Game story
In Week 16 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-12-27, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 17–14 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -3.42 total EPA, and +8.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, R. Meachem (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-36.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (14:22) 9-D.Brees pass short left INTERCEPTED by 92-C.Davis [95-J.Babineaux] at NO 26. 92-C.Davis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.94 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 2 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 3 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 4 J. Snelling · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
- 5 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 6 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +1.17 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
- 7 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +0.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 8 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +0.70 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Meachem — NO · Receiving
R. Meachem posted the highest total EPA (+3.94) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 13 counted snaps, they averaged +0.30 EPA per play.
The signature play (-8.28 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (14:22) 9-D.Brees pass short left INTERCEPTED by 92-C.Davis [95-J.Babineaux] at NO 26. 92-C.Davis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas
- Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — C. Davis
- New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
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 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 34 (Q1 46:06) — (1:06) 5-G.Hartley 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q2 41:19) — (11:19) 23-P.Thomas up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 41:18) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q2 37:31) — (7:31) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 84-R.White for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 37:28) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 67 (Q4 14:22) — (14:22) 9-D.Brees pass short left INTERCEPTED by 92-C.Davis [95-J.Babineaux] at NO 26. 92-C.Davis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 14:14) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 6 (Q4 3:28) — (3:28) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 3:24) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 14:22) — (14:22) 9-D.Brees pass short left INTERCEPTED by 92-C.Davis [95-J.Babineaux] at NO 26. 92-C.Davis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 26:05) — (11:05) 33-M.Turner up the middle to NO 1 for no gain (97-J.Charleston, 50-M.Mitchell). FUMBLES (97-J.Charleston), RECOVERED by NO-50-M.Mitchell at NO 2.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:05) — (12:05) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Abraham at ATL 41. 55-J.Abraham to ATL 47 for 6 yards (9-D.Brees).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 5:30) — (5:30) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas to ATL 13 for 22 yards (54-S.Nicholas; 28-T.DeCoud).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 43:43) — (13:43) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan Aborted. 62-T.McClure FUMBLES at ATL 38, RECOVERED by NO-51-J.Vilma at ATL 34. 51-J.Vilma to ATL 34 for no gain (44-J.Snelling).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 14:22) — (14:22) 9-D.Brees pass short left INTERCEPTED by 92-C.Davis [95-J.Babineaux] at NO 26. 92-C.Davis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:05) — (12:05) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Abraham at ATL 41. 55-J.Abraham to ATL 47 for 6 yards (9-D.Brees).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 26:05) — (11:05) 33-M.Turner up the middle to NO 1 for no gain (97-J.Charleston, 50-M.Mitchell). FUMBLES (97-J.Charleston), RECOVERED by NO-50-M.Mitchell at NO 2.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 43:43) — (13:43) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan Aborted. 62-T.McClure FUMBLES at ATL 38, RECOVERED by NO-51-J.Vilma at ATL 34. 51-J.Vilma to ATL 34 for no gain (44-J.Snelling).
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) · 50 dropbacks · 70.0% completion · +8.1% CPOE · -0.07 EPA/play · -3.42 total EPA
- M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 38 dropbacks · 39.5% completion · -13.0% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.17 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.088 | -0.183 |
| Offensive success rate | 46.7% | 35.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.068 | +0.031 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.246 | -0.776 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.183 | +0.088 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.4% | 53.3% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.09 vs -0.18), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, -13.35 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -7.95 total EPA, 4 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.
- R. Meachem (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.
- M. Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 46:06 · ATL 34 · Score 3-0
(1:06) 5-G.Hartley 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 41:19 · ATL 2 · Score 9-0
(11:19) 23-P.Thomas up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 41:18 · ATL 2 · Score 10-0
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 37:31 · NO 7 · Score 10-6
(7:31) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 84-R.White for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 37:28 · NO 2 · Score 10-7
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 14:22 · ATL 67 · Score 10-13
(14:22) 9-D.Brees pass short left INTERCEPTED by 92-C.Davis [95-J.Babineaux] at NO 26. 92-C.Davis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 14:14 · NO 2 · Score 10-14
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:28 · ATL 6 · Score 16-14
(3:28) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:24 · ATL 2 · Score 17-14
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 17-14 in Week 16, 2010 on 2010-12-27.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 14 (NO 17-14 ATL) in Week 16, 2010 on 2010-12-27.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 3, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q4: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 7; Final: New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — P. Thomas (Q2 41:19) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 37:31) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — C. Davis (Q4 14:22) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q4 3:28) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q1 46:06, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 70.0% completion, +8.1% CPOE, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -3.42 total passing EPA. M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 39.5% completion, -13.0% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +1.17 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
R. Meachem (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +3.94 on receiving plays. across 13 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-8.28 EPA): (14:22) 9-D.Brees pass short left INTERCEPTED by 92-C.Davis [95-J.Babineaux] at NO 26. 92-C.Davis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -36.4%.
Was New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. New Orleans Saints won 17-14 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 12-2 Now 12-3 L
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