Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 42–7 Detroit Lions
- Halftime
- New Orleans Saints 28–7 Detroit Lions at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- D. Brees
- Top passer
- D. Brees
- Biggest EPA play
- (13:22) 23-P.Thomas right tackle to DET 24 for 11 yards (92-C.Avril). FUMBLES (92-C.Avril)…
- Game date
- 2008-12-21
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the Detroit Lions 42–7 on 2008-12-21. D. Brees posted a game-high +29.91 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New Orleans Saints | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
 Detroit Lions | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
NONew Orleans Saints(12:31) 17-R.Meachem right end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
(1:13) 26-D.McAllister left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
(9:49) 34-Kevin Smith up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
(4:44) 40-M.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
(:50) (No Huddle) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
(9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak. PENALTY on DET-98-L.Cohen, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
(3:09) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
DETDetroit LionsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 12:31TD RMR. MeachemPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 20
- Score
- 6-0
(12:31) 17-R.Meachem right end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 12:23XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 7-0
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 1:13TD DMD. McAllisterPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 13-0
(1:13) 26-D.McAllister left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 1:07XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 14-0
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 9:49TD Points+6
- Yard line
- NO 1
- Score
- 14-6
(9:49) 34-Kevin Smith up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 9:45XP Points+1
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 14-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 4:44TD Markquese BellPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 1
- Score
- 20-7
(4:44) 40-M.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 4:40XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 21-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 0:50TD PTP. ThomasPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 27-7
(:50) (No Huddle) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 0:47XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 28-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 9:37TD MCM. ColstonPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 6
- Score
- 34-7
(9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 9:33XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 35-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak. PENALTY on DET-98-L.Cohen, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 3:09TD MCM. ColstonPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 3
- Score
- 41-7
(3:09) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 3:04XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 42-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +29.91 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 2M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +12.04 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
- 3Darrell Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.96 EPA/play
- 4Blake Miller · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.07 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
- 5
Cornelius Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.89 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play - 6J. Standeford · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.63 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
- 7J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
- 8Louis Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.58 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.90 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
D. Brees — NO · Passing
D. Brees posted the highest total EPA (+29.91) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 40 counted snaps, they averaged +0.75 EPA per play.
D. Brees's top snap (+4.89 EPA): (10:32) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson to DET 6 for 64 yards (21-T.Fisher).
Biggest single play (-4.99 EPA): P. Thomas — (13:22) 23-P.Thomas right tackle to DET 24 for 11 yards (92-C.Avril). FUMBLES (92-C.Avril), RECOVERED by DET-28-L.Bodden at DET 21. 28-L.Bodden to DET 29 for 8 yards (17-R.Meachem).
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) · 40 dropbacks · 75.0% completion · +8.8% CPOE · +0.75 EPA/play · +29.91 total EPA
- D. Orlovsky (Detroit Lions) · 27 dropbacks · 37.0% completion · -13.6% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -0.72 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.446 | -0.058 |
| Offensive success rate | 64.6% | 32.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.748 | -0.145 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.283 | +0.097 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.058 | -0.446 |
| Defensive success rate | 67.1% | 35.4% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.45 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- New Orleans Saints: +0.45 EPA/play (99th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- Detroit Lions: -0.06 EPA/play (35th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- Detroit Lions: 8 drives, -4.24 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 8 drives, +36.55 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem
- New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
- New Orleans Saints — Markquese Bell
- New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas
- New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass)
- New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass)
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 20 (Q1 12:31) — (12:31) 17-R.Meachem right end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 12:23) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q1 1:13) — (1:13) 26-D.McAllister left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 1:07) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q2 9:49) — (9:49) 34-Kevin Smith up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 9:45) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 4:44) — (4:44) 40-M.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 4:40) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 0:50) — (:50) (No Huddle) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 0:47) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q3 9:37) — (9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 9:33); New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q3 3:09) — (3:09) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 3:04) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 15:00) — 4-J.Hanson kicks 71 yards from DET 30 to NO -1. 10-S.Green to DET 41 for 60 yards (30-D.Wynn; 4-J.Hanson).
- Detroit Lions (Q2 9:54) — (9:54) 6-D.Orlovsky pass incomplete short left to 86-M.Gaines (41-R.Harper). PENALTY on NO-41-R.Harper, Defensive Pass Interference, 2 yards, enforced at NO 3 - No Play.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 9:49) — (9:49) 34-Kevin Smith up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q1 10:18) — (10:18) (Shotgun) 6-D.Orlovsky pass deep left to 16-J.Standeford pushed ob at NO 43 for 19 yards (42-J.David). New Orleans challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1.)
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 7:01) — (7:01) 23-P.Thomas right tackle pushed ob at DET 26 for 29 yards (27-D.Bullocks).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 13:22) — (13:22) 23-P.Thomas right tackle to DET 24 for 11 yards (92-C.Avril). FUMBLES (92-C.Avril), RECOVERED by DET-28-L.Bodden at DET 21. 28-L.Bodden to DET 29 for 8 yards (17-R.Meachem).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 10:32) — (10:32) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson to DET 6 for 64 yards (21-T.Fisher).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 5:42) — (5:42) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston pushed ob at DET 27 for 30 yards (39-S.Schweigert).
- Detroit Lions (Q2 9:54) — (9:54) 6-D.Orlovsky pass incomplete short left to 86-M.Gaines (41-R.Harper). PENALTY on NO-41-R.Harper, Defensive Pass Interference, 2 yards, enforced at NO 3 - No Play.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 12:31 · DET 20 · Score 6-0
(12:31) 17-R.Meachem right end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 12:23 · DET 2 · Score 7-0
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 1:13 · DET 2 · Score 13-0
(1:13) 26-D.McAllister left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 1:07 · DET 2 · Score 14-0
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 9:49 · NO 1 · Score 14-6
(9:49) 34-Kevin Smith up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 9:45 · NO 2 · Score 14-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 4:44 · DET 1 · Score 20-7
(4:44) 40-M.Bell up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 4:40 · DET 2 · Score 21-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 0:50 · DET 2 · Score 27-7
(:50) (No Huddle) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 0:47 · DET 2 · Score 28-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 9:37 · DET 6 · Score 34-7
(9:37) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 9:33 · DET 2 · Score 35-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak. PENALTY on DET-98-L.Cohen, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 3:09 · DET 3 · Score 41-7
(3:09) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 3:04 · DET 2 · Score 42-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-G.Pakulak.
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.
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- D. Brees (NO) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
- D. Orlovsky (DET) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions on 2008-12-21?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Detroit Lions 42-7 in Week 16, 2008.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 14, Detroit Lions 0; Q2: New Orleans Saints 14, Detroit Lions 7; Q3: New Orleans Saints 14, Detroit Lions 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 42, Detroit Lions 7.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — R. Meachem (Q1 12:31) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. McAllister (Q1 1:13) Detroit Lions touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 9:49) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Bell (Q2 4:44) New Orleans Saints touchdown — P. Thomas (Q2 0:50) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q3 9:37) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q3 3:09) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 75.0% completion, +8.8% CPOE, +0.75 EPA per dropback, +29.91 total passing EPA. D. Orlovsky (Detroit Lions), 37.0% completion, -13.6% CPOE, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -0.72 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +29.91 total EPA on Passing plays. across 40 snaps. Their top snap (+4.89 EPA): (10:32) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson to DET 6 for 64 yards (21-T.Fisher)..
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 7-7 Now 8-7 W
Detroit Lions
Entered 0-14 Now 0-15 L
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