New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2010 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-10-10, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 30–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -5.43 total EPA, and +0.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (10:49) 46-L.Betts left guard to NO 19 for -2 yards (90-D.Dockett). FUMBLES (90-D.Dockett), RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at NO 27. 25-K.Rhodes for 27 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 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.90 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Roberts · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.47 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.02 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Patrick · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.05 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Stephens-Howling · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.43 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Wells · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.15 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.15 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 — J. Shockey (D. Brees pass) (Q1 46:34)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Brown (Q2 32:31)
• Arizona Cardinals — L. Betts (Q4 10:49)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q4 1:55)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Rodgers-Cromartie (Q4 0:24)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q1 54:54)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q2 41:21)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 31:15)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q3 24:09)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Feely (Q4 11:44)

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 10–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ARI 13 (Q1 54:54) — (9:54) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q1 46:34) — (1:34) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 88-J.Shockey for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 46:30) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NO 19 (Q2 41:21) — (11:21) 4-J.Feely 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q2 32:31); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 32:19) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ARI 14 (Q2 31:15) — (1:15) 3-J.Carney 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NO 26 (Q3 24:09) — (9:09) 4-J.Feely 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 17–7. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the NO 11 (Q4 11:44) — (11:44) 4-J.Feely 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 79 (Q4 10:49); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 10:39) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 35 (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN [55-J.Porter].; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 1:49) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 91 (Q4 0:24); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 0:10) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:49) — (10:49) 46-L.Betts left guard to NO 19 for -2 yards (90-D.Dockett). FUMBLES (90-D.Dockett), RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at NO 27. 25-K.Rhodes for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.6% · EPA -6.91]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 33:29) — (3:29) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 46-L.Betts INTERCEPTED by 51-P.Lenon at NO 4. 51-P.Lenon to NO 2 for 2 yards (46-L.Betts). [WPA -17.2% · EPA -5.52]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 13:39) — (13:39) (Shotgun) 6-M.Hall pass deep right to 11-L.Fitzgerald to NO 31 for 17 yards (27-M.Jenkins). PENALTY on NO-27-M.Jenkins, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at NO 31. [WPA +11.2% · EPA +2.40]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 19-D.Henderson to ARI 14 for 39 yards (28-G.Toler). [WPA +10.8% · EPA +2.61]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 41:53) — (11:53) 6-M.Hall sacked at NO 19 for -10 yards (96-A.Brown). [WPA -8.2% · EPA -1.75]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at NO 28. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-74-J.Bushrod, Offensive [WPA -7.6% · EPA -6.94]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:49) — (10:49) 46-L.Betts left guard to NO 19 for -2 yards (90-D.Dockett). FUMBLES (90-D.Dockett), RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at NO 27. 25-K.Rhodes for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.6% · EPA -6.91]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 33:29) — (3:29) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 46-L.Betts INTERCEPTED by 51-P.Lenon at NO 4. 51-P.Lenon to NO 2 for 2 yards (46-L.Betts). [WPA -17.2% · EPA -5.52]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN [55-J.Porter]. [WPA +4.2% · EPA +4.44]

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) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +0.5% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -5.43 total EPA
• M.Hall (Arizona Cardinals) · 31 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · -1.5% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.53 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.06 vs -0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 13 drives, -4.86 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -14.19 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Colston (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.

1. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 54:54 · ARI 13 · Score 3-0
   (9:54) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
2. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 46:34 · ARI 1 · Score 9-0
   (1:34) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 88-J.Shockey for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 46:30 · ARI 2 · Score 10-0
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
4. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 41:21 · NO 19 · Score 10-3
   (11:21) 4-J.Feely 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
5. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 32:31 · NO 1 · Score 10-9
   (2:31) (Shotgun) 6-M.Hall sacked at NO 2 for -1 yards (69-T.Hargrove). FUMBLES (69-T.Hargrove) [69-T.Hargrove], recovered by ARI-75-L.Brown at NO 2. 75-L.Brown
6. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 32:19 · NO 2 · Score 10-10
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 31:15 · ARI 14 · Score 13-10
   (1:15) 3-J.Carney 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
8. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 24:09 · NO 26 · Score 13-13
   (9:09) 4-J.Feely 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
9. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 11:44 · NO 11 · Score 13-16
   (11:44) 4-J.Feely 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
10. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 10:49 · ARI 79 · Score 13-22
    (10:49) 46-L.Betts left guard to NO 19 for -2 yards (90-D.Dockett). FUMBLES (90-D.Dockett), RECOVERED by ARI-25-K.Rhodes at NO 27. 25-K.Rhodes for 27 yards, TOU
11. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 10:39 · NO 2 · Score 13-23
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:55 · ARI 35 · Score 19-23
    (1:55) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN [55-J.Porter].
13. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:49 · ARI 2 · Score 20-23
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 0:24 · ARI 91 · Score 20-29
    (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie at NO 28. 29-D.Rodgers-Cromartie for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN
15. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 0:10 · NO 2 · Score 20-30
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.