Game story
In the Wild Card of the 2018 NFL season on 2019-01-13, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 20–14 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +9.80 total EPA, and +8.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.08 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-26.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +11.08 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 2 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +9.80 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 3 K. Kirkwood · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.00 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.00 EPA/play
- 4 J. Matthews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.20 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
- 5 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.11 EPA/play
- 6 T. Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 7 N. Foles · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +0.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
- 8 N. Agholor · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +0.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Thomas — NO · Receiving
M. Thomas posted the highest total EPA (+11.08) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 16 counted snaps, they averaged +0.69 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.64 EPA) came from Philadelphia Eagles: (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Philadelphia Eagles — J. Matthews (N. Foles pass)
- Philadelphia Eagles — N. Foles
- New Orleans Saints — K. Kirkwood (D. Brees pass)
- New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz
- New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 37 (Q1 55:49) — (10:49) 9-N.Foles pass deep left to 80-J.Matthews for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [57-A.Okafor]. Pass 30, YAC 7; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 55:41) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 49:39) — (4:39) 9-N.Foles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 49:37) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PHI 2 (Q2 37:28) — (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 37:23) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 27 (Q2 30:11) — (:11) 3-W.Lutz 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PHI 2 (Q3 16:44) — (1:44) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 16:40) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 21 (Q4 10:32) — (10:32) 3-W.Lutz 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:01) — (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 18:21) — (3:21) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas to PHI 12 for 20 yards (37-T.Sullivan). Pass 14, YAC 6
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:03) — (3:03) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 37:28) — (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:53) — (2:53) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short middle to 86-Z.Ertz to NO 42 for 16 yards (92-M.Davenport). Pass 13, YAC 3
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:01) — (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 37:28) — (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:03) — (3:03) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 51:05) — (6:05) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass deep right to 17-A.Jeffery pushed ob at NO 4 for 30 yards (23-M.Lattimore). Pass 24, YAC 6
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 · 68.3% completion · +8.0% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +9.80 total EPA
- N.Foles (Philadelphia Eagles) · 33 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -7.8% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.06 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Philadelphia Eagles | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.068 | +0.015 |
| Offensive success rate | 35.4% | 41.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.002 | +0.212 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.148 | -0.080 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.015 | +0.068 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.4% | 64.6% |
By the numbers
New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +1.32 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Philadelphia Eagles: 10 drives, -4.45 total EPA, 2 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.
- M. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Brees (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- N. Foles (PHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 55:49 · NO 37 · Score 6-0
(10:49) 9-N.Foles pass deep left to 80-J.Matthews for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [57-A.Okafor]. Pass 30, YAC 7 - Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 55:41 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston. - Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 49:39 · NO 1 · Score 13-0
(4:39) 9-N.Foles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 49:37 · NO 15 · Score 14-0
4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 37:28 · PHI 2 · Score 14-6
(7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 37:23 · PHI 15 · Score 14-7
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:11 · PHI 27 · Score 14-10
(:11) 3-W.Lutz 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 16:44 · PHI 2 · Score 14-16
(1:44) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 16:40 · PHI 15 · Score 14-17
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 10:32 · PHI 21 · Score 14-20
(10:32) 3-W.Lutz 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 in Wild Card, 2018 on 2019-01-13.
What was the final score of Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Philadelphia Eagles 14, New Orleans Saints 20 (PHI 14-20 NO) in Wild Card, 2018 on 2019-01-13.
What was the score by quarter in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Philadelphia Eagles 14, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Philadelphia Eagles 0, New Orleans Saints 10; Q3: Philadelphia Eagles 0, New Orleans Saints 7; Q4: Philadelphia Eagles 0, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Philadelphia Eagles 14, New Orleans Saints 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?
Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — J. Matthews (N. Foles pass) (Q1 55:49) Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — N. Foles (Q1 49:39) New Orleans Saints touchdown — K. Kirkwood (D. Brees pass) (Q2 37:28) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q3 16:44) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q2 30:11, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q4 10:32, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 68.3% completion, +8.0% CPOE, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +9.80 total passing EPA. N. Foles (Philadelphia Eagles), 54.5% completion, -7.8% CPOE, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.06 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?
M. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +11.08 on receiving plays. across 16 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.64 EPA): (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate).. The biggest win-probability swing was -26.1%.
Was Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. New Orleans Saints won 20-14 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Philadelphia Eagles
Entered 10-7 Now 10-8 L
New Orleans Saints
Entered 13-3 Now 14-3 W
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