New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2014 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-09-07, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 37–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +17.21 total EPA, and +6.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.21 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+37.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (:04) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

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. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +17.21 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.99 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Hester · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.25 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
4. 4 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.76 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.39 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Smith · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.62 EPA/play
7. 7 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.93 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Ingram · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.04 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.23 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 — K. Robinson (Q2 41:51)
• Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 34:12)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:24)
• Atlanta Falcons — L. Toilolo (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 24:28)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Smith (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 15:34)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q4 8:53)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Rodgers (Q4 2:57)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q4 1:24)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q1 55:38)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q1 49:44)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 30:04)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 0:04)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (OT 13:22)

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 6–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 13 (Q1 55:38) — (10:38) 3-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 33 (Q1 49:44) — (4:44) 3-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–10. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q2 41:51) — (11:51) 98-P.Haralson reported in as eligible. 29-K.Robinson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 41:46) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 34:12) — (4:12) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 34:06) — 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 3 (Q2 30:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 10-B.Cooks for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:20) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 22 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 24:28) — (9:28) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 80-L.Toilolo for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 24:22) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 54 (Q3 15:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 15:21) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–10. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 8:46) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 17 (Q4 2:57) — (2:57) 32-J.Rodgers left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 2:50) — 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 3 (Q4 1:24) — (1:24) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 1:20) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 33 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Overtime: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 34 (OT 13:22) — (13:22) 3-M.Bryant 52 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.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. [WPA +37.0% · EPA +0.85]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 15:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.3% · EPA +4.62]
• Atlanta Falcons (OT 13:22) — (13:22) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. [WPA +22.1% · EPA +1.62]
• New Orleans Saints (OT 14:58) — (14:58) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston to NO 33 for 13 yards (25-W.Moore). FUMBLES (25-W.Moore), RECOVERED by ATL-59-J.Bartu at NO 38. 59-J.Bartu to NO 38 for no gain (23-P.Thom [WPA -21.6% · EPA -3.85]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to 12-M.Colston. PENALTY on ATL-23-R.Alford, Defensive Pass Interference, 24 yards, enforced at ATL 49 - No Play. [WPA +19.6% · EPA +1.59]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 18:01) — (3:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 27-R.McClain at ATL 0. Touchback. [WPA -15.7% · EPA -5.24]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 46:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-JulioJones to NO 5 for 20 yards (31-J.Byrd). FUMBLES (31-J.Byrd), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -15.2% · EPA -5.18]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 15:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.3% · EPA +4.62]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:00) — (5:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston ran ob at ATL 17 for 57 yards (20-D.Lowery). [WPA +13.4% · EPA +4.12]

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) · 49 dropbacks · 63.3% completion · +6.1% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +17.21 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 48 dropbacks · 60.4% completion · -0.3% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +12.99 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints +0.22, Atlanta Falcons +0.21) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +19.00 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +20.00 total EPA, 6 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) 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.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 55:38 · ATL 13 · Score 3-0
   (10:38) 3-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
2. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 49:44 · ATL 33 · Score 6-0
   (4:44) 3-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 41:51 · ATL 2 · Score 12-0
   (11:51) 98-P.Haralson reported in as eligible. 29-K.Robinson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 41:46 · ATL 2 · Score 13-0
   3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 34:12 · NO 2 · Score 13-6
   (4:12) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 34:06 · NO 2 · Score 13-7
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:24 · ATL 3 · Score 19-7
   (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 10-B.Cooks for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:20 · ATL 2 · Score 20-7
   3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
9. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · NO 22 · Score 20-10
   (:04) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
10. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 24:28 · NO 1 · Score 20-16
    (9:28) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 80-L.Toilolo for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 24:22 · NO 2 · Score 20-17
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 15:34 · NO 54 · Score 20-23
    (:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 15:21 · NO 2 · Score 20-24
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:53 · ATL 3 · Score 26-24
    (8:53) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 8:46 · ATL 2 · Score 27-24
    3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
16. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 2:57 · NO 17 · Score 27-30
    (2:57) 32-J.Rodgers left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 2:50 · NO 2 · Score 27-31
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
18. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:24 · ATL 3 · Score 33-31
    (1:24) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:20 · ATL 2 · Score 34-31
    3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
20. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · NO 33 · Score 34-34
    (:04) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
21. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — OT 13:22 · NO 34 · Score 34-37
    (13:22) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.