Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2001 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-12-23, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 33–30 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +15.54 total EPA.

On the individual side, C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +15.54 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+28.9% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (1:50) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 C. Chandler · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +15.54 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Finneran · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.80 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Bryson · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +6.11 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.05 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.52 EPA/play
5. 5 P. Price · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.92 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
6. 6 A.Van Pelt · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +4.46 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
7. 7 L. Centers · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +3.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.77 EPA/play
8. 8 R. Kelly · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.77 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.26 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 — M. Smith (Q1 53:26)
• Buffalo Bills — S. Bryson (Q1 52:07)
• Buffalo Bills — B. Spoon (Q2 36:28)
• Buffalo Bills — S. Bryson (Q3 20:53)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Martin (C. Chandler pass) (Q3 16:50)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (C. Chandler pass) (Q4 12:11)
• Buffalo Bills — E. Moulds (Q4 0:51)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q1 47:22)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q2 32:33)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q3 21:09)
• Buffalo Bills — S. Graham (Q4 3:59)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q4 0:02)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q1 53:26) — (8:26) 43-M.Smith up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 53:21) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q1 52:07) — (7:07) 38-S.Bryson up the middle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 52:02) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the BUF 17 (Q1 47:22) — (2:22) 4-J.Feely 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the BUF 86 (Q2 36:28); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 36:23); Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the BUF 14 (Q2 32:33) — (2:33) 4-J.Feely 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the BUF 25 (Q3 21:09) — (6:09) 4-J.Feely 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ATL 68 (Q3 20:53) — (5:53) 38-S.Bryson right end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the BUF 63 (Q3 16:50) — (1:50) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 16:40) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the BUF 49 (Q4 12:11) — (12:11) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 11:56) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ATL 10 (Q4 3:59) — (3:59) 17-S.Graham 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 0:51) — (:51) 10-A.Van Pelt pass to 80-E.Moulds for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 0:48) — 17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the BUF 34 (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 4-J.Feely 52 yard field goal 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 (Q3 16:50) — (1:50) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.9% · EPA +5.73]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 36:28) — (6:28) 12-C.Chandler pass INTERCEPTED by 58-B.Spoon at ATL 7. 58-B.Spoon for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 12 - C.Chandler hit while passing by 39 - R.Hill. [WPA -24.9% · EPA -6.83]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 20:53) — (5:53) 38-S.Bryson right end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.6% · EPA +6.00]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 12-C.Chandler pass intended for 80-T.Martin INTERCEPTED by 22-N.Clements at BUF 0. Touchback. [WPA -23.4% · EPA -4.40]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 4-J.Feely 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. [WPA +21.0% · EPA +1.40]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 36:28) — (6:28) 12-C.Chandler pass INTERCEPTED by 58-B.Spoon at ATL 7. 58-B.Spoon for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 12 - C.Chandler hit while passing by 39 - R.Hill. [WPA -24.9% · EPA -6.83]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 20:53) — (5:53) 38-S.Bryson right end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.6% · EPA +6.00]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 16:50) — (1:50) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +28.9% · EPA +5.73]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:11) — (12:11) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +4.90]

Quarterback report card

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

• C.Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) · 44 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +0.35 EPA/play · +15.54 total EPA
• A.Van Pelt (Buffalo Bills) · 33 dropbacks · 51.5% completion · +0.14 EPA/play · +4.46 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 (Buffalo Bills +0.16, Atlanta Falcons +0.15) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +13.44 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +12.56 total EPA, 4 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.
• C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) 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. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 53:26 · BUF 1 · Score 0-6
   (8:26) 43-M.Smith up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 53:21 · BUF 2 · Score 0-7
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
3. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 52:07 · ATL 15 · Score 6-7
   (7:07) 38-S.Bryson up the middle for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 52:02 · ATL 2 · Score 7-7
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 47:22 · BUF 17 · Score 7-10
   (2:22) 4-J.Feely 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
6. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 36:28 · BUF 86 · Score 13-10
   (6:28) 12-C.Chandler pass INTERCEPTED by 58-B.Spoon at ATL 7. 58-B.Spoon for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. 12 - C.Chandler hit while passing by 39 - R.Hill.
7. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 36:23 · ATL 2 · Score 14-10
   17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma. PENALTY on ATL, Neutral Zone Infraction, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 32:33 · BUF 14 · Score 14-13
   (2:33) 4-J.Feely 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
9. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 21:09 · BUF 25 · Score 14-16
   (6:09) 4-J.Feely 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
10. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 20:53 · ATL 68 · Score 20-16
    (5:53) 38-S.Bryson right end for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 16:50 · BUF 63 · Score 20-22
    (1:50) 12-C.Chandler pass to 80-T.Martin for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 16:40 · BUF 2 · Score 20-23
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 12:11 · BUF 49 · Score 20-29
    (12:11) 12-C.Chandler pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 11:56 · BUF 2 · Score 20-30
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
15. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 3:59 · ATL 10 · Score 23-30
    (3:59) 17-S.Graham 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
16. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 0:51 · ATL 3 · Score 29-30
    (:51) 10-A.Van Pelt pass to 80-E.Moulds for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 0:48 · ATL 2 · Score 30-30
    17-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-68-M.Unutoa, Holder-85-J.Riemersma.
18. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · BUF 34 · Score 30-33
    (:02) 4-J.Feely 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.