Buccaneers 20–17 Saints: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2009

Quick answer

Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20–17 New Orleans Saints
Halftime: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3–17 New Orleans Saints at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: P. Thomas
Top passer: D. Brees
Biggest EPA play: (2:41) (Punt formation) 6-T.Morstead punts 41 yards to TB 23, Center-57-J.Kyle. 81-M.Spurl…
Game date: 2009-12-27

Game summary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 20–17 on 2009-12-27, overcoming New Orleans Saints's 17–3 halftime lead. P. Thomas posted a game-high +4.58 total EPA in the rushing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q4	OT	—	T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	0	3	14	3	0	20
New Orleans Saints	14	3	0	0	0	17

Scoring Map

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

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

TB 30

+3TB 10

+3NO 16

NO 23

+1NO 2

TB 64

+1NO 2

+3NO 29

NONew Orleans Saints

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 6:52TD
PTP. Thomas
Points+6
Yard line
TB 8
Score
0-6
(6:52) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 6:47XP
GHG. Hartley
Points+1
Yard line
TB 2
Score
0-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 1:40TD
RMR. Meachem
Points+6
Yard line
TB 30
Score
0-13
(1:40) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 30, YAC 0
NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 1:32XP
GHG. Hartley
Points+1
Yard line
TB 2
Score
0-14
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 6:42FG
GHG. Hartley
Points+3
Yard line
TB 10
Score
0-17
(6:42) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 0:04FG
CBC. Barth
Points+3
Yard line
NO 16
Score
3-17
(:04) 10-C.Barth 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 13:22TD
Connor Williams
Points+6
Yard line
NO 23
Score
9-17
(13:22) 24-C.Williams left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 13:14XP
CBC. Barth
Points+1
Yard line
NO 2
Score
10-17
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:41TD
MSM. Spurlock
Points+6
Yard line
TB 64
Score
16-17
(2:41) (Punt formation) 6-T.Morstead punts 41 yards to TB 23, Center-57-J.Kyle. 81-M.Spurlock for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:25XP
CBC. Barth
Points+1
Yard line
NO 2
Score
17-17
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
OT 8:13FG
CBC. Barth
Points+3
Yard line
NO 29
Score
20-17
(8:13) 10-C.Barth 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.58 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
2M. Stovall · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.34 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.45 EPA/play
3K. Winslow · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.09 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
4Connor Williams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +3.44 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
5R. Meachem · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
6D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +1.59 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
7Bud Clark · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.39 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
8R. Bush · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.24 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.62 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

P. Thomas — NO · Rushing

P. Thomas posted the highest total EPA (+4.58) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +0.76 EPA per play.

Biggest single play (-6.59 EPA): Thomas Morstead — (2:41) (Punt formation) 6-T.Morstead punts 41 yards to TB 23, Center-57-J.Kyle. 81-M.Spurlock for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 · 80.0% completion · +15.5% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.59 total EPA
J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 37 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · +5.4% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -2.03 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	New Orleans Saints
Offensive EPA/play	-0.000	-0.046
Offensive success rate	51.7%	54.7%
Pass EPA/play	-0.055	+0.040
Rush EPA/play	+0.103	+0.187
Defensive EPA/play	+0.046	+0.000
Defensive success rate	45.3%	48.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.00, New Orleans Saints -0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.00 EPA/play (52nd percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
New Orleans Saints: -0.05 EPA/play (40th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)

New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, -3.45 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -0.04 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q1 6:52)
New Orleans Saints — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q1 1:40)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Connor Williams (Q4 13:22)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Spurlock (Q4 2:41)

Field goals

New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q2 6:42)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth (Q2 0:04)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth (OT 8:13)

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 TB 8 (Q1 6:52) — (6:52) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 6:47) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 30 (Q1 1:40) — (1:40) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 30, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 1:32) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 10 (Q2 6:42) — (6:42) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 16 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 10-C.Barth 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 23 (Q4 13:22) — (13:22) 24-C.Williams left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 13:14) — 10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the TB 64 (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) (Punt formation) 6-T.Morstead punts 41 yards to TB 23, Center-57-J.Kyle. 81-M.Spurlock for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 2:25) — 10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu..

Overtime: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 29 (OT 8:13) — (8:13) 10-C.Barth 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:09) — (:09) 5-G.Hartley 37 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell. [WPA -36.9% · EPA -2.70]
New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) (Punt formation) 6-T.Morstead punts 41 yards to TB 23, Center-57-J.Kyle. 81-M.Spurlock for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -31.0% · EPA -6.59]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 8:13) — (8:13) 10-C.Barth 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu. [WPA +18.5% · EPA +1.18]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 12:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman scrambles right end to NO 45 for 8 yards (27-M.Jenkins, 55-S.Fujita). TB-34-E.Graham was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. [WPA +15.7% · EPA +1.68]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) 5-J.Freeman pass incomplete short right to 34-E.Graham (94-C.Grant). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -3.72]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) (Punt formation) 6-T.Morstead punts 41 yards to TB 23, Center-57-J.Kyle. 81-M.Spurlock for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -31.0% · EPA -6.59]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 7:44) — (7:44) 5-J.Freeman pass short left intended for 89-A.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 22-T.Porter at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -8.7% · EPA -6.07]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 4:45) — (4:45) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman pass deep left intended for 89-A.Bryant INTERCEPTED by 42-D.Sharper at NO 28. 42-D.Sharper to NO 49 for 21 yards (75-D.Joseph). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -5.60]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) 5-J.Freeman pass incomplete short right to 34-E.Graham (94-C.Grant). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -3.72]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 6:52 · TB 8 · Score 0-6
(6:52) 23-P.Thomas left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 6:47 · TB 2 · Score 0-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 1:40 · TB 30 · Score 0-13
(1:40) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 17-R.Meachem for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 30, YAC 0
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 1:32 · TB 2 · Score 0-14
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 6:42 · TB 10 · Score 0-17
(6:42) (Field Goal formation) 5-G.Hartley 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-11-M.Brunell.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · NO 16 · Score 3-17
(:04) 10-C.Barth 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 13:22 · NO 23 · Score 9-17
(13:22) 24-C.Williams left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 13:14 · NO 2 · Score 10-17
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:41 · TB 64 · Score 16-17
(2:41) (Punt formation) 6-T.Morstead punts 41 yards to TB 23, Center-57-J.Kyle. 81-M.Spurlock for 77 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 2:25 · NO 2 · Score 17-17
10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — OT 8:13 · NO 29 · Score 20-17
(8:13) 10-C.Barth 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-2-S.Paulescu.

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.
P. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
D. Brees (NO) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints on 2009-12-27?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints 20-17 in Week 16, 2009.

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

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, New Orleans Saints 14; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14, New Orleans Saints 0; Q5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, New Orleans Saints 0; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, New Orleans Saints 17.

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

New Orleans Saints touchdown — P. Thomas (Q1 6:52) New Orleans Saints touchdown — R. Meachem (D. Brees pass) (Q1 1:40) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Williams (Q4 13:22) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Spurlock (Q4 2:41) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q2 6:42, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q2 0:04, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (OT 8:13, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

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

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 80.0% completion, +15.5% CPOE, +0.04 EPA per dropback, +1.59 total passing EPA. J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 56.8% completion, +5.4% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -2.03 total passing EPA.

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

P. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.58 total EPA on Rushing plays. across 6 snaps.

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

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 2-12 Now 3-12 W

New Orleans Saints

Entered 13-1 Now 13-2 L

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2009 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

Top fantasy performers · Saints

Quick answer

Game summary