Saints 17–20 Falcons: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 14, 2017

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

M. Thomas (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.23 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 14 snaps. Their top snap (+2.45 EPA): (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-M.Thomas to ATL 48 for 22 yards (34-B.Poole)..

Quick answer

Winner: Atlanta Falcons
Final score: Atlanta Falcons 20–17 New Orleans Saints
Halftime: Tied 10–10 at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Michael Thomas
Top passer: D. Brees
Biggest EPA play: (14:53) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 81-A.Hooper INTERCEPTED by 31-C.B…
Game date: 2017-12-07

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 20–17 on 2017-12-07. Michael Thomas posted a game-high +6.23 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
New Orleans Saints	3	7	7	0	0	17
Atlanta Falcons	3	7	0	10	0	20

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints

+1NO 15

ATL 26

ATL 1

+1NO 15

+3NO 34

ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 9:52FG
Wil Lutz
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 16
Score
3-0
(9:52) 3-W.Lutz 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q1 5:37FG
Myles Bryant
Points+3
Yard line
NO 10
Score
3-3
(5:37) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 4:35TD
DFD. Freeman
Points+6
Yard line
NO 1
Score
3-9
(4:35) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 24-D.Freeman left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 4:29XP
Myles Bryant
Points+1
Yard line
NO 15
Score
3-10
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 2:00TD
Tyquan Lewis
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 26
Score
9-10
(2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 11-T.Lewis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 1:53XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
10-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 13:15TD
Michael Thomas
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 1
Score
16-10
(13:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 13:10XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
17-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 10:01TD
MSM. Sanu
Points+6
Yard line
NO 8
Score
17-16
(10:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 12-M.Sanu for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 9:55XP
Myles Bryant
Points+1
Yard line
NO 15
Score
17-17
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 3:54FG
Myles Bryant
Points+3
Yard line
NO 34
Score
17-20
(3:54) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Michael Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.23 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
2M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.08 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
3Tyquan Lewis · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.34 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
4Melvin Ingram · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
5D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.52 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
6D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +1.38 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
7T. Gabriel · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.34 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
8Brandon Coleman · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 3 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

Michael Thomas — NO · Receiving

Michael Thomas posted the highest total EPA (+6.23) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 14 counted snaps, they averaged +0.44 EPA per play.

Michael Thomas's top snap (+2.45 EPA): (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-M.Thomas to ATL 48 for 22 yards (34-B.Poole).

Biggest single play (-5.23 EPA): Matt Ryan — (14:53) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 81-A.Hooper INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Banjo at ATL 29. 31-C.Banjo to ATL 29 for no gain (81-A.Hooper).

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) · 37 dropbacks · 70.3% completion · +6.2% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.38 total EPA
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 36 dropbacks · 41.7% completion · -4.6% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.35 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	New Orleans Saints	Atlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play	-0.026	+0.007
Offensive success rate	49.3%	52.3%
Pass EPA/play	+0.037	+0.010
Rush EPA/play	-0.004	-0.031
Defensive EPA/play	-0.007	+0.026
Defensive success rate	47.7%	50.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints -0.03, Atlanta Falcons +0.01) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

New Orleans Saints: -0.03 EPA/play (49th percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)
Atlanta Falcons: +0.01 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)

Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +0.64 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, -1.71 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q2 4:35)
New Orleans Saints — Tyquan Lewis (D. Brees pass) (Q2 2:00)
New Orleans Saints — Michael Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q3 13:15)
Atlanta Falcons — M. Sanu (Matt Ryan pass) (Q4 10:01)

Field goals

New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz (Q1 9:52)
Atlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q1 5:37)
Atlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q4 3:54)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 16 (Q1 9:52) — (9:52) 3-W.Lutz 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 10 (Q1 5:37) — (5:37) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q2 4:35) — (4:35) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 24-D.Freeman left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 4:29) — 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 26 (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 11-T.Lewis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 1:53) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 13:15) — (13:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 13:10) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q4 10:01) — (10:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 12-M.Sanu for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 9:55) — 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 34 (Q4 3:54) — (3:54) 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.

New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:30) — (1:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 89-J.Hill INTERCEPTED by 45-D.Jones at ATL -5. Touchback. [WPA -51.1% · EPA -5.04]
Atlanta Falcons (Q2 0:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 11-Ju.Jones INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 38. 23-M.Lattimore to ATL 29 for 33 yards (11-Ju.Jones). [WPA -21.4% · EPA -3.31]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 10:01) — (10:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 12-M.Sanu for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.8% · EPA +2.53]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 3:54) — (3:54) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +1.55]
Atlanta Falcons (Q3 14:53) — (14:53) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 81-A.Hooper INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Banjo at ATL 29. 31-C.Banjo to ATL 29 for no gain (81-A.Hooper). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.23]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Atlanta Falcons (Q3 14:53) — (14:53) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 81-A.Hooper INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Banjo at ATL 29. 31-C.Banjo to ATL 29 for no gain (81-A.Hooper). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.23]
New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:30) — (1:30) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 89-J.Hill INTERCEPTED by 45-D.Jones at ATL -5. Touchback. [WPA -51.1% · EPA -5.04]
Atlanta Falcons (Q3 10:37) — (10:37) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left intended for 11-Ju.Jones INTERCEPTED by 43-M.Williams at NO -7. 43-M.Williams pushed ob at NO 5 for 12 yards (26-T.Coleman). [WPA -12.7% · EPA -3.55]
Atlanta Falcons (Q1 7:27) — (7:27) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-Ju.Jones pushed ob at NO 15 for 38 yards (43-M.Williams). [WPA +12.3% · EPA +3.43]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 9:52 · ATL 16 · Score 3-0
(9:52) 3-W.Lutz 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 5:37 · NO 10 · Score 3-3
(5:37) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 4:35 · NO 1 · Score 3-9
(4:35) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 24-D.Freeman left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 4:29 · NO 15 · Score 3-10
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 2:00 · ATL 26 · Score 9-10
(2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 11-T.Lewis for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 1:53 · ATL 15 · Score 10-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 13:15 · ATL 1 · Score 16-10
(13:15) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 13:10 · ATL 15 · Score 17-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 10:01 · NO 8 · Score 17-16
(10:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 12-M.Sanu for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 9:55 · NO 15 · Score 17-17
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 3:54 · NO 34 · Score 17-20
(3:54) 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.
Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints) 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 New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons on 2017-12-07?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 20-17 in Week 14, 2017.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 3, Atlanta Falcons 3; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q3: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 0, Atlanta Falcons 10; Final: New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — D. Freeman (Q2 4:35) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Lewis (D. Brees pass) (Q2 2:00) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q3 13:15) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — M. Sanu (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 10:01) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q1 9:52, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 5:37, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 3:54, 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?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 70.3% completion, +6.2% CPOE, +0.04 EPA per dropback, +1.38 total passing EPA. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 41.7% completion, -4.6% CPOE, +0.01 EPA per dropback, +0.35 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.23 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 14 snaps. Their top snap (+2.45 EPA): (15:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 13-M.Thomas to ATL 48 for 22 yards (34-B.Poole)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Atlanta Falcons won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 9-3 Now 9-4 L

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 7-5 Now 8-5 W

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2017 Week 14 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Saints

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

Quick answer

Game summary