Game story
In Week 5 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-10-06, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 26–9 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with -10.94 total EPA.
On the individual side, B. Griese (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.22 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+14.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (13:07) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| Denver Broncos | 7 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 26 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Griese · Denver Broncos · Passing · +9.22 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 2 E. McCaffrey · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.75 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
- 3 C. Conway · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 4 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.66 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 5 S. Sharpe · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.97 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
- 6 O. Gary · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.30 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 7 S. Montgomery · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.93 EPA/play
- 8 T. Fletcher · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +1.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.64 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Griese — DEN · Passing
B. Griese posted the highest total EPA (+9.22) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Denver Broncos's efficiency. Across 39 counted snaps, they averaged +0.24 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.18 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (3:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 85-T.Dwight INTERCEPTED by 24-D.O'Neal at LAC 28. 24-D.O'Neal for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — E. McCaffrey (B. Griese pass)
- Denver Broncos — C. Portis (B. Griese pass)
- Denver Broncos — D. O'Neal
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Conway (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — J. Elam
- 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: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 69 (Q1 58:07) — (13:07) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 57:57) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 12–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 8 (Q2 34:30) — (4:30) 14-B.Griese pass to 26-C.Portis for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 34:25) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos registered a safety from the DEN 87 (Q2 32:27); Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 18 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 1-J.Elam 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 6 (Q3 25:43) — (10:43) 8-S.Christie 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–6. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 72 (Q4 3:02) — (3:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 85-T.Dwight INTERCEPTED by 24-D.O'Neal at LAC 28. 24-D.O'Neal for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 2:54) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 8 (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 58:07) — (13:07) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 42:28) — (12:28) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 81-S.Alexander INTERCEPTED by 24-D.O'Neal at DEN -4. 24-D.O'Neal to DEN 16 for 20 yards (70-V.Parker).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 50:19) — (5:19) 14-B.Griese pass intended for 86-P.Hape INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Harrison at LAC 6. 37-R.Harrison to LAC 8 for 2 yards (66-T.Nalen).
- Denver Broncos (Q2 36:02) — (6:02) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey pushed ob at LAC 25 for 9 yards (25-A.Molden).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 53:34) — (8:34) (Shotgun) 14-B.Griese pass to 83-S.Montgomery pushed ob at LAC 39 for 11 yards (23-Q.Jammer).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 3:02) — (3:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 85-T.Dwight INTERCEPTED by 24-D.O'Neal at LAC 28. 24-D.O'Neal for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 58:07) — (13:07) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 42:28) — (12:28) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 81-S.Alexander INTERCEPTED by 24-D.O'Neal at DEN -4. 24-D.O'Neal to DEN 16 for 20 yards (70-V.Parker).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 50:19) — (5:19) 14-B.Griese pass intended for 86-P.Hape INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Harrison at LAC 6. 37-R.Harrison to LAC 8 for 2 yards (66-T.Nalen).
Quarterback report card
D.Brees led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 44 dropbacks · 59.1% completion · -0.25 EPA/play · -10.94 total EPA
- B.Griese (Denver Broncos) · 39 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.24 EPA/play · +9.22 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.150 | +0.045 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.3% | 46.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.244 | +0.197 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.034 | -0.085 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.045 | +0.150 |
| Defensive success rate | 53.3% | 52.7% |
By the numbers
Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +4.01 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, -11.08 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- B. Griese (Denver Broncos) 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.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 58:07 · LAC 69 · Score 0-6
(13:07) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 57:57 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 34:30 · LAC 8 · Score 0-13
(4:30) 14-B.Griese pass to 26-C.Portis for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 34:25 · LAC 2 · Score 0-14
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen. - Denver Broncos Safety (+2) — Q2 32:27 · DEN 87 · Score 0-16
(2:27) 2-D.Bennett punt is BLOCKED by 42-S.Brandon, Center-50-D.Binn, ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY. Penalty on LAC-2-D.Bennett, Illegal Bat, declined. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · LAC 18 · Score 0-19
(:04) 1-J.Elam 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 25:43 · DEN 6 · Score 3-19
(10:43) 8-S.Christie 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 3:02 · DEN 72 · Score 3-25
(3:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 85-T.Dwight INTERCEPTED by 24-D.O'Neal at LAC 28. 24-D.O'Neal for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 2:54 · LAC 2 · Score 3-26
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 1:35 · DEN 8 · Score 9-26
(1:35) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 26-9 in Week 5, 2002 on 2002-10-06.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 9, Denver Broncos 26 (LAC 9-26 DEN) in Week 5, 2002 on 2002-10-06.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Denver Broncos 12; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 6, Denver Broncos 7; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 9, Denver Broncos 26.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — E. McCaffrey (B. Griese pass) (Q1 58:07) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Portis (B. Griese pass) (Q2 34:30) Denver Broncos touchdown — D. O'Neal (Q4 3:02) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — C. Conway (D. Brees pass) (Q4 1:35) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 30:04, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — S. Christie (Q3 25:43, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 59.1% completion, -0.25 EPA per dropback, -10.94 total passing EPA. B. Griese (Denver Broncos), 66.7% completion, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +9.22 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
B. Griese (Denver Broncos) led the game in total EPA with +9.22 on passing plays. across 39 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.18 EPA): (3:02) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 85-T.Dwight INTERCEPTED by 24-D.O'Neal at LAC 28. 24-D.O'Neal for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +14.4%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 4-0 Now 4-1 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 3-1 Now 4-1 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
