FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 1 · September 9, 2010 · 11 min read

Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints: 2010 Week 1 Recap

Saints defeat Vikings 14–9 in Week 1

V.Shiancoe led Fantasy Impact as Saints prevailed in a 9–14 Week 1 finish.

Minnesota Vikings 9 0–1
Final 9–14
New Orleans Saints 14 1–0 Winner
Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
9–14
Halftime
Minnesota Vikings 9–7 New Orleans Saints
Top passer
D. Brees
FantasyHQ MVP
V.Shiancoe
Game date
September 9, 2010

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

  • V.Shiancoe 4 REC · 76 YDS · 1 TD +3.3 Fantasy Impact
  • G.Camarillo 1 REC · 29 YDS +1.4 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Dugan 1 REC · 8 YDS +1.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • M.Colston 5 REC · 62 YDS +2.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Darrell Henderson
    Darrell Henderson 2 REC · 38 YDS · 1 TD +2.1 Fantasy Impact
  • P.Thomas 19 CAR · 71 YDS · 1 TD +1.5 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
New Orleans Saints 14–9 Minnesota Vikings
Halftime
Minnesota Vikings 9–7 New Orleans Saints at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
V. Shiancoe
Top passer
D. Brees
Biggest EPA play
(2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [4…
Game date
2010-09-09

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 14–9 on 2010-09-09, overcoming Minnesota Vikings's 9–7 halftime lead. V. Shiancoe posted a game-high +3.28 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 9 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3T
Minnesota Vikings090009
New Orleans Saints7070014

Scoring Map

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

MINMinnesota Vikings
NONew Orleans Saints

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

6 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 13:04TD
    Darrell Henderson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 29
    Score
    0-6

    (13:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-29-L.Sheppard, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs. Pass 29, YAC 7

  2. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 12:56XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 2
    Score
    0-7

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

  3. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 5:32FG
    RLR. Longwell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 23
    Score
    3-7

    (5:32) 8-R.Longwell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.

  4. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 0:40TD
    VSV. Shiancoe

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 20
    Score
    9-7

    (:40) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0

  5. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 6:17TD
    PTP. Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 1
    Score
    9-13

    (6:17) 23-P.Thomas left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 6:13XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 2
    Score
    9-14

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1V. Shiancoe · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.28 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
  2. 2M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
  3. 3Darrell HendersonDarrell Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
  4. 4P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.47 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
  5. 5J. Shockey · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
  6. 6G. Camarillo · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.36 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
  7. 7J. Dugan · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
  8. 8A. Peterson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +0.61 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.20 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

V. Shiancoe — MIN · Receiving

V. Shiancoe posted the highest total EPA (+3.28) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.47 EPA per play.

V. Shiancoe's top snap (-4.20 EPA): (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson).

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) · 38 dropbacks · 71.1% completion · +10.4% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.10 total EPA
  • B. Favre (Minnesota Vikings) · 31 dropbacks · 48.4% completion · -5.8% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -6.41 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatMinnesota VikingsNew Orleans Saints
Offensive EPA/play-0.133-0.066
Offensive success rate39.7%43.8%
Pass EPA/play-0.207+0.003
Rush EPA/play-0.102+0.045
Defensive EPA/play+0.066+0.133
Defensive success rate56.2%60.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.07 vs -0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Minnesota Vikings: -0.13 EPA/play (22nd percentile vs. 2010 team-game averages)
  • New Orleans Saints: -0.07 EPA/play (34th percentile vs. 2010 team-game averages)
  • Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, -9.07 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -5.29 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Darrell HendersonNew Orleans Saints — Darrell Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 13:04)
  • Minnesota Vikings — V. Shiancoe (B. Favre pass) (Q2 0:40)
  • New Orleans Saints — P. Thomas (Q3 6:17)

Field goals

  • Minnesota Vikings — R. Longwell (Q2 5:32)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 29 (Q1 13:04); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q1 12:56) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 9–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NO 23 (Q2 5:32) — (5:32) 8-R.Longwell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 20 (Q2 0:40) — (:40) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0.

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q3 6:17) — (6:17) 23-P.Thomas left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 6:13) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 2:34) — (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -4.20]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:46) — (:46) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe to NO 20 for 33 yards (58-S.Shanle, 20-R.Gay). Pass 21, YAC 12 [WPA +9.6% · EPA +2.27]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:40) — (:40) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0 [WPA +8.8% · EPA +3.23]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 9:14) — (9:14) 5-G.Hartley 32 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.55]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:20) — (8:20) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass deep left to 85-G.Camarillo pushed ob at NO 43 for 29 yards (27-M.Jenkins). Pass 18, YAC 11 [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.62]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 2:34) — (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -4.20]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 9:14) — (9:14) 5-G.Hartley 32 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.55]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 13:04) — (13:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-29-L.Sheppard, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs. Pass 29, YAC 7 [WPA +7.0% · EPA +3.30]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 1:24) — (1:24) 5-G.Hartley 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -5.8% · EPA -3.23]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 13:04 · MIN 29 · Score 0-6
    (13:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIN-29-L.Sheppard, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs. Pass 29, YAC 7
  2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 12:56 · MIN 2 · Score 0-7
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  3. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 5:32 · NO 23 · Score 3-7
    (5:32) 8-R.Longwell 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-5-C.Kluwe.
  4. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 0:40 · NO 20 · Score 9-7
    (:40) 4-B.Favre pass deep middle to 81-V.Shiancoe for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0
  5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 6:17 · MIN 1 · Score 9-13
    (6:17) 23-P.Thomas left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 6:13 · MIN 2 · Score 9-14
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Kyle, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

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.
  • V. Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) 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 Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints on 2010-09-09?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings 14-9 in Week 1, 2010.

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

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 0, New Orleans Saints 7; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 9, New Orleans Saints 0; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 0, New Orleans Saints 7; Final: Minnesota Vikings 9, New Orleans Saints 14.

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

New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 13:04) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — V. Shiancoe (B. Favre pass) (Q2 0:40) New Orleans Saints touchdown — P. Thomas (Q3 6:17) Minnesota Vikings field goal — R. Longwell (Q2 5:32, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 71.1% completion, +10.4% CPOE, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.10 total passing EPA. B. Favre (Minnesota Vikings), 48.4% completion, -5.8% CPOE, -0.21 EPA per dropback, -6.41 total passing EPA.

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

V. Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +3.28 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 7 snaps. Their top snap (-4.20 EPA): (2:34) 4-B.Favre pass short middle intended for 81-V.Shiancoe INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Vilma [41-R.Harper] at MIN 34. 51-J.Vilma to MIN 29 for 5 yards (76-S.Hutchinson)..

Was Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints a close game?

Yes — the margin was 5 points. New Orleans Saints won 14-9 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Now 0-1 L

New Orleans Saints

Now 1-0 W