New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2006 Week 10 Recap

Game story

In Week 10 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-11-12, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 38–31 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +16.18 total EPA, and +1.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.52 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-17.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (7:12) 25-R.Bush right end to NO 43 for 6 yards (50-L.Foote). FUMBLES (50-L.Foote), RECOVERED by PIT-25-R.Clark at NO 43. 25-R.Clark to NO 38 for 5 yards (12-M.Colston). Play Challenged by NO and Uphe

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 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +17.52 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +16.18 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
3. 3 W. Parker · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +11.05 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +10.72 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
5. 5 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.80 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.56 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Copper · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.99 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Stecker · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.11 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.04 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Wilson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.25 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.13 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

• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 57:07)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 51:53)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Copper (D. Brees pass) (Q1 46:14)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Bush (Q2 32:34)
• New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister (Q2 30:23)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Wilson (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 22:03)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker (Q4 15:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — W. Parker (Q4 10:00)
• New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister (Q4 8:09)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 38:23)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q2 31:23)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NO 37 (Q1 57:07) — (12:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 86-H.Ward for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 56:56) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q1 51:53) — (6:53) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 51:49) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q1 46:14) — (1:14) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 18-T.Copper for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 45:43) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 17–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PIT 2 (Q2 38:23) — (8:23) 3-J.Carney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PIT 15 (Q2 32:34) — (2:34) 25-R.Bush left end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. On the reverse from #12 Colston; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 32:22) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the NO 14 (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) 3-J.Reed 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q2 30:23) — (:23) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 30:20) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NO 38 (Q3 22:03) — (7:03) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 80-C.Wilson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 21:55) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 39-W.Parker right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 14:55) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q4 10:00) — (10:00) 39-W.Parker left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 9:55) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q4 8:09); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 8:05) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 22:12) — (7:12) 25-R.Bush right end to NO 43 for 6 yards (50-L.Foote). FUMBLES (50-L.Foote), RECOVERED by PIT-25-R.Clark at NO 43. 25-R.Clark to NO 38 for 5 yards (12-M.Colston). Play Challenged by NO and Uphe [WPA -17.4% · EPA -4.73]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 22:03) — (7:03) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 80-C.Wilson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.3% · EPA +3.41]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 17:57) — (2:57) 39-W.Parker left guard to NO 14 for 72 yards (34-M.McKenzie). [WPA +17.1% · EPA +5.49]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 31:57) — (1:57) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-S.Holmes to NO 13 for 46 yards (29-J.Bullocks). [WPA +13.6% · EPA +3.61]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 33:39) — (3:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston to PIT 32 for 28 yards (23-T.Carter). [WPA +11.9% · EPA +2.84]

Impact plays

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 17:57) — (2:57) 39-W.Parker left guard to NO 14 for 72 yards (34-M.McKenzie). [WPA +17.1% · EPA +5.49]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) 39-W.Parker right end to NO 4 for 76 yards (21-J.Craft). [WPA +7.7% · EPA +5.33]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 22:12) — (7:12) 25-R.Bush right end to NO 43 for 6 yards (50-L.Foote). FUMBLES (50-L.Foote), RECOVERED by PIT-25-R.Clark at NO 43. 25-R.Clark to NO 38 for 5 yards (12-M.Colston). Play Challenged by NO and Uphe [WPA -17.4% · EPA -4.73]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 56:19) — (11:19) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 83-B.Miller to NO 33 for 4 yards (51-J.Farrior). FUMBLES (51-J.Farrior), RECOVERED by PIT-99-B.Keisel at NO 33. 99-B.Keisel to NO 32 for 1 yard (18-T.Copper). [WPA -7.4% · EPA -4.61]

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) · 53 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · +1.3% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +16.18 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 30 dropbacks · 56.7% completion · +1.4% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +10.72 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.30 vs +0.19), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +18.04 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +22.30 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Pittsburgh Steelers 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.
• M. Colston (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.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 57:07 · NO 37 · Score 0-6
   (12:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 86-H.Ward for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 56:56 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 51:53 · NO 2 · Score 0-13
   (6:53) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 51:49 · NO 2 · Score 0-14
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 46:14 · PIT 3 · Score 6-14
   (1:14) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 18-T.Copper for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 45:43 · PIT 2 · Score 7-14
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.
7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 38:23 · PIT 2 · Score 10-14
   (8:23) 3-J.Carney 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 32:34 · PIT 15 · Score 16-14
   (2:34) 25-R.Bush left end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. On the reverse from #12 Colston
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 32:22 · PIT 2 · Score 17-14
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 31:23 · NO 14 · Score 17-17
    (1:23) 3-J.Reed 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:23 · PIT 4 · Score 23-17
    (:23) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:20 · PIT 2 · Score 24-17
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 22:03 · NO 38 · Score 24-23
    (7:03) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 80-C.Wilson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 21:55 · NO 2 · Score 24-24
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · NO 3 · Score 24-30
    (15:00) 39-W.Parker right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 14:55 · NO 2 · Score 24-31
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 10:00 · NO 4 · Score 24-37
    (10:00) 39-W.Parker left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 9:55 · NO 2 · Score 24-38
    3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
19. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:09 · PIT 4 · Score 30-38
    (8:09) 26-D.McAllister Aborted. 52-J.Faine FUMBLES at PIT 4, recovered by NO-26-D.McAllister at PIT 4. 26-D.McAllister for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 8:05 · PIT 2 · Score 31-38
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.