New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2023 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-10-29, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 38–27 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

G.Minshew II (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +0.25 total EPA, and -10.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Carr (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.53 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (5:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep middle to 22-R.Shaheed for 58 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 D. Carr · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +13.53 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Shaheed · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +12.70 total EPA · 3 snaps · +4.23 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Downs · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +5.33 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.96 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Hill · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +4.37 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Pierce · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.84 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
7. 7 Z. Moss · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +2.82 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.55 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.36 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

• Indianapolis Colts — M. Pittman (G. Minshew pass) (Q1 52:02)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (D. Carr pass) (Q1 48:50)
• Indianapolis Colts — Z. Moss (Q2 41:42)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hill (Q2 37:35)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Shaheed (D. Carr pass) (Q2 35:50)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q3 15:12)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hill (Q4 10:53)
• Indianapolis Colts — A. Ogletree (G. Minshew pass) (Q4 8:29)

Field goals

• Indianapolis Colts — M. Gay (Q2 44:52)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Gay (Q2 30:26)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Grupe (Q4 0:28)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Grupe (Q4 0:24)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q1 52:02) — (7:02) (Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass short right to 11-M.Pittman for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 51:56) — 7-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the IND 18 (Q1 48:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short middle to 41-A.Kamara for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q1 48:44) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–13. Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the NO 2 (Q2 44:52) — (14:52) 7-M.Gay 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q2 41:42) — (11:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 21-Z.Moss up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 41:39) — 7-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the IND 20 (Q2 37:35); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 37:28) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the IND 58 (Q2 35:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep middle to 22-R.Shaheed for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 35:42) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.; Indianapolis Colts connected on a field goal from the NO 24 (Q2 30:26) — (:26) 7-M.Gay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the IND 16 (Q3 15:12) — (:12) 41-A.Kamara up the middle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 15:07) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q4 10:53); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q4 10:49) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the NO 33 (Q4 8:29) — (8:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass deep right to 85-A.Ogletree for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 8:19) — 7-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the IND 9 (Q4 0:28) — (:28) 19-B.Grupe 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q4 0:24) — 19-B.Grupe kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep middle to 22-R.Shaheed for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +5.24]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 19:02) — (4:02) (Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass deep right intended for 11-M.Pittman INTERCEPTED by 29-P.Adebo at NO 2. 29-P.Adebo to NO 29 for 27 yards (1-J.Downs). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -5.00]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 15:12) — (:12) 41-A.Kamara up the middle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +2.60]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 20:14) — (5:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 21-Z.Moss right tackle pushed ob at NO 37 for 41 yards (23-M.Lattimore). [WPA +11.1% · EPA +3.08]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q1 55:06) — (10:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Taylor left tackle to NO 19 for 42 yards (31-J.Howden; 56-D.Davis). [WPA +8.7% · EPA +2.64]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 35:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep middle to 22-R.Shaheed for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.8% · EPA +5.24]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 19:02) — (4:02) (Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass deep right intended for 11-M.Pittman INTERCEPTED by 29-P.Adebo at NO 2. 29-P.Adebo to NO 29 for 27 yards (1-J.Downs). [WPA -18.2% · EPA -5.00]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 44:25) — (14:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-D.Carr sacked at NO 23 for -6 yards (99-D.Buckner). FUMBLES (99-D.Buckner) [99-D.Buckner], touched at NO 25, RECOVERED by IND-54-D.Odeyingbo at NO 30. [WPA -7.6% · EPA -4.32]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:00) — (3:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep left to 22-R.Shaheed to IND 19 for 51 yards (38-T.Brown). [WPA +3.5% · EPA +4.31]

Quarterback report card

G.Minshew II led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• G.Minshew II (Indianapolis Colts) · 47 dropbacks · 48.9% completion · -10.0% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.25 total EPA
• D.Carr (New Orleans Saints) · 28 dropbacks · 67.9% completion · +6.0% CPOE · +0.48 EPA/play · +13.53 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 (+0.21 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Indianapolis Colts: 12 drives, +3.25 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +17.78 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.
• D. Carr (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• G.Minshew II (IND) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• D. Carr (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. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q1 52:02 · NO 10 · Score 0-6
   (7:02) (Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass short right to 11-M.Pittman for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q1 51:56 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
   7-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 48:50 · IND 18 · Score 6-7
   (3:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short middle to 41-A.Kamara for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 48:44 · IND 15 · Score 7-7
   19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
5. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 44:52 · NO 2 · Score 7-10
   (14:52) 7-M.Gay 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
6. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 41:42 · NO 1 · Score 7-16
   (11:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 21-Z.Moss up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 41:39 · NO 15 · Score 7-17
   7-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 37:35 · IND 20 · Score 13-17
   (7:35) (Shotgun) 67-L.Young reported in as eligible. 7-T.Hill up the middle for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. IND-44-Z.Franklin was injured during the play. His return i
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 37:28 · IND 15 · Score 14-17
   19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 35:50 · IND 58 · Score 20-17
    (5:50) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep middle to 22-R.Shaheed for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 35:42 · IND 15 · Score 21-17
    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
12. Indianapolis Colts FG (+3) — Q2 30:26 · NO 24 · Score 21-20
    (:26) 7-M.Gay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 15:12 · IND 16 · Score 27-20
    (:12) 41-A.Kamara up the middle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 15:07 · IND 15 · Score 28-20
    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
15. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 10:53 · IND 1 · Score 34-20
    (10:53) (Shotgun) 67-L.Young, 70-T.Penning and 99-K.Saunders reported in as eligible. 7-T.Hill left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. 7-T.Hill in at QB for NO.
16. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 10:49 · IND 15 · Score 35-20
    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
17. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 8:29 · NO 33 · Score 35-26
    (8:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-G.Minshew pass deep right to 85-A.Ogletree for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q4 8:19 · NO 15 · Score 35-27
    7-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-46-L.Rhodes, Holder-8-R.Sanchez.
19. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:28 · IND 9 · Score 38-27
    (:28) 19-B.Grupe 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
20. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:24 · NO 35 · Score 38-27
    19-B.Grupe kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback.