Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots: 2002 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-22, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 41–38 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 42 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +11.83 total EPA.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.83 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+20.4% win probability) landed in overtime when New England Patriots changed the game: (12:57) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten to KC 22 for 22 yards (25-G.Wesley, 24-W.Bartee).

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 · +11.83 total EPA · 60 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Holmes · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +9.11 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.00 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.71 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
5. 5 E. Kennison · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.60 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Hall · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +3.55 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Smith · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.13 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.75 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 — E. Kennison (T. Green pass) (Q2 45:00)
• New England Patriots — K. Faulk (T. Brady pass) (Q2 37:02)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (T. Green pass) (Q3 28:05)
• New England Patriots — T. Brown (T. Brady pass) (Q3 22:47)
• New England Patriots — D. Graham (T. Brady pass) (Q4 15:00)
• New England Patriots — D. Patten (T. Brady pass) (Q4 13:31)
• Kansas City Chiefs — E. Kennison (T. Green pass) (Q4 9:27)
• New England Patriots — A. Smith (Q4 6:18)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q4 4:42)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q4 0:03)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — M. Andersen (Q1 47:19)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 30:10)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (OT 10:24)

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 3–0. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the NE 21 (Q1 47:19) — (2:19) 8-M.Andersen 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 9–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 14 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 44:56) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 23 (Q2 37:02) — (7:02) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 19 (Q2 30:10) — (:10) 4-A.Vinatieri 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 8–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 3 (Q3 28:05) — (13:05) 10-T.Green pass to 31-P.Holmes for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 28:00) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 9 (Q3 22:47) — (7:47) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots registered a safety from the KC 2 (Q3 22:45) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 32-A.Smith rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 21–21. New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 18 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 12-T.Brady pass to 82-D.Graham for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 14:55) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 38 (Q4 13:31) — (13:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 13:23) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q4 9:27) — (9:27) (Shotgun) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 9:23) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the KC 42 (Q4 6:18) — (6:18) 32-A.Smith up the middle for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 6:10) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 6 (Q4 4:42) — (4:42) 31-P.Holmes left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 4:37) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q4 0:03) — (:03) KC 60-Willis eligible. 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. KC 54-Waters injured on play.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 0:00) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..

Overtime: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the KC 17 (OT 10:24) — (10:24) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (OT 12:57) — (12:57) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten to KC 22 for 22 yards (25-G.Wesley, 24-W.Bartee). [WPA +20.4% · EPA +1.90]
• New England Patriots (Q3 15:24) — (:24) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown to KC 18 for 38 yards (24-W.Bartee). [WPA +15.0% · EPA +3.60]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:03) — (:03) KC 60-Willis eligible. 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. KC 54-Waters injured on play. [WPA +13.1% · EPA +3.43]
• New England Patriots (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 12-T.Brady pass to 82-D.Graham for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.1% · EPA +2.30]
• New England Patriots (OT 10:24) — (10:24) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. [WPA +11.9% · EPA +0.69]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q4 13:31) — (13:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +5.05]
• New England Patriots (Q1 45:52) — (:52) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 80-T.Brown INTERCEPTED by 57-M.Maslowski at KC 49. 57-M.Maslowski pushed ob at NE 26 for 25 yards (77-M.Compton). [WPA -11.9% · EPA -4.88]
• New England Patriots (Q4 6:18) — (6:18) 32-A.Smith up the middle for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.9% · EPA +4.07]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 14:55) — (14:55) 31-P.Holmes left guard to KC 39 for 14 yards (27-V.Green). FUMBLES (27-V.Green), RECOVERED by NE-34-T.Jones at KC 39. 34-T.Jones to KC 39 for no gain (62-C.Wiegmann). [WPA -6.6% · EPA -3.90]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 60 dropbacks · 65.0% completion · +0.20 EPA/play · +11.83 total EPA
• T.Green (Kansas City Chiefs) · 29 dropbacks · 55.2% completion · -0.03 EPA/play · -0.74 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Kansas City Chiefs generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, +18.90 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 14 drives, +17.44 total EPA, 7 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• 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. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 47:19 · NE 21 · Score 3-0
   (2:19) 8-M.Andersen 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
2. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · NE 14 · Score 9-0
   (15:00) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 44:56 · NE 2 · Score 10-0
   8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 37:02 · KC 23 · Score 10-6
   (7:02) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:10 · KC 19 · Score 10-9
   (:10) 4-A.Vinatieri 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
6. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 28:05 · NE 3 · Score 16-9
   (13:05) 10-T.Green pass to 31-P.Holmes for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 28:00 · NE 2 · Score 17-9
   8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 22:47 · KC 9 · Score 17-15
   (7:47) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q3 22:45 · KC 2 · Score 17-17
   TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 32-A.Smith rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
10. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · KC 18 · Score 17-23
    (15:00) 12-T.Brady pass to 82-D.Graham for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 14:55 · KC 2 · Score 17-24
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
12. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 13:31 · KC 38 · Score 17-30
    (13:31) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 13:23 · KC 2 · Score 17-31
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
14. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 9:27 · NE 15 · Score 23-31
    (9:27) (Shotgun) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 9:23 · NE 2 · Score 24-31
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
16. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 6:18 · KC 42 · Score 24-37
    (6:18) 32-A.Smith up the middle for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 6:10 · KC 2 · Score 24-38
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
18. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 4:42 · NE 6 · Score 30-38
    (4:42) 31-P.Holmes left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 4:37 · NE 2 · Score 31-38
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
20. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 0:03 · NE 1 · Score 37-38
    (:03) KC 60-Willis eligible. 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. KC 54-Waters injured on play.
21. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 0:00 · NE 2 · Score 38-38
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
22. New England Patriots FG (+3) — OT 10:24 · KC 17 · Score 38-41
    (10:24) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.