New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks: 2010 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2010 NFL season on 2011-01-08, the Seattle Seahawks took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 41–36 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +18.99 total EPA, and +4.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.99 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Seattle Seahawks changed the game: (3:38) 24-M.Lynch right tackle for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 · +18.99 total EPA · 63 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Stokley · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +9.27 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.32 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Hasselbeck · Seattle Seahawks · Passing · +9.08 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.00 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Williams · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +3.19 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Carlson · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Jones · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.73 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Morrah · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +2.40 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.20 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 — H. Evans (D. Brees pass) (Q1 51:25)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. Carlson (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q1 48:43)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Jones (Q2 43:42)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. Carlson (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q2 41:06)
• Seattle Seahawks — B. Stokley (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q2 31:23)
• Seattle Seahawks — M. Williams (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q3 26:55)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Jones (Q4 13:16)
• Seattle Seahawks — M. Lynch (Q4 3:38)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q4 1:34)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q1 56:47)
• Seattle Seahawks — O. Mare (Q2 37:07)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 30:03)
• Seattle Seahawks — O. Mare (Q3 20:31)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q4 9:16)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SEA 8 (Q1 56:47) — (11:47) 5-G.Hartley 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SEA 1 (Q1 51:25) — (6:25) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 44-H.Evans for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q1 51:21) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the NO 11 (Q1 48:43) — (3:43) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short middle to 89-J.Carlson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 48:38) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The second quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 17–10. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SEA 5 (Q2 43:42) — (13:42) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q2 43:38) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short left to 89-J.Carlson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 41:00) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the NO 10 (Q2 37:07) — (7:07) 10-O.Mare 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the NO 45 (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep left to 15-B.Stokley for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 31:15) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SEA 3 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 10–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the NO 38 (Q3 26:55) — (11:55) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep right to 17-M.Williams for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 26:48) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the NO 21 (Q3 20:31) — (5:31) 10-O.Mare 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 16–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SEA 4 (Q4 13:16) — (13:16) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q4 13:11) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SEA 3 (Q4 9:16) — (9:16) 5-G.Hartley 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the NO 67 (Q4 3:38) — (3:38) 24-M.Lynch right tackle for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 3:22) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SEA 6 (Q4 1:34) — (1:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 3:38) — (3:38) 24-M.Lynch right tackle for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.2% · EPA +6.19]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 39:01) — (9:01) 21-J.Jones left guard to NO 20 for 1 yard (98-R.Brock). FUMBLES (98-R.Brock), RECOVERED by SEA-57-D.Hawthorne at NO 18. 57-D.Hawthorne to NO 18 for no gain (21-J.Jones). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -4.95]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 55:38) — (10:38) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right intended for 87-B.Obomanu INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Greer at SEA 45. 33-J.Greer ran ob at SEA 35 for 10 yards. [WPA -15.1% · EPA -5.54]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep left to 15-B.Stokley for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +5.37]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:36) — (12:36) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 21-J.Jones pushed ob at SEA 23 for 33 yards (29-E.Thomas). [WPA +11.7% · EPA +2.75]

Impact plays

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q4 3:38) — (3:38) 24-M.Lynch right tackle for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.2% · EPA +6.19]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 55:38) — (10:38) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right intended for 87-B.Obomanu INTERCEPTED by 33-J.Greer at SEA 45. 33-J.Greer ran ob at SEA 35 for 10 yards. [WPA -15.1% · EPA -5.54]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q2 31:23) — (1:23) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep left to 15-B.Stokley for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +5.37]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 39:01) — (9:01) 21-J.Jones left guard to NO 20 for 1 yard (98-R.Brock). FUMBLES (98-R.Brock), RECOVERED by SEA-57-D.Hawthorne at NO 18. 57-D.Hawthorne to NO 18 for no gain (21-J.Jones). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -4.95]

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) · 63 dropbacks · 61.9% completion · +4.4% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +18.99 total EPA
• M.Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) · 38 dropbacks · 57.9% completion · -2.5% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +9.08 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Seattle Seahawks held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs +0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, +14.02 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 13 drives, +16.49 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Seattle Seahawks 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.
• 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) — Q1 56:47 · SEA 8 · Score 3-0
   (11:47) 5-G.Hartley 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
2. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 51:25 · SEA 1 · Score 9-0
   (6:25) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 44-H.Evans for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 51:21 · SEA 2 · Score 10-0
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
4. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 48:43 · NO 11 · Score 10-6
   (3:43) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short middle to 89-J.Carlson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 48:38 · NO 2 · Score 10-7
   10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 43:42 · SEA 5 · Score 16-7
   (13:42) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 43:38 · SEA 2 · Score 17-7
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
8. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 41:06 · NO 7 · Score 17-13
   (11:06) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short left to 89-J.Carlson for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 41:00 · NO 2 · Score 17-14
   10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
10. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q2 37:07 · NO 10 · Score 17-17
    (7:07) 10-O.Mare 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
11. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q2 31:23 · NO 45 · Score 17-23
    (1:23) (Shotgun) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep left to 15-B.Stokley for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q2 31:15 · NO 2 · Score 17-24
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
13. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · SEA 3 · Score 20-24
    (:03) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
14. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 26:55 · NO 38 · Score 20-30
    (11:55) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass deep right to 17-M.Williams for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 26:48 · NO 2 · Score 20-31
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
16. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q3 20:31 · NO 21 · Score 20-34
    (5:31) 10-O.Mare 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 13:16 · SEA 4 · Score 26-34
    (13:16) 21-J.Jones left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 13:11 · SEA 2 · Score 27-34
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
19. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 9:16 · SEA 3 · Score 30-34
    (9:16) 5-G.Hartley 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
20. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q4 3:38 · NO 67 · Score 30-40
    (3:38) 24-M.Lynch right tackle for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q4 3:22 · NO 2 · Score 30-41
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-49-C.Gresham, Holder-9-J.Ryan.
22. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:34 · SEA 6 · Score 36-41
    (1:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.