FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 13 · November 30, 2008 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2008 Week 13 Recap

Buccaneers defeat Saints 23–20 in Week 13

M.Colston led Fantasy Impact as Buccaneers prevailed in a 20–23 Week 13 finish.

New Orleans Saints 20 6–6
Final 20–23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 9–3 Winner
Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
20–23
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 10–6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top passer
D. Brees
FantasyHQ MVP
M.Colston
Game date
November 30, 2008

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • M.Colston 6 REC · 106 YDS +10.5 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Shockey 4 REC · 52 YDS +3.6 Fantasy Impact
  • P.Thomas 1 REC · 20 YDS · 1 TD +3.3 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • Austin Bryant
    Austin Bryant 3 REC · 63 YDS · 1 TD +6.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Connor Williams
    Connor Williams 4 CAR · 20 YDS · 1 TD +2.9 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Stevens 2 REC · 21 YDS +1.0 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23–20 New Orleans Saints
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 10–6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
M. Colston
Top passer
D. Brees
Biggest EPA play
(4:43) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 88-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 59-C.June (20-R.…
Game date
2008-11-30

Game summary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 23–20 on 2008-11-30, overcoming New Orleans Saints's 10–6 halftime lead. M. Colston posted a game-high +10.47 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
New Orleans Saints37010020
Tampa Bay Buccaneers06143023

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 5:44FG
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 29
    Score
    3-0

    (5:44) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.

  2. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 14:54FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 21
    Score
    3-3

    (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.

  3. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 2:38FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 5
    Score
    3-6

    (2:38) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.

  4. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 0:40TD
    LMLouis Moore

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TB 13
    Score
    9-6

    (:40) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 0:33XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TB 2
    Score
    10-6

    (Kick formation) 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.

  6. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 10:24TD
    Connor Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 8
    Score
    10-12

    (10:24) 24-C.Williams right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 10:14XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    10-13

    (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.

  8. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 8:45TD
    Austin Bryant

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 39
    Score
    10-19

    (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep middle to 89-A.Bryant for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-W.Smith].

  9. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 8:36XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    10-20

    (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.

  10. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 12:18TD
    PTP. Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TB 20
    Score
    16-20

    (12:18) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 12:09XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TB 2
    Score
    17-20

    (Kick formation) 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.

  12. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 5:38FG
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 25
    Score
    20-20

    (5:38) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.

  13. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q4 2:00FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 19
    Score
    20-23

    (2:00) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +10.47 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
  2. 2Austin BryantAustin Bryant · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.01 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.00 EPA/play
  3. 3J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.56 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
  4. 4P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.31 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.31 EPA/play
  5. 5Connor WilliamsConnor Williams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +2.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
  6. 6Louis Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.80 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.40 EPA/play
  7. 7Blake MillerBlake Miller · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
  8. 8Darrell HendersonDarrell Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.50 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.25 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

M. Colston — NO · Receiving

M. Colston posted the highest total EPA (+10.47) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.75 EPA per play.

M. Colston's top snap (-4.60 EPA): (2:33) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at NO 30. 23-J.Phillips to NO 17 for 13 yards (12-M.Colston).

Biggest single play (-5.08 EPA): D. Brees — (4:43) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 88-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 59-C.June (20-R.Barber) at TB -1. Touchback.

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) · 50 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -6.6% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -3.21 total EPA
  • J. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 32 dropbacks · 28.1% completion · -18.6% CPOE · -0.30 EPA/play · -9.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsTampa Bay Buccaneers
Offensive EPA/play-0.096-0.085
Offensive success rate41.4%43.6%
Pass EPA/play-0.064-0.299
Rush EPA/play-0.373+0.027
Defensive EPA/play+0.085+0.096
Defensive success rate56.4%58.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints -0.10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: -0.10 EPA/play (28th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.09 EPA/play (31st percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
  • New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -8.34 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 14 drives, -6.61 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • New Orleans Saints — Louis Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q2 0:40)
  • Connor WilliamsTampa Bay Buccaneers — Connor Williams (Q3 10:24)
  • Austin BryantTampa Bay Buccaneers — Austin Bryant (J. Garcia pass) (Q3 8:45)
  • New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 12:18)

Field goals

  • New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q1 5:44)
  • Myles BryantTampa Bay Buccaneers — Myles Bryant (Q2 14:54)
  • Myles BryantTampa Bay Buccaneers — Myles Bryant (Q2 2:38)
  • New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q4 5:38)
  • Myles BryantTampa Bay Buccaneers — Myles Bryant (Q4 2:00)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 29 (Q1 5:44) — (5:44) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 21 (Q2 14:54) — (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 5 (Q2 2:38) — (2:38) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 13 (Q2 0:40) — (:40) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 0:33) — (Kick formation) 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q3 10:24) — (10:24) 24-C.Williams right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 10:14) — (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 39 (Q3 8:45) — (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep middle to 89-A.Bryant for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-W.Smith].; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 8:36) — (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 20 (Q4 12:18) — (12:18) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 12:09) — (Kick formation) 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 25 (Q4 5:38) — (5:38) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 19 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at NO 30. 23-J.Phillips to NO 17 for 13 yards (12-M.Colston). [WPA -26.2% · EPA -4.60]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:45) — (1:45) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 16-L.Moore INTERCEPTED by 31-P.Buchanon [90-G.Adams] at NO 40. 31-P.Buchanon to NO 33 for 7 yards (88-J.Shockey). [WPA -19.7% · EPA -3.32]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 7:28) — (7:28) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass short middle to 80-M.Clayton to TB 41 for no gain (51-J.Vilma). FUMBLES (51-J.Vilma), touched at TB 41, RECOVERED by NO-51-J.Vilma at TB 41. 51-J.Vilma to TB 35 for 6 [WPA -15.3% · EPA -4.97]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston to TB 21 for 37 yards (36-T.Jackson). [WPA +13.3% · EPA +2.70]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:43) — (4:43) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 88-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 59-C.June (20-R.Barber) at TB -1. Touchback. [WPA -12.8% · EPA -5.08]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:43) — (4:43) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 88-J.Shockey INTERCEPTED by 59-C.June (20-R.Barber) at TB -1. Touchback. [WPA -12.8% · EPA -5.08]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 7:28) — (7:28) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass short middle to 80-M.Clayton to TB 41 for no gain (51-J.Vilma). FUMBLES (51-J.Vilma), touched at TB 41, RECOVERED by NO-51-J.Vilma at TB 41. 51-J.Vilma to TB 35 for 6 [WPA -15.3% · EPA -4.97]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at NO 30. 23-J.Phillips to NO 17 for 13 yards (12-M.Colston). [WPA -26.2% · EPA -4.60]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 8:45) — (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep middle to 89-A.Bryant for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-W.Smith]. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +3.88]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 5:44 · TB 29 · Score 3-0
    (5:44) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 14:54 · NO 21 · Score 3-3
    (14:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 2:38 · NO 5 · Score 3-6
    (2:38) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  4. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 0:40 · TB 13 · Score 9-6
    (:40) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 0:33 · TB 2 · Score 10-6
    (Kick formation) 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
  6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 10:24 · NO 8 · Score 10-12
    (10:24) 24-C.Williams right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 10:14 · NO 2 · Score 10-13
    (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 8:45 · NO 39 · Score 10-19
    (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep middle to 89-A.Bryant for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-W.Smith].
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 8:36 · NO 2 · Score 10-20
    (Kick formation) 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:18 · TB 20 · Score 16-20
    (12:18) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 23-P.Thomas for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 12:09 · TB 2 · Score 17-20
    (Kick formation) 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
  12. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 5:38 · TB 25 · Score 20-20
    (5:38) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
  13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · NO 19 · Score 20-23
    (2:00) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.

Key takeaways

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

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • D. Brees (NO) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2008-11-30?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 23-20 in Week 13, 2008.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6; Q3: New Orleans Saints 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14; Q4: New Orleans Saints 10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Final: New Orleans Saints 20, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

New Orleans Saints touchdown — L. Moore (D. Brees pass) (Q2 0:40) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Williams (Q3 10:24) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — A. Bryant (J. Garcia pass) (Q3 8:45) New Orleans Saints touchdown — P. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q4 12:18) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q1 5:44, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 14:54, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 2:38, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q4 5:38, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 2:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 50.0% completion, -6.6% CPOE, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -3.21 total passing EPA. J. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 28.1% completion, -18.6% CPOE, -0.30 EPA per dropback, -9.56 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

M. Colston (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.47 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (-4.60 EPA): (2:33) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at NO 30. 23-J.Phillips to NO 17 for 13 yards (12-M.Colston)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 6-5 Now 6-6 L

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 8-3 Now 9-3 W