Game story
In Week 15 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-15, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 20–13 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with -2.76 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Dwight (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.64 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+16.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (8:23) D.Flutie in at QB. 7-D.Flutie pass to 80-C.Conway to BUF 41 for 47 yards (23-P.Prioleau). Pass tipped, bobbled and caught over middle at 50.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Dwight · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.64 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 2 E. Moulds · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.40 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
- 3 S. Alexander · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.30 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 4 T. Henry · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.22 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
- 5 J. Peelle · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +0.80 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
- 6 E. Moulds · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +0.42 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 7 D. Moore · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +0.29 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 8 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +0.12 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Dwight — LAC · Receiving
T. Dwight posted the highest total EPA (+5.64) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.81 EPA per play.
The signature play (+3.91 EPA) came from Buffalo Bills: (1:01) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: R.Brown.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Buffalo Bills — T. Henry
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Buffalo Bills — T. Henry
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — S. Christie
- Buffalo Bills — M. Hollis
- Buffalo Bills — M. Hollis
- Los Angeles Chargers — S. Christie
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the BUF 21 (Q1 51:54) — (6:54) 8-S.Christie 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LAC 4 (Q1 48:17) — (3:17) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 48:13) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–6. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the LAC 24 (Q2 39:10) — (9:10) 1-M.Hollis 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q2 33:25) — (3:25) 21-L.Tomlinson right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 33:21) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the LAC 18 (Q2 31:12) — (1:12) 1-M.Hollis 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the BUF 35 (Q4 5:46) — (5:46) 8-S.Christie 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LAC 26 (Q4 1:01) — (1:01) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: R.Brown.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 0:52) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 8:23) — (8:23) D.Flutie in at QB. 7-D.Flutie pass to 80-C.Conway to BUF 41 for 47 yards (23-P.Prioleau). Pass tipped, bobbled and caught over middle at 50.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 24:26) — (9:26) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 35 for 12 yards (37-R.Harrison). FUMBLES (37-R.Harrison), RECOVERED by LAC-47-R.McNeil at BUF 40. 47-R.McNeil pushed ob at BUF 43 for -3 yards (73-M.Price).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 21:34) — (6:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete to 80-C.Conway (26-A.Winfield). Receiver and coverage at BUF 19, right flat.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 43:52) — (13:52) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-T.Dwight to BUF 28 for 42 yards (22-N.Clements). Caught at BUF 33, over middle.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 1:01) — (1:01) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: R.Brown.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 1:01) — (1:01) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: R.Brown.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 24:26) — (9:26) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 35 for 12 yards (37-R.Harrison). FUMBLES (37-R.Harrison), RECOVERED by LAC-47-R.McNeil at BUF 40. 47-R.McNeil pushed ob at BUF 43 for -3 yards (73-M.Price).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 42:14) — (12:14) 8-S.Christie 44 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 21:34) — (6:34) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete to 80-C.Conway (26-A.Winfield). Receiver and coverage at BUF 19, right flat.
Quarterback report card
D.Bledsoe led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills) · 39 dropbacks · 28.2% completion · -0.07 EPA/play · -2.76 total EPA
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 28 dropbacks · 46.4% completion · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.10 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.056 | +0.003 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.4% | 45.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.048 | -0.071 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.184 | +0.019 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.003 | +0.056 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.2% | 62.6% |
By the numbers
Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.00 vs -0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Buffalo Bills: 13 drives, +0.28 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 14 drives, -5.08 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills 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. Dwight (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.
- Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q1 51:54 · BUF 21 · Score 3-0
(6:54) 8-S.Christie 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 48:17 · LAC 4 · Score 3-6
(3:17) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 48:13 · LAC 2 · Score 3-7
1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 39:10 · LAC 24 · Score 3-10
(9:10) 1-M.Hollis 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 33:25 · BUF 2 · Score 9-10
(3:25) 21-L.Tomlinson right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 33:21 · BUF 2 · Score 10-10
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 31:12 · LAC 18 · Score 10-13
(1:12) 1-M.Hollis 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 5:46 · BUF 35 · Score 13-13
(5:46) 8-S.Christie 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 1:01 · LAC 26 · Score 13-19
(1:01) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: R.Brown. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 0:52 · LAC 2 · Score 13-20
1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-13 in Week 15, 2002 on 2002-12-15.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 13, Buffalo Bills 20 (LAC 13-20 BUF) in Week 15, 2002 on 2002-12-15.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Buffalo Bills 7; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Buffalo Bills 6; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Buffalo Bills 7; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 13, Buffalo Bills 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
Buffalo Bills touchdown — T. Henry (Q1 48:17) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 33:25) Buffalo Bills touchdown — T. Henry (Q4 1:01) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — S. Christie (Q1 51:54, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — M. Hollis (Q2 39:10, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — M. Hollis (Q2 31:12, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — S. Christie (Q4 5:46, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
D. Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills), 28.2% completion, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -2.76 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 46.4% completion, -0.04 EPA per dropback, -1.10 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills?
T. Dwight (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +5.64 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+3.91 EPA): (1:01) 20-T.Henry right tackle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Key block: R.Brown.. The biggest win-probability swing was +16.7%.
Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo Bills a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Buffalo Bills won 20-13 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 8-5 Now 8-6 L
Buffalo Bills
Entered 6-7 Now 7-7 W
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