Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 2007 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-12-16, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 51–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Kitna (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -14.56 total EPA, and -3.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-6.9% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (2:21) 8-J.Kitna pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 42-C.Hart at DET 39. 42-C.Hart ran ob at DET 17 for 22 yards (81-C.Johnson).

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 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +13.97 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Chambers · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +7.94 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +6.44 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Furrey · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.14 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Middleton · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.31 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
6. 6 S. McDonald · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.10 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Davis · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.94 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
8. 8 V. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.39 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

• Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson (Q1 55:08)
• Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson (Q1 46:17)
• Los Angeles Chargers — S. Phillips (Q2 38:31)
• Detroit Lions — B. Middleton (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 32:55)
• Los Angeles Chargers — B. Manumaleuna (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 30:32)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Sproles (Q3 23:38)
• Detroit Lions — S. McDonald (J. Kitna pass) (Q3 18:08)
• Los Angeles Chargers — D. Sproles (Q4 3:04)

Field goals

• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q1 48:09)
• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q2 38:39)
• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q3 20:57)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 17–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q1 55:08) — (10:08) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 55:04) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DET 4 (Q1 48:09) — (3:09) 10-N.Kaeding 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q1 46:17) — (1:17) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 46:13) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 17–7. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DET 4 (Q2 38:39) — (8:39) 10-N.Kaeding 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the LAC 68 (Q2 38:31); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 38:23) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LAC 9 (Q2 32:55) — (2:55) 8-J.Kitna pass short middle to 10-B.Middleton for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 32:50) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 30:32) — (:32) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 86-B.Manumaleuna for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 30:27) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q3 23:38) — (8:38) 43-D.Sproles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 23:35) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DET 27 (Q3 20:57) — (5:57) 10-N.Kaeding 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the LAC 17 (Q3 18:08) — (3:08) 8-J.Kitna pass deep middle to 84-S.McDonald for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 18:03) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DET 11 (Q4 3:04) — (3:04) 43-D.Sproles up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 2:58) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q1 47:21) — (2:21) 8-J.Kitna pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 42-C.Hart at DET 39. 42-C.Hart ran ob at DET 17 for 22 yards (81-C.Johnson). [WPA -6.9% · EPA -4.35]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 57:15) — (12:15) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle to DET 37 for 11 yards (21-T.Fisher, 42-G.Alexander). [WPA +4.7% · EPA +0.72]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 84-S.McDonald INTERCEPTED by 57-M.Wilhelm at LAC 42. 57-M.Wilhelm to LAC 49 for 7 yards (45-T.Duckett). [WPA -4.5% · EPA -4.90]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 38:31) — (8:31) 8-J.Kitna pass short middle intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 95-S.Phillips [57-M.Wilhelm] at DET 18. 95-S.Phillips for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.0% · EPA -8.12]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 58:38) — (13:38) 8-J.Kitna pass incomplete short middle to 81-C.Johnson. [WPA -4.0% · EPA -1.31]

Impact plays

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

• Detroit Lions (Q2 38:31) — (8:31) 8-J.Kitna pass short middle intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 95-S.Phillips [57-M.Wilhelm] at DET 18. 95-S.Phillips for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.0% · EPA -8.12]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 8-J.Kitna pass short left intended for 84-S.McDonald INTERCEPTED by 57-M.Wilhelm at LAC 42. 57-M.Wilhelm to LAC 49 for 7 yards (45-T.Duckett). [WPA -4.5% · EPA -4.90]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 23:35) — 10-N.Kaeding kicks 65 yards from LAC 30 to DET 5. 36-A.Cason to DET 25 for 20 yards (51-T.Dobbins). FUMBLES (51-T.Dobbins), RECOVERED by LAC-31-A.Cromartie at DET 26. 31-A.Cromartie to DET 24 for 2 ya [WPA -0.0% · EPA -4.56]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 47:21) — (2:21) 8-J.Kitna pass deep right intended for 81-C.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 42-C.Hart at DET 39. 42-C.Hart ran ob at DET 17 for 22 yards (81-C.Johnson). [WPA -6.9% · EPA -4.35]

Quarterback report card

J.Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Kitna (Detroit Lions) · 46 dropbacks · 56.5% completion · -3.6% CPOE · -0.32 EPA/play · -14.56 total EPA
• P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 22 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +8.0% CPOE · +0.64 EPA/play · +13.97 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Los Angeles Chargers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.18 vs -0.27), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 13 drives, -20.06 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Los Angeles Chargers: 13 drives, +17.41 total EPA, 8 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Los Angeles Chargers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Kitna (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• P. Rivers (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 55:08 · DET 6 · Score 0-6
   (10:08) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 55:04 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
3. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q1 48:09 · DET 4 · Score 0-10
   (3:09) 10-N.Kaeding 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
4. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 46:17 · DET 2 · Score 0-16
   (1:17) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 46:13 · DET 2 · Score 0-17
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
6. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 38:39 · DET 4 · Score 0-20
   (8:39) 10-N.Kaeding 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
7. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 38:31 · LAC 68 · Score 0-26
   (8:31) 8-J.Kitna pass short middle intended for 34-K.Jones INTERCEPTED by 95-S.Phillips [57-M.Wilhelm] at DET 18. 95-S.Phillips for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 38:23 · DET 2 · Score 0-27
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 32:55 · LAC 9 · Score 6-27
   (2:55) 8-J.Kitna pass short middle to 10-B.Middleton for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 32:50 · LAC 2 · Score 7-27
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
11. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 30:32 · DET 1 · Score 7-33
    (:32) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 86-B.Manumaleuna for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 30:27 · DET 2 · Score 7-34
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
13. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 23:38 · DET 1 · Score 7-40
    (8:38) 43-D.Sproles up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 23:35 · DET 2 · Score 7-41
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
15. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 20:57 · DET 27 · Score 7-44
    (5:57) 10-N.Kaeding 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
16. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 18:08 · LAC 17 · Score 13-44
    (3:08) 8-J.Kitna pass deep middle to 84-S.McDonald for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 18:03 · LAC 2 · Score 14-44
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
18. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 3:04 · DET 11 · Score 14-50
    (3:04) 43-D.Sproles up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 2:58 · DET 2 · Score 14-51
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.