Game story
In Week 12 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-11-21, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 17–13 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +4.11 total EPA, and +9.2% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-22.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (13:17) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 13-D.Johnson to NO 20 for 2 yards (55-K.Dawson). FUMBLES (55-K.Dawson), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 13. 24-C.White to NO 13 for no gain (83-H.Douglas
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.94 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 2 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.95 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 3 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.44 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 4 H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.12 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 5 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +4.11 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 6 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.07 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 7 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.20 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 8 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.99 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Brees — NO · Passing
D. Brees posted the highest total EPA (+12.94) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.26 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Atlanta Falcons — S. Jackson
- New Orleans Saints — B. Watson (D. Brees pass)
- New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
- 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: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 53:51) — (8:51) 39-S.Jackson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 53:48) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 82-B.Watson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 46:17) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 21 (Q2 42:26) — (12:26) 3-M.Bryant 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 44 (Q2 40:21) — (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 40:12) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 6 (Q2 32:44) — (2:44) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q3 19:42) — (4:42) 5-G.Hartley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 13-D.Johnson to NO 20 for 2 yards (55-K.Dawson). FUMBLES (55-K.Dawson), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 13. 24-C.White to NO 13 for no gain (83-H.Douglas
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 40:21) — (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 21:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham pushed ob at ATL 27 for 35 yards (25-W.Moore).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:05) — (:05) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 83-H.Douglas to ATL 49 for 11 yards. 83-H.Douglas pass incomplete. PENALTY on ATL-83-H.Douglas, Illegal Forward Pass, 0 yards, enforced at ATL 49.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 40:21) — (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 13-D.Johnson to NO 20 for 2 yards (55-K.Dawson). FUMBLES (55-K.Dawson), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 13. 24-C.White to NO 13 for no gain (83-H.Douglas
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 21:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham pushed ob at ATL 27 for 35 yards (25-W.Moore).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Quarterback report card
M.Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 48 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +9.2% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +4.11 total EPA
- D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 35 dropbacks · 65.7% completion · +6.6% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +12.94 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.117 | +0.025 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.8% | 48.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.370 | +0.086 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.114 | -0.001 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.025 | -0.117 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.9% | 56.2% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs +0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Atlanta Falcons: 9 drives, +2.01 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +8.52 total EPA, 3 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.
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- D. Brees (NO) 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.
- Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 53:51 · NO 1 · Score 0-6
(8:51) 39-S.Jackson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 53:48 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 46:23 · ATL 1 · Score 6-7
(1:23) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 82-B.Watson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 46:17 · ATL 2 · Score 7-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 42:26 · NO 21 · Score 7-10
(12:26) 3-M.Bryant 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 40:21 · ATL 44 · Score 13-10
(10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 40:12 · ATL 2 · Score 14-10
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 32:44 · NO 6 · Score 14-13
(2:44) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 19:42 · ATL 23 · Score 17-13
(4:42) 5-G.Hartley 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 17-13 in Week 12, 2013 on 2013-11-21.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 13 (NO 17-13 ATL) in Week 12, 2013 on 2013-11-21.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 6; Q3: New Orleans Saints 3, Atlanta Falcons 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Atlanta Falcons touchdown — S. Jackson (Q1 53:51) New Orleans Saints touchdown — B. Watson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 46:23) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q2 40:21) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 42:26, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 32:44, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q3 19:42, 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?
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 62.5% completion, +9.2% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +4.11 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 65.7% completion, +6.6% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +12.94 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +12.94 on passing plays. across 35 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.26 EPA): (10:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -22.0%.
Was New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. New Orleans Saints won 17-13 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 8-2 Now 9-2 W
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 2-8 Now 2-9 L
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