Game story
In Week 13 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-11-29, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 23–13 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -15.77 total EPA, and -3.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, T. Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.40 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-13.2% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 25-W.Moore at ATL 43. 25-W.Moore to NO 41 for 16 yards (73-J.Evans).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
- 2 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.57 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 3 L. Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 4 J. Morgan · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.67 EPA/play
- 5 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.88 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 6 M. Cox · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.48 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 7 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.27 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
- 8 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Gonzalez — ATL · Receiving
T. Gonzalez posted the highest total EPA (+6.40) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Atlanta Falcons's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.28 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.49 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 25-W.Moore at ATL 43. 25-W.Moore to NO 41 for 16 yards (73-J.Evans).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner
- Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass)
- New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q1 56:14) — (11:14) 79-M.Johnson reported in as eligible. 33-M.Turner right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 56:09) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 17 (Q2 44:14) — (14:14) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 44:08) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 27 (Q2 38:58) — (8:58) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 33:25) — (3:25) 28-M.Ingram right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 33:17) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 3 (Q3 23:28) — (8:28) 5-G.Hartley 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 34 (Q3 18:58) — (3:58) 5-G.Hartley 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..
The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 11 (Q4 14:53) — (14:53) 3-M.Bryant 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 37 (Q4 4:29) — (4:29) 3-M.Bryant 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 17:49) — (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 25-W.Moore at ATL 43. 25-W.Moore to NO 41 for 16 yards (73-J.Evans).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 43-D.Sproles to ATL 3 for 2 yards (27-R.McClain; 56-S.Weatherspoon).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:55) — (8:55) 69-E.Olsen reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 28-T.DeCoud at ATL 0. Touchback.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:40) — (10:40) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at ATL 42 for -6 yards (55-J.Abraham).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 52:00) — (7:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston pushed ob at NO 44 for 15 yards (28-T.DeCoud).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 17:49) — (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 25-W.Moore at ATL 43. 25-W.Moore to NO 41 for 16 yards (73-J.Evans).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 39:52) — (9:52) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 29-C.Ivory INTERCEPTED by 56-S.Weatherspoon at NO 35. 56-S.Weatherspoon to NO 29 for 6 yards (29-C.Ivory).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 55:17) — (10:17) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 13-J.Morgan to ATL 40 for 38 yards (25-W.Moore).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:55) — (8:55) 69-E.Olsen reported in as eligible. 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 28-T.DeCoud at ATL 0. Touchback.
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 · 51.9% completion · -3.8% CPOE · -0.29 EPA/play · -15.77 total EPA
- M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · -6.0% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -5.16 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.171 | -0.093 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.1% | 35.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.292 | -0.152 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.106 | -0.181 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.093 | +0.171 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.5% | 55.9% |
By the numbers
Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.09 vs -0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, -7.05 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -15.86 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- T. Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- 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.
- Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:14 · NO 3 · Score 0-6
(11:14) 79-M.Johnson reported in as eligible. 33-M.Turner right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:09 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 44:14 · NO 17 · Score 0-13
(14:14) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 44:08 · NO 2 · Score 0-14
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 38:58 · NO 27 · Score 0-17
(8:58) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 33:25 · ATL 1 · Score 6-17
(3:25) 28-M.Ingram right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 33:17 · ATL 2 · Score 7-17
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 23:28 · ATL 3 · Score 10-17
(8:28) 5-G.Hartley 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 18:58 · ATL 34 · Score 13-17
(3:58) 5-G.Hartley 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 14:53 · NO 11 · Score 13-20
(14:53) 3-M.Bryant 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 4:29 · NO 37 · Score 13-23
(4:29) 3-M.Bryant 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 23-13 in Week 13, 2012 on 2012-11-29.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 13, Atlanta Falcons 23 (NO 13-23 ATL) in Week 13, 2012 on 2012-11-29.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 0, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 10; Q3: New Orleans Saints 6, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 0, Atlanta Falcons 6; Final: New Orleans Saints 13, Atlanta Falcons 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Atlanta Falcons touchdown — M. Turner (Q1 56:14) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 44:14) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Ingram (Q2 33:25) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 38:58, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q3 23:28, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q3 18:58, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 14:53, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 4:29, 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), 51.9% completion, -3.8% CPOE, -0.29 EPA per dropback, -15.77 total passing EPA. M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 52.9% completion, -6.0% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -5.16 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
T. Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons) led the game in total EPA with +6.40 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.49 EPA): (2:49) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 25-W.Moore at ATL 43. 25-W.Moore to NO 41 for 16 yards (73-J.Evans).. The biggest win-probability swing was -13.2%.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 5-6 Now 5-7 L
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 10-1 Now 11-1 W
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