New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 2016 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-10-02, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 35–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +5.39 total EPA, and +4.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.44 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (4:50) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 12-T.Benjamin to LAC 30 for 5 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NO-54-N.Stupar at LAC 31. 54-N.Stupar to LAC 31 for no gain (12-T.Benjamin).

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 · +8.44 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Inman · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +7.84 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
3. 3 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +5.39 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
4. 4 H. Henry · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Kuhn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Ingram · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.47 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
7. 7 W. Snead · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.62 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.62 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Kuhn · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.90 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.63 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 — M. Ingram (Q1 55:36)
• Los Angeles Chargers — H. Henry (P. Rivers pass) (Q1 46:15)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Kuhn (D. Brees pass) (Q2 39:24)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Inman (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 37:15)
• Los Angeles Chargers — M. Gordon (Q2 30:17)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Kuhn (Q3 24:04)
• Los Angeles Chargers — M. Gordon (Q4 12:19)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 4:55)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Kuhn (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• Los Angeles Chargers — J. Lambo (Q2 34:53)
• Los Angeles Chargers — J. Lambo (Q4 8:43)

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. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q1 55:36) — (10:36) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q1 55:32) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 20 (Q1 46:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 86-H.Henry for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 46:10) — 2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 17–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 4 (Q2 39:24) — (9:24) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 29-J.Kuhn for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q2 39:20) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 57 (Q2 37:15) — (7:15) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 15-D.Inman for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 37:04) — 2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the NO 12 (Q2 34:53) — (4:53) 2-J.Lambo 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q2 30:17) — (:17) 28-M.Gordon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 30:13) — 2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q3 24:04) — (9:04) 29-J.Kuhn up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 24:00) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–10. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 12:19) — (12:19) 28-M.Gordon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 12:15) — 2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the NO 29 (Q4 8:43) — (8:43) 2-J.Lambo 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 5 (Q4 4:55) — (4:55) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 4:50) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 29-J.Kuhn right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 1:57) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Turning points

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

• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 4:50) — (4:50) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 12-T.Benjamin to LAC 30 for 5 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NO-54-N.Stupar at LAC 31. 54-N.Stupar to LAC 31 for no gain (12-T.Benjamin). [WPA -16.8% · EPA -4.46]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 1:18) — (1:18) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right intended for 16-Ty.Williams INTERCEPTED by 28-B.Webb at LAC 38. 28-B.Webb to LAC 31 for 7 yards. [WPA -16.8% · EPA -2.32]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 37:15) — (7:15) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 15-D.Inman for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.52]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:13) — (12:13) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 83-W.Snead to LAC 23 for 23 yards (23-D.McCoil). [WPA +11.5% · EPA +2.62]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 1:31) — (1:31) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers FUMBLES (Aborted) at LAC 13, and recovers at LAC 13. 17-P.Rivers to LAC 13 for no gain (32-K.Vaccaro). Penalty on LAC-17-P.Rivers, Illegal Motion, declined. [WPA -11.4% · EPA -0.76]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:39) — (11:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 13-M.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Phillips at NO 48. 31-A.Phillips to NO 26 for 22 yards (13-M.Thomas). [WPA -6.8% · EPA -4.95]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 6:50) — (6:50) 28-M.Gordon right guard to LAC 13 for 3 yards (48-V.Bell). FUMBLES (48-V.Bell), RECOVERED by NO-55-D.Tapp at LAC 13. 55-D.Tapp to LAC 13 for no gain (73-S.Pulley). [WPA -5.3% · EPA -4.82]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 37:15) — (7:15) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 15-D.Inman for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.52]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 4:50) — (4:50) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 12-T.Benjamin to LAC 30 for 5 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NO-54-N.Stupar at LAC 31. 54-N.Stupar to LAC 31 for no gain (12-T.Benjamin). [WPA -16.8% · EPA -4.46]

Quarterback report card

P.Rivers led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 48 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · +4.6% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.39 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · -0.8% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +8.44 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints +0.01, Los Angeles Chargers -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Los Angeles Chargers: 13 drives, -2.63 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, +0.57 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.
• P. Rivers (LAC) 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. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 55:36 · LAC 1 · Score 6-0
   (10:36) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 55:32 · LAC 15 · Score 7-0
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 46:15 · NO 20 · Score 7-6
   (1:15) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 86-H.Henry for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 46:10 · NO 15 · Score 7-7
   2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 39:24 · LAC 4 · Score 13-7
   (9:24) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 29-J.Kuhn for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 39:20 · LAC 15 · Score 14-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
7. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 37:15 · NO 57 · Score 14-13
   (7:15) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 15-D.Inman for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 37:04 · NO 15 · Score 14-14
   2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
9. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 34:53 · NO 12 · Score 14-17
   (4:53) 2-J.Lambo 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
10. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 30:17 · NO 1 · Score 14-23
    (:17) 28-M.Gordon up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 30:13 · NO 15 · Score 14-24
    2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 24:04 · LAC 1 · Score 20-24
    (9:04) 29-J.Kuhn up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 24:00 · LAC 15 · Score 21-24
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
14. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 12:19 · NO 1 · Score 21-30
    (12:19) 28-M.Gordon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 12:15 · NO 15 · Score 21-31
    2-J.Lambo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
16. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 8:43 · NO 29 · Score 21-34
    (8:43) 2-J.Lambo 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 4:55 · LAC 5 · Score 27-34
    (4:55) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 4:50 · LAC 15 · Score 28-34
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
19. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · LAC 1 · Score 34-34
    (2:00) 29-J.Kuhn right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
20. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:57 · LAC 15 · Score 35-34
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.