Game story
In Week 3 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-09-26, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 28–25 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with +2.96 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.20 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+30.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Rams changed the game: (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 28 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 7 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 25 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +11.20 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 2 I. Bruce · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +10.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
- 3 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.35 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
- 4 D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.18 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 5 J. Pathon · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.18 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
- 6 D. Looker · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
- 7 M. Bulger · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +3.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.67 EPA/play
- 8 T. Holt · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.61 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Brooks — NO · Passing
A. Brooks posted the highest total EPA (+11.20) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 45 counted snaps, they averaged +0.25 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.79 EPA) came from New Orleans Saints: (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Rams — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass)
- New Orleans Saints — A. Stecker
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Faulk
- New Orleans Saints — J. Horn (A. Brooks pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Bulger
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Los Angeles Rams — J. Wilkins
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 32 (Q1 53:06) — (8:06) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 52:58) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 34 (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) 3-J.Carney 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q2 41:13) — (11:13) 14-J.Wilkins 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 42 (Q2 37:54) — (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q2 37:46) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 35 (Q2 31:06) — (1:06) 3-J.Carney 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 22 (Q3 20:20) — (5:20) 3-J.Carney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 15–9. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q4 13:38) — (13:38) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 13:34) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 9 (Q4 8:30) — (8:30) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NO 19 (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 0:28); New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 20 (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..
Overtime: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 13 (OT 7:59) — (7:59) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Rams (OT 12:54) — (12:54) 28-M.Faulk right guard to LA 45 for 4 yards (59-D.Rodgers).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) 3-J.Carney 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 1:02) — (1:02) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce to NO 25 for 18 yards (33-A.Ambrose).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 8:30) — (8:30) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 37:54) — (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 49:01) — (4:01) 10-M.Bulger sacked at NO 25 for 0 yards (93-D.Howard). FUMBLES (93-D.Howard), RECOVERED by NO-33-A.Ambrose at NO 17. 33-A.Ambrose to NO 17 for no gain (28-M.Faulk).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 56:05) — (11:05) 32-K.Carter right guard to LA 34 for no gain (79-R.Pickett, 91-L.Little).
Quarterback report card
M.Bulger led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) · 56 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +0.05 EPA/play · +2.96 total EPA
- A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 45 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · +0.25 EPA/play · +11.20 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.162 | +0.070 |
| Offensive success rate | 45.7% | 41.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.215 | +0.116 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.002 | +0.164 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.070 | -0.162 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.9% | 54.3% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Los Angeles Rams: 13 drives, +6.64 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +15.26 total EPA, 7 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.
- A. Brooks (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.
- Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 53:06 · NO 32 · Score 0-6
(8:06) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 52:58 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 44:55 · LA 34 · Score 3-7
(14:55) 3-J.Carney 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 41:13 · NO 35 · Score 3-10
(11:13) 14-J.Wilkins 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 37:54 · LA 42 · Score 9-10
(7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 37:46 · LA 2 · Score 10-10
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 31:06 · LA 35 · Score 13-10
(1:06) 3-J.Carney 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 20:20 · LA 22 · Score 16-10
(5:20) 3-J.Carney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 13:38 · NO 3 · Score 16-16
(13:38) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 13:34 · NO 2 · Score 16-17
14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:30 · LA 9 · Score 22-17
(8:30) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 0:36 · NO 19 · Score 22-23
(:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams Safety (+2) — Q4 0:28 · NO 2 · Score 22-25
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Bulger pass to 83-K.Curtis is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · LA 20 · Score 25-25
(:07) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — OT 7:59 · LA 13 · Score 28-25
(7:59) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-25 in Week 3, 2004 on 2004-09-26.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 28, Los Angeles Rams 25 (NO 28-25 LA) in Week 3, 2004 on 2004-09-26.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 0, Los Angeles Rams 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 13, Los Angeles Rams 3; Q3: New Orleans Saints 3, Los Angeles Rams 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 9, Los Angeles Rams 15; Q5: New Orleans Saints 3, Los Angeles Rams 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 28, Los Angeles Rams 25.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams?
Los Angeles Rams touchdown — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass) (Q1 53:06) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Stecker (Q2 37:54) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — M. Faulk (Q4 13:38) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Horn (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 8:30) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — M. Bulger (Q4 0:36) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 44:55, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 41:13, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 31:06, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 20:20, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q4 0:07, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (OT 7:59, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams?
M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams), 57.1% completion, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +2.96 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 53.3% completion, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +11.20 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams?
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +11.20 on passing plays. across 45 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.79 EPA): (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +30.4%.
Was New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Rams a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. New Orleans Saints won 28-25 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
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