Quick answer
- Winner
- Minnesota Vikings
- Final score
- Minnesota Vikings 26–20 New Orleans Saints
- Halftime
- Minnesota Vikings 13–10 New Orleans Saints at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Kirk Cousins
- Top passer
- D. Brees
- Biggest EPA play
- (4:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at MIN 28 for -8 yards (99-D.Hunter). FUMBLES (99-D.Hunt…
- Game date
- 2020-01-05
Game summary
The Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints 26–20 on 2020-01-05. Kirk Cousins posted a game-high +7.36 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
 New Orleans Saints | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
MINMinnesota Vikings
(9:56) 3-W.Lutz 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(4:09) 5-D.Bailey 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
(9:23) 41-A.Kamara right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(2:58) 5-D.Bailey 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
(:27) 33-D.Cook right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
(3:30) 33-D.Cook right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
(10:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 7-T.Hill for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(:07) 3-W.Lutz 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
(10:45) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 82-K.Rudolph for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans SaintsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 9:56FG Wil LutzPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIN 11
- Score
- 0-3
(9:56) 3-W.Lutz 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 4:09FG Points+3
- Yard line
- NO 25
- Score
- 3-3
(4:09) 5-D.Bailey 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 9:23TD Alvin KamaraPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIN 4
- Score
- 3-9
(9:23) 41-A.Kamara right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 9:18XP Wil LutzPoints+1
- Yard line
- MIN 15
- Score
- 3-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 2:58FG Points+3
- Yard line
- NO 3
- Score
- 6-10
(2:58) 5-D.Bailey 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 0:27TD Dylan CookPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 5
- Score
- 12-10
(:27) 33-D.Cook right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 0:23XP Points+1
- Yard line
- NO 15
- Score
- 13-10
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 3:30TD Dylan CookPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 1
- Score
- 19-10
(3:30) 33-D.Cook right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 3:23XP Points+1
- Yard line
- NO 15
- Score
- 20-10
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 10:37TD Trysten HillPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIN 20
- Score
- 20-16
(10:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 7-T.Hill for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 10:31XP Wil LutzPoints+1
- Yard line
- MIN 15
- Score
- 20-17
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 0:07FG Wil LutzPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIN 31
- Score
- 20-20
(:07) 3-W.Lutz 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- MINMinnesota Vikings
OT 10:45TD KRK. RudolphPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 4
- Score
- 26-20
(10:45) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 82-K.Rudolph for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
Kirk Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +7.36 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play - 2
Adam Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.70 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play - 3Trysten Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.74 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
- 4Trysten Hill · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +3.27 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.27 EPA/play
- 5
Demone Harris · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.27 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.27 EPA/play - 6
James Cook III · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play - 7Dylan Cook · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.92 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 8Trysten Hill · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.08 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
Kirk Cousins — MIN · Passing
Kirk Cousins posted the highest total EPA (+7.36) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.21 EPA per play.
Kirk Cousins's top snap (-6.19 EPA): (14:18) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen to MIN 42 for 3 yards (20-J.Jenkins). FUMBLES (20-J.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-24-V.Bell at MIN 43. 24-V.Bell ran ob at MIN 37 for 6 yards (82-K.Rudolph). Pass -2, YAC
Biggest single play (-6.56 EPA): D. Brees — (4:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at MIN 28 for -8 yards (99-D.Hunter). FUMBLES (99-D.Hunter) [99-D.Hunter], touched at MIN 34, RECOVERED by MIN-92-J.Holmes at MIN 36. 92-J.Holmes to MIN 37 for 1 yard
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) · 38 dropbacks · 68.4% completion · +7.8% CPOE · -0.37 EPA/play · -13.98 total EPA
- Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 35 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · -5.4% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +7.36 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.026 | -0.144 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.2% | 45.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.162 | -0.275 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.154 | +0.261 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.144 | +0.026 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.2% | 58.8% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Minnesota Vikings: -0.03 EPA/play (45th percentile vs. 2019 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: -0.14 EPA/play (21st percentile vs. 2019 team-game averages)
- Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, -2.53 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -10.37 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — Alvin Kamara
- Minnesota Vikings — Dylan Cook
- Minnesota Vikings — Dylan Cook
- New Orleans Saints — Trysten Hill (D. Brees pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — K. Rudolph (Kirk Cousins pass)
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz
- Minnesota Vikings — Dominic Bailey
- Minnesota Vikings — Dominic Bailey
- New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz
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 MIN 11 (Q1 9:56) — (9:56) 3-W.Lutz 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NO 25 (Q1 4:09) — (4:09) 5-D.Bailey 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..
The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q2 9:23) — (9:23) 41-A.Kamara right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 9:18) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the NO 3 (Q2 2:58) — (2:58) 5-D.Bailey 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q2 0:27) — (:27) 33-D.Cook right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 0:23) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..
The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 3:30) — (3:30) 33-D.Cook right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 3:23) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the MIN 20 (Q4 10:37) — (10:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 7-T.Hill for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 10:31) — 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 MIN 31 (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 3-W.Lutz 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..
Overtime: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the NO 4 (OT 10:45) — (10:45) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 82-K.Rudolph for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at MIN 28 for -8 yards (99-D.Hunter). FUMBLES (99-D.Hunter) [99-D.Hunter], touched at MIN 34, RECOVERED by MIN-92-J.Holmes at MIN 36. 92-J.Holmes to MIN 37 for 1 yard
- Minnesota Vikings (OT 12:42) — (12:42) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen to NO 2 for 43 yards (21-P.Robinson). Pass 40, YAC 3
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 14:18) — (14:18) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen to MIN 42 for 3 yards (20-J.Jenkins). FUMBLES (20-J.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-24-V.Bell at MIN 43. 24-V.Bell ran ob at MIN 37 for 6 yards (82-K.Rud
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 3-W.Lutz 43 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 6:15) — (6:15) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen to NO 19 for 34 yards (43-M.Williams) [56-D.Davis]. Pass 28, YAC 6
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at MIN 28 for -8 yards (99-D.Hunter). FUMBLES (99-D.Hunter) [99-D.Hunter], touched at MIN 34, RECOVERED by MIN-92-J.Holmes at MIN 36. 92-J.Holmes to MIN 37 for 1 yard
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 14:18) — (14:18) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen to MIN 42 for 3 yards (20-J.Jenkins). FUMBLES (20-J.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-24-V.Bell at MIN 43. 24-V.Bell ran ob at MIN 37 for 6 yards (82-K.Rud
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 6:15) — (6:15) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 19-A.Thielen to NO 19 for 34 yards (43-M.Williams) [56-D.Davis]. Pass 28, YAC 6
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 10:09) — (10:09) (Shotgun) 62-N.Easton reported in as eligible. 7-T.Hill pass deep middle to 11-D.Harris to MIN 4 for 50 yards (22-H.Smith). Pass 50, YAC 0
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 9:56 · MIN 11 · Score 0-3
(9:56) 3-W.Lutz 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 4:09 · NO 25 · Score 3-3
(4:09) 5-D.Bailey 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 9:23 · MIN 4 · Score 3-9
(9:23) 41-A.Kamara right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 9:18 · MIN 15 · Score 3-10
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 2:58 · NO 3 · Score 6-10
(2:58) 5-D.Bailey 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 0:27 · NO 5 · Score 12-10
(:27) 33-D.Cook right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 0:23 · NO 15 · Score 13-10
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 3:30 · NO 1 · Score 19-10
(3:30) 33-D.Cook right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 3:23 · NO 15 · Score 20-10
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 10:37 · MIN 20 · Score 20-16
(10:37) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 7-T.Hill for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 20, YAC 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 10:31 · MIN 15 · Score 20-17
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · MIN 31 · Score 20-20
(:07) 3-W.Lutz 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — OT 10:45 · NO 4 · Score 26-20
(10:45) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 82-K.Rudolph for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) 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 Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints on 2020-01-05?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints 26-20 in Week 18, 2019.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 10, New Orleans Saints 7; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 7, New Orleans Saints 0; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 0, New Orleans Saints 10; Q5: Minnesota Vikings 6, New Orleans Saints 0; Final: Minnesota Vikings 26, New Orleans Saints 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Kamara (Q2 9:23) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Cook (Q2 0:27) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — D. Cook (Q3 3:30) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Hill (D. Brees pass) (Q4 10:37) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Rudolph (K. Cousins pass) (OT 10:45) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q1 9:56, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — D. Bailey (Q1 4:09, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — D. Bailey (Q2 2:58, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q4 0:07, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 68.4% completion, +7.8% CPOE, -0.37 EPA per dropback, -13.98 total passing EPA. Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 54.3% completion, -5.4% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +7.36 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints?
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.36 total EPA on Passing plays. across 35 snaps. Their top snap (-6.19 EPA): (14:18) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 19-A.Thielen to MIN 42 for 3 yards (20-J.Jenkins). FUMBLES (20-J.Jenkins), RECOVERED by NO-24-V.Bell at MIN 43. 24-V.Bell ran ob at MIN 37 f.
Was Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Minnesota Vikings won 26-20 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 10-6 Now 11-6 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 13-3 Now 13-4 L
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