Game story
In Week 15 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-12-17, the Washington Commanders took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 16–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -1.50 total EPA, and -6.9% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-22.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to 18-T.Copper (22-C.Rogers).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +9.10 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
- 2 C. Cooley · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +6.65 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.66 EPA/play
- 3 B. Miller · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.95 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
- 4 T. Copper · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.71 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 5 L. Betts · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.97 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
- 6 J. Campbell · Washington Commanders · Passing · +2.63 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 7 B. Lloyd · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
- 8 D. McAllister · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.41 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Colston — NO · Receiving
M. Colston posted the highest total EPA (+9.10) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.30 EPA per play.
The signature play (+3.91 EPA) came from Washington Commanders: (2:24) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 47-C.Cooley pushed ob at NO 31 for 44 yards (21-J.Craft).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Washington Commanders — S. Moss (J. Campbell pass)
- New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — S. Suisham
- Washington Commanders — S. Suisham
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Washington Commanders — S. Suisham
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 10–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the NO 19 (Q1 55:32) — (10:32) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the NO 31 (Q1 46:50) — (1:50) 17-J.Campbell pass deep middle to 89-S.Moss for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 46:41) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the WAS 1 (Q2 39:20) — (9:20) 26-D.McAllister left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 39:14) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the NO 20 (Q2 35:15) — (5:15) 6-S.Suisham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the WAS 23 (Q4 13:31) — (13:31) 3-J.Carney 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the NO 4 (Q4 4:19) — (4:19) 6-S.Suisham 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:53) — (:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to 18-T.Copper (22-C.Rogers).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:36) — (10:36) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 22-C.Rogers at WAS 35. 22-C.Rogers to WAS 35 for no gain (19-D.Henderson).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:34) — (2:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 19-D.Henderson to WAS 34 for 16 yards (21-S.Taylor).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:01) — (1:01) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 25-R.Bush to WAS 16 for -1 yards (99-A.Carter).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 25-R.Bush to WAS 19 for 15 yards (53-M.Washington).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 47:24) — (2:24) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 47-C.Cooley pushed ob at NO 31 for 44 yards (21-J.Craft).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:10) — (11:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston to NO 30 for 24 yards (98-L.Marshall).
- Washington Commanders (Q1 46:50) — (1:50) 17-J.Campbell pass deep middle to 89-S.Moss for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 10:36) — (10:36) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 22-C.Rogers at WAS 35. 22-C.Rogers to WAS 35 for no gain (19-D.Henderson).
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) · 41 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · -6.9% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.50 total EPA
- J.Campbell (Washington Commanders) · 30 dropbacks · 43.3% completion · -8.2% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +2.63 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.070 | -0.053 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.0% | 39.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.088 | -0.037 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.080 | -0.162 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.053 | -0.070 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.0% | 56.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Washington Commanders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, -4.34 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 11 drives, +5.24 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Washington Commanders 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.
- M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) 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. Campbell (WAS) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 55:32 · NO 19 · Score 3-0
(10:32) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 46:50 · NO 31 · Score 9-0
(1:50) 17-J.Campbell pass deep middle to 89-S.Moss for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 46:41 · NO 2 · Score 10-0
6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 39:20 · WAS 1 · Score 10-6
(9:20) 26-D.McAllister left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 39:14 · WAS 2 · Score 10-7
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 35:15 · NO 20 · Score 13-7
(5:15) 6-S.Suisham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 13:31 · WAS 23 · Score 13-10
(13:31) 3-J.Carney 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q4 4:19 · NO 4 · Score 16-10
(4:19) 6-S.Suisham 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints?
The Washington Commanders beat the New Orleans Saints 16-10 in Week 15, 2006 on 2006-12-17.
What was the final score of Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Washington Commanders 16, New Orleans Saints 10 (WAS 16-10 NO) in Week 15, 2006 on 2006-12-17.
What was the score by quarter in Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Washington Commanders 10, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Washington Commanders 3, New Orleans Saints 7; Q4: Washington Commanders 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Washington Commanders 16, New Orleans Saints 10.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints?
Washington Commanders touchdown — S. Moss (J. Campbell pass) (Q1 46:50) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. McAllister (Q2 39:20) Washington Commanders field goal — S. Suisham (Q1 55:32, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — S. Suisham (Q2 35:15, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q4 13:31, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — S. Suisham (Q4 4:19, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 51.2% completion, -6.9% CPOE, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.50 total passing EPA. J. Campbell (Washington Commanders), 43.3% completion, -8.2% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +2.63 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints?
M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +9.10 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+3.91 EPA): (2:24) 17-J.Campbell pass short middle to 47-C.Cooley pushed ob at NO 31 for 44 yards (21-J.Craft).. The biggest win-probability swing was -22.8%.
Was Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Washington Commanders won 16-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Washington Commanders
Entered 4-9 Now 5-9 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 9-4 Now 9-5 L
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