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.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 20 | |
| 0 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +10.47 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play - 2
Austin Bryant · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.01 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.00 EPA/play - 3
J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.56 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play - 4
P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.31 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.31 EPA/play - 5

Connor Williams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +2.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play - 6
Louis Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.80 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.40 EPA/play - 7
Blake Miller · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play - 8
Darrell 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.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.096 | -0.085 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.4% | 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 rate | 56.4% | 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) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Connor Williams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Austin Bryant (J. Garcia pass)
New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Myles Bryant 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Myles Bryant
New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Myles Bryant
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).
- 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).
- 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
- 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).
- 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.
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.
- 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
- 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).
- 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].
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 10:24 · NO 8 · Score 10-12
(10:24) 24-C.Williams right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
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.
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].
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.
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.
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.
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.
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