New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans: 2019 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-12-22, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Tennessee Titans, pulling away with a 38–28 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +9.75 total EPA, and +3.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-26.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Tennessee Titans changed the game: (4:23) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep right to 14-K.Raymond to NO 39 for 23 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson; 20-J.Jenkins). FUMBLES (22-C.Gardner-Johnson), RECOVERED by NO-22-C.Gardner-Johnson at NO 38. 22-C.Ga

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. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +12.75 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +9.75 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Sharpe · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +7.14 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Cook · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.08 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Smith · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +4.19 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Brown · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +4.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.11 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.23 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Davis · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.53 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

• Tennessee Titans — J. Smith (R. Tannehill pass) (Q1 53:03)
• Tennessee Titans — A. Brown (Q1 50:00)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Cook (D. Brees pass) (Q2 32:34)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q3 29:07)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q3 22:10)
• Tennessee Titans — T. Sharpe (R. Tannehill pass) (Q3 19:36)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Cook (D. Brees pass) (Q3 16:24)
• Tennessee Titans — T. Sharpe (R. Tannehill pass) (Q4 7:33)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 2:16)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q2 43:41)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 14–0. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NO 41 (Q1 53:03) — (8:03) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 81-J.Smith for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 52:55) — 7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NO 49 (Q1 50:00) — (5:00) 11-A.Brown left end for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 49:50) — 7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TEN 29 (Q2 43:41) — (13:41) (Field Goal formation) 3-W.Lutz 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TEN 61 (Q2 32:34) — (2:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q2 32:23) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TEN 40 (Q3 29:07) — (14:07) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q3 29:00) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q3 22:10) — (7:10) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q3 22:08) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NO 36 (Q3 19:36) — (4:36) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 19-T.Sharpe for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 19:25) — 7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TEN 16 (Q3 16:24) — (1:24) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 87-J.Cook for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q3 16:18) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q4 7:33); Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 7:27) — 7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TEN 2 (Q4 2:16) — (2:16) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TEN 15 (Q4 2:10) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Turning points

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

• Tennessee Titans (Q4 4:23) — (4:23) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep right to 14-K.Raymond to NO 39 for 23 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson; 20-J.Jenkins). FUMBLES (22-C.Gardner-Johnson), RECOVERED by NO-22-C.Gardner-Johnson at NO 38. 22-C.Ga [WPA -26.5% · EPA -5.48]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) (Punt formation) 7-T.Hill pass incomplete short right to 34-J.Hardee. [WPA -17.0% · EPA -2.08]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 32:34) — (2:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.1% · EPA +5.52]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 29:07) — (14:07) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.9% · EPA +3.77]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 25:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 13-M.Thomas to TEN 46 for 26 yards (31-K.Byard). [WPA +12.5% · EPA +3.46]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 32:34) — (2:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.1% · EPA +5.52]
• Tennessee Titans (Q4 4:23) — (4:23) 17-R.Tannehill pass deep right to 14-K.Raymond to NO 39 for 23 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson; 20-J.Jenkins). FUMBLES (22-C.Gardner-Johnson), RECOVERED by NO-22-C.Gardner-Johnson at NO 38. 22-C.Ga [WPA -26.5% · EPA -5.48]
• Tennessee Titans (Q1 50:00) — (5:00) 11-A.Brown left end for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.5% · EPA +4.11]
• Tennessee Titans (Q1 53:03) — (8:03) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 81-J.Smith for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +3.95]

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) · 45 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +3.3% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +9.75 total EPA
• R.Tannehill (Tennessee Titans) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · +1.8% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.52 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 (+0.15 vs +0.00), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, +13.94 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 13 drives, +0.04 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.
• M. Thomas (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. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 53:03 · NO 41 · Score 0-6
   (8:03) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 81-J.Smith for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 52:55 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
   7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
3. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 50:00 · NO 49 · Score 0-13
   (5:00) 11-A.Brown left end for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 49:50 · NO 15 · Score 0-14
   7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
5. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 43:41 · TEN 29 · Score 3-14
   (13:41) (Field Goal formation) 3-W.Lutz 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 32:34 · TEN 61 · Score 9-14
   (2:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 32:23 · TEN 15 · Score 10-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 29:07 · TEN 40 · Score 16-14
   (14:07) 41-A.Kamara left guard for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 29:00 · TEN 15 · Score 17-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 22:10 · TEN 1 · Score 23-14
    (7:10) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 22:08 · TEN 15 · Score 24-14
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
12. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 19:36 · NO 36 · Score 24-20
    (4:36) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 19-T.Sharpe for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q3 19:25 · NO 15 · Score 24-21
    7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 16:24 · TEN 16 · Score 30-21
    (1:24) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 87-J.Cook for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 16:18 · TEN 15 · Score 31-21
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
16. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 7:33 · NO 7 · Score 31-27
    (7:33) (Shotgun) 17-R.Tannehill pass short middle to 19-T.Sharpe for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [96-C.Granderson]. Penalty on NO-53-A.Klein, Defensive Holding, declined
17. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 7:27 · NO 15 · Score 31-28
    7-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
18. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:16 · TEN 2 · Score 37-28
    (2:16) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 2:10 · TEN 15 · Score 38-28
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.