New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins: 2009 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-10-25, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 46–34 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -8.29 total EPA, and -3.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Shockey (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.35 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+13.3% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (:59) 7-C.Henne pass short left to 82-B.Hartline to NO 4 for 67 yards (22-T.Porter).

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 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.35 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Williams · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +4.78 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.25 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.13 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Hartline · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.84 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Bell · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.65 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
6. 6 L. Polite · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +1.60 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Bush · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.21 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.21 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

• Miami Dolphins — R. Williams (Q1 52:25)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Williams (Q1 49:58)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Brown (Q2 39:02)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Brees (Q2 30:05)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Sharper (Q3 29:10)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q3 16:15)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Williams (Q3 15:07)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Bush (Q4 13:33)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Brees (Q4 8:38)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Porter (Q4 2:06)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q1 50:10)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q2 41:25)
• Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q3 21:04)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q4 3:27)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–3. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q1 52:25) — (7:25) Direct Snap to #34 R.Williams (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 52:20) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIA 28 (Q1 50:10) — (5:10) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Carney 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NO 68 (Q1 49:58) — (4:58) 34-R.Williams left end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 49:47) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–7. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NO 14 (Q2 41:25) — (11:25) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q2 39:02) — (9:02) New QB #6 P.White (Shotgun) 23-R.Brown right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 38:55) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 30:02) — (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–10. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 84 (Q3 29:10); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 28:56) — (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NO 15 (Q3 21:04) — (6:04) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIA 10 (Q3 16:15) — (1:15) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q3 16:09) — (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q3 15:07) — (:07) Direct Snap to #34 R.Williams (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 15:03) — (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 22–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIA 10 (Q4 13:33) — (13:33) 25-R.Bush left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-52-C.Crowder, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 13:23) — (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIA 2 (Q4 3:27) — (3:27) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Carney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 59 (Q4 2:06).

Turning points

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q3 15:59) — (:59) 7-C.Henne pass short left to 82-B.Hartline to NO 4 for 67 yards (22-T.Porter). [WPA +13.3% · EPA +4.97]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 88-J.Shockey to MIA 13 for 66 yards (28-G.Wilson). [WPA +12.8% · EPA +4.42]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 29:10) — (14:10) 7-C.Henne pass deep left intended for 19-T.Ginn INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper (22-T.Porter) at MIA 42. 42-D.Sharper for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Miami challenged the touchback ruling, and the play w [WPA -10.7% · EPA -5.74]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 26:44) — (11:44) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson to MIA 25 for 37 yards (29-T.Culver). [WPA +9.7% · EPA +3.74]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 49:58) — (4:58) 34-R.Williams left end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +5.70]

Impact plays

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q4 2:06) — (2:06) 7-C.Henne pass short left intended for 83-G.Camarillo INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter at NO 46. 22-T.Porter for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA, Illegal Shift, declined. [WPA -9.3% · EPA -6.78]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 29:10) — (14:10) 7-C.Henne pass deep left intended for 19-T.Ginn INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper (22-T.Porter) at MIA 42. 42-D.Sharper for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Miami challenged the touchback ruling, and the play w [WPA -10.7% · EPA -5.74]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 49:58) — (4:58) 34-R.Williams left end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +5.70]
• Miami Dolphins (Q3 15:59) — (:59) 7-C.Henne pass short left to 82-B.Hartline to NO 4 for 67 yards (22-T.Porter). [WPA +13.3% · EPA +4.97]

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) · 44 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -3.7% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -8.29 total EPA
• C.Henne (Miami Dolphins) · 39 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · -9.6% CPOE · -0.47 EPA/play · -18.26 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 (+0.02 vs -0.13), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Miami Dolphins: 17 drives, -12.95 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 16 drives, +1.49 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.
• J. Shockey (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• C. Henne (MIA) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 52:25 · NO 4 · Score 0-6
   (7:25) Direct Snap to #34 R.Williams (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 52:20 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
   (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 50:10 · MIA 28 · Score 3-7
   (5:10) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Carney 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
4. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 49:58 · NO 68 · Score 3-13
   (4:58) 34-R.Williams left end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 49:47 · NO 2 · Score 3-14
   (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
6. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 41:25 · NO 14 · Score 3-17
   (11:25) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
7. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 39:02 · NO 8 · Score 3-23
   (9:02) New QB #6 P.White (Shotgun) 23-R.Brown right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 38:55 · NO 2 · Score 3-24
   (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:05 · MIA 1 · Score 9-24
   (:05) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:02 · MIA 2 · Score 10-24
    (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 29:10 · NO 84 · Score 16-24
    (14:10) 7-C.Henne pass deep left intended for 19-T.Ginn INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper (22-T.Porter) at MIA 42. 42-D.Sharper for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Miami challen
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 28:56 · MIA 2 · Score 17-24
    (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
13. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q3 21:04 · NO 15 · Score 17-27
    (6:04) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Carpenter 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 16:15 · MIA 10 · Score 23-27
    (1:15) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 16:09 · MIA 2 · Score 24-27
    (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
16. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 15:07 · NO 4 · Score 24-33
    (:07) Direct Snap to #34 R.Williams (Shotgun) 34-R.Williams left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 15:03 · NO 2 · Score 24-34
    (Kick formation) 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
18. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 13:33 · MIA 10 · Score 30-34
    (13:33) 25-R.Bush left end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-52-C.Crowder, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
19. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 13:23 · MIA 2 · Score 31-34
    (Kick formation) 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
20. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:38 · MIA 2 · Score 37-34
    (8:38) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 3:27 · MIA 2 · Score 40-34
    (3:27) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Carney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
22. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:06 · NO 59 · Score 46-34
    (2:06) 7-C.Henne pass short left intended for 83-G.Camarillo INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter at NO 46. 22-T.Porter for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on MIA, Illegal S