FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 5 · October 7, 2012 · 12 min read

Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2012 Week 5 Recap

Saints defeat Chargers 31–24 in Week 5

D.Brees led Fantasy Impact as Saints prevailed in a 24–31 Week 5 finish.

Los Angeles Chargers 24 3–2
Final 24–31
New Orleans Saints 31 1–4 Winner
Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
24–31
Halftime
Los Angeles Chargers 17–14 New Orleans Saints
Top passer
Philip Rivers
FantasyHQ MVP
D.Brees
Game date
October 7, 2012

Top fantasy performers · Chargers

  • R.Meachem 3 REC · 67 YDS · 2 TD +7.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Philip Rivers
    Philip Rivers 27/51 · 310 YDS · 2 TD +5.8 Fantasy Impact
  • R.Mathews 12 CAR · 80 YDS · 1 TD +3.4 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • D.Brees 29/49 · 351 YDS · 5 TD +16.3 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Colston 9 REC · 131 YDS · 3 TD +9.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Darrell Henderson
    Darrell Henderson 8 REC · 123 YDS · 1 TD +4.8 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
New Orleans Saints 31–24 Los Angeles Chargers
Halftime
Los Angeles Chargers 17–14 New Orleans Saints at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
D. Brees
Top passer
Philip Rivers
Biggest EPA play
(6:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle intended for 80-M.Floyd INTERCEPTED by 41-R.…
Game date
2012-10-07

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31–24 on 2012-10-07, overcoming Los Angeles Chargers's 17–14 halftime lead. D. Brees posted a game-high +16.26 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
Los Angeles Chargers71070024
New Orleans Saints77710031

Scoring Map

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

LACLos Angeles Chargers
NONew Orleans Saints

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

16 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. LACLos Angeles Chargers
    Q1 7:02TD
    RMR. Meachem

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    6-0

    (7:02) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 12-R.Meachem for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NO-27-M.Jenkins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Pass 15, YAC 0

  2. LACLos Angeles Chargers
    Q1 6:56XP
    NNN. Novak

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    7-0

    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.

  3. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 3:05TD
    Darrell Henderson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LAC 40
    Score
    7-6

    (3:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 12 Saints #9 D.Brees passes Johnny Unitas for consecutive regular season games with a touchdown; Brees now has 48 straight games with a passing touchdown.

  4. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 2:58XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LAC 2
    Score
    7-7

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.

  5. LACLos Angeles Chargers
    Q2 10:01FG
    NNN. Novak

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    10-7

    (10:01) 9-N.Novak 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.

  6. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 7:25TD
    MCM. Colston

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LAC 19
    Score
    10-13

    (7:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-K.Reyes]. Pass 19, YAC 0

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 7:19XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LAC 2
    Score
    10-14

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.

  8. LACLos Angeles Chargers
    Q2 0:44TD
    RMR. Meachem

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 44
    Score
    16-14

    (:44) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 12-R.Meachem for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 11

  9. LACLos Angeles Chargers
    Q2 0:36XP
    NNN. Novak

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    17-14

    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.

  10. LACLos Angeles Chargers
    Q3 12:34TD
    RMR. Mathews

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 13
    Score
    23-14

    (12:34) 24-R.Mathews left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. LACLos Angeles Chargers
    Q3 12:27XP
    NNN. Novak

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    24-14

    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.

  12. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 0:16TD
    MCM. Colston

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LAC 16
    Score
    24-20

    (:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 1

  13. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 0:11XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LAC 2
    Score
    24-21

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.

  14. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 8:55TD
    MCM. Colston

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LAC 5
    Score
    24-27

    (8:55) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LAC-20-A.Cason, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 5, YAC 0

  15. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 8:50XP
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LAC 2
    Score
    24-28

    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.

  16. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 3:00FG
    GHG. Hartley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LAC 7
    Score
    24-31

    (3:00) 5-G.Hartley 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +16.26 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
  2. 2M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +9.87 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
  3. 3R. Meachem · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +7.42 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.86 EPA/play
  4. 4Philip RiversPhilip Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +5.77 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  5. 5Darrell HendersonDarrell Henderson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.82 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
  6. 6G. Camarillo · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.28 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
  7. 7R. Mathews · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +3.35 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
  8. 8Ronnie BrownRonnie Brown · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.22 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.64 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 (+16.26) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 49 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.

D. Brees's top snap (+4.68 EPA): (3:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 12 Saints #9 D.Brees passes Johnny Unitas for consecutive regular season games with a touchdown; Brees now has 48 straigh

Biggest single play (-4.93 EPA): Philip Rivers — (6:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle intended for 80-M.Floyd INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (27-M.Jenkins) at NO 36. 41-R.Harper to LAC 23 for 41 yards (65-L.Vasquez). The ball was batted into th

Quarterback report card

Philip Rivers led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Philip RiversPhilip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 51 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · +1.1% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.77 total EPA
  • D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 49 dropbacks · 59.2% completion · +2.6% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +16.26 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatLos Angeles ChargersNew Orleans Saints
Offensive EPA/play+0.054+0.114
Offensive success rate51.7%41.8%
Pass EPA/play+0.113+0.332
Rush EPA/play+0.112-0.286
Defensive EPA/play-0.114-0.054
Defensive success rate58.2%48.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs +0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Los Angeles Chargers: +0.05 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
  • New Orleans Saints: +0.11 EPA/play (74th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
  • Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, +4.69 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +10.39 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Los Angeles Chargers — R. Meachem (Philip Rivers pass) (Q1 7:02)
  • Darrell HendersonNew Orleans Saints — Darrell Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 3:05)
  • New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 7:25)
  • Los Angeles Chargers — R. Meachem (Philip Rivers pass) (Q2 0:44)
  • Los Angeles Chargers — R. Mathews (Q3 12:34)
  • New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q3 0:16)
  • New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q4 8:55)

Field goals

  • Los Angeles Chargers — N. Novak (Q2 10:01)
  • New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley (Q4 3:00)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q1 7:02); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 6:56) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 40 (Q1 3:05); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 2:58) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–7. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the NO 2 (Q2 10:01) — (10:01) 9-N.Novak 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 19 (Q2 7:25) — (7:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-K.Reyes]. Pass 19, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 7:19) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 44 (Q2 0:44) — (:44) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 12-R.Meachem for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 11; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 0:36) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NO 13 (Q3 12:34) — (12:34) 24-R.Mathews left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 12:27) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 16 (Q3 0:16) — (:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 1; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 0:11) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the LAC 5 (Q4 8:55); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 8:50) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the LAC 7 (Q4 3:00) — (3:00) 5-G.Hartley 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 3:05) — (3:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 12 Saints #9 D.Brees passes Johnny Unitas for consecutive regular season games with a touchdown; Bree [WPA +16.1% · EPA +4.68]
  • Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 0:44) — (:44) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 12-R.Meachem for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 11 [WPA +13.6% · EPA +4.81]
  • Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 9:11) — (9:11) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right to 80-M.Floyd to NO 19 for 32 yards (21-P.Robinson). Pass 26, YAC 6 [WPA +13.1% · EPA +3.67]
  • Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 4:54) — (4:54) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 11-E.Royal to 50 for 20 yards (24-C.White) [91-W.Smith]. PENALTY on NO-91-W.Smith, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at 50. Pass 20, YAC 0 [WPA +12.0% · EPA +3.16]
  • Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle intended for 80-M.Floyd INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (27-M.Jenkins) at NO 36. 41-R.Harper to LAC 23 for 41 yards (65-L.Vasquez). The ball was batted into th [WPA -11.9% · EPA -4.93]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle intended for 80-M.Floyd INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (27-M.Jenkins) at NO 36. 41-R.Harper to LAC 23 for 41 yards (65-L.Vasquez). The ball was batted into th [WPA -11.9% · EPA -4.93]
  • Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 0:44) — (:44) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 12-R.Meachem for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 11 [WPA +13.6% · EPA +4.81]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 3:05) — (3:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 12 Saints #9 D.Brees passes Johnny Unitas for consecutive regular season games with a touchdown; Bree [WPA +16.1% · EPA +4.68]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 13:53) — (13:53) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left intended for 19-D.Henderson INTERCEPTED by 23-Q.Jammer at NO 34. 23-Q.Jammer to NO 25 for 9 yards (19-D.Henderson). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -4.66]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 7:02 · NO 15 · Score 6-0
    (7:02) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 12-R.Meachem for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on NO-27-M.Jenkins, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Pass 15, YAC 0
  2. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 6:56 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
  3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 3:05 · LAC 40 · Score 7-6
    (3:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 12 Saints #9 D.Brees passes Johnny Unitas for consecutive regular season games with a touchdown; Bree
  4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 2:58 · LAC 2 · Score 7-7
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
  5. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 10:01 · NO 2 · Score 10-7
    (10:01) 9-N.Novak 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
  6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 7:25 · LAC 19 · Score 10-13
    (7:25) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 12-M.Colston for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-K.Reyes]. Pass 19, YAC 0
  7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 7:19 · LAC 2 · Score 10-14
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
  8. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 0:44 · NO 44 · Score 16-14
    (:44) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 12-R.Meachem for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 11
  9. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 0:36 · NO 2 · Score 17-14
    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
  10. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 12:34 · NO 13 · Score 23-14
    (12:34) 24-R.Mathews left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 12:27 · NO 2 · Score 24-14
    9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
  12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 0:16 · LAC 16 · Score 24-20
    (:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, YAC 1
  13. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 0:11 · LAC 2 · Score 24-21
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
  14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:55 · LAC 5 · Score 24-27
    (8:55) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 12-M.Colston for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LAC-20-A.Cason, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. Pass 5, YAC 0
  15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 8:50 · LAC 2 · Score 24-28
    5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.
  16. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 3:00 · LAC 7 · Score 24-31
    (3:00) 5-G.Hartley 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-10-C.Daniel.

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.
  • D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs New Orleans Saints on 2012-10-07?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-24 in Week 5, 2012.

What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs New Orleans Saints?

Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 7, New Orleans Saints 7; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 10, New Orleans Saints 7; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, New Orleans Saints 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 0, New Orleans Saints 10; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 24, New Orleans Saints 31.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs New Orleans Saints?

Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — R. Meachem (P. Rivers pass) (Q1 7:02) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Henderson (D. Brees pass) (Q1 3:05) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 7:25) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — R. Meachem (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 0:44) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — R. Mathews (Q3 12:34) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q3 0:16) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q4 8:55) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Novak (Q2 10:01, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q4 3:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs New Orleans Saints?

Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 52.9% completion, +1.1% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +5.77 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 59.2% completion, +2.6% CPOE, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +16.26 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Los Angeles Chargers vs New Orleans Saints?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +16.26 total EPA on Passing plays. across 49 snaps. Their top snap (+4.68 EPA): (3:05) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 19-D.Henderson for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 28, YAC 12 Saints #9 D.Brees passes Johnny Unitas for consecutive regular season games wi.

Was Los Angeles Chargers vs New Orleans Saints a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. New Orleans Saints won 31-24 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Los Angeles Chargers

Entered 3-1 Now 3-2 L

New Orleans Saints

Entered 0-4 Now 1-4 W