New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints: 2011 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-11-28, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 49–24 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

E. Manning (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with +16.18 total EPA, and +6.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.23 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New York Giants changed the game: (4:33) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle intended for 85-J.Ballard INTERCEPTED by 54-W.Herring at NO 0. Touchback.

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 · +23.23 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
2. 2 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +16.18 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
3. 3 V. Cruz · New York Giants · Receiving · +12.83 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.80 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
5. 5 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.77 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.40 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Barden · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.10 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.78 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 — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q2 44:57)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q2 32:24)
• New Orleans Saints — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:40)
• New York Giants — B. Jacobs (Q3 25:49)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Brees (Q3 20:54)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q3 19:20)
• New York Giants — V. Cruz (E. Manning pass) (Q4 15:00)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q4 10:47)
• New York Giants — V. Cruz (E. Manning pass) (Q4 5:17)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q4 1:10)

Field goals

• New York Giants — L. Tynes (Q2 39:35)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q2 44:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 3; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 44:52) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the NO 24 (Q2 39:35) — (9:35) 9-L.Tynes 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NYG 5 (Q2 32:24) — (2:24) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 1; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 32:21) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NYG 10 (Q2 30:40) — (:40) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 6; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q2 30:35) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. New York Giants found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q3 25:49) — (10:49) 27-B.Jacobs right guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 25:43) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NYG 8 (Q3 20:54) — (5:54) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees scrambles up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 20:48) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NYG 29 (Q3 19:20) — (4:20) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-J.Tuck]. Pass 22, Run 7; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q3 19:13) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. New York Giants found the end zone from the NO 72 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 80-V.Cruz for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 38, Run 34; New York Giants added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 14:50); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NYG 12 (Q4 10:47) — (10:47) 76-P.McQuistan reported in as eligible. 23-P.Thomas left end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 10:41) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New York Giants found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q4 5:17) — (5:17) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 80-V.Cruz for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0; New York Giants added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 5:12) — 9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NYG 35 (Q4 1:10) — (1:10) 28-M.Ingram left end for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the NYG 2 (Q4 1:02) — 2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

Turning points

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

• New York Giants (Q1 49:33) — (4:33) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle intended for 85-J.Ballard INTERCEPTED by 54-W.Herring at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -16.5% · EPA -5.86]
• New York Giants (Q1 51:26) — (6:26) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 13-R.Barden to NO 31 for 26 yards (21-P.Robinson). Pass 18, Run 8 [WPA +11.2% · EPA +3.24]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 57:54) — (12:54) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 80-J.Graham to NYG 18 for 18 yards (34-D.Grant). Pass 11, Run 7 [WPA +8.4% · EPA +2.84]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 34:02) — (4:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 43-D.Sproles pushed ob at NYG 34 for 22 yards (31-A.Ross). Pass 22, Run 0 [WPA +6.9% · EPA +2.43]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 45:46) — (:46) 43-D.Sproles left end to NYG 7 for 23 yards (91-J.Tuck). [WPA +5.9% · EPA +1.55]

Impact plays

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

• New York Giants (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 80-V.Cruz for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 38, Run 34 [WPA +0.7% · EPA +5.91]
• New York Giants (Q1 49:33) — (4:33) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle intended for 85-J.Ballard INTERCEPTED by 54-W.Herring at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -16.5% · EPA -5.86]
• New York Giants (Q3 19:35) — (4:35) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 33-D.Scott. 33-D.Scott right end to NYG 29 for no gain (22-T.Porter). FUMBLES (22-T.Porter), RECOVERED by NO-41-R.Harper at NYG 29. 41-R.Harper to NYG 29 for no gain (7 [WPA -1.3% · EPA -4.83]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:10) — (1:10) 28-M.Ingram left end for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.0% · EPA +4.80]

Quarterback report card

E.Manning led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 53 dropbacks · 62.3% completion · +6.6% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +16.18 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 41 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · +1.6% CPOE · +0.57 EPA/play · +23.23 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.33 vs +0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +29.64 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 12 drives, +6.09 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.
• D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• E. Manning (NYG) 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 TD (+6) — Q2 44:57 · NYG 4 · Score 0-6
   (14:57) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 3
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 44:52 · NYG 2 · Score 0-7
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
3. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 39:35 · NO 24 · Score 3-7
   (9:35) 9-L.Tynes 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
4. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 32:24 · NYG 5 · Score 3-13
   (2:24) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 80-J.Graham for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 1
5. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 32:21 · NYG 2 · Score 3-14
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:40 · NYG 10 · Score 3-20
   (:40) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 16-L.Moore for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 6
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:35 · NYG 2 · Score 3-21
   2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
8. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 25:49 · NO 8 · Score 9-21
   (10:49) 27-B.Jacobs right guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 25:43 · NO 2 · Score 10-21
   9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 20:54 · NYG 8 · Score 10-27
    (5:54) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees scrambles up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 20:48 · NYG 2 · Score 10-28
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 19:20 · NYG 29 · Score 10-34
    (4:20) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 80-J.Graham for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-J.Tuck]. Pass 22, Run 7
13. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 19:13 · NYG 2 · Score 10-35
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
14. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · NO 72 · Score 16-35
    (15:00) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 80-V.Cruz for 72 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 38, Run 34
15. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 14:50 · NO 2 · Score 17-35
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford. PENALTY on NO-21-P.Robinson, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 10:47 · NYG 12 · Score 17-41
    (10:47) 76-P.McQuistan reported in as eligible. 23-P.Thomas left end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 10:41 · NYG 2 · Score 17-42
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
18. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 5:17 · NO 4 · Score 23-42
    (5:17) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 80-V.Cruz for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0
19. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 5:12 · NO 2 · Score 24-42
    9-L.Tynes extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-5-S.Weatherford.
20. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:10 · NYG 35 · Score 24-48
    (1:10) 28-M.Ingram left end for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:02 · NYG 2 · Score 24-49
    2-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.