0; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 0, New Orleans Saints 7; Final: Minnesota Vikings 9, New Orleans Saints 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 58:04) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — V. Shiancoe (B. Favre pass) (Q2 30:40) New Orleans Saints touchdown — P. Thomas (Q3 21:17) Minnesota Vikings field goal — R. Longwell (Q2 35:32, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 71.1% completion, +10.4% CPOE, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.10 total passing EPA. B. Favre (Minnesota Vikings), 48.4% completion, -5.8% CPOE, -0.21 EPA per dropback, -6.41 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
V. Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +3.28 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.20 EPA): (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson).. The biggest win-probability swing was -10.3%.
Was Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. New Orleans Saints won 14-9 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Now 0-1 L
New Orleans Saints
Now 1-0 W
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