New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears: 2006 Divisional Recap

Game story

In the Divisional of the 2006 NFL season on 2007-01-21, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 39–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -8.03 total EPA, and -5.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Bush (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.81 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-15.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (5:38) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston to CHI 46 for 12 yards (46-C.Harris). FUMBLES (46-C.Harris), RECOVERED by CHI-31-N.Vasher at 50. 31-N.Vasher to NO 36 for 14 yards (78-J.St

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 R. Bush · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +10.81 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.54 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Jones · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +7.57 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Berrian · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.85 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.87 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Copper · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Clark · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.26 EPA/play
7. 7 D. McAllister · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.87 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Davis · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +1.61 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.61 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

• Chicago Bears — T. Jones (Q2 32:00)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 30:51)
• New Orleans Saints — R. Bush (D. Brees pass) (Q3 27:35)
• Chicago Bears — B. Berrian (R. Grossman pass) (Q4 14:32)
• Chicago Bears — C. Benson (Q4 11:43)
• Chicago Bears — T. Jones (Q4 4:28)

Field goals

• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q1 45:44)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 43:45)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 38:55)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 3–0. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the NO 1 (Q1 45:44) — (:44) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 13–7. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the NO 25 (Q2 43:45) — (13:45) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the NO 6 (Q2 38:55) — (8:55) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 20-T.Jones right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 31:56) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CHI 13 (Q2 30:51) — (:51) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q2 30:46) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–2. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CHI 88 (Q3 27:35) — (12:35) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 25-R.Bush for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q3 27:20) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.; Chicago Bears registered a safety from the CHI 95 (Q3 20:32) — (5:32) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete to 80-M.Campbell. PENALTY on NO-9-D.Brees, Intentional Grounding, 5 yards, enforced in End Zone, SAFETY..

The fourth quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 21–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NO 33 (Q4 14:32) — (14:32) 8-R.Grossman pass deep left to 80-B.Berrian for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-H.Thomas].; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 14:23) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NO 12 (Q4 11:43) — (11:43) 32-C.Benson left guard for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 11:37) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q4 4:28) — (4:28) 20-T.Jones right end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 4:19) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 50:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston to CHI 46 for 12 yards (46-C.Harris). FUMBLES (46-C.Harris), RECOVERED by CHI-31-N.Vasher at 50. 31-N.Vasher to NO 36 for 14 yards (78-J.St [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.14]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 27:35) — (12:35) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 25-R.Bush for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.8% · EPA +7.69]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 22:02) — (7:02) (Field Goal formation) 4-B.Cundiff 47 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -3.78]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 59:22) — (14:22) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 19-D.Henderson to CHI 32 for 40 yards (33-C.Tillman) [93-A.Ogunleye]. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.91]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 45:41) — 9-R.Gould kicks 64 yards from CHI 30 to NO 6. 84-M.Lewis to NO 27 for 21 yards (29-A.Peterson). FUMBLES (29-A.Peterson), RECOVERED by CHI-38-D.Manning at NO 30. 38-D.Manning to NO 30 for no gain (Team [WPA -8.7% · EPA -4.37]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 27:35) — (12:35) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 25-R.Bush for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.8% · EPA +7.69]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 50:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston to CHI 46 for 12 yards (46-C.Harris). FUMBLES (46-C.Harris), RECOVERED by CHI-31-N.Vasher at 50. 31-N.Vasher to NO 36 for 14 yards (78-J.St [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.14]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 13:45) — (13:45) 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 26 for -4 yards (93-A.Ogunleye). Play Challenged by CHI and REVERSED. 9-D.Brees sacked at NO 26 for -4 yards (93-A.Ogunleye). FUMBLES (93-A.Ogunleye), RECOVERED by CHI-9 [WPA -5.7% · EPA -4.48]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 45:41) — 9-R.Gould kicks 64 yards from CHI 30 to NO 6. 84-M.Lewis to NO 27 for 21 yards (29-A.Peterson). FUMBLES (29-A.Peterson), RECOVERED by CHI-38-D.Manning at NO 30. 38-D.Manning to NO 30 for no gain (Team [WPA -8.7% · EPA -4.37]

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) · 54 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -5.6% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -8.03 total EPA
• R.Grossman (Chicago Bears) · 26 dropbacks · 42.3% completion · -10.9% CPOE · -0.25 EPA/play · -6.55 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Chicago Bears held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.25), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Chicago Bears: 16 drives, +4.70 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 15 drives, -20.82 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Chicago Bears leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Bush (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.
• R. Grossman (CHI) 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. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 45:44 · NO 1 · Score 0-3
   (:44) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
2. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 43:45 · NO 25 · Score 0-6
   (13:45) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
3. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 38:55 · NO 6 · Score 0-9
   (8:55) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
4. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · NO 2 · Score 0-15
   (2:00) 20-T.Jones right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 31:56 · NO 2 · Score 0-16
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:51 · CHI 13 · Score 6-16
   (:51) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 12-M.Colston for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:46 · CHI 2 · Score 7-16
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 27:35 · CHI 88 · Score 13-16
   (12:35) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 25-R.Bush for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 27:20 · CHI 2 · Score 14-16
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-10-J.Martin.
10. Chicago Bears Safety (+2) — Q3 20:32 · CHI 95 · Score 14-18
    (5:32) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete to 80-M.Campbell. PENALTY on NO-9-D.Brees, Intentional Grounding, 5 yards, enforced in End Zone, SAFETY.
11. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 14:32 · NO 33 · Score 14-24
    (14:32) 8-R.Grossman pass deep left to 80-B.Berrian for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN [99-H.Thomas].
12. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 14:23 · NO 2 · Score 14-25
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
13. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 11:43 · NO 12 · Score 14-31
    (11:43) 32-C.Benson left guard for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 11:37 · NO 2 · Score 14-32
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
15. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 4:28 · NO 15 · Score 14-38
    (4:28) 20-T.Jones right end for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 4:19 · NO 2 · Score 14-39
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.