New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions: 2010 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-11-25, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 45–24 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

S. Hill (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -9.71 total EPA, and -7.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.00 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+22.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (5:27) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 84-D.Branch for 79 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +20.00 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.82 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.76 EPA/play
3. 3 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.61 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Morris · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +5.40 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Pettigrew · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.92 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.85 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Green-Ellis · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.67 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Hill · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +3.67 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.83 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

• Detroit Lions — C. Johnson (Q1 45:03)
• Detroit Lions — M. Morris (Q2 36:02)
• New England Patriots — B. Green-Ellis (Q2 30:53)
• New England Patriots — W. Welker (T. Brady pass) (Q3 26:06)
• Detroit Lions — M. Morris (Q3 21:55)
• New England Patriots — D. Branch (T. Brady pass) (Q3 20:27)
• New England Patriots — D. Branch (T. Brady pass) (Q4 13:51)
• New England Patriots — W. Welker (T. Brady pass) (Q4 6:47)
• New England Patriots — B. Green-Ellis (Q4 3:16)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Graham (Q1 50:04)
• Detroit Lions — D. Rayner (Q2 30:02)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the DET 2 (Q1 50:04) — (5:04) 5-S.Graham 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NE 19 (Q1 45:03) — (:03) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep right to 81-C.Johnson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 45:00) — 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q2 36:02) — (6:02) 28-M.Morris left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 35:58) — 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 15 (Q2 30:53) — (:53) 42-B.Green-Ellis up the middle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 30:45) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NE 26 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 3-D.Rayner 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q3 26:06) — (11:06) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 83-W.Welker for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 25:58) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 21:55) — (6:55) (No Huddle) 28-M.Morris left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 21:50) — 3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 79 (Q3 20:27) — (5:27) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 84-D.Branch for 79 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 20:12) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 21–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 22 (Q4 13:51) — (13:51) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 84-D.Branch for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 13:45) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 16 (Q4 6:47) — (6:47) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 83-W.Welker for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 6:42) — 5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 3:16); New England Patriots added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 3:14).

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q3 20:27) — (5:27) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 84-D.Branch for 79 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +7.24]
• New England Patriots (Q4 13:51) — (13:51) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 84-D.Branch for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.2% · EPA +2.63]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 28:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 32-D.McCourty at DET 49. 32-D.McCourty pushed ob at DET 26 for 23 yards (13-N.Burleson). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.91]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 24:37) — (9:37) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass short right to 84-B.Pettigrew to NE 32 for 24 yards (51-J.Mayo; 32-D.McCourty). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +2.76]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 21:55) — (6:55) (No Huddle) 28-M.Morris left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.2% · EPA +2.47]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q3 20:27) — (5:27) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 84-D.Branch for 79 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +7.24]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 5:58) — (5:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep right intended for 13-N.Burleson INTERCEPTED by 32-D.McCourty at NE 38. 32-D.McCourty ran ob at DET 12 for 50 yards. [WPA -4.5% · EPA -7.12]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 28:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 32-D.McCourty at DET 49. 32-D.McCourty pushed ob at DET 26 for 23 yards (13-N.Burleson). [WPA -13.3% · EPA -5.91]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 16:06) — (1:06) 3-D.Rayner 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. [WPA -7.1% · EPA -3.29]

Quarterback report card

S.Hill led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• S.Hill (Detroit Lions) · 52 dropbacks · 51.9% completion · -7.7% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -9.71 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 31 dropbacks · 67.7% completion · +15.5% CPOE · +0.65 EPA/play · +20.00 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.34 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -1.04 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +25.84 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• S. Hill (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• T. Brady (NE) 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 England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 50:04 · DET 2 · Score 3-0
   (5:04) 5-S.Graham 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 45:03 · NE 19 · Score 3-6
   (:03) (Shotgun) 14-Sh.Hill pass deep right to 81-C.Johnson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 45:00 · NE 2 · Score 3-7
   3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 36:02 · NE 1 · Score 3-13
   (6:02) 28-M.Morris left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 35:58 · NE 2 · Score 3-14
   3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
6. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 30:53 · DET 15 · Score 9-14
   (:53) 42-B.Green-Ellis up the middle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 30:45 · DET 2 · Score 10-14
   5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · NE 26 · Score 10-17
   (:02) 3-D.Rayner 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 26:06 · DET 5 · Score 16-17
   (11:06) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 83-W.Welker for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 25:58 · DET 2 · Score 17-17
    5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 21:55 · NE 1 · Score 17-23
    (6:55) (No Huddle) 28-M.Morris left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 21:50 · NE 2 · Score 17-24
    3-D.Rayner extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
13. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 20:27 · DET 79 · Score 23-24
    (5:27) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 84-D.Branch for 79 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 20:12 · DET 2 · Score 24-24
    5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
15. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 13:51 · DET 22 · Score 30-24
    (13:51) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 84-D.Branch for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 13:45 · DET 2 · Score 31-24
    5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
17. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 6:47 · DET 16 · Score 37-24
    (6:47) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 83-W.Welker for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 6:42 · DET 2 · Score 38-24
    5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
19. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 3:16 · DET 1 · Score 44-24
    (3:16) 42-B.Green-Ellis left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-26-L.Delmas, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
20. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 3:14 · DET 2 · Score 45-24
    5-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Katula, Holder-14-Z.Mesko. PENALTY on DET-90-N.Suh, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Penalty