San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2019 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-12-08, the San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 48–46 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +18.15 total EPA, and -1.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.51 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+47.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (:39) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 85-G.Kittle to NO 28 for 39 yards (43-M.Williams; 22-C.Gardner-Johnson). PENALTY on NO-43-M.Williams, Face Mask (15 Yards), 14 yards, enforced at NO 2

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 J. Garoppolo · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +18.51 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +18.15 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Cook · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.89 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.44 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.15 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Bourne · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.95 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
6. 6 E. Sanders · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.61 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
7. 7 G. Kittle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +4.64 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Samuel · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.67 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.46 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 — J. Cook (D. Brees pass) (Q1 56:42)
• San Francisco 49ers — K. Bourne (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q1 53:31)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Cook (D. Brees pass) (Q1 49:58)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Hill (D. Brees pass) (Q2 45:00)
• San Francisco 49ers — E. Sanders (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q2 44:57)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Brees (Q2 37:31)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Mostert (E. Sanders pass) (Q2 36:08)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Mostert (Q2 30:45)
• San Francisco 49ers — G. Kittle (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q3 24:46)
• San Francisco 49ers — K. Bourne (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q4 9:06)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 6:12)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q4 1:00)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q3 27:41)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q3 19:56)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q4 2:28)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q4 0:02)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 38 (Q1 56:42) — (11:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 87-J.Cook for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, YAC 20; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 56:34) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q1 53:31) — (8:31) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 84-K.Bourne for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 0; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 53:26) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 26 (Q1 49:58).

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 21–14. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 3 (Q2 45:00); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 44:57) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 75 (Q2 44:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep middle to 17-E.Sanders for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 49, YAC 26; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 44:43); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q2 37:31) — (7:31) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 37:29) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 35 (Q2 36:08); San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 35:59) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q2 30:45) — (:45) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert right guard for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 30:42) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–6. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SF 37 (Q3 27:41) — (12:41) 3-W.Lutz 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q3 24:46) — (9:46) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 85-G.Kittle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 5; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 24:40) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SF 30 (Q3 19:56) — (4:56) 3-W.Lutz 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 13–13. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q4 9:06) — (9:06) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 84-K.Bourne for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 8:59); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 21 (Q4 6:12) — (6:12) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, YAC 7; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 6:06) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the NO 23 (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 18 (Q4 1:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 10-T.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 13; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the NO 12 (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 9-R.Gould 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky..

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 85-G.Kittle to NO 28 for 39 yards (43-M.Williams; 22-C.Gardner-Johnson). PENALTY on NO-43-M.Williams, Face Mask (15 Yards), 14 yards, enforced at NO 2 [WPA +47.4% · EPA +4.49]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 9-R.Gould 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky. [WPA +29.5% · EPA +0.09]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 25:34) — (10:34) 41-A.Kamara left guard to NO 20 for no gain (93-D.Jones). FUMBLES (93-D.Jones), RECOVERED by SF-99-D.Buckner at NO 20. 99-D.Buckner to NO 20 for no gain (67-L.Warford). [WPA -23.3% · EPA -5.99]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 10-T.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 13 [WPA +16.1% · EPA +2.47]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 28:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 52-C.Robertson at SF 43. 52-C.Robertson to SF 40 for 3 yards (85-G.Kittle). INJURY UPDATE: SF #55 D.Ford, ha [WPA -14.7% · EPA -4.69]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 25:34) — (10:34) 41-A.Kamara left guard to NO 20 for no gain (93-D.Jones). FUMBLES (93-D.Jones), RECOVERED by SF-99-D.Buckner at NO 20. 99-D.Buckner to NO 20 for no gain (67-L.Warford). [WPA -23.3% · EPA -5.99]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 44:57) — (14:57) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep middle to 17-E.Sanders for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 49, YAC 26 [WPA +14.4% · EPA +5.83]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 28:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 52-C.Robertson at SF 43. 52-C.Robertson to SF 40 for 3 yards (85-G.Kittle). INJURY UPDATE: SF #55 D.Ford, ha [WPA -14.7% · EPA -4.69]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 56:42) — (11:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 87-J.Cook for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, YAC 20 [WPA +11.5% · EPA +4.55]

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) · 44 dropbacks · 65.9% completion · -1.7% CPOE · +0.41 EPA/play · +18.15 total EPA
• J.Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) · 40 dropbacks · 65.0% completion · +6.0% CPOE · +0.46 EPA/play · +18.51 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 (San Francisco 49ers +0.20, New Orleans Saints +0.16) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, +14.46 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, +17.77 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• San Francisco 49ers 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.
• J. Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Garoppolo (SF) 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) — Q1 56:42 · SF 38 · Score 0-6
   (11:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 87-J.Cook for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, YAC 20
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 56:34 · SF 15 · Score 0-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 53:31 · NO 6 · Score 6-7
   (8:31) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 84-K.Bourne for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 6, YAC 0
4. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 53:26 · NO 15 · Score 7-7
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 49:58 · SF 26 · Score 7-13
   (4:58) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 87-J.Cook for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NO-87-J.Cook was injured during the play. His return is Probable. Pass 26, YAC 0
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · SF 3 · Score 7-19
   (15:00) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 89-J.Hill for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 2 INJURY UPDATE: SF #55 D.Ford, hamstring, QUESTIONABLE to return.
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 44:57 · SF 15 · Score 7-20
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
8. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 44:57 · NO 75 · Score 13-20
   (14:57) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep middle to 17-E.Sanders for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 49, YAC 26
9. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 44:43 · NO 15 · Score 14-20
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky. INJURY UPDATE: NO #87 J.Cook, taken to locker room for head/neck evaluation, QUESTIONA
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 37:31 · SF 1 · Score 14-26
    (7:31) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 37:29 · SF 15 · Score 14-27
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
12. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 36:08 · NO 35 · Score 20-27
    (6:08) 17-E.Sanders pass deep right to 31-R.Mostert for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Garoppolo handed off to Samuel, who lateralled back to Sanders, who threw to Moster
13. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 35:59 · NO 15 · Score 21-27
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
14. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 30:45 · NO 10 · Score 27-27
    (:45) (Shotgun) 31-R.Mostert right guard for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 30:42 · NO 15 · Score 28-27
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
16. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 27:41 · SF 37 · Score 28-30
    (12:41) 3-W.Lutz 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
17. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 24:46 · NO 5 · Score 34-30
    (9:46) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short left to 85-G.Kittle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 0, YAC 5
18. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 24:40 · NO 15 · Score 35-30
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
19. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 19:56 · SF 30 · Score 35-33
    (4:56) 3-W.Lutz 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
20. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 9:06 · NO 6 · Score 41-33
    (9:06) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short middle to 84-K.Bourne for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 8:59 · NO 15 · Score 42-33
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky. PENALTY on NO-97-M.Edwards, Leverage, 15 yards, enforced between downs. INJURY UPDATE:
22. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 6:12 · SF 21 · Score 42-39
    (6:12) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, YAC 7
23. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 6:06 · SF 15 · Score 42-40
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
24. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 2:28 · NO 23 · Score 45-40
    (2:28) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
25. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:00 · SF 18 · Score 45-46
    (1:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 10-T.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 13
26. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · NO 12 · Score 48-46
    (:02) 9-R.Gould 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.