New England Patriots vs. New York Giants: 2007 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-12-29, the New England Patriots took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 38–35 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +24.13 total EPA, and +13.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +24.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+28.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (11:15) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-R.Moss for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-R.Torbor].

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 · +24.13 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Moss · New England Patriots · Receiving · +13.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +2.19 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +12.83 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
4. 4 P. Burress · New York Giants · Receiving · +11.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.92 EPA/play
5. 5 W. Welker · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.24 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
6. 6 K. Boss · New York Giants · Receiving · +5.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.97 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Jacobs · New York Giants · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.59 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 York Giants — B. Jacobs (E. Manning pass) (Q1 56:10)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (T. Brady pass) (Q2 45:00)
• New York Giants — D. Hixon (Q2 44:55)
• New York Giants — K. Boss (E. Manning pass) (Q2 30:18)
• New York Giants — P. Burress (E. Manning pass) (Q3 24:22)
• New England Patriots — L. Maroney (Q3 19:06)
• New England Patriots — R. Moss (T. Brady pass) (Q4 11:15)
• New England Patriots — L. Maroney (Q4 4:46)
• New York Giants — P. Burress (E. Manning pass) (Q4 1:08)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 50:24)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 40:07)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 32:04)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–3. New York Giants found the end zone from the NE 7 (Q1 56:10) — (11:10) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 27-B.Jacobs for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 55:59) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYG 19 (Q1 50:24) — (5:24) 3-S.Gostkowski 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 14–13. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q2 45:00); New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 44:55) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New York Giants found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q2 44:55) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 59 yards from NE 15 to NYG 26. 87-D.Hixon for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 44:44) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYG 28 (Q2 40:07) — (10:07) 3-S.Gostkowski 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYG 19 (Q2 32:04) — (2:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New York Giants found the end zone from the NE 3 (Q2 30:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 89-K.Boss for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NE-27-E.Hobbs, Defensive Holding, declined.; New York Giants added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 30:13) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New York Giants found the end zone from the NE 19 (Q3 24:22) — (9:22) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep right to 17-P.Burress for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 24:12) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYG 6 (Q3 19:06) — (4:06) 39-L.Maroney left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 19:00) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 15–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYG 65 (Q4 11:15) — (11:15) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-R.Moss for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-R.Torbor].; New England Patriots registered a safety from the NYG 2 (Q4 11:06) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 39-L.Maroney rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYG 5 (Q4 4:46) — (4:46) 39-L.Maroney right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 4:36) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.; New York Giants found the end zone from the NE 3 (Q4 1:08) — (1:08) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 17-P.Burress for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 1:04) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q4 11:15) — (11:15) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-R.Moss for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-R.Torbor]. [WPA +28.5% · EPA +6.99]
• New York Giants (Q2 44:55) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 59 yards from NE 15 to NYG 26. 87-D.Hixon for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.1% · EPA +6.40]
• New York Giants (Q4 9:59) — (9:59) 10-E.Manning pass deep left intended for 17-P.Burress INTERCEPTED by 27-E.Hobbs at NE 48. 27-E.Hobbs ran ob at NE 48 for no gain. [WPA -13.9% · EPA -3.12]
• New York Giants (Q1 59:21) — (14:21) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 17-P.Burress to NE 18 for 52 yards (27-E.Hobbs). [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.51]
• New England Patriots (Q4 8:24) — (8:24) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 33-K.Faulk to NYG 23 for 13 yards (58-A.Pierce) [72-O.Umenyiora]. [WPA +9.1% · EPA +2.18]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q4 11:15) — (11:15) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-R.Moss for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-R.Torbor]. [WPA +28.5% · EPA +6.99]
• New York Giants (Q2 44:55) — 3-S.Gostkowski kicks 59 yards from NE 15 to NYG 26. 87-D.Hixon for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.1% · EPA +6.40]
• New York Giants (Q1 59:21) — (14:21) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 17-P.Burress to NE 18 for 52 yards (27-E.Hobbs). [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.51]
• New York Giants (Q3 24:22) — (9:22) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep right to 17-P.Burress for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +3.43]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 46 dropbacks · 69.6% completion · +13.4% CPOE · +0.52 EPA/play · +24.13 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +9.3% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +12.83 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New England Patriots +0.30, New York Giants +0.28) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +26.70 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 10 drives, +19.41 total EPA, 5 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• E. Manning (NYG) 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 York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 56:10 · NE 7 · Score 0-6
   (11:10) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 27-B.Jacobs for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 55:59 · NE 2 · Score 0-7
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
3. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 50:24 · NYG 19 · Score 3-7
   (5:24) 3-S.Gostkowski 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · NYG 4 · Score 9-7
   (15:00) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 81-R.Moss for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NE, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 44:55 · NYG 2 · Score 10-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
6. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 44:55 · NE 15 · Score 10-13
   3-S.Gostkowski kicks 59 yards from NE 15 to NYG 26. 87-D.Hixon for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 44:44 · NE 2 · Score 10-14
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
8. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 40:07 · NYG 28 · Score 13-14
   (10:07) 3-S.Gostkowski 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
9. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 32:04 · NYG 19 · Score 16-14
   (2:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
10. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 30:18 · NE 3 · Score 16-20
    (:18) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 89-K.Boss for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NE-27-E.Hobbs, Defensive Holding, declined.
11. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 30:13 · NE 2 · Score 16-21
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
12. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 24:22 · NE 19 · Score 16-27
    (9:22) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep right to 17-P.Burress for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 24:12 · NE 2 · Score 16-28
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.
14. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 19:06 · NYG 6 · Score 22-28
    (4:06) 39-L.Maroney left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 19:00 · NYG 2 · Score 23-28
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
16. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 11:15 · NYG 65 · Score 29-28
    (11:15) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep right to 81-R.Moss for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-R.Torbor].
17. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q4 11:06 · NYG 2 · Score 31-28
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 39-L.Maroney rushes left guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
18. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 4:46 · NYG 5 · Score 37-28
    (4:46) 39-L.Maroney right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 4:36 · NYG 2 · Score 38-28
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-6-C.Hanson.
20. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 1:08 · NE 3 · Score 38-34
    (1:08) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 17-P.Burress for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 1:04 · NE 2 · Score 38-35
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-93-J.Alford, Holder-18-J.Feagles.