Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints: 2020 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-25, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 52–33 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +8.80 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 +11.25 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-12.5% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (11:00) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 47-H.Nickerson at NO 23. 47-H.Nickerson pushed ob at NO 18 for 5 yards (17-E.Sanders).

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 · +11.25 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +9.96 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +8.80 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
4. 4 I. Smith · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.11 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Trautman · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.43 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.22 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.72 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.16 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Cook · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.68 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 57:19)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook (Q1 53:54)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q1 50:14)
• Minnesota Vikings — M. Boone (Q2 40:21)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q2 30:42)
• Minnesota Vikings — I. Smith (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 24:46)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q3 19:42)
• Minnesota Vikings — I. Smith (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 15:28)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q4 12:07)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hill (Q4 4:03)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 2:15)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q4 1:55)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q2 44:17)

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 MIN 40 (Q1 57:19) — (12:19) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 57:11) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q1 53:54) — (8:54) 33-D.Cook left tackle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 53:46) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q1 50:14) — (5:14) 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 50:10) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIN 12 (Q2 44:17) — (14:17) 3-W.Lutz 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q2 40:21) — (10:21) 23-M.Boone left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 40:14) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 5 (Q2 30:42) — (:42) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 30:38) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 13–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q3 24:46) — (9:46) 69-R.Hill reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 84-I.Smith for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 1; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 6 (Q3 19:42) — (4:42) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 19:38) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q3 15:28) — (:28) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 84-I.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 15:22) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–6. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 7 (Q4 12:07) — (12:07) 41-A.Kamara right guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 12:01) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 4:03); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 4:00) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 2:15); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 1:50) — 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 (Q3 26:00) — (11:00) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 47-H.Nickerson at NO 23. 47-H.Nickerson pushed ob at NO 18 for 5 yards (17-E.Sanders). [WPA -12.5% · EPA -6.26]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 14:53) — (14:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 87-J.Cook pushed ob at MIN 19 for 44 yards (26-C.Jones). Pass 15, YAC 29 [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.99]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 57:19) — (12:19) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +3.17]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 87-J.Cook INTERCEPTED by 38-H.Hand at MIN 8. 38-H.Hand to MIN 12 for 4 yards (87-J.Cook). [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.88]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 53:54) — (8:54) 33-D.Cook left tackle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.8% · EPA +1.98]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 26:00) — (11:00) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 47-H.Nickerson at NO 23. 47-H.Nickerson pushed ob at NO 18 for 5 yards (17-E.Sanders). [WPA -12.5% · EPA -6.26]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 14:53) — (14:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 87-J.Cook pushed ob at MIN 19 for 44 yards (26-C.Jones). Pass 15, YAC 29 [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.99]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:10) — (5:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 87-J.Cook INTERCEPTED by 38-H.Hand at MIN 8. 38-H.Hand to MIN 12 for 4 yards (87-J.Cook). [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.88]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:05) — (2:05) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 82-A.Trautman pushed ob at MIN 3 for 41 yards (47-H.Nickerson). Pass 15, YAC 26 [WPA +0.2% · EPA +3.81]

Quarterback report card

K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 47 dropbacks · 57.4% completion · +1.0% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +8.80 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 27 dropbacks · 70.4% completion · +6.3% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +11.25 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 (+0.32 vs +0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +9.49 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +29.03 total EPA, 8 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.
• 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. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 57:19 · MIN 40 · Score 0-6
   (12:19) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 57:11 · MIN 15 · Score 0-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 53:54 · NO 15 · Score 6-7
   (8:54) 33-D.Cook left tackle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 53:46 · NO 15 · Score 7-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 50:14 · MIN 1 · Score 7-13
   (5:14) 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 50:10 · MIN 15 · Score 7-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 44:17 · MIN 12 · Score 7-17
   (14:17) 3-W.Lutz 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
8. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 40:21 · NO 4 · Score 13-17
   (10:21) 23-M.Boone left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 40:14 · NO 15 · Score 14-17
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:42 · MIN 5 · Score 14-23
    (:42) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:38 · MIN 15 · Score 14-24
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 24:46 · NO 2 · Score 20-24
    (9:46) 69-R.Hill reported in as eligible. 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 84-I.Smith for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 1
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 19:42 · MIN 6 · Score 20-30
    (4:42) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 19:38 · MIN 15 · Score 20-31
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
15. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 15:28 · NO 4 · Score 26-31
    (:28) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 84-I.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 15:22 · NO 15 · Score 27-31
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:07 · MIN 7 · Score 27-37
    (12:07) 41-A.Kamara right guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 12:01 · MIN 15 · Score 27-38
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
19. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 4:03 · MIN 1 · Score 27-44
    (4:03) #7 T.Hill at quarterback. (Shotgun) 68-D.Kelly and 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 7-T.Hill right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. INJURY UPDATE: New Or
20. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 4:00 · MIN 15 · Score 27-45
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
21. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 2:15 · NO 1 · Score 33-45
    (2:15) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-20-J.Jenkins, Unnecessary Roughness, declined. PENALTY on NO-
22. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:55 · MIN 3 · Score 33-51
    (1:55) 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
23. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:50 · MIN 15 · Score 33-52
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.