Saints 21–16 Falcons: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 13, 2020

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons?

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 41.3% completion, -11.7% CPOE, -0.19 EPA per dropback, -8.56 total passing EPA. T. Hill (New Orleans Saints), 60.0% completion, +4.7% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +6.46 total passing EPA.

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 +9.45 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 11 snaps. Their top snap (+3.34 EPA): (13:58) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill pass deep right to 13-M.Thomas pushed ob at ATL 23 for 18 yards (24-A.Terrell)..

Quick answer

Winner: New Orleans Saints
Final score: New Orleans Saints 21–16 Atlanta Falcons
Halftime: New Orleans Saints 14–9 Atlanta Falcons at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Michael Thomas
Top passer: Matt Ryan
Biggest EPA play: (11:21) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill sacked at ATL 14 for -9 yards (55-S.Means). FUMBLES (55-S.Means…
Game date: 2020-12-06

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 21–16 on 2020-12-06. Michael Thomas posted a game-high +9.45 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
New Orleans Saints	7	7	7	0	0	21
Atlanta Falcons	3	6	0	7	0	16

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints

+3NO 35

+1NO 15

ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 7:08TD
Tyron Smith
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
6-0
(7:08) 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 7-T.Hill pass short left to 10-T.Smith for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 7:01XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
7-0
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q1 4:00FG
Younghoe Koo
Points+3
Yard line
NO 35
Score
7-3
(4:00) 7-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 4:55FG
Younghoe Koo
Points+3
Yard line
NO 12
Score
7-6
(4:55) 7-Y.Koo 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 1:50TD
James Cook III
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 11
Score
13-6
(1:50) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill pass short left to 87-J.Cook for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 1:45XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
14-6
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 0:05FG
Younghoe Koo
Points+3
Yard line
NO 10
Score
14-9
(:05) 7-Y.Koo 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 9:06TD
Alvin Kamara
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 11
Score
20-9
(9:06) (Shotgun) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 9:01XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
21-9
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 7:49TD
Russell Gage Jr.
Points+6
Yard line
NO 10
Score
21-15
(7:49) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-R.Gage for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 7:43XP
Younghoe Koo
Points+1
Yard line
NO 15
Score
21-16
7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Michael Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +9.45 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
2Trysten Hill · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +6.46 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
3Eli Sanders · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
4James Cook III · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.91 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
5Tyron Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.86 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
6Calvin Ridley · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.81 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
7Tyquan Lewis · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +0.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
8Russell Gage Jr. · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.27 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.03 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 (+9.45) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +0.86 EPA per play.

Michael Thomas's top snap (+3.34 EPA): (13:58) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill pass deep right to 13-M.Thomas pushed ob at ATL 23 for 18 yards (24-A.Terrell).

Biggest single play (-6.04 EPA): Trysten Hill — (11:21) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill sacked at ATL 14 for -9 yards (55-S.Means). FUMBLES (55-S.Means) [55-S.Means], touched at ATL 10, RECOVERED by ATL-45-D.Jones at ATL 15.

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) · 46 dropbacks · 41.3% completion · -11.7% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -8.56 total EPA
Trysten Hill (New Orleans Saints) · 45 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +4.7% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +6.46 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	New Orleans Saints	Atlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play	-0.023	-0.108
Offensive success rate	42.1%	38.8%
Pass EPA/play	+0.143	-0.186
Rush EPA/play	-0.040	-0.094
Defensive EPA/play	+0.108	+0.023
Defensive success rate	61.3%	57.9%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

New Orleans Saints: -0.02 EPA/play (38th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
Atlanta Falcons: -0.11 EPA/play (20th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)

Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -8.64 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -2.21 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

New Orleans Saints — Tyron Smith (Trysten Hill pass) (Q1 7:08)
New Orleans Saints — James Cook III (Trysten Hill pass) (Q2 1:50)
New Orleans Saints — Alvin Kamara (Q3 9:06)
Atlanta Falcons — Russell Gage Jr. (Matt Ryan pass) (Q4 7:49)

Field goals

Atlanta Falcons — Younghoe Koo (Q1 4:00)
Atlanta Falcons — Younghoe Koo (Q2 4:55)
Atlanta Falcons — Younghoe Koo (Q2 0:05)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q1 7:08) — (7:08) 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 7-T.Hill pass short left to 10-T.Smith for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 7:01) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q1 4:00) — (4:00) 7-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 12 (Q2 4:55) — (4:55) 7-Y.Koo 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill pass short left to 87-J.Cook for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 1:45) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 10 (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 7-Y.Koo 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q3 9:06) — (9:06) (Shotgun) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 9:01) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 10 (Q4 7:49) — (7:49) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-R.Gage for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 7:43) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep left to 11-J.Jones. [WPA -26.6% · EPA -3.41]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 11-J.Jones to NO 21 for 18 yards (43-M.Williams). [WPA +22.7% · EPA +2.54]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep middle (36-D.Swearinger). [WPA -17.8% · EPA -1.39]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:49) — (1:49) (Shotgun) 21-T.Gurley left tackle to NO 20 for -7 yards (56-D.Davis). [WPA -15.0% · EPA -2.00]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 7:49) — (7:49) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-R.Gage for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +2.31]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:21) — (11:21) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill sacked at ATL 14 for -9 yards (55-S.Means). FUMBLES (55-S.Means) [55-S.Means], touched at ATL 10, RECOVERED by ATL-45-D.Jones at ATL 15. [WPA -2.1% · EPA -6.04]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 14:39) — (14:39) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to 81-H.Hurst (96-C.Granderson) [96-C.Granderson]. New Orleans challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 2-M.Ry [WPA -2.4% · EPA -4.87]
New Orleans Saints (Q2 12:00) — (12:00) 3-W.Lutz 40 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA -7.7% · EPA -4.10]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep left to 11-J.Jones. [WPA -26.6% · EPA -3.41]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 7:08 · ATL 15 · Score 6-0
(7:08) 64-W.Clapp reported in as eligible. 7-T.Hill pass short left to 10-T.Smith for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 7:01 · ATL 15 · Score 7-0
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 4:00 · NO 35 · Score 7-3
(4:00) 7-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 4:55 · NO 12 · Score 7-6
(4:55) 7-Y.Koo 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 1:50 · ATL 11 · Score 13-6
(1:50) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill pass short left to 87-J.Cook for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 1:45 · ATL 15 · Score 14-6
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · NO 10 · Score 14-9
(:05) 7-Y.Koo 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 9:06 · ATL 11 · Score 20-9
(9:06) (Shotgun) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 9:01 · ATL 15 · Score 21-9
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 7:49 · NO 10 · Score 21-15
(7:49) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-R.Gage for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 7:43 · NO 15 · Score 21-16
7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.

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.
Matt Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons on 2020-12-06?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 21-16 in Week 13, 2020.

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

Q1: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 3; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 6; Q3: New Orleans Saints 7, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 0, Atlanta Falcons 7; Final: New Orleans Saints 21, Atlanta Falcons 16.

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

New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Smith (T. Hill pass) (Q1 7:08) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Cook (T. Hill pass) (Q2 1:50) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Kamara (Q3 9:06) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — R. Gage (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 7:49) Atlanta Falcons field goal — Y. Koo (Q1 4:00, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — Y. Koo (Q2 4:55, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — Y. Koo (Q2 0:05, 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), 41.3% completion, -11.7% CPOE, -0.19 EPA per dropback, -8.56 total passing EPA. Trysten Hill (New Orleans Saints), 60.0% completion, +4.7% CPOE, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +6.46 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 +9.45 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 11 snaps. Their top snap (+3.34 EPA): (13:58) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill pass deep right to 13-M.Thomas pushed ob at ATL 23 for 18 yards (24-A.Terrell)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?

Yes — the margin was 5 points. New Orleans Saints won 21-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 9-2 Now 10-2 W

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 4-7 Now 4-8 L

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2020 Week 13 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Saints

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

Quick answer

Game summary