Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 24–6 Buffalo Bills
- Halftime
- New Orleans Saints 0–6 Buffalo Bills at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- A. Brooks
- Top passer
- Roschon Johnson
- Biggest EPA play
- (11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in cover…
- Game date
- 2001-09-09
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the Buffalo Bills 24–6 on 2001-09-09, overcoming Buffalo Bills's 6–0 halftime lead. A. Brooks posted a game-high +8.90 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New Orleans Saints | 0 | 0 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
 Buffalo Bills | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
NONew Orleans Saints(:38) 9-J.Arians 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
(8:31) 9-J.Arians 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
(11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side.
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
(6:53) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
(2:56) 2-A.Brooks pass to 85-C.Cleeland for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in rear right corner of end zone.
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
(3:09) 2-A.Brooks pass to 34-R.Williams for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen right, caught at BUF 19
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
BUFBuffalo BillsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q1 0:38FG JAJ. AriansPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 18
- Score
- 0-3
(:38) 9-J.Arians 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 8:31FG JAJ. AriansPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 4
- Score
- 0-6
(8:31) 9-J.Arians 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 11:13TD ACA. ConnellPoints+6
- Yard line
- BUF 46
- Score
- 6-6
(11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 11:02XP JCJ. CarneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- BUF 2
- Score
- 7-6
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 6:53FG JCJ. CarneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- BUF 13
- Score
- 10-6
(6:53) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 2:56TD CCC. CleelandPoints+6
- Yard line
- BUF 12
- Score
- 16-6
(2:56) 2-A.Brooks pass to 85-C.Cleeland for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in rear right corner of end zone.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 2:50XP JCJ. CarneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- BUF 2
- Score
- 17-6
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 3:09TD Ryan WilliamsPoints+6
- Yard line
- BUF 19
- Score
- 23-6
(3:09) 2-A.Brooks pass to 34-R.Williams for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen right, caught at BUF 19
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 3:02XP JCJ. CarneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- BUF 2
- Score
- 24-6
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +8.90 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 2A. Connell · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.22 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
- 3Ryan Williams · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
- 4L. Centers · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 5C. Cleeland · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 6
Russell Wilson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.21 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play - 7P. Price · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.84 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
- 8P. Price · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
A. Brooks — NO · Passing
A. Brooks posted the highest total EPA (+8.90) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 32 counted snaps, they averaged +0.28 EPA per play.
A. Brooks's top snap (+6.58 EPA): (11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side.
Quarterback report card
Roschon Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
Roschon Johnson (Buffalo Bills) · 35 dropbacks · 45.7% completion · -0.42 EPA/play · -14.71 total EPA- A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 32 dropbacks · 56.2% completion · +0.28 EPA/play · +8.90 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.046 | -0.233 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.1% | 30.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.255 | -0.427 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.155 | -0.162 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.233 | -0.046 |
| Defensive success rate | 69.3% | 57.9% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.23), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- New Orleans Saints: +0.05 EPA/play (66th percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)
- Buffalo Bills: -0.23 EPA/play (8th percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, -17.49 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +3.50 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — A. Connell (A. Brooks pass)
- New Orleans Saints — C. Cleeland (A. Brooks pass)
- New Orleans Saints — Ryan Williams (A. Brooks pass)
Field goals
- Buffalo Bills — J. Arians
- Buffalo Bills — J. Arians
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NO 18 (Q1 0:38) — (:38) 9-J.Arians 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma..
The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the NO 4 (Q2 8:31) — (8:31) 9-J.Arians 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 17–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 46 (Q3 11:13) — (11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 11:02) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the BUF 13 (Q3 6:53) — (6:53) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 12 (Q3 2:56) — (2:56) 2-A.Brooks pass to 85-C.Cleeland for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in rear right corner of end zone.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 2:50) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the BUF 19 (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) 2-A.Brooks pass to 34-R.Williams for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen right, caught at BUF 19; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 3:02) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 11:13) — (11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side.
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 7:46) — (7:46) 11-R.Johnson pass intended for 80-E.Moulds INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 25. 29-S.Knight to NO 46 for 21 yards (11-R.Johnson). Coverage in left flat PENALTY on BUF-81-P.Price, Personal Foul,
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 9:30) — (9:30) 11-R.Johnson pass intended for 85-J.Riemersma INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at BUF 46. 29-S.Knight to BUF 27 for 19 yards (75-J.Jennings). Receiver overthrown, coverage over middle.
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 3:05) — (3:05) 11-R.Johnson pass to 81-P.Price to NO 17 for 32 yards (36-M.Hawthorne). Caught at NO 21, left side
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 5:59) — (5:59) 11-R.Johnson pass intended for 85-J.Riemersma INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight (56-C.Clemons) at BUF 32. 29-S.Knight to BUF 32 for no gain (75-J.Jennings). Tipped by C.Clemons before INT. Coverage ov
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 11:13) — (11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:09) — (3:09) 2-A.Brooks pass to 34-R.Williams for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen right, caught at BUF 19
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 7:46) — (7:46) 11-R.Johnson pass intended for 80-E.Moulds INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 25. 29-S.Knight to NO 46 for 21 yards (11-R.Johnson). Coverage in left flat PENALTY on BUF-81-P.Price, Personal Foul,
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 9:30) — (9:30) 11-R.Johnson pass intended for 85-J.Riemersma INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at BUF 46. 29-S.Knight to BUF 27 for 19 yards (75-J.Jennings). Receiver overthrown, coverage over middle.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q1 0:38 · NO 18 · Score 0-3
(:38) 9-J.Arians 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 8:31 · NO 4 · Score 0-6
(8:31) 9-J.Arians 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-87-D.O'Leary, Holder-85-J.Riemersma. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 11:13 · BUF 46 · Score 6-6
(11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 11:02 · BUF 2 · Score 7-6
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 6:53 · BUF 13 · Score 10-6
(6:53) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 2:56 · BUF 12 · Score 16-6
(2:56) 2-A.Brooks pass to 85-C.Cleeland for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in rear right corner of end zone. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 2:50 · BUF 2 · Score 17-6
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:09 · BUF 19 · Score 23-6
(3:09) 2-A.Brooks pass to 34-R.Williams for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen right, caught at BUF 19 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:02 · BUF 2 · Score 24-6
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- New Orleans Saints earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills on 2001-09-09?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Buffalo Bills 24-6 in Week 1, 2001.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 0, Buffalo Bills 3; Q2: New Orleans Saints 0, Buffalo Bills 3; Q3: New Orleans Saints 17, Buffalo Bills 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 7, Buffalo Bills 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 24, Buffalo Bills 6.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Connell (A. Brooks pass) (Q3 11:13) New Orleans Saints touchdown — C. Cleeland (A. Brooks pass) (Q3 2:56) New Orleans Saints touchdown — R. Williams (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 3:09) Buffalo Bills field goal — J. Arians (Q1 0:38, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — J. Arians (Q2 8:31, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 6:53, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?
Roschon Johnson (Buffalo Bills), 45.7% completion, -0.42 EPA per dropback, -14.71 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 56.2% completion, +0.28 EPA per dropback, +8.90 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills?
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.90 total EPA on Passing plays. across 32 snaps. Their top snap (+6.58 EPA): (11:13) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught in coverage 6 yds. into end zone, left side..
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Now 1-0 W
Buffalo Bills
Now 0-1 L
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