New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2016 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-12-18, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 48–41 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +15.96 total EPA, and +10.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Cooks (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.80 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-30.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (7:20) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at ARI 47 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-93-C.Campbell at ARI 47. 93-C.Campbell for 53 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 B. Cooks · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +16.80 total EPA · 8 snaps · +2.10 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +15.96 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Palmer · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +8.40 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
4. 4 Jo. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.58 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Williams · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +4.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.48 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
7. 7 W. Snead · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.29 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Cadet · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 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

• Arizona Cardinals — K. Williams (Q1 57:38)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Cadet (D. Brees pass) (Q1 46:41)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Campbell (Q2 37:20)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q2 36:21)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Nelson (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 30:45)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q3 18:23)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hightower (Q4 13:04)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (Q4 9:02)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 5:39)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hightower (Q4 3:31)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Palmer (Q4 2:25)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q1 50:32)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q3 21:11)

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 10–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 49 (Q1 57:38) — (12:38) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 33-K.Williams. 33-K.Williams right end for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 57:27) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ARI 19 (Q1 50:32) — (5:32) 3-W.Lutz 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 10 (Q1 46:41) — (1:41) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 38-T.Cadet for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 46:33) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–13. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the ARI 40 (Q2 37:20); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 65 (Q2 36:21) — (6:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 10-B.Cooks for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 36:11); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 45 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-B.Cooks for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 31:51) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q2 30:45) — (:45) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 14-J.Nelson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 30:40) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ARI 21 (Q3 21:11) — (6:11) 3-W.Lutz 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q3 18:23); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 18:19) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–14. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q4 13:04) — (13:04) 78-L.Turner reported in as eligible. 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 12:59) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q4 9:02) — (9:02) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 8:57) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q4 5:39) — (5:39) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 5:33); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q4 3:31) — (3:31) 78-L.Turner reported in as eligible. 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 3:27) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the NO 30 (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 12-Jo.Brown for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-N.Fairley].; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 2:19) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 37:20) — (7:20) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at ARI 47 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-93-C.Campbell at ARI 47. 93-C.Campbell for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -30.9% · EPA -9.29]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 36:21) — (6:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 10-B.Cooks for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.6% · EPA +5.36]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 13:04) — (13:04) 78-L.Turner reported in as eligible. 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.2% · EPA +0.90]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 49:42) — (4:42) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 31 for 1 yard (99-P.Kruger). FUMBLES (99-P.Kruger), RECOVERED by NO-52-C.Robertson at ARI 30. 52-C.Robertson to ARI 30 for no gain [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.38]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 9:02) — (9:02) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.0% · EPA +1.50]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 37:20) — (7:20) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at ARI 47 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-93-C.Campbell at ARI 47. 93-C.Campbell for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -30.9% · EPA -9.29]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 49:42) — (4:42) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 11-L.Fitzgerald to ARI 31 for 1 yard (99-P.Kruger). FUMBLES (99-P.Kruger), RECOVERED by NO-52-C.Robertson at ARI 30. 52-C.Robertson to ARI 30 for no gain [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.38]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 36:21) — (6:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 10-B.Cooks for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.6% · EPA +5.36]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-B.Cooks for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.2% · EPA +5.03]

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) · 54 dropbacks · 68.5% completion · +10.3% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +15.96 total EPA
• C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 43 dropbacks · 65.1% completion · +7.4% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +8.40 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs +0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, +9.32 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +21.43 total EPA, 9 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.
• B. Cooks (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.
• C. Palmer (ARI) 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. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 57:38 · NO 49 · Score 0-6
   (12:38) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 33-K.Williams. 33-K.Williams right end for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 57:27 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 50:32 · ARI 19 · Score 3-7
   (5:32) 3-W.Lutz 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
4. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 46:41 · ARI 10 · Score 9-7
   (1:41) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 38-T.Cadet for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 46:33 · ARI 15 · Score 10-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 37:20 · ARI 40 · Score 10-13
   (7:20) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at ARI 47 for -7 yards (44-M.Golden). FUMBLES (44-M.Golden) [44-M.Golden], RECOVERED by ARI-93-C.Campbell at ARI 47. 93-C.Camp
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 36:21 · ARI 65 · Score 16-13
   (6:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 10-B.Cooks for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 36:11 · ARI 15 · Score 17-13
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. PENALTY on ARI-28-J.Bethel, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · ARI 45 · Score 23-13
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-B.Cooks for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 31:51 · ARI 15 · Score 24-13
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
11. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:45 · NO 10 · Score 24-19
    (:45) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short right to 14-J.Nelson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:40 · NO 15 · Score 24-20
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
13. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 21:11 · ARI 21 · Score 27-20
    (6:11) 3-W.Lutz 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 18:23 · NO 2 · Score 27-26
    (3:23) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on
15. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 18:19 · NO 15 · Score 27-27
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 13:04 · ARI 3 · Score 33-27
    (13:04) 78-L.Turner reported in as eligible. 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 12:59 · ARI 15 · Score 34-27
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
18. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 9:02 · NO 7 · Score 34-33
    (9:02) 31-D.Johnson up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 8:57 · NO 15 · Score 34-34
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.
20. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 5:39 · ARI 4 · Score 40-34
    (5:39) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 5:33 · ARI 15 · Score 41-34
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. PENALTY on ARI-28-J.Bethel, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
22. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:31 · ARI 2 · Score 47-34
    (3:31) 78-L.Turner reported in as eligible. 34-T.Hightower right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
23. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:27 · ARI 15 · Score 48-34
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
24. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 2:25 · NO 30 · Score 48-40
    (2:25) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep left to 12-Jo.Brown for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-N.Fairley].
25. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 2:19 · NO 15 · Score 48-41
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-6-M.Wile.