Game story
In Week 15 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-12-23, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 20–17 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Flutie (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +6.54 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Green (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.39 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+20.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (2:51) 10-T.Green pass to 81-M.Minnis to LAC 21 for 21 yards (37-R.Harrison).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Green · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +8.39 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
- 2 M. Minnis · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +7.22 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
- 3 D. Flutie · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +6.54 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 4 C. Conway · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.14 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
- 5 T. Gaylor · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.20 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 6 E. Kennison · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.56 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
- 7 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +3.00 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 8 J. Dunn · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.90 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Green — KC · Passing
T. Green posted the highest total EPA (+8.39) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Kansas City Chiefs's efficiency. Across 31 counted snaps, they averaged +0.27 EPA per play.
The signature play (+3.29 EPA) came from Kansas City Chiefs: (13:11) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison to LAC 17 for 48 yards (42-R.Beckett).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Kansas City Chiefs — J. Dunn (T. Green pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — F. Jones (D. Flutie pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Conway (D. Flutie pass)
- Kansas City Chiefs — T. Richardson
Field goals
- Kansas City Chiefs — T. Peterson
- Kansas City Chiefs — T. Peterson
- 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: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 3 (Q1 52:02) — (7:02) 10-T.Green pass to 89-J.Dunn for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 51:32) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 3 (Q1 49:27) — (4:27) 7-D.Flutie pass to 88-F.Jones for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q1 48:41) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the LAC 15 (Q3 26:02) — (11:02) 2-T.Peterson 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q3 16:08); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 16:02) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 10–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the LAC 23 (Q4 14:19) — (14:19) 2-T.Peterson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the KC 9 (Q4 5:04) — (5:04) 8-S.Christie 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q4 0:52) — (:52) 49-T.Richardson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 0:48) — 2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 2:51) — (2:51) 10-T.Green pass to 81-M.Minnis to LAC 21 for 21 yards (37-R.Harrison).
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:52) — (:52) 49-T.Richardson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 9:51) — (9:51) 10-T.Green pass intended for 82-D.Alexander INTERCEPTED by 47-R.McNeil at LAC 26. 47-R.McNeil to LAC 26 for no gain (82-D.Alexander).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 10:21) — (10:21) 5-W.Richey 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 28:11) — (13:11) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison to LAC 17 for 48 yards (42-R.Beckett).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 28:11) — (13:11) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison to LAC 17 for 48 yards (42-R.Beckett).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 12:31) — (12:31) 7-D.Flutie pass to 80-C.Conway to LAC 38 for 27 yards (25-G.Wesley).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 10:21) — (10:21) 5-W.Richey 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 50:03) — (5:03) 21-L.Tomlinson right end pushed ob at KC 4 for 34 yards (25-G.Wesley).
Quarterback report card
D.Flutie led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Flutie (Los Angeles Chargers) · 32 dropbacks · 46.9% completion · +0.20 EPA/play · +6.54 total EPA
- T.Green (Kansas City Chiefs) · 31 dropbacks · 61.3% completion · +0.27 EPA/play · +8.39 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.143 | +0.148 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.6% | 46.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.204 | +0.318 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.111 | -0.097 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.148 | -0.143 |
| Defensive success rate | 53.8% | 51.4% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Chargers +0.14, Kansas City Chiefs +0.15) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Kansas City Chiefs: 9 drives, +11.52 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, +10.57 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Kansas City Chiefs 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. Green (Kansas City Chiefs) 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.
- Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 52:02 · LAC 3 · Score 0-6
(7:02) 10-T.Green pass to 89-J.Dunn for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 51:32 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 49:27 · KC 3 · Score 6-7
(4:27) 7-D.Flutie pass to 88-F.Jones for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 48:41 · KC 2 · Score 7-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 26:02 · LAC 15 · Score 7-10
(11:02) 2-T.Peterson 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 16:08 · KC 4 · Score 13-10
(1:08) 7-D.Flutie pass incomplete to 80-C.Conway. Play Challenged by LAC and REVERSED. 7-D.Flutie pass to 80-C.Conway for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 16:02 · KC 2 · Score 14-10
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 14:19 · LAC 23 · Score 14-13
(14:19) 2-T.Peterson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 5:04 · KC 9 · Score 17-13
(5:04) 8-S.Christie 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 0:52 · LAC 1 · Score 17-19
(:52) 49-T.Richardson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 0:48 · LAC 2 · Score 17-20
2-T.Peterson extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 in Week 15, 2001 on 2001-12-23.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 17, Kansas City Chiefs 20 (LAC 17-20 KC) in Week 15, 2001 on 2001-12-23.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Kansas City Chiefs 7; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Kansas City Chiefs 3; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Kansas City Chiefs 10; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 17, Kansas City Chiefs 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — J. Dunn (T. Green pass) (Q1 52:02) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — F. Jones (D. Flutie pass) (Q1 49:27) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — C. Conway (D. Flutie pass) (Q3 16:08) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — T. Richardson (Q4 0:52) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — T. Peterson (Q3 26:02, 3 pts) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — T. Peterson (Q4 14:19, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — S. Christie (Q4 5:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
D. Flutie (Los Angeles Chargers), 46.9% completion, +0.20 EPA per dropback, +6.54 total passing EPA. T. Green (Kansas City Chiefs), 61.3% completion, +0.27 EPA per dropback, +8.39 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs?
T. Green (Kansas City Chiefs) led the game in total EPA with +8.39 on passing plays. across 31 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+3.29 EPA): (13:11) 10-T.Green pass to 87-E.Kennison to LAC 17 for 48 yards (42-R.Beckett).. The biggest win-probability swing was +20.4%.
Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Kansas City Chiefs won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 5-9 Now 5-10 L
Kansas City Chiefs
Entered 4-9 Now 5-9 W
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