New Orleans Saints vs. Buffalo Bills: 2009 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-09-27, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 27–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Edwards (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with -11.12 total EPA, and -1.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.73 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+19.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (6:23) 6-T.Morstead punts 49 yards to BUF 33, Center-57-J.Kyle. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 33 for no gain (27-M.Jenkins). FUMBLES (27-M.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-27-M.Jenkins at BUF 32. 27-M.Jenkins to BUF 3

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 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +8.73 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.12 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Reed · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.98 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Moorman · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +4.80 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.80 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Denney · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.80 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.80 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Hamilton · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.93 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.39 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 — L. Hamilton (Q1 55:07)
• Buffalo Bills — R. Denney (B. Moorman pass) (Q2 44:56)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q4 9:55)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q4 2:10)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 34:20)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q4 3:25)

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 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 30-L.Hamilton up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 55:04) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the NO 25 (Q2 44:56) — (14:56) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.Moorman pass deep left to 92-R.Denney for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught along sideline at NO 6.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 44:48) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the BUF 9 (Q2 34:20) — (4:20) 3-J.Carney 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 17–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 34 (Q4 9:55) — (9:55) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: H.Evans.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 9:45) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the BUF 17 (Q4 3:25) — (3:25) 3-J.Carney 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 19 (Q4 2:10) — (2:10) 23-P.Thomas right tackle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 2:03) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 36:23) — (6:23) 6-T.Morstead punts 49 yards to BUF 33, Center-57-J.Kyle. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 33 for no gain (27-M.Jenkins). FUMBLES (27-M.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-27-M.Jenkins at BUF 32. 27-M.Jenkins to BUF 3 [WPA +19.7% · EPA +5.35]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 17:19) — (2:19) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 91-W.Smith (32-J.Greer) at NO 23. 91-W.Smith to NO 23 for no gain (63-G.Hangartner). Receiver and orginal tip at B [WPA -18.8% · EPA -3.77]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 44:56) — (14:56) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.Moorman pass deep left to 92-R.Denney for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught along sideline at NO 6. [WPA +16.4% · EPA +4.80]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 41:57) — (11:57) 9-D.Brees sacked at BUF 38 for -6 yards (94-A.Schobel). FUMBLES (94-A.Schobel), RECOVERED by BUF-94-A.Schobel at BUF 38. [WPA -16.4% · EPA -5.38]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2) — End of half - 5:31 pm [WPA +11.0% · EPA -1.63]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 41:57) — (11:57) 9-D.Brees sacked at BUF 38 for -6 yards (94-A.Schobel). FUMBLES (94-A.Schobel), RECOVERED by BUF-94-A.Schobel at BUF 38. [WPA -16.4% · EPA -5.38]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 36:23) — (6:23) 6-T.Morstead punts 49 yards to BUF 33, Center-57-J.Kyle. 11-R.Parrish to BUF 33 for no gain (27-M.Jenkins). FUMBLES (27-M.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-27-M.Jenkins at BUF 32. 27-M.Jenkins to BUF 3 [WPA +19.7% · EPA +5.35]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 44:56) — (14:56) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.Moorman pass deep left to 92-R.Denney for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught along sideline at NO 6. [WPA +16.4% · EPA +4.80]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 17:19) — (2:19) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short middle intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 91-W.Smith (32-J.Greer) at NO 23. 91-W.Smith to NO 23 for no gain (63-G.Hangartner). Receiver and orginal tip at B [WPA -18.8% · EPA -3.77]

Quarterback report card

T.Edwards led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Edwards (Buffalo Bills) · 42 dropbacks · 47.6% completion · -1.2% CPOE · -0.26 EPA/play · -11.12 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 34 dropbacks · 47.1% completion · -5.7% CPOE · -0.20 EPA/play · -6.86 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 (+0.14 vs -0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Buffalo Bills: 12 drives, -11.05 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, +12.40 total EPA, 5 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.
• P. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) 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.

Every scoring play

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

1. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 55:07 · BUF 1 · Score 6-0
   (10:07) 30-L.Hamilton up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 55:04 · BUF 2 · Score 7-0
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
3. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 44:56 · NO 25 · Score 7-6
   (14:56) (Field Goal formation) 8-B.Moorman pass deep left to 92-R.Denney for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught along sideline at NO 6.
4. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 44:48 · NO 2 · Score 7-7
   9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
5. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 34:20 · BUF 9 · Score 10-7
   (4:20) 3-J.Carney 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 9:55 · BUF 34 · Score 16-7
   (9:55) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: H.Evans.
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 9:45 · BUF 2 · Score 17-7
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
8. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 3:25 · BUF 17 · Score 20-7
   (3:25) 3-J.Carney 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:10 · BUF 19 · Score 26-7
   (2:10) 23-P.Thomas right tackle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 2:03 · BUF 2 · Score 27-7
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.