New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers: 2011 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-09-08, the Green Bay Packers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 42–34 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +15.24 total EPA, and +3.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.56 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Green Bay Packers changed the game: (8:55) 8-T.Masthay punts 52 yards to NO 28, Center-61-B.Goode. 43-D.Sproles for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 A. Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +19.56 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +15.24 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3. 3 G. Jennings · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +10.10 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.78 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Nelson · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +6.00 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.21 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.21 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Finley · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +4.12 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.03 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

• Green Bay Packers — G. Jennings (A. Rodgers pass) (Q1 55:12)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Nelson (A. Rodgers pass) (Q1 51:29)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q1 48:37)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Cobb (A. Rodgers pass) (Q1 45:19)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Sproles (Q2 38:55)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Starks (Q2 32:05)
• Green Bay Packers — R. Cobb (Q3 23:40)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q3 22:00)
• Green Bay Packers — J. Kuhn (Q4 11:52)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q4 2:20)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Kasay (Q2 39:44)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Kasay (Q3 23:45)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 21–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q1 55:12) — (10:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 85-G.Jennings for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 55:08) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q1 51:29) — (6:29) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 87-J.Nelson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 51:24) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 31 (Q1 48:37) — (3:37) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q1 48:31) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 32 (Q1 45:19) — (:19) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 45:11) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 12 (Q2 39:44) — (9:44) 2-J.Kasay 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 80 (Q2 38:55) — (8:55) 8-T.Masthay punts 52 yards to NO 28, Center-61-B.Goode. 43-D.Sproles for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 38:37) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 17 (Q2 32:05) — (2:05) 44-J.Starks left end for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 31:59) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 20 (Q3 23:45) — (8:45) 2-J.Kasay 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 35 (Q3 23:40) — 6-T.Morstead kicks 73 yards from NO 35 to GB -8. 18-R.Cobb for 108 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 23:26) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 29 (Q3 22:00) — (7:00) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 19-D.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 21:54) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 11:52) — (11:52) 30-J.Kuhn up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 11:50) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 5 (Q4 2:20) — (2:20) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q4 2:15) — 2-J.Kasay 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.

• Green Bay Packers (Q2 38:55) — (8:55) 8-T.Masthay punts 52 yards to NO 28, Center-61-B.Goode. 43-D.Sproles for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.8% · EPA -5.60]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:00) — (:00) 71-C.Brown reported in as eligible. 28-M.Ingram right guard to GB 1 for no gain (52-C.Matthews; 42-M.Burnett). [WPA -11.0% · EPA -3.84]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 54:37) — (9:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston to NO 35 for 12 yards (36-N.Collins). FUMBLES (36-N.Collins), RECOVERED by GB-38-T.Williams at NO 36. 38-T.Williams to NO 36 for no gain (5 [WPA -8.8% · EPA -3.49]
• Green Bay Packers (Q1 57:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep left to 87-J.Nelson to NO 13 for 36 yards (21-P.Robinson). [WPA +8.4% · EPA +2.11]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 48:37) — (3:37) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +3.84]

Impact plays

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

• Green Bay Packers (Q3 23:40) — 6-T.Morstead kicks 73 yards from NO 35 to GB -8. 18-R.Cobb for 108 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +6.17]
• Green Bay Packers (Q2 38:55) — (8:55) 8-T.Masthay punts 52 yards to NO 28, Center-61-B.Goode. 43-D.Sproles for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.8% · EPA -5.60]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 48:37) — (3:37) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +3.84]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:00) — (:00) 71-C.Brown reported in as eligible. 28-M.Ingram right guard to GB 1 for no gain (52-C.Matthews; 42-M.Burnett). [WPA -11.0% · EPA -3.84]

Quarterback report card

D.Brees led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 55 dropbacks · 58.2% completion · +3.7% CPOE · +0.28 EPA/play · +15.24 total EPA
• A.Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 39 dropbacks · 69.2% completion · +17.6% CPOE · +0.50 EPA/play · +19.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Green Bay Packers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.25 vs +0.19), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Green Bay Packers: 11 drives, +21.88 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +17.23 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Green Bay Packers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• A. Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Brees (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• A. Rodgers (GB) 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. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 55:12 · NO 7 · Score 0-6
   (10:12) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 85-G.Jennings for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 55:08 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
3. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 51:29 · NO 3 · Score 0-13
   (6:29) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 87-J.Nelson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 51:24 · NO 2 · Score 0-14
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 48:37 · GB 31 · Score 6-14
   (3:37) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 48:31 · GB 2 · Score 7-14
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
7. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 45:19 · NO 32 · Score 7-20
   (:19) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 45:11 · NO 2 · Score 7-21
   2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
9. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 39:44 · GB 12 · Score 10-21
   (9:44) 2-J.Kasay 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 38:55 · NO 80 · Score 16-21
    (8:55) 8-T.Masthay punts 52 yards to NO 28, Center-61-B.Goode. 43-D.Sproles for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 38:37 · GB 2 · Score 17-21
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
12. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 32:05 · NO 17 · Score 17-27
    (2:05) 44-J.Starks left end for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 31:59 · NO 2 · Score 17-28
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
14. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 23:45 · GB 20 · Score 20-28
    (8:45) 2-J.Kasay 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
15. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q3 23:40 · NO 35 · Score 20-34
    6-T.Morstead kicks 73 yards from NO 35 to GB -8. 18-R.Cobb for 108 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q3 23:26 · NO 2 · Score 20-35
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 22:00 · GB 29 · Score 26-35
    (7:00) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 19-D.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 21:54 · GB 2 · Score 27-35
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
19. Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 11:52 · NO 1 · Score 27-41
    (11:52) 30-J.Kuhn up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 11:50 · NO 2 · Score 27-42
    2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
21. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:20 · GB 5 · Score 33-42
    (2:20) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
22. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 2:15 · GB 2 · Score 34-42
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.