Game story
In Week 3 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-22, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 23–15 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -10.61 total EPA.
On the individual side, S. Alexander (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.77 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+27.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (:23) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle to LAC 35 for 3 yards (97-F.Wakefield).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 S. Alexander · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.77 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.44 EPA/play
- 2 D. Boston · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.96 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
- 3 M. Jenkins · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.56 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 4 C. Conway · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.87 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 5 D. Brees · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +1.66 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
- 6 M. Shipp · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
- 7 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.17 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
- 8 D. Boston · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
S. Alexander — LAC · Receiving
S. Alexander posted the highest total EPA (+5.77) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +1.44 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.13 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (:46) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 75-M.Wiley at ARI 46. 75-M.Wiley to ARI 6 for 40 yards (75-L.Davis).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — M. Jenkins (J. Plummer pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Los Angeles Chargers — D. Edwards
- Arizona Cardinals — M. Shipp (J. Plummer pass)
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LAC 65 (Q1 55:22) — (10:22) 16-J.Plummer pass to 82-M.Jenkins for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 55:11) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 44:56) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q2 35:08) — (5:08) 21-L.Tomlinson right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 35:03) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 9–8. Los Angeles Chargers registered a safety from the LAC 88 (Q4 14:50) — (14:50) 10-S.Player punt is BLOCKED by 52-C.Polk, Center-48-N.Hodel, declared dead in End Zone, SAFETY.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the LAC 81 (Q4 11:29) — (11:29) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 85-F.Jones INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at ARI 20. 59-D.Edwards for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 11:23) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the LAC 31 (Q4 9:37) — (9:37) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 31-M.Shipp for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the LAC 2 (Q4 9:30) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-J.Plummer pass to 81-F.Sanders is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 30:23) — (:23) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle to LAC 35 for 3 yards (97-F.Wakefield).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 45:46) — (:46) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 75-M.Wiley at ARI 46. 75-M.Wiley to ARI 6 for 40 yards (75-L.Davis).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 55:22) — (10:22) 16-J.Plummer pass to 82-M.Jenkins for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 11:29) — (11:29) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 85-F.Jones INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at ARI 20. 59-D.Edwards for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 40:51) — (10:51) 26-T.Jones right tackle to LAC 43 for 7 yards (51-B.Leber). FUMBLES (51-B.Leber), RECOVERED by LAC-47-R.McNeil at LAC 38. 47-R.McNeil to LAC 38 for no gain (26-T.Jones).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 45:46) — (:46) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 75-M.Wiley at ARI 46. 75-M.Wiley to ARI 6 for 40 yards (75-L.Davis).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 11:29) — (11:29) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 85-F.Jones INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at ARI 20. 59-D.Edwards for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 55:22) — (10:22) 16-J.Plummer pass to 82-M.Jenkins for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 9:37) — (9:37) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 31-M.Shipp for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
J.Plummer led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) · 43 dropbacks · 37.2% completion · -0.25 EPA/play · -10.61 total EPA
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · +0.05 EPA/play · +1.66 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.016 | -0.167 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.0% | 36.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.096 | -0.247 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.112 | -0.091 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.167 | +0.016 |
| Defensive success rate | 63.9% | 64.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Chargers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -12.04 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 12 drives, -1.34 total EPA, 2 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.
- S. Alexander (Los Angeles Chargers) 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.
- Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 55:22 · LAC 65 · Score 0-6
(10:22) 16-J.Plummer pass to 82-M.Jenkins for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 55:11 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · ARI 4 · Score 6-7
(15:00) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 44:56 · ARI 2 · Score 7-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 35:08 · ARI 2 · Score 13-7
(5:08) 21-L.Tomlinson right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 35:03 · ARI 2 · Score 14-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Los Angeles Chargers Safety (+2) — Q4 14:50 · LAC 88 · Score 16-7
(14:50) 10-S.Player punt is BLOCKED by 52-C.Polk, Center-48-N.Hodel, declared dead in End Zone, SAFETY. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 11:29 · LAC 81 · Score 22-7
(11:29) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 85-F.Jones INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at ARI 20. 59-D.Edwards for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 11:23 · ARI 2 · Score 23-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 9:37 · LAC 31 · Score 23-13
(9:37) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 31-M.Shipp for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q4 9:30 · LAC 2 · Score 23-15
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 16-J.Plummer pass to 81-F.Sanders is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Arizona Cardinals 23-15 in Week 3, 2002 on 2002-09-22.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 23, Arizona Cardinals 15 (LAC 23-15 ARI) in Week 3, 2002 on 2002-09-22.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 14, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 9, Arizona Cardinals 8; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Arizona Cardinals 15.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Jenkins (J. Plummer pass) (Q1 55:22) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 45:00) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 35:08) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — D. Edwards (Q4 11:29) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Shipp (J. Plummer pass) (Q4 9:37) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals?
J. Plummer (Arizona Cardinals), 37.2% completion, -0.25 EPA per dropback, -10.61 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 47.2% completion, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +1.66 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals?
S. Alexander (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +5.77 on receiving plays. across 4 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.13 EPA): (:46) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 75-M.Wiley at ARI 46. 75-M.Wiley to ARI 6 for 40 yards (75-L.Davis).. The biggest win-probability swing was +27.3%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
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