Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2002 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-10-20, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 37–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Griese (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +10.27 total EPA.

On the individual side, S. Sharpe (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.11 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-25.3% win probability) landed in overtime when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (12:58) 4-D.Stryzinski punt is BLOCKED by 55-K.Burns, Center-83-K.Gammon, RECOVERED by DEN-55-K.Burns at KC 32.

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 S. Sharpe · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +13.11 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Griese · Denver Broncos · Passing · +10.27 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
3. 3 P. Holmes · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +7.86 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Anderson · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +5.19 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Gonzalez · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.73 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Griese · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.26 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.63 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

• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q1 54:28)
• Denver Broncos — S. Sharpe (B. Griese pass) (Q3 26:47)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Richardson (Q3 23:31)
• Denver Broncos — C. Portis (Q3 19:41)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q3 15:43)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q4 12:46)
• Denver Broncos — S. Sharpe (B. Griese pass) (Q4 10:55)
• Denver Broncos — M. Anderson (Q4 0:24)

Field goals

• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q1 47:53)
• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Andersen (Q2 39:35)
• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Andersen (Q2 33:10)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 30:12)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (OT 12:08)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–3. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q1 54:28) — (9:28) 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 54:24) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 13 (Q1 47:53) — (2:53) 1-J.Elam 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 6–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 23 (Q2 39:35) — (9:35) 8-M.Andersen 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the DEN 14 (Q2 33:10) — (3:10) 8-M.Andersen 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 16 (Q2 30:12) — (:12) 1-J.Elam 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 82 (Q3 26:47) — (11:47) 14-B.Griese pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 26:38) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 14 (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) 49-T.Richardson left end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 23:28) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 2 (Q3 19:41) — (4:41) 26-C.Portis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 19:37); Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q3 15:43) — (:43) 31-P.Holmes left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 15:37) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q4 12:46) — (12:46) 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 12:42) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 28 (Q4 10:55) — (10:55) 14-B.Griese pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 10:51) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the KC 2 (Q4 0:24) — (:24) 38-M.Anderson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 0:21) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

Overtime: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the KC 7 (OT 12:08) — (12:08) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (OT 12:58) — (12:58) 4-D.Stryzinski punt is BLOCKED by 55-K.Burns, Center-83-K.Gammon, RECOVERED by DEN-55-K.Burns at KC 32. [WPA -25.3% · EPA -3.28]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 26:47) — (11:47) 14-B.Griese pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +7.45]
• Denver Broncos (OT 12:13) — (12:13) 14-B.Griese pass incomplete to 80-R.Smith. PENALTY on KC-44-E.Warfield, Defensive Pass Interference, 22 yards, enforced at KC 29 - No Play. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +0.23]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 0:24) — (:24) 38-M.Anderson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.6% · EPA +2.95]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 10-T.Green pass incomplete. [WPA -16.0% · EPA -0.18]

Impact plays

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

• Denver Broncos (Q3 26:47) — (11:47) 14-B.Griese pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +7.45]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 13:00) — (13:00) 16-T.Rouen punt is BLOCKED by 96-M.Beisel, Center-78-M.Lepsis, RECOVERED by KC-59-G.Cadrez at DEN 5. [WPA -2.7% · EPA -4.55]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 38:14) — (8:14) 26-C.Portis right end to DEN 49 for 5 yards (29-J.Belser). FUMBLES (29-J.Belser), RECOVERED by KC-42-S.Harts at DEN 49. 42-S.Harts to DEN 49 for no gain (26-C.Portis). [WPA -9.4% · EPA -3.79]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 10:55) — (10:55) 14-B.Griese pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.6% · EPA +3.39]

Quarterback report card

B.Griese led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Griese (Denver Broncos) · 52 dropbacks · 57.7% completion · +0.20 EPA/play · +10.27 total EPA
• T.Green (Kansas City Chiefs) · 37 dropbacks · 54.1% completion · -0.27 EPA/play · -9.99 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 (Denver Broncos +0.13, Kansas City Chiefs +0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Denver Broncos: 14 drives, +13.20 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, +6.94 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Denver Broncos 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.
• S. Sharpe (Denver Broncos) 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. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 54:28 · DEN 1 · Score 0-6
   (9:28) 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 54:24 · DEN 2 · Score 0-7
   8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
3. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 47:53 · KC 13 · Score 3-7
   (2:53) 1-J.Elam 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
4. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 39:35 · DEN 23 · Score 3-10
   (9:35) 8-M.Andersen 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
5. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 33:10 · DEN 14 · Score 3-13
   (3:10) 8-M.Andersen 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
6. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:12 · KC 16 · Score 6-13
   (:12) 1-J.Elam 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
7. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 26:47 · KC 82 · Score 12-13
   (11:47) 14-B.Griese pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 82 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 26:38 · KC 2 · Score 13-13
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
9. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 23:31 · DEN 14 · Score 13-19
   (8:31) 49-T.Richardson left end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 23:28 · DEN 2 · Score 13-20
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
11. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 19:41 · KC 2 · Score 19-20
    (4:41) 26-C.Portis up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 19:37 · KC 2 · Score 20-20
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen. PENALTY on KC-99-D.Clemons, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
13. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 15:43 · DEN 4 · Score 20-26
    (:43) 31-P.Holmes left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 15:37 · DEN 2 · Score 20-27
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 12:46 · DEN 1 · Score 20-33
    (12:46) 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 12:42 · DEN 2 · Score 20-34
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
17. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 10:55 · KC 28 · Score 26-34
    (10:55) 14-B.Griese pass to 84-S.Sharpe for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 10:51 · KC 2 · Score 27-34
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
19. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 0:24 · KC 2 · Score 33-34
    (:24) 38-M.Anderson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 0:21 · KC 2 · Score 34-34
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
21. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — OT 12:08 · KC 7 · Score 37-34
    (12:08) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.