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NFL · Week 3 · September 26, 2004 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams: 2004 Week 3 Recap

Saints defeat Rams 28–25 in Week 3

A.Brooks led Fantasy Impact as Saints prevailed in a 28–25 Week 3 finish.

New Orleans Saints 28 2–1 Winner
Final 28–25
Los Angeles Rams 25 1–2
Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
28–25
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 13–10 Los Angeles Rams
Top passer
M. Bulger
FantasyHQ MVP
A.Brooks
Game date
September 26, 2004

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • A.Brooks 24/45 · 313 YDS · 1 TD +11.2 Fantasy Impact
  • Jimmy Horn Jr.
    Jimmy Horn Jr. 7 REC · 91 YDS · 1 TD +8.3 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Stallworth 5 REC · 65 YDS +6.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Rams

  • I.Bruce 8 REC · 134 YDS +10.7 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Looker 5 REC · 69 YDS +4.5 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Bulger +3.7 Fantasy Impact
View Saints vs Rams box score View all 2004 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
New Orleans Saints 28–25 LA
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 13–10 LA at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
A. Brooks
Top passer
M. Bulger
Biggest EPA play
(7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2004-09-26

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the LA 28–25 on 2004-09-26. A. Brooks posted a game-high +11.20 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4OTT
New Orleans Saints01339328
LA73015025

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

NONew Orleans Saints
LALA

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. LALA
    Q1 8:06TD
    THT. Holt

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 32
    Score
    0-6

    (8:06) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. LALA
    Q1 7:58XP
    Jordan Wilkins

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    0-7

    14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.

  3. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 14:55FG
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 34
    Score
    3-7

    (14:55) 3-J.Carney 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.

  4. LALA
    Q2 11:13FG
    Jordan Wilkins

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 35
    Score
    3-10

    (11:13) 14-J.Wilkins 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.

  5. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 7:54TD
    ASA. Stecker

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 42
    Score
    9-10

    (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 7:46XP
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 2
    Score
    10-10

    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 1:06FG
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 35
    Score
    13-10

    (1:06) 3-J.Carney 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.

  8. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 5:20FG
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 22
    Score
    16-10

    (5:20) 3-J.Carney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.

  9. LALA
    Q4 13:38TD
    MFM. Faulk

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 3
    Score
    16-16

    (13:38) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. LALA
    Q4 13:34XP
    Jordan Wilkins

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    16-17

    14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.

  11. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 8:30TD
    Jimmy Horn Jr.

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 9
    Score
    22-17

    (8:30) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. LALA
    Q4 0:36TD
    MBM. Bulger

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 19
    Score
    22-23

    (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. LALA
    Q4 0:28Safety
    MBM. Bulger

    Points+2

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    22-25

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Bulger pass to 83-K.Curtis is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.

  14. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 0:07FG
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 20
    Score
    25-25

    (:07) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.

  15. NONew Orleans Saints
    OT 7:59FG
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 13
    Score
    28-25

    (7:59) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +11.20 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
  2. 2I. Bruce · LA · Receiving · +10.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
  3. 3Jimmy Horn Jr.Jimmy Horn Jr. · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.35 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
  4. 4D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.18 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
  5. 5J. Pathon · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.18 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
  6. 6D. Looker · LA · Receiving · +4.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
  7. 7M. Bulger · LA · Rushing · +3.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.67 EPA/play
  8. 8T. Holt · LA · Receiving · +3.61 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.60 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 (+11.20) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 45 counted snaps, they averaged +0.25 EPA per play.

A. Brooks's top snap (+3.33 EPA): (9:56) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon to LA 7 for 38 yards (42-K.Lassiter).

Biggest single play (+4.79 EPA): A. Stecker — (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

M. Bulger led all passers in efficiency for LA, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • M. Bulger (LA) · 56 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +0.05 EPA/play · +2.96 total EPA
  • A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 45 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · +0.25 EPA/play · +11.20 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsLA
Offensive EPA/play+0.162+0.070
Offensive success rate45.7%41.1%
Pass EPA/play+0.215+0.116
Rush EPA/play-0.002+0.164
Defensive EPA/play-0.070-0.162
Defensive success rate58.9%54.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: +0.16 EPA/play (83rd percentile vs. 2004 team-game averages)
  • LA: +0.07 EPA/play (66th percentile vs. 2004 team-game averages)
  • LA: 13 drives, +6.64 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +15.26 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • LA — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass) (Q1 8:06)
  • New Orleans Saints — A. Stecker (Q2 7:54)
  • LA — M. Faulk (Q4 13:38)
  • Jimmy Horn Jr.New Orleans Saints — Jimmy Horn Jr. (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 8:30)
  • LA — M. Bulger (Q4 0:36)

Field goals

  • New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 14:55)
  • Jordan WilkinsLA — Jordan Wilkins (Q2 11:13)
  • New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 1:06)
  • New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q3 5:20)
  • New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q4 0:07)
  • New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (OT 7:59)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: LA won the period 7–0. LA found the end zone from the NO 32 (Q1 8:06) — (8:06) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 7:58) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 34 (Q2 14:55) — (14:55) 3-J.Carney 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; LA connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q2 11:13) — (11:13) 14-J.Wilkins 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 42 (Q2 7:54) — (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q2 7:46) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 35 (Q2 1:06) — (1:06) 3-J.Carney 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 22 (Q3 5:20) — (5:20) 3-J.Carney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..

The fourth quarter: LA won the period 15–9. LA found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q4 13:38) — (13:38) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 13:34) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LA 9 (Q4 8:30) — (8:30) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA found the end zone from the NO 19 (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 0:28); New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 20 (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..

Overtime: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LA 13 (OT 7:59) — (7:59) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • LA (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +30.4% · EPA +3.67]
  • LA (OT 12:54) — (12:54) 28-M.Faulk right guard to LA 45 for 4 yards (59-D.Rodgers). [WPA +20.1% · EPA +2.00]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) 3-J.Carney 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman. [WPA -17.0% · EPA -3.16]
  • LA (Q4 1:02) — (1:02) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce to NO 25 for 18 yards (33-A.Ambrose). [WPA +16.4% · EPA +1.75]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 8:30) — (8:30) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.8% · EPA +2.49]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 7:54) — (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.79]
  • LA (Q1 4:01) — (4:01) 10-M.Bulger sacked at NO 25 for 0 yards (93-D.Howard). FUMBLES (93-D.Howard), RECOVERED by NO-33-A.Ambrose at NO 17. 33-A.Ambrose to NO 17 for no gain (28-M.Faulk). [WPA -8.9% · EPA -4.14]
  • LA (Q4 0:36) — (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +30.4% · EPA +3.67]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 11:05) — (11:05) 32-K.Carter right guard to LA 34 for no gain (79-R.Pickett, 91-L.Little). [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.45]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. LA TD (+6) — Q1 8:06 · NO 32 · Score 0-6
    (8:06) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. LA XP (+1) — Q1 7:58 · NO 2 · Score 0-7
    14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.
  3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 14:55 · LA 34 · Score 3-7
    (14:55) 3-J.Carney 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
  4. LA FG (+3) — Q2 11:13 · NO 35 · Score 3-10
    (11:13) 14-J.Wilkins 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.
  5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 7:54 · LA 42 · Score 9-10
    (7:54) 27-A.Stecker left guard for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 7:46 · LA 2 · Score 10-10
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
  7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 1:06 · LA 35 · Score 13-10
    (1:06) 3-J.Carney 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
  8. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 5:20 · LA 22 · Score 16-10
    (5:20) 3-J.Carney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
  9. LA TD (+6) — Q4 13:38 · NO 3 · Score 16-16
    (13:38) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. LA XP (+1) — Q4 13:34 · NO 2 · Score 16-17
    14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-89-D.Looker.
  11. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:30 · LA 9 · Score 22-17
    (8:30) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. LA TD (+6) — Q4 0:36 · NO 19 · Score 22-23
    (:36) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger up the middle for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. LA Safety (+2) — Q4 0:28 · NO 2 · Score 22-25
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-M.Bulger pass to 83-K.Curtis is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld.
  14. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · LA 20 · Score 25-25
    (:07) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.
  15. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — OT 7:59 · LA 13 · Score 28-25
    (7:59) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Bouman.

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.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs LA on 2004-09-26?

The New Orleans Saints beat the LA 28-25 in Week 3, 2004.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs LA?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 0, LA 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 13, LA 3; Q3: New Orleans Saints 3, LA 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 9, LA 15; Q5: New Orleans Saints 3, LA 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 28, LA 25.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs LA?

LA touchdown — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass) (Q1 8:06) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Stecker (Q2 7:54) LA touchdown — M. Faulk (Q4 13:38) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Horn (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 8:30) LA touchdown — M. Bulger (Q4 0:36) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 14:55, 3 pts) LA field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 11:13, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 1:06, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 5:20, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q4 0:07, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (OT 7:59, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs LA?

M. Bulger (LA), 57.1% completion, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +2.96 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 53.3% completion, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +11.20 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs LA?

A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.20 total EPA on Passing plays. across 45 snaps. Their top snap (+3.33 EPA): (9:56) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon to LA 7 for 38 yards (42-K.Lassiter)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs LA a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. New Orleans Saints won 28-25 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W

Los Angeles Rams

Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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