Closing spread
NO -2
Total
41
Model margin
+0.2est.
NO perspective
Push chance
2.1%est.
Win probability
- Saints
- Dolphins
How each play moved the game.
Matchup
Where the edges are
Season-long league percentiles for both sides, mirrored. The saturated side of a lopsided row holds the edge.
- -0.040EPA / play-0.096
- 40.9%Success rate41.1%
- -0.007EPA / dropback-0.030
- -0.086EPA / rush-0.205
- 8.0%Explosive rate8.1%
- 35.3%Third-down rate38.7%
- 48.9%Red-zone TD rate42.9%
- 1.48Points / drive1.11
- 2.7%Turnover rate3.5%
- -0.029EPA / play allowed+0.032
Bar length is league percentile, already oriented so longer is better. The saturated side of a lopsided row holds the edge; rows within ~12 points are washed as even.
The rivalry
All square 3–3 since 1999
MIA have won 2 straight. Meetings average 40.5 points. NO are 4-2 ATS in the series.
Possession by possession
How it unfolded
Every drive: who had the ball, how far it went, how it ended, and the score as it settled.
| Ball | Start | Plays | Yards | Result | MIA–NO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIA | Q1 15:00 | 6 | 31 | Punt | 0–0 |
| NO | Q1 11:49 | 10 | 52 | Field goal | 0–3 |
| MIA | Q1 6:48 | 6 | 72 | Turnover | 0–3 |
| MIA | Q1 3:47 | 6 | 10 | Field goal | 3–3 |
| NO | Q1 0:33 | 4 | 25 | Punt | 3–3 |
| MIA | Q2 12:52 | 13 | 62 | Field goal | 6–3 |
| NO | Q2 7:18 | 3 | -12 | Punt | 6–3 |
| MIA | Q2 5:17 | 3 | 7 | Punt | 6–3 |
| NO | Q2 3:14 | 4 | 8 | Punt | 6–3 |
| MIA | Q2 1:43 | 7 | 37 | Field goal | 9–3 |
| NO | Q3 15:00 | 5 | 16 | Turnover | 9–3 |
| MIA | Q3 12:13 | 3 | 2 | Punt | 9–3 |
| NO | Q3 11:21 | 5 | 32 | Punt | 9–3 |
| MIA | Q3 8:58 | 8 | 22 | Turnover | 9–3 |
| NO | Q3 4:42 | 4 | 8 | Field goal | 9–6 |
| MIA | Q3 3:37 | 3 | 5 | Punt | 9–6 |
| NO | Q3 2:37 | 3 | -15 | Safety | 11–6 |
| MIA | Q3 1:52 | 5 | 51 | Touchdown | 18–6 |
| NO | Q4 14:09 | 4 | 0 | Punt | 18–6 |
| MIA | Q4 13:14 | 8 | 3 | Field goal | 21–6 |
| NO | Q4 9:28 | 8 | 31 | Turnover on downs | 21–6 |
| MIA | Q4 6:51 | 4 | 34 | Missed field goal | 21–6 |
| NO | Q4 4:26 | 6 | 58 | Turnover on downs | 21–6 |
| MIA | Q4 2:35 | 3 | 11 | End of half | 21–6 |
Box score
Individual performances
Dolphins
Passing
| Player | C/Att | Yds | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gus Frerotte | 16/28 | 168 | 1 | 1 |
Rushing
| Player | Car | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronnie Brown | 23 | 106 | 4.6 | 0 |
| Ricky Williams | 17 | 82 | 4.8 | 0 |
| Chris Chambers | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 |
| Gus Frerotte | 6 | -1 | -0.2 | 0 |
Saints
Passing
| Player | C/Att | Yds | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Brooks | 14/31 | 181 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing
| Player | Car | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Brooks | 6 | 34 | 5.7 | 0 |
| Antowain Smith | 6 | 33 | 5.5 | 0 |
| Aaron Stecker | 4 | 23 | 5.8 | 0 |
Where this game is likely to land
- Model
- Smooth (normal)
- Betting line
Probability of each final margin. Football scoring clusters — the spikes at 3 and 7 are real, and a smooth model misses them.
Positive margins favour Saints; negative favour Dolphins.
Half-point at risk
2.12%
outcomes that flip if the line moves 0.5
Model home win
49.5%
Expected total
43.7est.
Model
Where the number comes from
Each component is additive, in points of expected margin.
- Team ratings (opponent-adjusted EPA)-2.23
- Home-field advantage+2.56
- Quarterback adjustment0.00
- Rest differential-0.16
- Expected margin+0.18