Las Vegas Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills: 2002 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-10-06, the Las Vegas Raiders took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 49–31 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with +3.69 total EPA.

On the individual side, R. Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +22.23 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-39.4% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Buffalo Bills changed the game: (8:21) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-P.Price INTERCEPTED by 31-P.Buchanon at LV 19. 31-P.Buchanon for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage along right sideline.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 R. Gannon · Las Vegas Raiders · Passing · +22.23 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Porter · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +7.82 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Garner · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +7.12 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Garner · Las Vegas Raiders · Rushing · +6.94 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Bledsoe · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +3.69 total EPA · 63 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Brown · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +3.09 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
7. 7 E. Moulds · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Centers · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Porter (R. Gannon pass) (Q1 45:46)
• Buffalo Bills — P. Price (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q2 39:53)
• Las Vegas Raiders — R. Gannon (Q2 38:17)
• Buffalo Bills — D. Moore (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q2 36:48)
• Las Vegas Raiders — C. Garner (Q2 34:46)
• Buffalo Bills — L. Centers (Q2 30:46)
• Las Vegas Raiders — Z. Crockett (Q3 21:20)
• Buffalo Bills — T. Henry (Q3 17:24)
• Las Vegas Raiders — C. Garner (R. Gannon pass) (Q4 11:28)
• Las Vegas Raiders — P. Buchanon (Q4 8:21)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Rice (R. Gannon pass) (Q4 4:26)

Field goals

• Buffalo Bills — M. Hollis (Q3 25:14)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 7–0. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the BUF 29 (Q1 45:46) — (:46) 12-R.Gannon pass to 84-J.Porter for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at BUF 3, right side.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 45:39) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 21–14. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LV 2 (Q2 39:53) — (9:53) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 81-P.Price for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line, right side.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 39:48) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q2 38:17) — (8:17) 12-R.Gannon left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Bootleg left. Penalty on BUF-55-E.Robinson, Defensive Holding, declined.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 38:11) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LV 2 (Q2 36:48); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 36:42) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the BUF 36 (Q2 34:46) — (4:46) 25-C.Garner right end for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 34:38) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LV 5 (Q2 30:46) — (:46) (Shotgun) 37-L.Centers right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 30:40) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman..

The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–7. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the LV 12 (Q3 25:14) — (10:14) 1-M.Hollis 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q3 21:20) — (6:20) 32-Z.Crockett left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 21:17) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the LV 2 (Q3 17:24) — (2:24) 20-T.Henry left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q3 17:19) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman..

The fourth quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 21–0. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the BUF 69 (Q4 11:28) — (11:28) 12-R.Gannon pass to 25-C.Garner for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught over middle at BUF 47.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 11:18) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the LV 27 (Q4 8:21); Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 8:02) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the BUF 20 (Q4 4:26) — (4:26) 12-R.Gannon pass to 80-J.Rice for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at BUF 14, left side.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 4:20) — 11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Buffalo Bills (Q4 8:21) — (8:21) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-P.Price INTERCEPTED by 31-P.Buchanon at LV 19. 31-P.Buchanon for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage along right sideline. [WPA -39.4% · EPA -9.84]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 11:28) — (11:28) 12-R.Gannon pass to 25-C.Garner for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught over middle at BUF 47. [WPA +34.3% · EPA +7.11]
• Buffalo Bills (Q3 23:36) — (8:36) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 80-E.Moulds INTERCEPTED by 20-T.James at BUF 40. 20-T.James to BUF 32 for 8 yards (80-E.Moulds). [WPA -18.5% · EPA -4.62]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 37:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Reed pushed ob at LV 2 for 38 yards (36-D.Gibson). Caught at LV 10, left side. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.64]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q1 46:44) — (1:44) 12-R.Gannon scrambles ran ob at BUF 19 for 24 yards. [WPA +13.1% · EPA +3.28]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Buffalo Bills (Q4 8:21) — (8:21) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-P.Price INTERCEPTED by 31-P.Buchanon at LV 19. 31-P.Buchanon for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage along right sideline. [WPA -39.4% · EPA -9.84]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 11:28) — (11:28) 12-R.Gannon pass to 25-C.Garner for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught over middle at BUF 47. [WPA +34.3% · EPA +7.11]
• Buffalo Bills (Q4 2:38) — (2:38) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 85-J.Riemersma INTERCEPTED by 20-T.James (36-D.Gibson) at LV -4. 20-T.James pushed ob at LV 23 for 27 yards (75-J.Jennings). Pass tipped by D.Gibson at goal line [WPA -0.4% · EPA -5.14]
• Buffalo Bills (Q2 37:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Reed pushed ob at LV 2 for 38 yards (36-D.Gibson). Caught at LV 10, left side. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.64]

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) · 63 dropbacks · 50.8% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +3.69 total EPA
• R.Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) · 43 dropbacks · 53.5% completion · +0.52 EPA/play · +22.23 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Las Vegas Raiders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.33 vs +0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Buffalo Bills: 13 drives, +7.43 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Las Vegas Raiders: 14 drives, +30.09 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Las Vegas Raiders leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) 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.

1. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q1 45:46 · BUF 29 · Score 6-0
   (:46) 12-R.Gannon pass to 84-J.Porter for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at BUF 3, right side.
2. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q1 45:39 · BUF 2 · Score 7-0
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
3. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 39:53 · LV 2 · Score 7-6
   (9:53) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 81-P.Price for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line, right side.
4. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 39:48 · LV 2 · Score 7-7
   1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
5. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 38:17 · BUF 1 · Score 13-7
   (8:17) 12-R.Gannon left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Bootleg left. Penalty on BUF-55-E.Robinson, Defensive Holding, declined.
6. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 38:11 · BUF 2 · Score 14-7
   11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
7. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 36:48 · LV 2 · Score 14-13
   (6:48) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 83-D.Moore for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 9 yds. into end zone, left side. Penalty on LV, Defensive Offside, declined.
8. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 36:42 · LV 2 · Score 14-14
   1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
9. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 34:46 · BUF 36 · Score 20-14
   (4:46) 25-C.Garner right end for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 34:38 · BUF 2 · Score 21-14
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
11. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 30:46 · LV 5 · Score 21-20
    (:46) (Shotgun) 37-L.Centers right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 30:40 · LV 2 · Score 21-21
    1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
13. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 25:14 · LV 12 · Score 21-24
    (10:14) 1-M.Hollis 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
14. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q3 21:20 · BUF 1 · Score 27-24
    (6:20) 32-Z.Crockett left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q3 21:17 · BUF 2 · Score 28-24
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
16. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 17:24 · LV 2 · Score 28-30
    (2:24) 20-T.Henry left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 17:19 · LV 2 · Score 28-31
    1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
18. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 11:28 · BUF 69 · Score 34-31
    (11:28) 12-R.Gannon pass to 25-C.Garner for 69 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught over middle at BUF 47.
19. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 11:18 · BUF 2 · Score 35-31
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
20. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 8:21 · LV 27 · Score 41-31
    (8:21) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass intended for 81-P.Price INTERCEPTED by 31-P.Buchanon at LV 19. 31-P.Buchanon for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Coverage along right si
21. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 8:02 · BUF 2 · Score 42-31
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
22. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 4:26 · BUF 20 · Score 48-31
    (4:26) 12-R.Gannon pass to 80-J.Rice for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at BUF 14, left side.
23. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 4:20 · BUF 2 · Score 49-31
    11-S.Janikowski extra point is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.