New Orleans Saints vs. Washington Commanders: 2009 Week 13 Recap

Game story

In Week 13 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-12-06, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 33–30 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +29.06 total EPA, and +9.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +29.06 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-39.6% win probability) landed in overtime when Washington Commanders changed the game: (13:47) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 45-M.Sellers to WAS 39 for 3 yards (29-C.McAlister). The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 17-J.Ca

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 · +29.06 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Campbell · Washington Commanders · Passing · +19.98 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +12.85 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Thomas · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +11.89 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +10.44 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.74 EPA/play
6. 6 A.Randle El · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +6.67 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
8. 8 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.72 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.34 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

• Washington Commanders — F. Davis (J. Campbell pass) (Q1 53:17)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 35:42)
• Washington Commanders — D. Thomas (J. Campbell pass) (Q2 32:25)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (Q2 30:39)
• Washington Commanders — D. Thomas (J. Campbell pass) (Q3 22:57)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q4 1:27)

Field goals

• Washington Commanders — S. Suisham (Q1 47:52)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 42:18)
• Washington Commanders — S. Suisham (Q3 26:09)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q3 17:40)
• Washington Commanders — S. Suisham (Q4 12:55)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q4 6:56)
• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (OT 8:40)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 10–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q1 53:17) — (8:17) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short left to 86-F.Davis for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 53:11) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the NO 13 (Q1 47:52) — (2:52) 6-S.Suisham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 17–7. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the WAS 16 (Q2 42:18) — (12:18) 5-G.Hartley 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the WAS 40 (Q2 35:42) — (5:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 35:34) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q2 32:25) — (2:25) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 11-D.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 32:17) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the WAS 44 (Q2 30:39); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 30:22) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 10–3. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the NO 10 (Q3 26:09) — (11:09) 6-S.Suisham 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the NO 13 (Q3 22:57) — (7:57) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 11-D.Thomas for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 22:48) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the WAS 9 (Q3 17:40) — (2:40) 5-G.Hartley 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–3. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the NO 3 (Q4 12:55) — (12:55) 6-S.Suisham 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the WAS 10 (Q4 6:56) — (6:56) 5-G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the WAS 53 (Q4 1:27) — (1:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 1:19) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

Overtime: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the WAS 1 (OT 8:40) — (8:40) 5-G.Hartley 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

Turning points

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

• Washington Commanders (OT 13:47) — (13:47) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 45-M.Sellers to WAS 39 for 3 yards (29-C.McAlister). The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 17-J.Ca [WPA -39.6% · EPA -4.77]
• Washington Commanders (Q4 0:35) — (:35) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short right intended for 86-F.Davis INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma at NO 38. 51-J.Vilma ran ob at NO 46 for 8 yards. [WPA -32.5% · EPA -2.06]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:27) — (1:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +5.33]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 5-G.Hartley 58 yard field goal is No Good, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell. 27-F.Smoot at WAS -9 to WAS 14 for 23 yards (74-J.Bushrod). [WPA -21.6% · EPA -1.26]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 88-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 41-K.Moore at WAS 30. 41-K.Moore to WAS 44 for 14 yards (17-R.Meachem). FUMBLES (17-R.Meachem), RECOVERED by NO-17- [WPA +20.9% · EPA +6.16]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 88-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 41-K.Moore at WAS 30. 41-K.Moore to WAS 44 for 14 yards (17-R.Meachem). FUMBLES (17-R.Meachem), RECOVERED by NO-17- [WPA +20.9% · EPA +6.16]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:27) — (1:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +5.33]
• Washington Commanders (OT 13:47) — (13:47) 17-J.Campbell pass short right to 45-M.Sellers to WAS 39 for 3 yards (29-C.McAlister). The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 17-J.Ca [WPA -39.6% · EPA -4.77]
• Washington Commanders (Q3 15:27) — (:27) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass deep middle to 82-A.Randle El to NO 12 for 44 yards (27-M.Jenkins). WAS-82-A.Randle El was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. [WPA +8.0% · EPA +4.05]

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) · 54 dropbacks · 64.8% completion · +9.2% CPOE · +0.54 EPA/play · +29.06 total EPA
• J.Campbell (Washington Commanders) · 44 dropbacks · 68.2% completion · +7.6% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +19.98 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 +0.24, Washington Commanders +0.20) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +23.09 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Washington Commanders: 12 drives, +17.42 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.
• 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.
• J. Campbell (WAS) 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. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 53:17 · NO 8 · Score 0-6
   (8:17) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short left to 86-F.Davis for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 53:11 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.
3. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 47:52 · NO 13 · Score 0-10
   (2:52) 6-S.Suisham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.
4. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 42:18 · WAS 16 · Score 3-10
   (12:18) 5-G.Hartley 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 35:42 · WAS 40 · Score 9-10
   (5:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 35:34 · WAS 2 · Score 10-10
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
7. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 32:25 · NO 5 · Score 10-16
   (2:25) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 11-D.Thomas for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 32:17 · NO 2 · Score 10-17
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:39 · WAS 44 · Score 16-17
   (:39) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 88-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 41-K.Moore at WAS 30. 41-K.Moore to WAS 44 for 14 yards (17-R.Meachem). FUM
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:22 · WAS 2 · Score 17-17
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
11. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q3 26:09 · NO 10 · Score 17-20
    (11:09) 6-S.Suisham 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.
12. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 22:57 · NO 13 · Score 17-26
    (7:57) (Shotgun) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 11-D.Thomas for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 22:48 · NO 2 · Score 17-27
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.
14. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 17:40 · WAS 9 · Score 20-27
    (2:40) 5-G.Hartley 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
15. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q4 12:55 · NO 3 · Score 20-30
    (12:55) 6-S.Suisham 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-3-H.Smith.
16. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 6:56 · WAS 10 · Score 23-30
    (6:56) 5-G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
17. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:27 · WAS 53 · Score 29-30
    (1:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 17-R.Meachem for 53 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:19 · WAS 2 · Score 30-30
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
19. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — OT 8:40 · WAS 1 · Score 33-30
    (8:40) 5-G.Hartley 18 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.