Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 31–17 San Francisco 49ers
- Halftime
- San Francisco 49ers 6–21 New Orleans Saints at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- D. Brees
- Top passer
- J. O'Sullivan
- Biggest EPA play
- (8:52) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson to SF 2 for 81 yards (22-N.Cl…
- Game date
- 2008-09-28
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the San Francisco 49ers 31–17 on 2008-09-28. D. Brees posted a game-high +14.14 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 17 |
 New Orleans Saints | 0 | 21 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 31 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
SFSan Francisco 49ers(7:27) 6-J.Nedney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
(3:07) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 16-L.Moore for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
(1:49) 6-J.Nedney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(1:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
(10:23) 6-J.Nedney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
(11:26) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
(4:16) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-J.O'Sullivan pass to 21-F.Gore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
(:32) 1-M.Gramatica 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
NONew Orleans SaintsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 7:27FG JNJ. NedneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 29
- Score
- 3-0
(7:27) 6-J.Nedney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 9:37TD LMLouis MoorePoints+6
- Yard line
- SF 5
- Score
- 3-6
(9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 9:31XP MGM. GramaticaPoints+1
- Yard line
- SF 2
- Score
- 3-7
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 3:07TD LMLouis MoorePoints+6
- Yard line
- SF 33
- Score
- 3-13
(3:07) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 16-L.Moore for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 3:00XP MGM. GramaticaPoints+1
- Yard line
- SF 2
- Score
- 3-14
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q2 1:49FG JNJ. NedneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 31
- Score
- 6-14
(1:49) 6-J.Nedney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 1:01TD RMR. MeachemPoints+6
- Yard line
- SF 47
- Score
- 6-20
(1:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 0:52XP MGM. GramaticaPoints+1
- Yard line
- SF 2
- Score
- 6-21
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q3 10:23FG JNJ. NedneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 20
- Score
- 9-21
(10:23) 6-J.Nedney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 11:26TD DMD. McAllisterPoints+6
- Yard line
- SF 1
- Score
- 9-27
(11:26) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 11:23XP MGM. GramaticaPoints+1
- Yard line
- SF 2
- Score
- 9-28
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 4:16TD IBI. BrucePoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 5
- Score
- 15-28
(4:16) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 4:08Safety JOJ. O'SullivanPoints+2
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 17-28
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-J.O'Sullivan pass to 21-F.Gore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 0:32FG MGM. GramaticaPoints+3
- Yard line
- SF 13
- Score
- 17-31
(:32) 1-M.Gramatica 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +14.14 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 2A. Battle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +12.00 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
- 3Louis Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +11.24 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
- 4R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.58 total EPA · 2 snaps · +4.29 EPA/play
- 5Darrell Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.28 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.28 EPA/play
- 6I. Bruce · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.41 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 7
Frank Gore Jr. · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play - 8Frank Gore Jr. · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +2.82 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
D. Brees — NO · Passing
D. Brees posted the highest total EPA (+14.14) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.
D. Brees's top snap (+6.28 EPA): (8:52) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson to SF 2 for 81 yards (22-N.Clements). PENALTY on NO-19-D.Henderson, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at SF 2.
Quarterback report card
J. O'Sullivan led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J. O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers) · 49 dropbacks · 36.7% completion · -8.7% CPOE · -0.11 EPA/play · -5.20 total EPA
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +10.0% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +14.14 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | San Francisco 49ers | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.047 | +0.174 |
| Offensive success rate | 52.5% | 51.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.106 | +0.372 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.195 | -0.021 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.174 | -0.047 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.4% | 47.5% |
Drive & efficiency notes
New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.17 vs +0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- San Francisco 49ers: +0.05 EPA/play (60th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: +0.17 EPA/play (87th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +15.81 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 11 drives, +3.77 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — Louis Moore (D. Brees pass)
- New Orleans Saints — Louis Moore (D. Brees pass)
- New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass)
- New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister
- San Francisco 49ers — I. Bruce (J. O'Sullivan pass)
Field goals
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
- New Orleans Saints — M. Gramatica
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the NO 29 (Q1 7:27) — (7:27) 6-J.Nedney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 5 (Q2 9:37) — (9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 9:31) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 33 (Q2 3:07) — (3:07) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 16-L.Moore for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 3:00) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the NO 31 (Q2 1:49) — (1:49) 6-J.Nedney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 47 (Q2 1:01) — (1:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 0:52) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford..
The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 3–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the NO 20 (Q3 10:23) — (10:23) 6-J.Nedney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–8. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q4 11:26) — (11:26) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 11:23) — 1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q4 4:16) — (4:16) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 4:08) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-J.O'Sullivan pass to 21-F.Gore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SF 13 (Q4 0:32) — (:32) 1-M.Gramatica 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 4:28) — (4:28) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 51-T.Spikes at SF 37. 51-T.Spikes to SF 37 for no gain (83-B.Miller).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 13:01) — (13:01) 14-J.O'Sullivan sacked at SF 34 for -5 yards (91-W.Smith). FUMBLES (91-W.Smith), touched at SF 34, RECOVERED by NO-51-J.Vilma at SF 32. 51-J.Vilma to SF 32 for no gain (21-F.Gore).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 3:07) — (3:07) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 16-L.Moore for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 2:44) — (2:44) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short middle intended for 82-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 43-K.Kaesviharn at NO -4. 43-K.Kaesviharn to NO 9 for 13 yards (46-D.Walker).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 6:27) — (6:27) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 16-L.Moore ran ob at NO 47 for 18 yards.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson to SF 2 for 81 yards (22-N.Clements). PENALTY on NO-19-D.Henderson, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at SF 2.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 9:59) — (9:59) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass deep left intended for 83-A.Battle INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter at NO -5. 22-T.Porter to NO 20 for 25 yards (66-E.Heitmann).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 2:44) — (2:44) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short middle intended for 82-B.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 43-K.Kaesviharn at NO -4. 43-K.Kaesviharn to NO 9 for 13 yards (46-D.Walker).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 4:28) — (4:28) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 51-T.Spikes at SF 37. 51-T.Spikes to SF 37 for no gain (83-B.Miller).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 7:27 · NO 29 · Score 3-0
(7:27) 6-J.Nedney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 9:37 · SF 5 · Score 3-6
(9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 16-L.Moore for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 9:31 · SF 2 · Score 3-7
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 3:07 · SF 33 · Score 3-13
(3:07) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 16-L.Moore for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 3:00 · SF 2 · Score 3-14
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 1:49 · NO 31 · Score 6-14
(1:49) 6-J.Nedney 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 1:01 · SF 47 · Score 6-20
(1:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 0:52 · SF 2 · Score 6-21
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q3 10:23 · NO 20 · Score 9-21
(10:23) 6-J.Nedney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 11:26 · SF 1 · Score 9-27
(11:26) 26-D.McAllister left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 11:23 · SF 2 · Score 9-28
1-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 4:16 · NO 5 · Score 15-28
(4:16) 14-J.O'Sullivan pass short right to 88-I.Bruce for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers Safety (+2) — Q4 4:08 · NO 2 · Score 17-28
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-J.O'Sullivan pass to 21-F.Gore is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:32 · SF 13 · Score 17-31
(:32) 1-M.Gramatica 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-7-S.Weatherford.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- New Orleans Saints earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- J. O'Sullivan (SF) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
- D. Brees (NO) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints on 2008-09-28?
The New Orleans Saints beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-17 in Week 4, 2008.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 3, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 3, New Orleans Saints 21; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 3, New Orleans Saints 0; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 8, New Orleans Saints 10; Final: San Francisco 49ers 17, New Orleans Saints 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q2 9:37) New Orleans Saints touchdown — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q2 3:07) New Orleans Saints touchdown — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q2 1:01) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. McAllister (Q4 11:26) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — I. Bruce (J. O'Sullivan pass) (Q4 4:16) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q1 7:27, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q2 1:49, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q3 10:23, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — M. Gramatica (Q4 0:32, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints?
J. O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers), 36.7% completion, -8.7% CPOE, -0.11 EPA per dropback, -5.20 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 60.5% completion, +10.0% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +14.14 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.14 total EPA on Passing plays. across 38 snaps. Their top snap (+6.28 EPA): (8:52) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson to SF 2 for 81 yards (22-N.Clements). PENALTY on NO-19-D.Henderson, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at SF 2..
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 2-1 Now 2-2 L
New Orleans Saints
Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W
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