Quick answer
- Winner
- Green Bay Packers
- Final score
- Green Bay Packers 28–27 New Orleans Saints
- Halftime
- New Orleans Saints 22–35 Green Bay Packers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- D. Brees
- Top passer
- D. Brees
- Biggest EPA play
- (4:02) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-J.Morgan for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Game date
- 2012-09-30
Game summary
The Green Bay Packers beat the New Orleans Saints 28–27 on 2012-09-30. D. Brees posted a game-high +24.27 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 43 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 15 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 27 | |
| 7 | 28 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +24.27 total EPA · 58 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play - 2

Aaron Rodgers · Green Bay Packers · Passing · +21.43 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play - 3
M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +12.54 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play - 4
Ja. Jones · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +6.83 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play - 5

Jordan Morgan · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.46 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.46 EPA/play - 6
Jimmy Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.30 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play - 7
Louis Moore · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play - 8
Randall Cobb · Green Bay Packers · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.44 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 (+24.27) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 58 counted snaps, they averaged +0.42 EPA per play.
D. Brees's top snap (+6.46 EPA): (4:02) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-J.Morgan for 80 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) · 58 dropbacks · 60.3% completion · -0.3% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +24.27 total EPA
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) · 46 dropbacks · 67.4% completion · +12.7% CPOE · +0.47 EPA/play · +21.43 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.188 | +0.203 |
| Offensive success rate | 49.5% | 54.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.418 | +0.466 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.334 | -0.179 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.203 | -0.188 |
| Defensive success rate | 45.3% | 50.5% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints +0.19, Green Bay Packers +0.20) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- New Orleans Saints: +0.19 EPA/play (89th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
- Green Bay Packers: +0.20 EPA/play (92nd percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
- Green Bay Packers: 10 drives, +17.49 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +18.66 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns

Green Bay Packers — Aaron Rodgers
New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass)
Green Bay Packers — Gary Jennings (Aaron Rodgers pass) 
Green Bay Packers — Aaron Rodgers
New Orleans Saints — D. Sproles (D. Brees pass) 
New Orleans Saints — Jordan Morgan (D. Brees pass)
Green Bay Packers — Jack Nelson (Aaron Rodgers pass)
Field goals
New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley 
New Orleans Saints — Aaron Rodgers 
New Orleans Saints — Aaron Rodgers
New Orleans Saints — G. Harrell
New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 12 (Q1 9:09) — (9:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 89-Ja.Jones for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 12 (Q1 9:02) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 20 (Q1 3:38) — (3:38) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 12 (Q1 3:33) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD..
The second quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 28–15. Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 9 (Q2 14:22) — (14:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 85-G.Jennings for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 14:15) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 35 (Q2 14:15) — 2-M.Crosby kicks 69 yards from GB 35 to NO -4. 43-D.Sproles to NO 28 for 32 yards (37-S.Shields; 24-J.Bush).; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the GB 35 (Q2 14:15) — 2-M.Crosby kicks 69 yards from GB 35 to NO -4. 43-D.Sproles to NO 28 for 32 yards (37-S.Shields; 24-J.Bush).; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 72 (Q2 14:10) — (14:10) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short right to 16-L.Moore.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the GB 72 (Q2 14:10) — (14:10) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short right to 16-L.Moore.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 14 (Q2 4:53) — (4:53) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 89-Ja.Jones for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 4:50) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 6 (Q2 0:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 43-D.Sproles for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q2 0:27) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 19–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 2 (Q3 9:43) — (9:43) 5-G.Hartley 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 69 (Q3 9:20) — (9:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 32-C.Benson to GB 35 for 4 yards (50-C.Lofton, 58-S.Shanle).; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 25 (Q3 7:30) — (7:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 88-J.Finley to NO 11 for 14 yards (58-S.Shanle).; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 2 (Q3 5:19) — (5:19) 6-G.Harrell FUMBLES (Aborted) at NO 7, RECOVERED by NO-91-W.Smith at NO 8. 91-W.Smith to NO 8 for no gain (32-C.Benson).; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the GB 80 (Q3 4:02) — (4:02) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-J.Morgan for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the GB 2 (Q3 3:49) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..
The fourth quarter: Green Bay Packers won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the GB 9 (Q4 13:07) — (13:07) 5-G.Hartley 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Green Bay Packers found the end zone from the NO 11 (Q4 7:05) — (7:05) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 87-J.Nelson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Green Bay Packers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 7:00) — 2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:02) — (4:02) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-J.Morgan for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:54) — (2:54) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
- Green Bay Packers (Q3 5:19) — (5:19) 6-G.Harrell FUMBLES (Aborted) at NO 7, RECOVERED by NO-91-W.Smith at NO 8. 91-W.Smith to NO 8 for no gain (32-C.Benson).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:41) — (4:41) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 16-L.Moore to GB 45 for 6 yards (29-C.Hayward).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 0:50) — (:50) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston to GB 38 for 23 yards (21-C.Woodson). GB-21-C.Woodson was injured during the play.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:02) — (4:02) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-J.Morgan for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Green Bay Packers (Q3 5:19) — (5:19) 6-G.Harrell FUMBLES (Aborted) at NO 7, RECOVERED by NO-91-W.Smith at NO 8. 91-W.Smith to NO 8 for no gain (32-C.Benson).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 14:25) — (14:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston to GB 15 for 27 yards (42-M.Burnett; 22-J.McMillian).
- Green Bay Packers (Q3 2:41) — (2:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right intended for 87-J.Nelson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Robinson at NO 34. 21-P.Robinson to NO 34 for no gain (87-J.Nelson).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q1 9:09 · NO 12 · Score 0-6
(9:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 89-Ja.Jones for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q1 9:02 · NO 12 · Score 0-7
2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 3:38 · GB 20 · Score 6-7
(3:38) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 12-M.Colston for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 3:33 · GB 12 · Score 7-7
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD.
Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 14:22 · NO 9 · Score 7-13
(14:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 85-G.Jennings for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 14:15 · NO 2 · Score 7-14
2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
New Orleans Saints TD (+7) — Q2 14:15 · GB 35 · Score 7-14
2-M.Crosby kicks 69 yards from GB 35 to NO -4. 43-D.Sproles to NO 28 for 32 yards (37-S.Shields; 24-J.Bush).
Green Bay Packers TD (+7) — Q2 14:15 · GB 35 · Score 7-14
2-M.Crosby kicks 69 yards from GB 35 to NO -4. 43-D.Sproles to NO 28 for 32 yards (37-S.Shields; 24-J.Bush).
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 14:10 · GB 72 · Score 7-14
(14:10) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short right to 16-L.Moore.
Green Bay Packers TD (+7) — Q2 14:10 · GB 72 · Score 7-14
(14:10) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short right to 16-L.Moore.
Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q2 4:53 · NO 14 · Score 7-20
(4:53) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 89-Ja.Jones for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q2 4:50 · NO 2 · Score 7-21
2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 0:33 · GB 6 · Score 13-21
(:33) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 43-D.Sproles for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 0:27 · GB 2 · Score 14-21
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 9:43 · GB 2 · Score 17-21
(9:43) 5-G.Hartley 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 9:20 · NO 69 · Score 17-21
(9:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 32-C.Benson to GB 35 for 4 yards (50-C.Lofton, 58-S.Shanle).
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 7:30 · NO 25 · Score 17-21
(7:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 88-J.Finley to NO 11 for 14 yards (58-S.Shanle).
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 5:19 · NO 2 · Score 17-21
(5:19) 6-G.Harrell FUMBLES (Aborted) at NO 7, RECOVERED by NO-91-W.Smith at NO 8. 91-W.Smith to NO 8 for no gain (32-C.Benson).
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 4:02 · GB 80 · Score 23-21
(4:02) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-J.Morgan for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 3:49 · GB 2 · Score 24-21
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 13:07 · GB 9 · Score 27-21
(13:07) 5-G.Hartley 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
Green Bay Packers TD (+6) — Q4 7:05 · NO 11 · Score 27-27
(7:05) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 87-J.Nelson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Green Bay Packers XP (+1) — Q4 7:00 · NO 2 · Score 27-28
2-M.Crosby extra point is GOOD, Center-61-B.Goode, Holder-8-T.Masthay.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Green Bay Packers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Aaron Rodgers (GB) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers on 2012-09-30?
The Green Bay Packers beat the New Orleans Saints 28-27 in Week 4, 2012.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 7, Green Bay Packers 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 15, Green Bay Packers 28; Q3: New Orleans Saints 19, Green Bay Packers 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 3, Green Bay Packers 7; Final: New Orleans Saints 27, Green Bay Packers 28.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers?
Green Bay Packers touchdown — A. Rodgers (Q1 9:09) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q1 3:38) Green Bay Packers touchdown — G. Jennings (A. Rodgers pass) (Q2 14:22) Green Bay Packers touchdown — A. Rodgers (Q2 4:53) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Sproles (D. Brees pass) (Q2 0:33) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Morgan (D. Brees pass) (Q3 4:02) Green Bay Packers touchdown — J. Nelson (A. Rodgers pass) (Q4 7:05) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q3 9:43, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — A. Rodgers (Q3 9:20, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — A. Rodgers (Q3 7:30, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Harrell (Q3 5:19, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q4 13:07, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 60.3% completion, -0.3% CPOE, +0.42 EPA per dropback, +24.27 total passing EPA. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers), 67.4% completion, +12.7% CPOE, +0.47 EPA per dropback, +21.43 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +24.27 total EPA on Passing plays. across 58 snaps. Their top snap (+6.46 EPA): (4:02) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-J.Morgan for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 1 points. Green Bay Packers won 28-27 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 0-3 Now 0-4 L
Green Bay Packers
Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W