Quick answer
- Winner
- Atlanta Falcons
- Final score
- Atlanta Falcons 37–34 New Orleans Saints
- Halftime
- New Orleans Saints 20–10 Atlanta Falcons at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Matt Ryan
- Top passer
- Matt Ryan
- Biggest EPA play
- (3:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 27-R.Mc…
- Game date
- 2014-09-07
Game summary
The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 37–34 on 2014-09-07, overcoming New Orleans Saints's 20–10 halftime lead. Matt Ryan posted a game-high +17.21 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 34 | |
| 0 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 37 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
Matt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +17.21 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play - 2
D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.99 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play - 3
D. Hester · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.25 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play - 4
P. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.76 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play - 5
Jimmy Graham · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.39 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play - 6

Arian Smith · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.62 EPA/play - 7

Ricky White III · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.93 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play - 8
Melvin Ingram · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.04 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.23 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
Matt Ryan — ATL · Passing
Matt Ryan posted the highest total EPA (+17.21) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Atlanta Falcons. Across 49 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.
Matt Ryan's top snap (-5.18 EPA): (1:06) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-JulioJones to NO 5 for 20 yards (31-J.Byrd). FUMBLES (31-J.Byrd), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 0. Touchback.
Biggest single play (-5.24 EPA): D. Brees — (3:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 27-R.McClain at ATL 0. Touchback.
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) · 49 dropbacks · 63.3% completion · +6.1% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +17.21 total EPA
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 48 dropbacks · 60.4% completion · -0.3% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +12.99 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.217 | +0.207 |
| Offensive success rate | 56.5% | 47.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.271 | +0.351 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.172 | +0.104 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.207 | -0.217 |
| Defensive success rate | 52.2% | 43.5% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints +0.22, Atlanta Falcons +0.21) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- New Orleans Saints: +0.22 EPA/play (95th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
- Atlanta Falcons: +0.21 EPA/play (94th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
- Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +19.00 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +20.00 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns

New Orleans Saints — Keilan Robinson 
Atlanta Falcons — Ricky White III (Matt Ryan pass) 
New Orleans Saints — Brandin Cooks (D. Brees pass)
Atlanta Falcons — L. Toilolo (Matt Ryan pass) 
Atlanta Falcons — Arian Smith (Matt Ryan pass)
New Orleans Saints — Melvin Ingram
Atlanta Falcons — J. Rodgers
New Orleans Saints — Melvin Ingram
Field goals
New Orleans Saints — S. Graham
New Orleans Saints — S. Graham 
Atlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant 
Atlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant 
Atlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 13 (Q1 10:38) — (10:38) 3-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 33 (Q1 4:44) — (4:44) 3-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–10. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q2 11:51) — (11:51) 98-P.Haralson reported in as eligible. 29-K.Robinson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 11:46) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 4:12) — (4:12) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 4:06) — 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 3 (Q2 0:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 10-B.Cooks for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 0:20) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 22 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 9:28) — (9:28) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 80-L.Toilolo for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 9:22) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 54 (Q3 0:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 0:21) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–10. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 8:46) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 17 (Q4 2:57) — (2:57) 32-J.Rodgers left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 2:50) — 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 3 (Q4 1:24) — (1:24) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 1:20) — 3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 33 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
Overtime: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 34 (OT 13:22) — (13:22) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 0:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (OT 13:22) — (13:22) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
- New Orleans Saints (OT 14:58) — (14:58) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 12-M.Colston to NO 33 for 13 yards (25-W.Moore). FUMBLES (25-W.Moore), RECOVERED by ATL-59-J.Bartu at NO 38. 59-J.Bartu to NO 38 for no gain (23-P.Thom
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete deep left to 12-M.Colston. PENALTY on ATL-23-R.Alford, Defensive Pass Interference, 24 yards, enforced at ATL 49 - No Play.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 3:01) — (3:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 27-R.McClain at ATL 0. Touchback.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q1 1:06) — (1:06) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-JulioJones to NO 5 for 20 yards (31-J.Byrd). FUMBLES (31-J.Byrd), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 0. Touchback.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 0:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 5:00) — (5:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 12-M.Colston ran ob at ATL 17 for 57 yards (20-D.Lowery).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 10:38 · ATL 13 · Score 3-0
(10:38) 3-S.Graham 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 4:44 · ATL 33 · Score 6-0
(4:44) 3-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 11:51 · ATL 2 · Score 12-0
(11:51) 98-P.Haralson reported in as eligible. 29-K.Robinson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 11:46 · ATL 2 · Score 13-0
3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 4:12 · NO 2 · Score 13-6
(4:12) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 4:06 · NO 2 · Score 13-7
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 0:24 · ATL 3 · Score 19-7
(:24) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 10-B.Cooks for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 0:20 · ATL 2 · Score 20-7
3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · NO 22 · Score 20-10
(:04) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 9:28 · NO 1 · Score 20-16
(9:28) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 80-L.Toilolo for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 9:22 · NO 2 · Score 20-17
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 0:34 · NO 54 · Score 20-23
(:34) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 35-A.Smith for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 0:21 · NO 2 · Score 20-24
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 8:53 · ATL 3 · Score 26-24
(8:53) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 8:46 · ATL 2 · Score 27-24
3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 2:57 · NO 17 · Score 27-30
(2:57) 32-J.Rodgers left tackle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 2:50 · NO 2 · Score 27-31
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:24 · ATL 3 · Score 33-31
(1:24) (Shotgun) 22-M.Ingram right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:20 · ATL 2 · Score 34-31
3-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · NO 33 · Score 34-34
(:04) 3-M.Bryant 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — OT 13:22 · NO 34 · Score 34-37
(13:22) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Atlanta Falcons earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) 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 New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons on 2014-09-07?
The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 37-34 in Week 1, 2014.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 6, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q2: New Orleans Saints 14, Atlanta Falcons 10; Q3: New Orleans Saints 0, Atlanta Falcons 14; Q4: New Orleans Saints 14, Atlanta Falcons 10; Q5: New Orleans Saints 0, Atlanta Falcons 3; Final: New Orleans Saints 34, Atlanta Falcons 37.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — K. Robinson (Q2 11:51) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 4:12) New Orleans Saints touchdown — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q2 0:24) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — L. Toilolo (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 9:28) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — A. Smith (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 0:34) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Ingram (Q4 8:53) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — J. Rodgers (Q4 2:57) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Ingram (Q4 1:24) New Orleans Saints field goal — S. Graham (Q1 10:38, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — S. Graham (Q1 4:44, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 0:04, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 0:04, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (OT 13:22, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 63.3% completion, +6.1% CPOE, +0.35 EPA per dropback, +17.21 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 60.4% completion, -0.3% CPOE, +0.27 EPA per dropback, +12.99 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +17.21 total EPA on Passing plays. across 49 snaps. Their top snap (-5.18 EPA): (1:06) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-JulioJones to NO 5 for 20 yards (31-J.Byrd). FUMBLES (31-J.Byrd), RECOVERED by NO-24-C.White at NO 0. Touchback..
Was New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Atlanta Falcons won 37-34 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Now 0-1 L
Atlanta Falcons
Now 1-0 W