Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2002 Week 10 Recap

Game story

In Week 10 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-11-10, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 34–34 final that finished deadlocked.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Vick (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +1.57 total EPA.

On the individual side, T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.14 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+59.0% win probability) landed in overtime when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (2:58) 13-C.Mohr punts 52 yards to PIT 25, Center-48-D.Rackley. 82-A.Randle El to PIT 26 for 1 yard (35-J.Carty).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Maddox · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +20.14 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +10.26 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Jefferson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.02 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
4. 4 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.15 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
5. 5 A.Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.95 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.65 EPA/play
6. 6 W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +3.72 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Gaylor · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.61 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.81 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Tuman · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.26 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — S. Jefferson (M. Vick pass) (Q2 43:50)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass) (Q2 39:16)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (T. Maddox pass) (Q2 37:19)
• Atlanta Falcons — W. Dunn (Q3 27:28)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass) (Q3 25:52)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Tuman (T. Maddox pass) (Q3 17:31)
• Atlanta Falcons — B. Christian (Q4 7:48)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Vick (Q4 0:51)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — T. Peterson (Q1 45:13)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q3 21:12)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — T. Peterson (Q4 12:58)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q4 2:34)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the ATL 16 (Q1 45:13) — (:13) 2-T.Peterson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 43 (Q2 43:50) — (13:50) 7-M.Vick pass to 84-S.Jefferson for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-30-C.Scott, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 43:42) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 33 (Q2 39:16) — (9:16) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Burress maintains control after Buchanan's tip.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 39:08) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q2 37:19) — (7:19) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 37:15) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–10. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 59 (Q3 27:28) — (12:28) 28-W.Dunn right guard for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 27:17) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 62 (Q3 25:52) — (10:52) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PIT 18 (Q3 21:12) — (6:12) 4-J.Feely 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the ATL 18 (Q3 17:31) — (2:31) 8-T.Maddox pass to 84-J.Tuman for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the ATL 2 (Q3 17:25) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 17–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the ATL 16 (Q4 12:58) — (12:58) 2-T.Peterson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q4 7:48) — (7:48) 44-B.Christian left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 7:44) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PIT 22 (Q4 2:34) — (2:34) 4-J.Feely 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PIT 11 (Q4 0:51) — (:51) 7-M.Vick left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 0:42) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (OT 2:58) — (2:58) 13-C.Mohr punts 52 yards to PIT 25, Center-48-D.Rackley. 82-A.Randle El to PIT 26 for 1 yard (35-J.Carty). [WPA +59.0% · EPA +0.12]
• Atlanta Falcons (OT 0:59) — (:59) 4-J.Feely 56 yard field goal is BLOCKED (51-J.Farrior), Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr, recovered by ATL-4-J.Feely at PIT 49. [WPA +49.6% · EPA -0.67]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress to ATL 1 for 50 yards (86-B.Finneran). Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld. [WPA +43.7% · EPA -0.19]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 11:08) — (11:08) 2-T.Peterson 48 yard field goal is BLOCKED (86-B.Finneran), Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox, RECOVERED by ATL-22-G.McBurrows at ATL 47. 22-G.McBurrows to ATL 47 for no gain (8-T.Maddox) [WPA -34.7% · EPA -3.26]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 6:42) — (6:42) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress to ATL 31 for 24 yards (20-A.Rossum). [WPA +31.5% · EPA +2.42]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 27:28) — (12:28) 28-W.Dunn right guard for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.6% · EPA +5.92]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 10:29) — (10:29) 13-C.Mohr punts 48 yards to PIT 35, Center-48-D.Rackley. 82-A.Randle El to PIT 37 for 2 yards (53-M.Simoneau, 85-B.Kozlowski). FUMBLES (53-M.Simoneau), RECOVERED by ATL-53-M.Simoneau at PIT 37 [WPA +1.9% · EPA +5.15]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 25:52) — (10:52) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.9% · EPA +4.96]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 48:45) — (3:45) 8-T.Maddox FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 4, RECOVERED by ATL-56-K.Brooking at ATL 6. 56-K.Brooking to ATL 6 for no gain (21-A.Zereoue). [WPA -15.4% · EPA -4.96]

Quarterback report card

M.Vick led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 53 dropbacks · 45.3% completion · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.57 total EPA
• T.Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 46 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · +0.44 EPA/play · +20.14 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Atlanta Falcons +0.11, Pittsburgh Steelers +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 16 drives, +12.32 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 17 drives, +7.63 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 45:13 · ATL 16 · Score 0-3
   (:13) 2-T.Peterson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
2. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 43:50 · PIT 43 · Score 6-3
   (13:50) 7-M.Vick pass to 84-S.Jefferson for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-30-C.Scott, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.
3. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 43:42 · PIT 2 · Score 7-3
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 39:16 · ATL 33 · Score 7-9
   (9:16) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Burress maintains control after Buchanan's tip.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 39:08 · ATL 2 · Score 7-10
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 37:19 · ATL 5 · Score 7-16
   (7:19) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 37:15 · ATL 2 · Score 7-17
   2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 27:28 · PIT 59 · Score 13-17
   (12:28) 28-W.Dunn right guard for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 27:17 · PIT 2 · Score 14-17
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 25:52 · ATL 62 · Score 14-23
    (10:52) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 21:12 · PIT 18 · Score 17-23
    (6:12) 4-J.Feely 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 17:31 · ATL 18 · Score 17-29
    (2:31) 8-T.Maddox pass to 84-J.Tuman for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q3 17:25 · ATL 2 · Score 17-31
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 12:58 · ATL 16 · Score 17-34
    (12:58) 2-T.Peterson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 7:48 · PIT 1 · Score 23-34
    (7:48) 44-B.Christian left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 7:44 · PIT 2 · Score 24-34
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
17. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 2:34 · PIT 22 · Score 27-34
    (2:34) 4-J.Feely 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
18. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 0:51 · PIT 11 · Score 33-34
    (:51) 7-M.Vick left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 0:42 · PIT 2 · Score 34-34
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.