New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2013 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2013 NFL season on 2014-01-04, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 26–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

N. Foles (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +4.14 total EPA, and +8.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+25.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (:03) 3-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.

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 R. Cooper · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.28 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
2. 2 N. Foles · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +4.14 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
3. 3 Z. Ertz · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.73 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Ingram · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.52 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Jackson · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +1.99 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.48 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — R. Cooper (N. Foles pass) (Q2 31:55)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q3 25:16)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q3 18:59)
• Philadelphia Eagles — L. McCoy (Q3 15:35)
• Philadelphia Eagles — Z. Ertz (N. Foles pass) (Q4 4:58)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q2 38:41)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q2 30:03)
• Philadelphia Eagles — A. Henery (Q4 11:17)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q4 8:09)
• New Orleans Saints — S. Graham (Q4 0:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–6. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 19 (Q2 38:41) — (8:41) 3-S.Graham 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q2 31:55) — (1:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left to 14-R.Cooper for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 31:48) — 6-A.Henery extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 28 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 3-S.Graham 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PHI 24 (Q3 25:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q3 25:08) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PHI 4 (Q3 18:59) — (3:59) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q3 18:54) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 15:35) — (:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-L.McCoy up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 15:32) — 6-A.Henery extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–6. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the NO 12 (Q4 11:17) — (11:17) 6-A.Henery 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 17 (Q4 8:09) — (8:09) 3-S.Graham 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q4 4:58) — (4:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short right to 86-Z.Ertz for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 4:54) — 6-A.Henery extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 14 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 3-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 3-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown. [WPA +25.1% · EPA +0.27]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 5:47) — (5:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass incomplete deep right to 10-D.Jackson. PENALTY on NO-24-C.White, Defensive Pass Interference, 40 yards, enforced at NO 43 - No Play. [WPA +21.2% · EPA +3.06]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 34:19) — (4:19) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Ryans at PHI 33. 59-D.Ryans ran ob at NO 44 for 23 yards (72-T.Armstead). [WPA -18.5% · EPA -5.11]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 25:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.3% · EPA +3.50]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:54) — 6-A.Henery kicks 67 yards from PHI 35 to NO -2. 43-D.Sproles to NO 37 for 39 yards (26-C.Williams). PENALTY on PHI-26-C.Williams, Horse Collar Tackle, 15 yards, enforced at NO 37. [WPA +12.3% · EPA +1.90]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 34:19) — (4:19) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Ryans at PHI 33. 59-D.Ryans ran ob at NO 44 for 23 yards (72-T.Armstead). [WPA -18.5% · EPA -5.11]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 50:06) — (5:06) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 84-K.Stills INTERCEPTED by 24-B.Fletcher at PHI 3. 24-B.Fletcher to PHI 27 for 24 yards (22-M.Ingram). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -3.65]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 25:16) — (10:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.3% · EPA +3.50]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 31:55) — (1:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left to 14-R.Cooper for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +3.43]

Quarterback report card

N.Foles led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• N.Foles (Philadelphia Eagles) · 36 dropbacks · 63.9% completion · +8.0% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +4.14 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +6.3% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +1.99 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 +0.10, Philadelphia Eagles +0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +8.75 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 11 drives, +4.12 total EPA, 4 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.
• R. Cooper (Philadelphia Eagles) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• N. Foles (PHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• D. Brees (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. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 38:41 · PHI 19 · Score 3-0
   (8:41) 3-S.Graham 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
2. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 31:55 · NO 10 · Score 3-6
   (1:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left to 14-R.Cooper for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 31:48 · NO 2 · Score 3-7
   6-A.Henery extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
4. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · PHI 28 · Score 6-7
   (:03) 3-S.Graham 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 25:16 · PHI 24 · Score 12-7
   (10:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 25:08 · PHI 2 · Score 13-7
   3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 18:59 · PHI 4 · Score 19-7
   (3:59) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 18:54 · PHI 2 · Score 20-7
   3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 15:35 · NO 1 · Score 20-13
   (:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-L.McCoy up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 15:32 · NO 2 · Score 20-14
    6-A.Henery extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
11. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 11:17 · NO 12 · Score 20-17
    (11:17) 6-A.Henery 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
12. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 8:09 · PHI 17 · Score 23-17
    (8:09) 3-S.Graham 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
13. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 4:58 · NO 3 · Score 23-23
    (4:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short right to 86-Z.Ertz for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 4:54 · NO 2 · Score 23-24
    6-A.Henery extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
15. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:03 · PHI 14 · Score 26-24
    (:03) 3-S.Graham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.