Game story
In Week 17 of the 2010 NFL season on 2011-01-02, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 23–13 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +3.91 total EPA, and -4.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.86 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-14.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (9:26) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 27-L.Blount to TB 35 for no gain (96-A.Brown). FUMBLES (96-A.Brown), RECOVERED by NO-56-J.Dunbar at TB 37. No yardage on the pass completion.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Freeman · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +7.86 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 2 A. Arrington · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.87 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 3 J. Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.13 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.07 EPA/play
- 4 M. Williams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.07 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 5 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +3.91 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 6 D. Briscoe · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
- 7 R. Bush · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 8 M. Stovall · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Freeman — TB · Passing
J. Freeman posted the highest total EPA (+7.86) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 31 counted snaps, they averaged +0.25 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.97 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (9:26) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 27-L.Blount to TB 35 for no gain (96-A.Brown). FUMBLES (96-A.Brown), RECOVERED by NO-56-J.Dunbar at TB 37. No yardage on the pass completion.
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. Graham (D. Brees pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — D. Briscoe (J. Freeman pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Williams (J. Freeman pass)
Field goals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth
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 7–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 26 (Q1 55:02) — (10:02) 10-C.Barth 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q1 49:45) — (4:45) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 49:41) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 36:45) — (6:45) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman pass short right to 89-D.Briscoe for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 36:40) — 10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone..
The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 27 (Q3 25:35) — (10:35) 5-G.Hartley 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 15 (Q3 23:05) — (8:05) 10-C.Barth 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 18 (Q3 17:15) — (2:15) 5-J.Freeman pass deep right to 19-M.Williams for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, YAC 0; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 17:09) — 10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 19 (Q4 11:21) — (11:21) 5-G.Hartley 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 30 (Q4 4:06) — (4:06) 10-C.Barth 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 9:26) — (9:26) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 27-L.Blount to TB 35 for no gain (96-A.Brown). FUMBLES (96-A.Brown), RECOVERED by NO-56-J.Dunbar at TB 37. No yardage on the pass completion.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 17:15) — (2:15) 5-J.Freeman pass deep right to 19-M.Williams for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, YAC 0
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 8:09) — (8:09) 10-C.Daniel FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 39, recovered by NO-25-R.Bush at TB 39. 25-R.Bush to TB 39 for no gain (26-S.Jones).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 31:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman sacked at NO 48 for -10 yards (97-J.Charleston). FUMBLES (97-J.Charleston) [97-J.Charleston], RECOVERED by NO-97-J.Charleston at NO 48. 97-J.Charleston to NO 48 for no gai
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 25:30) — 6-T.Morstead kicks 72 yards from NO 30 to TB -2. 81-M.Spurlock pushed ob at NO 33 for 69 yards (6-T.Morstead).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 9:26) — (9:26) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 27-L.Blount to TB 35 for no gain (96-A.Brown). FUMBLES (96-A.Brown), RECOVERED by NO-56-J.Dunbar at TB 37. No yardage on the pass completion.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:27) — (12:27) 21-J.Jones left guard to TB 4 for -1 yards (51-B.Ruud). FUMBLES (51-B.Ruud), RECOVERED by TB-98-F.Okam at TB 4. 98-F.Okam to TB 4 for no gain (71-C.Brown).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:18) — (5:18) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 38 for -4 yards (97-A.Magee). FUMBLES (97-A.Magee), RECOVERED by TB-96-T.Crowder at NO 38.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:43) — (5:43) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman pass deep right to 89-D.Briscoe to NO 32 for 54 yards (22-T.Porter). Pass 39, YAC 15
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 · 50.0% completion · -4.0% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.91 total EPA
- J.Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 31 dropbacks · 67.7% completion · +16.1% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +7.86 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.148 | -0.058 |
| Offensive success rate | 50.0% | 43.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.229 | +0.073 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.165 | -0.450 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.058 | -0.148 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.0% | 50.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Tampa Bay Buccaneers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.15 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, -5.01 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 drives, +9.76 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- J. Freeman (TB) 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.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 55:02 · NO 26 · Score 3-0
(10:02) 10-C.Barth 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 49:45 · TB 4 · Score 3-6
(4:45) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 49:41 · TB 2 · Score 3-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 36:45 · NO 2 · Score 9-7
(6:45) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman pass short right to 89-D.Briscoe for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 36:40 · NO 2 · Score 10-7
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 25:35 · TB 27 · Score 10-10
(10:35) 5-G.Hartley 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 23:05 · NO 15 · Score 13-10
(8:05) 10-C.Barth 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 17:15 · NO 18 · Score 19-10
(2:15) 5-J.Freeman pass deep right to 19-M.Williams for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 18, YAC 0 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 17:09 · NO 2 · Score 20-10
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 11:21 · TB 19 · Score 20-13
(11:21) 5-G.Hartley 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 4:06 · NO 30 · Score 23-13
(4:06) 10-C.Barth 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-1-R.Malone.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 23-13 in Week 17, 2010 on 2011-01-02.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, New Orleans Saints 13 (TB 23-13 NO) in Week 17, 2010 on 2011-01-02.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, New Orleans Saints 7; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, New Orleans Saints 0; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10, New Orleans Saints 3; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, New Orleans Saints 13.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q1 49:45) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — D. Briscoe (J. Freeman pass) (Q2 36:45) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Williams (J. Freeman pass) (Q3 17:15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q1 55:02, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q3 25:35, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q3 23:05, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q4 11:21, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q4 4:06, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 50.0% completion, -4.0% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +3.91 total passing EPA. J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 67.7% completion, +16.1% CPOE, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +7.86 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +7.86 on passing plays. across 31 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.97 EPA): (9:26) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 27-L.Blount to TB 35 for no gain (96-A.Brown). FUMBLES (96-A.Brown), RECOVERED by NO-56-J.Dunbar at TB 37. No yardage on the pass completion. The biggest win-probability swing was -14.5%.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 9-6 Now 10-6 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 11-4 Now 11-5 L
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