Game story
In Week 16 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-21, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 40–24 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 19 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with -2.46 total EPA.
On the individual side, K. Osgood (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.53 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+14.7% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (12:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 81-K.Osgood for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 40 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 K. Osgood · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +11.53 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.88 EPA/play
- 2 T. Maddox · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +8.84 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 3 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.42 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 4 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.93 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.31 EPA/play
- 5 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +4.49 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 6 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.94 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 7 J. Peelle · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.18 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
- 8 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +1.94 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
K. Osgood — LAC · Receiving
K. Osgood posted the highest total EPA (+11.53) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.88 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.56 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (4:33) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 21-L.Tomlinson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at LAC 25. 26-D.Townsend for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis
- Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Los Angeles Chargers — K. Osgood (D. Brees pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Ward (T. Maddox pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Townsend
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — S. Christie
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 25 (Q1 53:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 53:51) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q1 45:14) — (:14) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 45:10) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 16 (Q2 42:54) — (12:54) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 42:49) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the PIT 5 (Q2 37:09) — (7:09) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 37:05) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the PIT 13 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 8-S.Christie 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the PIT 57 (Q3 27:11) — (12:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 81-K.Osgood for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 27:01) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 20 (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 23:25) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 12–7. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the LAC 29 (Q4 14:18) — (14:18) 3-J.Reed 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q4 10:05) — (10:05) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 10:01) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the LAC 22 (Q4 5:10) — (5:10) 3-J.Reed 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 75 (Q4 4:33) — (4:33) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 21-L.Tomlinson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at LAC 25. 26-D.Townsend for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 27:11) — (12:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 81-K.Osgood for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 24:19) — (9:19) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at LAC 20 for -5 yards (43-T.Polamalu). FUMBLES (43-T.Polamalu), RECOVERED by PIT-26-D.Townsend at LAC 20. 26-D.Townsend ran ob at LAC 20 for no gain.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 56:37) — (11:37) 36-J.Bettis right guard to LAC 33 for 4 yards (59-D.Edwards).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 4:33) — (4:33) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 21-L.Tomlinson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at LAC 25. 26-D.Townsend for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 27:11) — (12:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 81-K.Osgood for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 37:09) — (7:09) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
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) · 27 dropbacks · 59.3% completion · -0.09 EPA/play · -2.46 total EPA
- T.Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 21 dropbacks · 52.4% completion · +0.42 EPA/play · +8.84 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.052 | +0.216 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.2% | 53.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.121 | +0.439 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.209 | +0.118 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.216 | -0.052 |
| Defensive success rate | 47.0% | 51.8% |
By the numbers
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs +0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Los Angeles Chargers: 12 drives, +4.31 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, +17.94 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- K. Osgood (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.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 53:58 · LAC 25 · Score 0-6
(8:58) (Shotgun) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 53:51 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 45:14 · LAC 1 · Score 0-13
(:14) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 45:10 · LAC 2 · Score 0-14
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 42:54 · LAC 16 · Score 0-20
(12:54) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 42:49 · LAC 2 · Score 0-21
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 37:09 · PIT 5 · Score 6-21
(7:09) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 37:05 · PIT 2 · Score 7-21
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · PIT 13 · Score 10-21
(:05) 8-S.Christie 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 27:11 · PIT 57 · Score 16-21
(12:11) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 81-K.Osgood for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 27:01 · PIT 2 · Score 17-21
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 23:31 · LAC 20 · Score 17-27
(8:31) 8-T.Maddox pass to 86-H.Ward for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 23:25 · LAC 2 · Score 17-28
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 14:18 · LAC 29 · Score 17-31
(14:18) 3-J.Reed 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 10:05 · PIT 2 · Score 23-31
(10:05) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 10:01 · PIT 2 · Score 24-31
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 5:10 · LAC 22 · Score 24-34
(5:10) 3-J.Reed 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 4:33 · PIT 75 · Score 24-40
(4:33) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 21-L.Tomlinson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at LAC 25. 26-D.Townsend for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Los Angeles Chargers 40-24 in Week 16, 2003 on 2003-12-21.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 40 (LAC 24-40 PIT) in Week 16, 2003 on 2003-12-21.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 12; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 40.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass) (Q1 53:58) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Bettis (Q1 45:14) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass) (Q2 42:54) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 37:09) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. Osgood (D. Brees pass) (Q3 27:11) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Ward (T. Maddox pass) (Q3 23:31) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q4 10:05) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Townsend (Q4 4:33) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — S. Christie (Q2 30:05, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 14:18, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 5:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 59.3% completion, -0.09 EPA per dropback, -2.46 total passing EPA. T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers), 52.4% completion, +0.42 EPA per dropback, +8.84 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
K. Osgood (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +11.53 on receiving plays. across 4 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.56 EPA): (4:33) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 21-L.Tomlinson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at LAC 25. 26-D.Townsend for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +14.7%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 3-11 Now 3-12 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 5-9 Now 6-9 W
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