Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints: 2007 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-12-23, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 38–23 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -0.00 total EPA, and +7.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.91 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (13:33) 5-D.McNabb left end to NO 24 for 40 yards (29-J.Bullocks). FUMBLES (29-J.Bullocks), touched at NO 2, recovered by PHI-80-K.Curtis at NO 0. TOUCHDOWN. INJURY - New Orleans #34 McKenzie injured

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. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +16.91 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Curtis · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +8.64 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Brown · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +7.09 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Avant · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.35 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Stecker · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.08 EPA/play
7. 7 G. Lewis · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.07 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.54 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Buckhalter · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +2.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.73 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. McNabb (Q1 58:33)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Stecker (Q1 56:12)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Stecker (Q1 53:56)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Buckhalter (Q1 50:54)
• Philadelphia Eagles — R. Brown (D. McNabb pass) (Q1 46:58)
• Philadelphia Eagles — G. Lewis (D. McNabb pass) (Q3 18:00)
• Philadelphia Eagles — K. Curtis (D. McNabb pass) (Q4 2:33)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 39:33)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Gramatica (Q2 30:04)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Gramatica (Q4 13:07)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Gramatica (Q4 7:25)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 21–14. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 64 (Q1 58:33); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 58:15) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PHI 3 (Q1 56:12) — (11:12) 27-A.Stecker right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q1 56:07) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PHI 1 (Q1 53:56) — (8:56) 27-A.Stecker left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q1 53:52); Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 20 (Q1 50:54) — (5:54) 28-C.Buckhalter right guard for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 50:47) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 31 (Q1 46:58) — (1:58) 5-D.McNabb pass deep right to 86-R.Brown for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 46:51) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the NO 6 (Q2 39:33) — (9:33) 2-D.Akers 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 37 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 1-M.Gramatica 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 9 (Q3 18:00) — (3:00) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short middle to 83-G.Lewis for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 17:55) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–6. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 17 (Q4 13:07) — (13:07) 1-M.Gramatica 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 28 (Q4 7:25) — (7:25) 1-M.Gramatica 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 80-K.Curtis for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 2:28) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 58:33) — (13:33) 5-D.McNabb left end to NO 24 for 40 yards (29-J.Bullocks). FUMBLES (29-J.Bullocks), touched at NO 2, recovered by PHI-80-K.Curtis at NO 0. TOUCHDOWN. INJURY - New Orleans #34 McKenzie injured [WPA +17.7% · EPA +5.88]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 55:58) — (10:58) 5-D.McNabb FUMBLES (Aborted) at PHI 28, RECOVERED by NO-91-W.Smith at PHI 33. 91-W.Smith to PHI 33 for no gain (69-J.Runyan). [WPA -11.6% · EPA -4.23]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 46:58) — (1:58) 5-D.McNabb pass deep right to 86-R.Brown for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.8% · EPA +3.30]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 1-M.Gramatica 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +1.28]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 27:23) — (12:23) 27-A.Stecker right guard to PHI 7 for 26 yards (24-S.Brown). [WPA +7.6% · EPA +1.54]

Impact plays

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 58:33) — (13:33) 5-D.McNabb left end to NO 24 for 40 yards (29-J.Bullocks). FUMBLES (29-J.Bullocks), touched at NO 2, recovered by PHI-80-K.Curtis at NO 0. TOUCHDOWN. INJURY - New Orleans #34 McKenzie injured [WPA +17.7% · EPA +5.88]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 55:58) — (10:58) 5-D.McNabb FUMBLES (Aborted) at PHI 28, RECOVERED by NO-91-W.Smith at PHI 33. 91-W.Smith to PHI 33 for no gain (69-J.Runyan). [WPA -11.6% · EPA -4.23]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 80-K.Curtis for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.1% · EPA +3.68]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 55-S.Bradley at NO 37. 55-S.Bradley to NO 24 for 13 yards (83-B.Miller). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -3.46]

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) · 49 dropbacks · 61.2% completion · +7.8% CPOE · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.00 total EPA
• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 39 dropbacks · 61.5% completion · +7.0% CPOE · +0.43 EPA/play · +16.91 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Philadelphia Eagles generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.30 vs +0.04), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +3.42 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 11 drives, +24.12 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) 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.
• D. McNabb (PHI) 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. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 58:33 · NO 64 · Score 6-0
   (13:33) 5-D.McNabb left end to NO 24 for 40 yards (29-J.Bullocks). FUMBLES (29-J.Bullocks), touched at NO 2, recovered by PHI-80-K.Curtis at NO 0. TOUCHDOWN. IN
2. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 58:15 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 56:12 · PHI 3 · Score 7-6
   (11:12) 27-A.Stecker right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 56:07 · PHI 2 · Score 7-7
   1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 53:56 · PHI 1 · Score 7-13
   (8:56) 27-A.Stecker left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 53:52 · PHI 2 · Score 7-14
   1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford. INJURY UPDATE - N.O. #34 McKenzie, strained right knee, DOUBTFUL to return.
7. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 50:54 · NO 20 · Score 13-14
   (5:54) 28-C.Buckhalter right guard for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 50:47 · NO 2 · Score 14-14
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 46:58 · NO 31 · Score 20-14
   (1:58) 5-D.McNabb pass deep right to 86-R.Brown for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 46:51 · NO 2 · Score 21-14
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
11. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 39:33 · NO 6 · Score 24-14
    (9:33) 2-D.Akers 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
12. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · PHI 37 · Score 24-17
    (:04) 1-M.Gramatica 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
13. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 18:00 · NO 9 · Score 30-17
    (3:00) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short middle to 83-G.Lewis for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 17:55 · NO 2 · Score 31-17
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.
15. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 13:07 · PHI 17 · Score 31-20
    (13:07) 1-M.Gramatica 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
16. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 7:25 · PHI 28 · Score 31-23
    (7:25) 1-M.Gramatica 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
17. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 2:33 · NO 7 · Score 37-23
    (2:33) (Shotgun) 5-D.McNabb pass short left to 80-K.Curtis for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 2:28 · NO 2 · Score 38-23
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-6-S.Rocca.