New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2010 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2010 NFL season on 2010-11-25, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, pulling away with a 30–27 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Kitna (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +5.53 total EPA, and +0.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.17 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+33.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (2:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem to DAL 12 for 55 yards (41-T.Newman). Pass complete on GO pattern.

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. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.17 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.87 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +6.40 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Witten · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +6.22 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Kitna · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +5.53 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Rushing · +4.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.67 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.03 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.03 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Ivory · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.25 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.46 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 (Q1 58:15)
• New Orleans Saints — C. Ivory (Q1 49:38)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Austin (Q3 29:14)
• Dallas Cowboys — M. Barber (Q3 19:35)
• Dallas Cowboys — T. Choice (Q4 5:56)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q1 54:11)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q2 35:17)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 30:47)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Buehler (Q2 30:05)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q3 24:32)

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 17–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DAL 3 (Q1 58:15) — (13:15) 29-C.Ivory up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 58:09) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DAL 32 (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DAL 6 (Q1 49:38) — (4:38) 29-C.Ivory up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q1 49:33) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The second quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 6–3. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NO 3 (Q2 35:17) — (5:17) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DAL 27 (Q2 30:47) — (:47) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the NO 36 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The third quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 14–3. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NO 60 (Q3 29:14) — (14:14) 19-M.Austin left end for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. End around.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 29:01) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the DAL 10 (Q3 24:32) — (9:32) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 19:35) — (4:35) 24-M.Barber up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 19:30) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 5:56) — (5:56) 23-T.Choice up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 5:51) — 18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DAL 12 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on quick slant; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 1:55) — 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 2:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem to DAL 12 for 55 yards (41-T.Newman). Pass complete on GO pattern. [WPA +33.2% · EPA +4.03]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:31) — (:31) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 59 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -0.95]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:09) — (10:09) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 80-J.Graham INTERCEPTED by 43-G.Sensabaugh at NO 49. 43-G.Sensabaugh ran ob at NO 39 for 10 yards (78-J.Stinchcomb). Return left side of the f [WPA -17.7% · EPA -2.98]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 22:43) — (7:43) (Punt formation) 1-M.McBriar punts 59 yards to NO 15, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 25-R.Bush to NO 20 for 5 yards (16-J.Holley). FUMBLES (16-J.Holley), RECOVERED by DAL-52-L.Williams at NO 15. 52-L.W [WPA +16.4% · EPA +6.49]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 58:55) — (13:55) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson to DAL 7 for 57 yards (20-A.Ball). Penalty on DAL-20-A.Ball, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass complete off play action. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.38]

Impact plays

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

• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 22:43) — (7:43) (Punt formation) 1-M.McBriar punts 59 yards to NO 15, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 25-R.Bush to NO 20 for 5 yards (16-J.Holley). FUMBLES (16-J.Holley), RECOVERED by DAL-52-L.Williams at NO 15. 52-L.W [WPA +16.4% · EPA +6.49]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 55:52) — (10:52) (Shotgun) 3-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 88-D.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 91-W.Smith at DAL 36. 91-W.Smith to DAL 32 for 4 yards (88-D.Bryant). FUMBLES (88-D.Bryant), recovered by NO-22-T.Po [WPA -9.9% · EPA -5.59]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q3 29:14) — (14:14) 19-M.Austin left end for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. End around. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +4.67]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 58:55) — (13:55) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson to DAL 7 for 57 yards (20-A.Ball). Penalty on DAL-20-A.Ball, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass complete off play action. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.38]

Quarterback report card

J.Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Kitna (Dallas Cowboys) · 47 dropbacks · 63.8% completion · +0.5% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +5.53 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 44 dropbacks · 52.3% completion · +1.5% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +6.40 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 (+0.17 vs +0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Dallas Cowboys: 12 drives, +6.82 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +13.63 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.
• M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

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

1. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 58:15 · DAL 3 · Score 6-0
   (13:15) 29-C.Ivory up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 58:09 · DAL 2 · Score 7-0
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 54:11 · DAL 32 · Score 10-0
   (9:11) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
4. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 49:38 · DAL 6 · Score 16-0
   (4:38) 29-C.Ivory up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 49:33 · DAL 2 · Score 17-0
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
6. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 35:17 · NO 3 · Score 17-3
   (5:17) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:47 · DAL 27 · Score 20-3
   (:47) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
8. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · NO 36 · Score 20-6
   (:05) (Field Goal formation) 18-D.Buehler 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
9. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 29:14 · NO 60 · Score 20-12
   (14:14) 19-M.Austin left end for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. End around.
10. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 29:01 · NO 2 · Score 20-13
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
11. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 24:32 · DAL 10 · Score 23-13
    (9:32) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
12. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 19:35 · NO 1 · Score 23-19
    (4:35) 24-M.Barber up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 19:30 · NO 2 · Score 23-20
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
14. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 5:56 · NO 1 · Score 23-26
    (5:56) 23-T.Choice up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 5:51 · NO 2 · Score 23-27
    18-D.Buehler extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-1-M.McBriar.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · DAL 12 · Score 29-27
    (2:00) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on quick slant
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:55 · DAL 2 · Score 30-27
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.