New England Patriots vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats: Complete Breakdown and Analysis

The numbers tell the real story of any football game. When the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints clash on the field, every completion, tackle, and touchdown shapes the narrative.

 This page covers the complete player stats from their matchups, breaking down quarterback performances, rushing leaders, receiving standouts, and defensive playmakers. You will find verified data from every regular-season meeting between these two franchises, with detailed tables and analysis that help you understand exactly how each game unfolded.

Table of Contents

1. Head-to-Head Series Overview
2. Tom Brady vs Drew Brees: The Quarterback Duel
3. Mac Jones Era Matchup Analysis
4. Rushing Leaders and Ground Game Stats
5. Receiving Yards and Top Target Breakdowns
6. Defensive Standouts: Sacks and Interceptions
7. Special Teams Impact Players
8. Red Zone Efficiency Comparisons
9. Third Down Conversion Stats
10. Turnover Battle Analysis
11. Coaching Decisions That Shaped Outcomes
12. Historical Match Results at a Glance
13. Frequently Asked Questions

Head-to-Head Series Overview

The Patriots and Saints have met 16 times in regular-season play since New Orleans entered the NFL in 1967. New England holds a 10-6 advantage in the all-time series. These matchups rarely happen due to the inter-conference scheduling rotation, making each meeting feel like a special event for fans who track every player stat.

Key series stats:

• Total points scored by New England: 373
• Total points scored by New Orleans: 294
• Largest margin of victory: Patriots 34, Saints 0 (October 22, 1972)
• Closest game: Saints 28, Patriots 27 (October 13, 2013)

The infrequent nature of these contests means player performance data becomes particularly valuable for historical comparison. The stats from each meeting carry extra weight because players get so few chances to face the opposing conference.

Tom Brady vs Drew Brees: The Quarterback Duel

The Brady-Brees matchup defined this series for over a decade. These two Hall of Fame quarterbacks faced each other three times with their respective teams, producing memorable stat lines that fans still reference today.

Brady’s stats vs New Orleans (with Patriots):

Brees’ stats vs New England:

The 2009 Monday Night Football meeting stands as Brees’ masterpiece against Bill Belichick’s defense. He posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating while throwing for 371 yards and five touchdowns. Brady’s 2017 response, a 447-yard performance at the Superdome, demonstrated why these quarterback matchups drew national attention every time.

Mac Jones Era Matchup Analysis

The September 26, 2021 meeting at Gillette Stadium marked the first Patriots-Saints game without either Brady or Brees since 2001. Mac Jones faced Jameis Winston in a defensive battle that showed how both franchises had shifted their identities.

2021 game player stats:

New Orleans won 28-13 despite Winston throwing for only 128 yards and two interceptions. The Saints defense picked off Jones three times, with Malcolm Jenkins returning one for a touchdown. This game highlighted how defensive player stats often decide the outcome when these teams meet.

Rushing Leaders and Ground Game Stats

The ground attack shapes possession time and opens play-action opportunities. Several running backs have posted standout performances in this matchup.

Top single-game rushing performances:

• Alvin Kamara (2021): 89 rushing yards on 24 carries
• Stevan Ridley (2013): 96 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns
• Laurence Maroney (2009): 64 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
• Mark Ingram (2017): 74 rushing yards on 14 carries
• Sony Michel (2017): 45 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

Monitoring Kamara’s total yards from scrimmage is more significant than rushing statistics alone because of his flexibility as a receiver and runner. In the 2021 meeting, he added 29 receiving yards and a touchdown catch to his rushing total, demonstrating the dual-threat capability that makes his stat line worth watching closely in this matchup.

Receiving Yards and Top Target Breakdowns

Wide receivers and tight ends shape passing attacks, and several pass-catchers have delivered huge games against these opponents.

Notable receiving performances:

• Julian Edelman (2017): 8 catches, 107 yards
• Rob Gronkowski (2017): 6 catches, 116 yards, 1 touchdown
• Brandin Cooks (2017): 6 catches, 74 yards vs former team
• Marques Colston (2009): 5 catches, 121 yards, 1 touchdown
• Kendrick Bourne (2021): 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 touchdown
• Deonte Harris (2021): 5 catches, 52 yards

The 2017 game featured Brandin Cooks facing the Saints immediately after New England acquired him via trade. His 74 receiving yards added intrigue to an already compelling player stats comparison between the two receiving corps.

Defensive Standouts: Sacks and Interceptions

Defensive playmakers often swing the outcome when the Patriots and Saints meet. The turnover column frequently determines which sideline celebrates.

Top defensive performances:

Jenkins’ pick-six against Mac Jones in 2021 sealed the Saints victory and added his name to the list of defenders who have made game-changing plays in this series. Cameron Jordan’s two-sack performance in 2013 disrupted Brady’s rhythm throughout that contest.

Special Teams Impact Players

Special teams contributions rarely dominate headlines but frequently shift momentum. The kicking game has produced several memorable moments.

Key special teams stats:

• Stephen Gostkowski (2013): 3/3 field goals, including 54-yarder
• Wil Lutz (2017): 2/2 field goals, perfect on extra points
• Deonte Harris (2021): 42-yard punt return
• Marcus Jones: Returns watched closely in recent seasons

Field position battles depend heavily on kick coverage units and return specialists. Deonte Harris consistently provided New Orleans with advantageous starting field position throughout his tenure, making his return stats a critical element of any player stats breakdown for this matchup.

Red Zone Efficiency Comparisons

Converting drives into touchdowns rather than field goals separates good offenses from great ones. The red zone stats reveal which team capitalizes on opportunities.

Red zone touchdown percentages in matchups since 2010:

• Patriots: 58.3% (14 touchdowns on 24 trips)
• Saints: 55.6% (15 touchdowns on 27 trips)

New England’s offense under Brady showed patience inside the 20-yard line, often targeting Rob Gronkowski on fade routes. The Saints countered with Alvin Kamara’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield in tight spaces. These player-specific red zone tendencies make individual stat tracking particularly valuable for understanding how each team attacks near the goal line.

Third Down Conversion Stats

Extended drives require third down success. The conversion rates between these teams highlight which units execute under pressure.

Third down conversion comparison:

The 2013 game saw New England convert critical third downs through Julian Edelman working the middle of the field against zone coverage. He was able to prolong drives and keep Brees off the field by identifying soft spots.

Turnover Battle Analysis

The giveaway-takeaway margin predicts outcomes with remarkable consistency. Every Patriots-Saints meeting since 2009 has been won by the team that won the turnover battle.

Turnover margin by game (winner bolded):

• 2009: Saints +2 (Saints won 38-17)
• 2013: Patriots +1 (Patriots won 30-27)
• 2017: Patriots +1 (Patriots won 36-20)
• 2021: Saints +2 (Saints won 28-13)

The direct correlation between turnover margin and final score makes defensive player stats like interceptions and forced fumbles the most predictive metrics when analyzing this specific matchup.

Coaching Decisions That Shaped Outcomes

Bill Belichick and Sean Payton engaged in strategic chess matches that influenced player stat lines. Payton’s aggressive fourth-down calls in 2009 kept drives alive and padded Brees’ touchdown totals. Belichick’s decision to bracket coverage on Michael Thomas in 2017 limited the All-Pro receiver to 5 catches for 42 yards, a stat line well below his season average.

These coaching philosophies directly affected individual player stats. The game plans dictated target distribution, blitz frequency, and run-pass ratios that ultimately produced the numbers recorded in the box score.

Historical Match Results at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who holds the single-game passing record in New England Patriots vs New Orleans Saints match player stats?

Drew Brees holds the record with 371 passing yards, achieved during the 2009 Monday Night Football game at the Superdome. He completed 18 of 23 attempts with five touchdowns and posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating. This performance remains the gold standard for quarterback stats in the series history.

2. What defensive player has the most sacks in New England Patriots vs New Orleans Saints match player stats?

Cameron Jordan recorded two sacks against Tom Brady in the 2013 meeting at Gillette Stadium, marking the highest single-game sack total by any defender in this matchup. Jordan disrupted New England’s passing rhythm throughout that contest despite the Patriots winning 30-27.

3. How many times have the Patriots and Saints faced each other, and which team leads the series?

The franchises have met 16 times in regular-season play, with New England holding a 10-6 series advantage. The infrequency of the matchup makes each game’s player stats particularly notable for historical comparisons between the two organizations.

4. What was Mac Jones’ stat line in the Patriots vs Saints 2021 game?

Mac Jones completed 30 of 51 passes for 270 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The Saints defense returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown, contributing directly to the 28-13 New Orleans victory. Jones faced consistent pressure throughout his first career start against the Saints.

5. Which running back has the most rushing yards in a single Patriots-Saints game?

Stevan Ridley rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns during the 2013 matchup, marking the highest single-game rushing total in series history. His performance helped New England control the clock and secure a 30-27 comeback victory at Gillette Stadium.

6. How do the New England Patriots vs New Orleans Saints match player stats compare for red zone efficiency?

Since 2010, New England has converted 58.3% of red zone trips into touchdowns compared to 55.6% for New Orleans. The Patriots leaned heavily on Rob Gronkowski in these situations, while the Saints utilized Alvin Kamara’s receiving ability out of the backfield near the goal line.

Conclusion

Every completion, tackle, and touchdown in this matchup tells part of a larger football story. The player stats from Patriots-Saints games reveal how individual performances shape outcomes in a series defined by quarterback duels, defensive stands, and coaching brilliance. Bookmark this page for reference when the next chapter of this inter-conference rivalry unfolds on the field.