Game story
In Week 12 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-11-27, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 23–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with -6.25 total EPA.
On the individual side, L. Tomlinson (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-33.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (1:12) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 83-V.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Springs (53-M.Washington) at LAC 33. 24-S.Springs to LAC 31 for 2 yards (83-V.Jackson).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 23 |
| Washington Commanders | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +11.45 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
- 2 E. Parker · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +10.24 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
- 3 T. Jacobs · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +5.68 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
- 4 K. McCardell · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.96 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
- 5 S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.23 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 6 M. Brunell · Washington Commanders · Passing · +2.87 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 7 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.19 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 8 R. Cartwright · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +2.02 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.02 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
L. Tomlinson — LAC · Rushing
L. Tomlinson posted the highest total EPA (+11.45) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 26 counted snaps, they averaged +0.44 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.31 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (14:35) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Washington Commanders — S. Moss (M. Brunell pass)
- Washington Commanders — R. Cartwright
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — J. Hall
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 3–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the LAC 20 (Q1 50:27) — (5:27) 10-J.Hall 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the WAS 1 (Q2 40:48) — (10:48) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 40:31) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the LAC 22 (Q2 37:29) — (7:29) 8-M.Brunell pass to 89-S.Moss for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 37:23) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the LAC 13 (Q3 18:19) — (3:19) 31-R.Cartwright left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 18:14) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the WAS 29 (Q4 14:14) — (14:14) 10-N.Kaeding 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the WAS 32 (Q4 3:37) — (3:37) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q4 3:29) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
Overtime: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 6–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the WAS 41 (OT 14:35) — (14:35) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 1:12) — (1:12) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 83-V.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Springs (53-M.Washington) at LAC 33. 24-S.Springs to LAC 31 for 2 yards (83-V.Jackson).
- Los Angeles Chargers (OT 14:35) — (14:35) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 0:35) — (:35) 10-J.Hall 52 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 3:37) — (3:37) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (OT 14:56) — (14:56) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates ran ob at WAS 41 for 24 yards.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (OT 14:35) — (14:35) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 3:37) — (3:37) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 56:27) — (11:27) 10-N.Kaeding 42 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 26:02) — (11:02) 10-N.Kaeding 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
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) · 48 dropbacks · 45.8% completion · -0.13 EPA/play · -6.25 total EPA
- M.Brunell (Washington Commanders) · 29 dropbacks · 58.6% completion · +0.10 EPA/play · +2.87 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.037 | -0.074 |
| Offensive success rate | 46.0% | 42.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.153 | +0.099 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.470 | -0.260 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.074 | -0.037 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.8% | 54.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Los Angeles Chargers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Los Angeles Chargers: 15 drives, +3.73 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 15 drives, -6.12 total EPA, 3 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- L. Tomlinson (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.
- Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 50:27 · LAC 20 · Score 0-3
(5:27) 10-J.Hall 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 40:48 · WAS 1 · Score 6-3
(10:48) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 40:31 · WAS 2 · Score 7-3
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 37:29 · LAC 22 · Score 7-9
(7:29) 8-M.Brunell pass to 89-S.Moss for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 37:23 · LAC 2 · Score 7-10
10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 18:19 · LAC 13 · Score 7-16
(3:19) 31-R.Cartwright left guard for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 18:14 · LAC 2 · Score 7-17
10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 14:14 · WAS 29 · Score 10-17
(14:14) 10-N.Kaeding 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 3:37 · WAS 32 · Score 16-17
(3:37) 21-L.Tomlinson left end for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 3:29 · WAS 2 · Score 17-17
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — OT 14:35 · WAS 41 · Score 23-17
(14:35) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Washington Commanders?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Washington Commanders 23-17 in Week 12, 2005 on 2005-11-27.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Washington Commanders?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 23, Washington Commanders 17 (LAC 23-17 WAS) in Week 12, 2005 on 2005-11-27.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Washington Commanders?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Washington Commanders 3; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Washington Commanders 7; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Washington Commanders 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 10, Washington Commanders 0; Q5: Los Angeles Chargers 6, Washington Commanders 0; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Washington Commanders 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Washington Commanders?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 40:48) Washington Commanders touchdown — S. Moss (M. Brunell pass) (Q2 37:29) Washington Commanders touchdown — R. Cartwright (Q3 18:19) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q4 3:37) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (OT 14:35) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Hall (Q1 50:27, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q4 14:14, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Washington Commanders?
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 45.8% completion, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -6.25 total passing EPA. M. Brunell (Washington Commanders), 58.6% completion, +0.10 EPA per dropback, +2.87 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Washington Commanders?
L. Tomlinson (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +11.45 on rushing plays. across 26 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.31 EPA): (14:35) 21-L.Tomlinson left tackle for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -33.4%.
Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Washington Commanders a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Los Angeles Chargers won 23-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 6-4 Now 7-4 W
Washington Commanders
Entered 5-5 Now 5-6 L