Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints: 2009 Divisional Recap

Game story

In the Divisional of the 2009 NFL season on 2010-01-24, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 31–28 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Favre (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +11.05 total EPA, and -1.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Favre (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.05 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-34.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (:19) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle intended for 18-S.Rice INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter at NO 22. 22-T.Porter to NO 48 for 26 yards (65-J.Sullivan).

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 B. Favre · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +11.05 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
2. 2 V. Shiancoe · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +8.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +7.78 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Peterson · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +4.74 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Bush · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
6. 6 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.89 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
7. 7 P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.62 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Berrian · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.06 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.17 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

• Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson (Q1 54:41)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q1 51:42)
• Minnesota Vikings — S. Rice (B. Favre pass) (Q1 47:16)
• New Orleans Saints — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q2 40:37)
• New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q3 28:05)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson (Q3 22:40)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Bush (D. Brees pass) (Q4 12:48)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Peterson (Q4 5:03)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (OT 10:19)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 19 (Q1 54:41) — (9:41) 28-A.Peterson left guard for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 54:35) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 38 (Q1 51:42) — (6:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -1, YAC 39; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 51:30) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q1 47:16) — (2:16) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short middle to 18-S.Rice for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 0; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 47:11) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q2 40:37) — (10:37) (No Huddle) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 40:30) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q3 28:05) — (13:05) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 27:56) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 22:40) — (7:40) 28-A.Peterson left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 22:35) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 5 (Q4 12:48); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 1 (Q4 12:39) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q4 5:03) — (5:03) 28-A.Peterson left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 4:58) — 8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe..

Overtime: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the MIN 22 (OT 10:19) — (10:19) 5-G.Hartley 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

Turning points

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:19) — (:19) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle intended for 18-S.Rice INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter at NO 22. 22-T.Porter to NO 48 for 26 yards (65-J.Sullivan). [WPA -34.4% · EPA -1.38]
• New Orleans Saints (OT 12:40) — (12:40) 23-P.Thomas left guard to MIN 41 for 2 yards (52-C.Greenway). The Replay Assistant challenged the first down ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +22.2% · EPA +2.19]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:24) — (1:24) 5-C.Kluwe punts 39 yards to NO 14, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 25-R.Bush MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIN-55-K.Onatolu at NO 10. [WPA +21.7% · EPA +4.47]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:00) — (1:00) 4-B.Favre FUMBLES (Aborted) at NO 10, RECOVERED by NO-55-S.Fujita at NO 10. 55-S.Fujita to NO 10 for no gain (28-A.Peterson). [WPA -19.1% · EPA -5.39]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 14:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 12-P.Harvin left end to MIN 22 for -5 yards (91-W.Smith). FUMBLES (91-W.Smith), touched at MIN 22, RECOVERED by NO-92-R.Ayodele at MIN 12. 92-R.Ayodele to MIN 7 for 5 yards (83-J.Dug [WPA -18.8% · EPA -6.35]

Impact plays

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 14:21) — (14:21) (Shotgun) 12-P.Harvin left end to MIN 22 for -5 yards (91-W.Smith). FUMBLES (91-W.Smith), touched at MIN 22, RECOVERED by NO-92-R.Ayodele at MIN 12. 92-R.Ayodele to MIN 7 for 5 yards (83-J.Dug [WPA -18.8% · EPA -6.35]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:00) — (1:00) 4-B.Favre FUMBLES (Aborted) at NO 10, RECOVERED by NO-55-S.Fujita at NO 10. 55-S.Fujita to NO 10 for no gain (28-A.Peterson). [WPA -19.1% · EPA -5.39]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 17:06) — (2:06) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 18-S.Rice INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [93-B.McCray] at NO 28. 51-J.Vilma to NO 31 for 3 yards (87-B.Berrian). MIN-4-B.Favre was injured during t [WPA -13.6% · EPA -4.71]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 31:24) — (1:24) 5-C.Kluwe punts 39 yards to NO 14, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 25-R.Bush MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIN-55-K.Onatolu at NO 10. [WPA +21.7% · EPA +4.47]

Quarterback report card

B.Favre led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Favre (Minnesota Vikings) · 49 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · -1.6% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +11.05 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 34 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -8.2% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +7.78 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 (Minnesota Vikings +0.09, New Orleans Saints +0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, +9.10 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, +8.05 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New Orleans Saints 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.
• B. Favre (Minnesota Vikings) 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.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 54:41 · NO 19 · Score 6-0
   (9:41) 28-A.Peterson left guard for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 54:35 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 51:42 · MIN 38 · Score 7-6
   (6:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass -1, YAC 39
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 51:30 · MIN 2 · Score 7-7
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
5. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 47:16 · NO 5 · Score 13-7
   (2:16) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short middle to 18-S.Rice for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 5, YAC 0
6. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 47:11 · NO 2 · Score 14-7
   8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 40:37 · MIN 9 · Score 14-13
   (10:37) (No Huddle) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 19-D.Henderson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 9, YAC 0
8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 40:30 · MIN 2 · Score 14-14
   5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 28:05 · MIN 9 · Score 14-20
   (13:05) 23-P.Thomas right guard for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 27:56 · MIN 2 · Score 14-21
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
11. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 22:40 · NO 1 · Score 20-21
    (7:40) 28-A.Peterson left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 22:35 · NO 2 · Score 21-21
    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:48 · MIN 5 · Score 21-27
    (12:48) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 25-R.Bush pushed ob at MIN 1 for 4 yards (25-T.Johnson). New Orleans challenged the runner broke the plane rulin
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 12:39 · MIN 1 · Score 21-28
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
15. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 5:03 · NO 2 · Score 27-28
    (5:03) 28-A.Peterson left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 4:58 · NO 2 · Score 28-28
    8-R.Longwell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
17. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — OT 10:19 · MIN 22 · Score 28-31
    (10:19) 5-G.Hartley 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.