Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 23–17 Atlanta Falcons
- Halftime
- Atlanta Falcons 10–13 New Orleans Saints at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- D. Brees
- Top passer
- Matt Ryan
- Biggest EPA play
- (5:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 84-K.Stills to ATL 9 for 67 yards (27-R.McCla…
- Game date
- 2013-09-08
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 23–17 on 2013-09-08. D. Brees posted a game-high +10.41 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Atlanta Falcons | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
 New Orleans Saints | 0 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
ATLAtlanta Falcons(8:40) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
(1:30) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
(10:58) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
(9:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 25, YAC 0
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
(1:50) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
(11:45) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
(6:29) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 6
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
(3:16) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
NONew Orleans SaintsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q1 8:40TD TGT. GonzalezPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 7
- Score
- 6-0
(8:40) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q1 8:32XP Myles BryantPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 7-0
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
- ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q1 1:30FG Myles BryantPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 5
- Score
- 10-0
(1:30) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 10:58FG GHG. HartleyPoints+3
- Yard line
- ATL 30
- Score
- 10-3
(10:58) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 9:16TD MCM. ColstonPoints+6
- Yard line
- ATL 25
- Score
- 10-9
(9:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 25, YAC 0
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 9:10XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- ATL 2
- Score
- 10-10
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 1:50FG GHG. HartleyPoints+3
- Yard line
- ATL 13
- Score
- 10-13
(1:50) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
- ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q3 11:45TD Justin JonesPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 4
- Score
- 16-13
(11:45) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0
- ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q3 11:41XP Myles BryantPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 17-13
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 6:29TD Points+6
- Yard line
- ATL 7
- Score
- 17-19
(6:29) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 6
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 6:22XP GHG. HartleyPoints+1
- Yard line
- ATL 2
- Score
- 17-20
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 3:16FG GHG. HartleyPoints+3
- Yard line
- ATL 4
- Score
- 17-23
(3:16) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +10.41 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 2D. Sproles · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
- 3H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.89 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
- 4K. Stills · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
- 5M. Colston · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.38 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 6Jimmy Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.32 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 7
Ricky White III · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.24 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play - 8
Shedrick Jackson · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.82 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.17 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 (+10.41) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 40 counted snaps, they averaged +0.26 EPA per play.
D. Brees's top snap (+4.64 EPA): (5:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 84-K.Stills to ATL 9 for 67 yards (27-R.McClain; 23-R.Alford). Pass 24, YAC 43
Quarterback report card
Matt Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 43 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +3.5% CPOE · -0.07 EPA/play · -3.07 total EPA
- D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 40 dropbacks · 65.0% completion · +10.7% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +10.41 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.021 | +0.036 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.8% | 41.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.071 | +0.260 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.028 | -0.370 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.036 | +0.021 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.0% | 59.2% |
Drive & efficiency notes
New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.02), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Atlanta Falcons: -0.02 EPA/play (41st percentile vs. 2013 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: +0.04 EPA/play (57th percentile vs. 2013 team-game averages)
- Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, -1.51 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +3.02 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (Matt Ryan pass)
- New Orleans Saints — M. Colston (D. Brees pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — Justin Jones (Matt Ryan pass)
- New Orleans Saints — Jimmy Graham (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
- New Orleans Saints — G. Hartley
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q1 8:40) — (8:40) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 8:32) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 5 (Q1 1:30) — (1:30) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 30 (Q2 10:58) — (10:58) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 25 (Q2 9:16) — (9:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 25, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 9:10) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 13 (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q3 11:45) — (11:45) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 11:41) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 7 (Q3 6:29) — (6:29) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 6; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 6:22) — 5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 4 (Q4 3:16) — (3:16) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 41-R.Harper (32-K.Vaccaro) at NO 0. Touchback. The ball intended for Gonzales was first tipped by Vaccaro, and then
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:34) — (1:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-H.Douglas to NO 7 for 20 yards (32-K.Vaccaro).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 13:08) — (13:08) 39-S.Jackson right tackle pushed ob at NO 5 for 50 yards (27-M.Jenkins).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:47) — (4:47) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-R.Alford at ATL 45. 23-R.Alford to ATL 45 for no gain (12-M.Colston).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 5:11) — (5:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 84-K.Stills to ATL 9 for 67 yards (27-R.McClain; 23-R.Alford). Pass 24, YAC 43
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 5:11) — (5:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 84-K.Stills to ATL 9 for 67 yards (27-R.McClain; 23-R.Alford). Pass 24, YAC 43
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 10:53) — (10:53) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones to ATL 42 for 22 yards (27-M.Jenkins). FUMBLES (27-M.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-41-R.Harper at 50. 41-R.Harper to ATL 31 for 19 yards (76-L.Holmes). Pass 1
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 13:08) — (13:08) 39-S.Jackson right tackle pushed ob at NO 5 for 50 yards (27-M.Jenkins).
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:47) — (4:47) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 12-M.Colston INTERCEPTED by 23-R.Alford at ATL 45. 23-R.Alford to ATL 45 for no gain (12-M.Colston).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 8:40 · NO 7 · Score 6-0
(8:40) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 8:32 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 1:30 · NO 5 · Score 10-0
(1:30) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 10:58 · ATL 30 · Score 10-3
(10:58) 5-G.Hartley 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 9:16 · ATL 25 · Score 10-9
(9:16) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 25, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 9:10 · ATL 2 · Score 10-10
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 1:50 · ATL 13 · Score 10-13
(1:50) 5-G.Hartley 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 11:45 · NO 4 · Score 16-13
(11:45) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, YAC 0 - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 11:41 · NO 2 · Score 17-13
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 6:29 · ATL 7 · Score 17-19
(6:29) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 80-J.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, YAC 6 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 6:22 · ATL 2 · Score 17-20
5-G.Hartley extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 3:16 · ATL 4 · Score 17-23
(3:16) 5-G.Hartley 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
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.
- Matt Ryan (ATL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints on 2013-09-08?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-17 in Week 1, 2013.
What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Atlanta Falcons 10, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 0, New Orleans Saints 13; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 7, New Orleans Saints 7; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 0, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Atlanta Falcons 17, New Orleans Saints 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 8:40) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Colston (D. Brees pass) (Q2 9:16) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 11:45) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Graham (D. Brees pass) (Q3 6:29) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 1:30, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q2 10:58, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q2 1:50, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — G. Hartley (Q4 3:16, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 58.1% completion, +3.5% CPOE, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -3.07 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 65.0% completion, +10.7% CPOE, +0.26 EPA per dropback, +10.41 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.41 total EPA on Passing plays. across 40 snaps. Their top snap (+4.64 EPA): (5:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 84-K.Stills to ATL 9 for 67 yards (27-R.McClain; 23-R.Alford). Pass 24, YAC 43.
Was Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. New Orleans Saints won 23-17 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Atlanta Falcons
Now 0-1 L
New Orleans Saints
Now 1-0 W
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