Saints 35–29 Lions: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 4, 2020

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions), 42.5% completion, -6.4% CPOE, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +9.87 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 70.4% completion, +10.9% CPOE, +0.39 EPA per dropback, +10.55 total passing EPA.

Quick answer

Winner: New Orleans Saints
Final score: New Orleans Saints 35–29 Detroit Lions
Halftime: New Orleans Saints 28–14 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: D. Brees
Top passer: Matthew Stafford
Biggest EPA play: (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by …
Game date: 2020-10-04

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Detroit Lions 35–29 on 2020-10-04. D. Brees posted a game-high +10.55 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
New Orleans Saints	7	21	7	0	0	35
Detroit Lions	14	0	7	8	0	29

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints

DET 20

DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

18 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DETDetroit Lions
Q1 12:02TD
D'Andre Swift
Points+6
Yard line
NO 7
Score
0-6
(12:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 32-D.Swift for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 11:58XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
NO 15
Score
0-7
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 10:29TD
KGK. Golladay
Points+6
Yard line
NO 15
Score
0-13
(10:29) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 10:23XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
NO 15
Score
0-14
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 3:13TD
Latavius Murray
Points+6
Yard line
DET 3
Score
6-14
(3:13) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 3:08XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
7-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 10:13TD
Alvin Kamara
Points+6
Yard line
DET 1
Score
13-14
(10:13) 68-D.Kelly reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 10:10XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
14-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 3:08TD
Tyron Smith
Points+6
Yard line
DET 2
Score
20-14
(3:08) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 3:03XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
21-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 0:50TD
Tyron Smith
Points+6
Yard line
DET 20
Score
27-14
(:50) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-T.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 0:44XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
28-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 8:58TD
Latavius Murray
Points+6
Yard line
DET 6
Score
34-14
(8:58) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 8:52XP
Wil Lutz
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
35-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 4:24TD
T.J. Hockenson
Points+6
Yard line
NO 1
Score
35-20
(4:24) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 88-T.Hockenson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 4:19XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
NO 15
Score
35-21
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
DETDetroit Lions
Q4 3:44TD
APA. Peterson
Points+6
Yard line
NO 5
Score
35-27
(3:44) 67-M.Nelson reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q4 3:40Safety
Matthew Stafford
Points+2
Yard line
NO 2
Score
35-29
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-M.Stafford pass to 88-T.Hockenson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +10.55 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
2Matthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +9.87 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
3Tyron Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.07 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.02 EPA/play
4K. Golladay · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.53 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
5Latavius Murray · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +6.48 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
6Alvin Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.06 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
7Alvin Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.29 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
8D. Amendola · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.88 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

D. Brees — NO · Passing

D. Brees posted the highest total EPA (+10.55) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 27 counted snaps, they averaged +0.39 EPA per play.

D. Brees's top snap (-5.88 EPA): (11:51) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Roberts (71-D.Shelton) at NO 24. 29-D.Roberts to NO 18 for 6 yards (62-N.Easton).

Biggest single play (-6.23 EPA): Matthew Stafford — (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Robinson at NO 0. Touchback.

Quarterback report card

Matthew Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · -6.4% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +9.87 total EPA
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 27 dropbacks · 70.4% completion · +10.9% CPOE · +0.39 EPA/play · +10.55 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	New Orleans Saints	Detroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play	+0.191	+0.083
Offensive success rate	54.8%	42.7%
Pass EPA/play	+0.391	+0.247
Rush EPA/play	+0.216	-0.055
Defensive EPA/play	-0.083	-0.191
Defensive success rate	57.3%	45.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs +0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

New Orleans Saints: +0.19 EPA/play (87th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
Detroit Lions: +0.08 EPA/play (66th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)

Detroit Lions: 9 drives, +6.25 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +16.04 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Detroit Lions — D'Andre Swift (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q1 12:02)
Detroit Lions — K. Golladay (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q1 10:29)
New Orleans Saints — Latavius Murray (Q1 3:13)
New Orleans Saints — Alvin Kamara (Q2 10:13)
New Orleans Saints — Tyron Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q2 3:08)
New Orleans Saints — Tyron Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q2 0:50)
New Orleans Saints — Latavius Murray (Q3 8:58)
Detroit Lions — T.J. Hockenson (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q3 4:24)
Detroit Lions — A. Peterson (Q4 3:44)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q1 12:02) — (12:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 32-D.Swift for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 11:58) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q1 10:29) — (10:29) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 10:23) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q1 3:13) — (3:13) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 3:08) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 21–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 10:13) — (10:13) 68-D.Kelly reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 10:10) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q2 3:08) — (3:08) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 3:03) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 20 (Q2 0:50) — (:50) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-T.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 0:44) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q3 8:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 8:52) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 4:24) — (4:24) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 88-T.Hockenson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 4:19) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 8–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q4 3:44) — (3:44) 67-M.Nelson reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 3:40) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-M.Stafford pass to 88-T.Hockenson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Detroit Lions (Q1 13:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 80-D.Amendola to NO 14 for 50 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson) [98-S.Rankins]. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.30]
Detroit Lions (Q2 8:38) — (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Robinson at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -13.7% · EPA -6.23]
New Orleans Saints (Q2 12:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 41-A.Kamara to DET 14 for 29 yards (24-A.Oruwariye). NO-72-T.Armstead was injured during the play. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +4.85]
New Orleans Saints (Q1 11:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Roberts (71-D.Shelton) at NO 24. 29-D.Roberts to NO 18 for 6 yards (62-N.Easton). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.88]
New Orleans Saints (Q2 7:04) — (7:04) 9-D.Brees pass deep left to 17-E.Sanders to DET 46 for 25 yards (26-D.Harmon). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +1.80]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Detroit Lions (Q2 8:38) — (8:38) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Robinson at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -13.7% · EPA -6.23]
New Orleans Saints (Q1 11:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Roberts (71-D.Shelton) at NO 24. 29-D.Roberts to NO 18 for 6 yards (62-N.Easton). [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.88]
New Orleans Saints (Q2 12:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 41-A.Kamara to DET 14 for 29 yards (24-A.Oruwariye). NO-72-T.Armstead was injured during the play. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +4.85]
Detroit Lions (Q1 13:27) — (13:27) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 80-D.Amendola to NO 14 for 50 yards (22-C.Gardner-Johnson) [98-S.Rankins]. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.30]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 12:02 · NO 7 · Score 0-6
(12:02) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 32-D.Swift for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 11:58 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 10:29 · NO 15 · Score 0-13
(10:29) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 19-K.Golladay for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 10:23 · NO 15 · Score 0-14
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 3:13 · DET 3 · Score 6-14
(3:13) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 3:08 · DET 15 · Score 7-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 10:13 · DET 1 · Score 13-14
(10:13) 68-D.Kelly reported in as eligible. 41-A.Kamara right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 10:10 · DET 15 · Score 14-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 3:08 · DET 2 · Score 20-14
(3:08) 9-D.Brees pass short right to 10-T.Smith for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 3:03 · DET 15 · Score 21-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 0:50 · DET 20 · Score 27-14
(:50) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-T.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 0:44 · DET 15 · Score 28-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 8:58 · DET 6 · Score 34-14
(8:58) (Shotgun) 28-L.Murray up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 8:52 · DET 15 · Score 35-14
3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 4:24 · NO 1 · Score 35-20
(4:24) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 88-T.Hockenson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 4:19 · NO 15 · Score 35-21
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 3:44 · NO 5 · Score 35-27
(3:44) 67-M.Nelson reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q4 3:40 · NO 2 · Score 35-29
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-M.Stafford pass to 88-T.Hockenson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

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.
D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Matthew Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions on 2020-10-04?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Detroit Lions 35-29 in Week 4, 2020.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 7, Detroit Lions 14; Q2: New Orleans Saints 21, Detroit Lions 0; Q3: New Orleans Saints 7, Detroit Lions 7; Q4: New Orleans Saints 0, Detroit Lions 8; Final: New Orleans Saints 35, Detroit Lions 29.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Swift (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 12:02) Detroit Lions touchdown — K. Golladay (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 10:29) New Orleans Saints touchdown — L. Murray (Q1 3:13) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Kamara (Q2 10:13) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q2 3:08) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Smith (D. Brees pass) (Q2 0:50) New Orleans Saints touchdown — L. Murray (Q3 8:58) Detroit Lions touchdown — T. Hockenson (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 4:24) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. Peterson (Q4 3:44) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 42.5% completion, -6.4% CPOE, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +9.87 total passing EPA. D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 70.4% completion, +10.9% CPOE, +0.39 EPA per dropback, +10.55 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.55 total EPA on Passing plays. across 27 snaps. Their top snap (-5.88 EPA): (11:51) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle intended for 17-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Roberts (71-D.Shelton) at NO 24. 29-D.Roberts to NO 18 for 6 yards (62-N.Easton)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. New Orleans Saints won 35-29 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W

Detroit Lions

Entered 1-2 Now 1-3 L

New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions: 2020 Week 4 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Saints

Top fantasy performers · Lions

Quick answer

Game summary