New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions: 2020 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-10-04, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 35–29 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +9.87 total EPA, and -6.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.55 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+14.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 80-D.Amendola to NO 14 for 50 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson) [98-S.Rankins].

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 · +10.55 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +9.87 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.07 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.02 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Golladay · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.53 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
5. 5 L. Murray · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +6.48 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.06 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.29 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Amendola · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.88 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

• Detroit Lions — D. Swift (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 57:02)
• Detroit Lions — K. Golladay (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 55:29)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Murray (Q1 48:13)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q2 40:13)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q2 33:08)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:50)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Murray (Q3 23:58)
• Detroit Lions — T. Hockenson (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 19:24)
• Detroit Lions — A. Peterson (Q4 3:44)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q1 57:02) — (12:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 32-D.Swift for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 56:58) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q1 55:29) — (10:29) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 55:23) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q1 48:13) — (3:13) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 48:08) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 40:13) — (10:13) 68-D.Kelly reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 40:10) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 33:08) — (3:08) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 33:03) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 20 (Q2 30:50) — (:50) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-T.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 30:44) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q3 23:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 23:52) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 19:24) — (4:24) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 88-T.Hockenson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 19:19) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 8–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q4 3:44) — (3:44) 67-M.Nelson reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 3:40) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-M.Stafford pass to 88-T.Hockenson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 80-D.Amendola to NO 14 for 50 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson) [98-S.Rankins]. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.30]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 38:38) — (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Robinson at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -13.7% · EPA -6.23]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 41-A.Kamara to DET 14 for 29 yards (24-A.Oruwariye). NO-72-T.Armstead was injured during the play. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +4.85]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 56:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Roberts (71-D.Shelton) at NO 24. 29-D.Roberts to NO 18 for 6 yards (62-N.Easton). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.88]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 37:04) — (7:04) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-E.Sanders to DET 46 for 25 yards (26-D.Harmon). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +1.80]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q2 38:38) — (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Robinson at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -13.7% · EPA -6.23]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 56:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Roberts (71-D.Shelton) at NO 24. 29-D.Roberts to NO 18 for 6 yards (62-N.Easton). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.88]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 41-A.Kamara to DET 14 for 29 yards (24-A.Oruwariye). NO-72-T.Armstead was injured during the play. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +4.85]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 80-D.Amendola to NO 14 for 50 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson) [98-S.Rankins]. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.30]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · -6.4% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +9.87 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 27 dropbacks · 70.4% completion · +10.9% CPOE · +0.39 EPA/play · +10.55 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 (+0.19 vs +0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 9 drives, +6.25 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +16.04 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.
• 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. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 57:02 · NO 7 · Score 0-6
   (12:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 32-D.Swift for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 56:58 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 55:29 · NO 15 · Score 0-13
   (10:29) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 55:23 · NO 15 · Score 0-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 48:13 · DET 3 · Score 6-14
   (3:13) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 48:08 · DET 15 · Score 7-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 40:13 · DET 1 · Score 13-14
   (10:13) 68-D.Kelly reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 40:10 · DET 15 · Score 14-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 33:08 · DET 2 · Score 20-14
   (3:08) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 33:03 · DET 15 · Score 21-14
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:50 · DET 20 · Score 27-14
    (:50) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-T.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:44 · DET 15 · Score 28-14
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 23:58 · DET 6 · Score 34-14
    (8:58) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 23:52 · DET 15 · Score 35-14
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
15. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 19:24 · NO 1 · Score 35-20
    (4:24) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 88-T.Hockenson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 19:19 · NO 15 · Score 35-21
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
17. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 3:44 · NO 5 · Score 35-27
    (3:44) 67-M.Nelson reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q4 3:40 · NO 2 · Score 35-29
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-M.Stafford pass to 88-T.Hockenson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.