FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Wild Card · January 13, 2019 · 12 min read

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints: 2018 Wild Card Recap

Saints defeat Eagles 20–14 in Wild Card

Michael Thomas led Fantasy Impact as Saints prevailed in a 14–20 Wild Card finish.

Philadelphia Eagles 14 10–8
Final 14–20
New Orleans Saints 20 14–3 Winner
Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
14–20
Halftime
Philadelphia Eagles 14–10 New Orleans Saints
Top passer
D. Brees
FantasyHQ MVP
Michael Thomas
Game date
January 13, 2019

Top fantasy performers · Eagles

  • Jordan Matthews
    Jordan Matthews 1 REC · 37 YDS · 1 TD +2.2 Fantasy Impact
  • N.Foles 1 CAR · 1 YDS · 1 TD +0.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Nelson Agholor
    Nelson Agholor 1 CAR · 12 YDS +0.7 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • Michael Thomas
    Michael Thomas 12 REC · 171 YDS · 1 TD +11.1 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Brees 28/41 · 283 YDS · 2 TD +9.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Keith Kirkwood
    Keith Kirkwood 2 REC · 8 YDS · 1 TD +4.0 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
New Orleans Saints 20–14 Philadelphia Eagles
Halftime
Philadelphia Eagles 14–10 New Orleans Saints at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Michael Thomas
Top passer
D. Brees
Biggest EPA play
(2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTE…
Game date
2019-01-13

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20–14 on 2019-01-13, overcoming Philadelphia Eagles's 14–10 halftime lead. Michael Thomas posted a game-high +11.08 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
Philadelphia Eagles14000014
New Orleans Saints01073020

Scoring Map

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

PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
NONew Orleans Saints

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q1 10:49TD
    Jordan Matthews

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 37
    Score
    6-0

    (10:49) 9-N.Foles pass deep left to 80-J.Matthews for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [57-A.Okafor]. Pass 30, YAC 7

  2. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q1 10:41XP
    Jordan Elliott

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    7-0

    4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.

  3. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q1 4:39TD
    NFN. Foles

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 1
    Score
    13-0

    (4:39) 9-N.Foles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. PHIPhiladelphia Eagles
    Q1 4:37XP
    Jordan Elliott

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    14-0

    4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.

  5. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 7:28TD
    Keith Kirkwood

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PHI 2
    Score
    14-6

    (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0

  6. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 7:23XP
    Wil Lutz

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PHI 15
    Score
    14-7

    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 0:11FG
    Wil Lutz

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PHI 27
    Score
    14-10

    (:11) 3-W.Lutz 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

  8. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 1:44TD
    Michael Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PHI 2
    Score
    14-16

    (1:44) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0

  9. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 1:40XP
    Wil Lutz

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PHI 15
    Score
    14-17

    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

  10. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 10:32FG
    Wil Lutz

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PHI 21
    Score
    14-20

    (10:32) 3-W.Lutz 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Michael ThomasMichael Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +11.08 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
  2. 2D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +9.80 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
  3. 3Keith KirkwoodKeith Kirkwood · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.00 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.00 EPA/play
  4. 4Jordan MatthewsJordan Matthews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.20 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
  5. 5Tyron SmithTyron Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.11 EPA/play
  6. 6Trysten HillTrysten Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
  7. 7N. Foles · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +0.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
  8. 8Nelson AgholorNelson Agholor · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +0.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Michael Thomas

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Michael Thomas — NO · Receiving

Michael Thomas posted the highest total EPA (+11.08) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 16 counted snaps, they averaged +0.69 EPA per play.

Michael Thomas's top snap (-3.15 EPA): (14:56) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 19-T.Ginn INTERCEPTED by 34-C.LeBlanc at PHI 24. 34-C.LeBlanc to PHI 24 for no gain (13-M.Thomas).

Biggest single play (-4.64 EPA): N. Foles — (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate).

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) · 41 dropbacks · 68.3% completion · +8.0% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +9.80 total EPA
  • N. Foles (Philadelphia Eagles) · 33 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -7.8% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.06 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatPhiladelphia EaglesNew Orleans Saints
Offensive EPA/play-0.068+0.015
Offensive success rate35.4%41.6%
Pass EPA/play+0.002+0.212
Rush EPA/play-0.148-0.080
Defensive EPA/play-0.015+0.068
Defensive success rate58.4%64.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Philadelphia Eagles: -0.07 EPA/play (35th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • New Orleans Saints: +0.01 EPA/play (54th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
  • New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +1.32 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Philadelphia Eagles: 10 drives, -4.45 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Jordan MatthewsPhiladelphia Eagles — Jordan Matthews (N. Foles pass) (Q1 10:49)
  • Philadelphia Eagles — N. Foles (Q1 4:39)
  • Keith KirkwoodNew Orleans Saints — Keith Kirkwood (D. Brees pass) (Q2 7:28)
  • Michael ThomasNew Orleans Saints — Michael Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q3 1:44)

Field goals

  • Wil LutzNew Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz (Q2 0:11)
  • Wil LutzNew Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz (Q4 10:32)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 37 (Q1 10:49) — (10:49) 9-N.Foles pass deep left to 80-J.Matthews for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [57-A.Okafor]. Pass 30, YAC 7; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 10:41) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q1 4:39) — (4:39) 9-N.Foles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 4:37) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the PHI 2 (Q2 7:28) — (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 7:23) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 27 (Q2 0:11) — (:11) 3-W.Lutz 45 yard field goal 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 PHI 2 (Q3 1:44) — (1:44) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 1:40) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the PHI 21 (Q4 10:32) — (10:32) 3-W.Lutz 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:01) — (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate). [WPA -26.1% · EPA -4.64]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 3:21) — (3:21) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 13-M.Thomas to PHI 12 for 20 yards (37-T.Sullivan). Pass 14, YAC 6 [WPA +16.6% · EPA +2.86]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:03) — (3:03) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -9.2% · EPA -3.62]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 7:28) — (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0 [WPA +8.9% · EPA +3.79]
  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:53) — (2:53) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short middle to 86-Z.Ertz to NO 42 for 16 yards (92-M.Davenport). Pass 13, YAC 3 [WPA +8.8% · EPA +1.33]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:01) — (2:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass short left intended for 17-A.Jeffery INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Lattimore at NO 19. 23-M.Lattimore to NO 33 for 14 yards (19-G.Tate). [WPA -26.1% · EPA -4.64]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 7:28) — (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0 [WPA +8.9% · EPA +3.79]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:03) — (3:03) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -9.2% · EPA -3.62]
  • Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 6:05) — (6:05) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass deep right to 17-A.Jeffery pushed ob at NO 4 for 30 yards (23-M.Lattimore). Pass 24, YAC 6 [WPA +5.9% · EPA +3.59]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 10:49 · NO 37 · Score 6-0
    (10:49) 9-N.Foles pass deep left to 80-J.Matthews for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN [57-A.Okafor]. Pass 30, YAC 7
  2. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 10:41 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
    4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.
  3. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 4:39 · NO 1 · Score 13-0
    (4:39) 9-N.Foles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 4:37 · NO 15 · Score 14-0
    4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.
  5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 7:28 · PHI 2 · Score 14-6
    (7:28) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 18-K.Kirkwood for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
  6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 7:23 · PHI 15 · Score 14-7
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  7. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 0:11 · PHI 27 · Score 14-10
    (:11) 3-W.Lutz 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 1:44 · PHI 2 · Score 14-16
    (1:44) 9-D.Brees pass short left to 13-M.Thomas for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, YAC 0
  9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 1:40 · PHI 15 · Score 14-17
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
  10. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 10:32 · PHI 21 · Score 14-20
    (10:32) 3-W.Lutz 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

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.
  • 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 Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints on 2019-01-13?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 in Wild Card, 2018.

What was the score by quarter in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?

Q1: Philadelphia Eagles 14, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Philadelphia Eagles 0, New Orleans Saints 10; Q3: Philadelphia Eagles 0, New Orleans Saints 7; Q4: Philadelphia Eagles 0, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Philadelphia Eagles 14, New Orleans Saints 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?

Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — J. Matthews (N. Foles pass) (Q1 10:49) Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — N. Foles (Q1 4:39) New Orleans Saints touchdown — K. Kirkwood (D. Brees pass) (Q2 7:28) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q3 1:44) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q2 0:11, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q4 10:32, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 68.3% completion, +8.0% CPOE, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +9.80 total passing EPA. N. Foles (Philadelphia Eagles), 54.5% completion, -7.8% CPOE, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.06 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints?

Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.08 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 16 snaps. Their top snap (-3.15 EPA): (14:56) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle intended for 19-T.Ginn INTERCEPTED by 34-C.LeBlanc at PHI 24. 34-C.LeBlanc to PHI 24 for no gain (13-M.Thomas)..

Was Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. New Orleans Saints won 20-14 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Philadelphia Eagles

Entered 10-7 Now 10-8 L

New Orleans Saints

Entered 13-3 Now 14-3 W