New Orleans Saints vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 2010 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-12-05, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals, pulling away with a 34–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 32 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with +11.43 total EPA, and +6.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.01 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+20.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (3:06) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem to CIN 15 for 42 yards (41-C.Ndukwe).

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 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.01 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Palmer · Cincinnati Bengals · Passing · +11.43 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.98 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.99 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Ivory · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +7.83 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Ochocinco · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +5.94 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Gresham · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +4.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.76 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.42 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.47 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 — C. Ivory (Q2 42:11)
• New Orleans Saints — C. Ivory (Q3 24:08)
• Cincinnati Bengals — T. Owens (C. Palmer pass) (Q3 19:00)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Benson (Q4 13:42)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q4 12:21)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Benson (Q4 8:11)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q4 0:34)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q1 53:49)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Stitser (Q2 43:07)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Stitser (Q2 39:45)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 30:17)
• Cincinnati Bengals — C. Stitser (Q4 4:30)

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 CIN 30 (Q1 53:49) — (8:49) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–6. Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the NO 11 (Q2 43:07) — (13:07) 3-C.Stitser 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CIN 55 (Q2 42:11) — (12:11) 29-C.Ivory left guard for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q2 42:02) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the NO 5 (Q2 39:45) — (9:45) 3-C.Stitser 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CIN 6 (Q2 30:17) — (:17) 5-G.Hartley 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–6. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q3 24:08) — (9:08) 29-C.Ivory up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q3 24:06) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q3 19:00) — (4:00) 9-C.Palmer pass short left to 81-T.Owens for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 18–14. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 13:42) — (13:42) 32-C.Benson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 13:38) — 3-C.Stitser extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CIN 52 (Q4 12:21) — (12:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 12:13) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q4 8:11) — (8:11) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 8:08) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-C.Palmer pass to 84-J.Gresham is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the NO 29 (Q4 4:30) — (4:30) 3-C.Stitser 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CIN 3 (Q4 0:34) — (:34) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q4 0:31) — 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 3:06) — (3:06) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem to CIN 15 for 42 yards (41-C.Ndukwe). [WPA +20.5% · EPA +2.82]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 0:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer sacked at CIN 47 for -16 yards (41-R.Harper). [WPA -19.8% · EPA -1.12]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:34) — (:34) (Pass formation) PENALTY on CIN-90-P.Sims, Neutral Zone Infraction, 4 yards, enforced at CIN 7 - No Play. [WPA +19.8% · EPA +2.88]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:21) — (12:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +4.94]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:34) — (:34) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.8% · EPA +1.39]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:11) — (12:11) 29-C.Ivory left guard for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.06]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:21) — (12:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +4.94]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 31:28) — (1:28) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 80-J.Graham to CIN 12 for 52 yards (20-R.Nelson). [WPA +9.7% · EPA +3.34]
• Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 21:33) — (6:33) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 85-C.Ochocinco pushed ob at NO 16 for 33 yards (33-J.Greer; 42-D.Sharper). [WPA +7.2% · EPA +3.24]

Quarterback report card

C.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) · 39 dropbacks · 59.0% completion · +6.8% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +11.43 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 32 dropbacks · 75.0% completion · +25.6% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +12.01 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 (+0.31 vs +0.20), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Cincinnati Bengals: 11 drives, +17.70 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +23.23 total EPA, 6 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.
• C. Palmer (CIN) 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.

1. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 53:49 · CIN 30 · Score 3-0
   (8:49) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
2. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 43:07 · NO 11 · Score 3-3
   (13:07) 3-C.Stitser 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 42:11 · CIN 55 · Score 9-3
   (12:11) 29-C.Ivory left guard for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 42:02 · CIN 2 · Score 10-3
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
5. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q2 39:45 · NO 5 · Score 10-6
   (9:45) 3-C.Stitser 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
6. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:17 · CIN 6 · Score 13-6
   (:17) 5-G.Hartley 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:08 · CIN 1 · Score 19-6
   (9:08) 29-C.Ivory up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:06 · CIN 2 · Score 20-6
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
9. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q3 19:00 · NO 5 · Score 20-12
   (4:00) 9-C.Palmer pass short left to 81-T.Owens for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 13:42 · NO 1 · Score 20-18
    (13:42) 32-C.Benson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 13:38 · NO 2 · Score 20-19
    3-C.Stitser extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:21 · CIN 52 · Score 26-19
    (12:21) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 12:13 · CIN 2 · Score 27-19
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
14. Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 8:11 · NO 4 · Score 27-25
    (8:11) 32-C.Benson right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Cincinnati Bengals Safety (+2) — Q4 8:08 · NO 2 · Score 27-27
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-C.Palmer pass to 84-J.Gresham is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
16. Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q4 4:30 · NO 29 · Score 27-30
    (4:30) 3-C.Stitser 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Harris, Holder-10-K.Huber.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 0:34 · CIN 3 · Score 33-30
    (:34) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 0:31 · CIN 2 · Score 34-30
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.