Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots: 2001 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-09-30, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 44–13 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Manning (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with -14.36 total EPA.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.69 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-12.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: (2:02) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 86-J.Pathon INTERCEPTED by 45-O.Smith at NE 22. 45-O.Smith for 78 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 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +7.69 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Pollard · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +6.15 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +6.02 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.01 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Smith · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.71 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.58 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Harrison · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +1.10 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Small · New England Patriots · Receiving · +0.80 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Smith · New England Patriots · Rushing · +0.72 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.03 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

• New England Patriots — A. Smith (Q1 49:28)
• New England Patriots — O. Smith (Q2 32:02)
• Indianapolis Colts — P. Manning (Q3 16:00)
• New England Patriots — K. Faulk (Q4 13:28)
• New England Patriots — T. Law (Q4 12:37)
• Indianapolis Colts — M. Pollard (P. Manning pass) (Q4 8:55)
• New England Patriots — A. Smith (Q4 3:44)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 35:55)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 30:04)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q3 24:41)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the IND 4 (Q1 49:28) — (4:28) 32-A.Smith left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 49:23) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the IND 29 (Q2 35:55) — (5:55) 4-A.Vinatieri 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 42 (Q2 32:02) — (2:02) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 86-J.Pathon INTERCEPTED by 45-O.Smith at NE 22. 45-O.Smith for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 31:42) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the IND 30 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson..

The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 7–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the IND 17 (Q3 24:41) — (9:41) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the NE 10 (Q3 16:00) — (1:00) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning scrambles up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 15:53) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 21–6. New England Patriots found the end zone from the IND 8 (Q4 13:28) — (13:28) 33-K.Faulk right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 13:24) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 88 (Q4 12:37) — (12:37) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 85-K.Dilger INTERCEPTED by 24-T.Law at IND 23. 24-T.Law for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 12:24) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the NE 17 (Q4 8:55) — (8:55) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the IND 2 (Q4 3:44) — (3:44) 32-A.Smith right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q4 3:39) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson..

Turning points

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

• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 32:02) — (2:02) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 86-J.Pathon INTERCEPTED by 45-O.Smith at NE 22. 45-O.Smith for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -12.7% · EPA -8.40]
• New England Patriots (Q1 49:52) — (4:52) 32-A.Smith left tackle to IND 8 for 39 yards (27-D.Macklin). PENALTY on IND-28-I.Bashir, 4 yards, enforced at IND 8. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +2.88]
• New England Patriots (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 84-T.Small to NE 37 for 9 yards (41-C.Bird, 52-M.Peterson). [WPA +6.0% · EPA +1.68]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 32:58) — (2:58) 32-E.James left end to NE 29 for -1 yards (45-O.Smith). PENALTY on IND-86-J.Pathon, Illegal Crackback, 15 yards, enforced at NE 29. [WPA -5.7% · EPA -1.43]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 33:21) — (3:21) 18-P.Manning pass to 88-M.Harrison ran ob at NE 28 for 26 yards. [WPA +5.4% · EPA +1.95]

Impact plays

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

• Indianapolis Colts (Q2 32:02) — (2:02) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 86-J.Pathon INTERCEPTED by 45-O.Smith at NE 22. 45-O.Smith for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -12.7% · EPA -8.40]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 12:37) — (12:37) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 85-K.Dilger INTERCEPTED by 24-T.Law at IND 23. 24-T.Law for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.2% · EPA -5.75]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q4 8:55) — (8:55) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +4.61]
• Indianapolis Colts (Q3 29:00) — (14:00) 18-P.Manning pass to 32-E.James to NE 46 for 1 yard (95-R.Phifer). FUMBLES (95-R.Phifer), RECOVERED by NE-52-T.Johnson at NE 46. 52-T.Johnson to NE 46 for no gain (78-T.Glenn). [WPA -3.5% · EPA -4.56]

Quarterback report card

P.Manning led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 40 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -0.36 EPA/play · -14.36 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 27 dropbacks · 48.1% completion · +0.28 EPA/play · +7.69 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.18 vs -0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Indianapolis Colts: 13 drives, -15.18 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 13 drives, +15.24 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) 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. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 49:28 · IND 4 · Score 0-6
   (4:28) 32-A.Smith left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 49:23 · IND 2 · Score 0-7
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.
3. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 35:55 · IND 29 · Score 0-10
   (5:55) 4-A.Vinatieri 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 32:02 · NE 42 · Score 0-16
   (2:02) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 86-J.Pathon INTERCEPTED by 45-O.Smith at NE 22. 45-O.Smith for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 31:42 · IND 2 · Score 0-17
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.
6. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · IND 30 · Score 0-20
   (:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 24:41 · IND 17 · Score 0-23
   (9:41) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.
8. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 16:00 · NE 10 · Score 6-23
   (1:00) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning scrambles up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q3 15:53 · NE 2 · Score 7-23
   13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
10. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 13:28 · IND 8 · Score 7-29
    (13:28) 33-K.Faulk right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 13:24 · IND 2 · Score 7-30
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.
12. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 12:37 · NE 88 · Score 7-36
    (12:37) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 85-K.Dilger INTERCEPTED by 24-T.Law at IND 23. 24-T.Law for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 12:24 · IND 2 · Score 7-37
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.
14. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 8:55 · NE 17 · Score 13-37
    (8:55) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 81-M.Pollard for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 3:44 · IND 2 · Score 13-43
    (3:44) 32-A.Smith right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 3:39 · IND 2 · Score 13-44
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-10-L.Johnson.