Game story
In Week 15 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-15, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the Las Vegas Raiders, pulling away with a 23–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R. Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) paced the passing game, with -0.87 total EPA.
On the individual side, C. Chambers (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.16 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-15.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Miami Dolphins changed the game: (9:11) 34-R.Williams left tackle to MIA 13 for 2 yards (50-E.Barton). FUMBLES (50-E.Barton), RECOVERED by LV-33-A.Dorsett at MIA 13. Play Challenged by MIA and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 09:02.)
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 17 |
| Miami Dolphins | 10 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +6.16 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 2 J. Fiedler · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +6.14 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 3 D. Jolley · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +5.30 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
- 4 J. Porter · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +3.77 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 5 R. Williams · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 6 T. Minor · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +2.21 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.10 EPA/play
- 7 J. McKnight · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 8 T. Wheatley · Las Vegas Raiders · Rushing · +1.29 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Chambers — MIA · Receiving
C. Chambers posted the highest total EPA (+6.16) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Miami Dolphins's efficiency. Across 12 counted snaps, they averaged +0.51 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.81 EPA) came from Miami Dolphins: (9:11) 34-R.Williams left tackle to MIA 13 for 2 yards (50-E.Barton). FUMBLES (50-E.Barton), RECOVERED by LV-33-A.Dorsett at MIA 13. Play Challenged by MIA and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 09:02.)
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — C. Carter (J. Fiedler pass)
- Miami Dolphins — T. Minor
- Las Vegas Raiders — J. Porter (R. Gannon pass)
Field goals
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- Las Vegas Raiders — S. Janikowski
- Las Vegas Raiders — S. Janikowski
- Las Vegas Raiders — S. Janikowski
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the LV 7 (Q1 55:28) — (10:28) 10-O.Mare 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.; Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the MIA 8 (Q1 51:31) — (6:31) 11-S.Janikowski 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LV 5 (Q1 49:06) — (4:06) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 88-C.Carter for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q1 49:01) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..
The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–3. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the LV 4 (Q2 35:06) — (5:06) 28-T.Minor right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the LV 2 (Q2 35:01) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.; Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the MIA 20 (Q2 30:49) — (:49) 11-S.Janikowski 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the MIA 27 (Q3 26:18) — (11:18) 11-S.Janikowski 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the LV 9 (Q3 18:42) — (3:42) 10-O.Mare 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..
The fourth quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 8–3. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the MIA 20 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 12-R.Gannon pass to 84-J.Porter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders registered a safety from the MIA 2 (Q4 14:52) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-R.Gannon pass to 84-J.Porter is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the LV 23 (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) 10-O.Mare 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) 34-R.Williams left tackle to MIA 13 for 2 yards (50-E.Barton). FUMBLES (50-E.Barton), RECOVERED by LV-33-A.Dorsett at MIA 13. Play Challenged by MIA and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 09:02.)
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 4:59) — (4:59) 3-M.Royals punts 40 yards to LV 31, Center-89-E.Perry. 81-T.Brown to LV 37 for 6 yards (42-T.Gamble). FUMBLES (42-T.Gamble), RECOVERED by MIA-89-E.Perry at LV 39.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) 10-O.Mare 40 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) 12-R.Gannon pass intended for 80-J.Rice INTERCEPTED by 23-P.Surtain at MIA 18. 23-P.Surtain to MIA 40 for 22 yards (88-D.Jolley).
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 8:19) — (8:19) 12-R.Gannon sacked at LV 39 for -6 yards (99-J.Taylor).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Miami Dolphins (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) 34-R.Williams left tackle to MIA 13 for 2 yards (50-E.Barton). FUMBLES (50-E.Barton), RECOVERED by LV-33-A.Dorsett at MIA 13. Play Challenged by MIA and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 09:02.)
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 4:59) — (4:59) 3-M.Royals punts 40 yards to LV 31, Center-89-E.Perry. 81-T.Brown to LV 37 for 6 yards (42-T.Gamble). FUMBLES (42-T.Gamble), RECOVERED by MIA-89-E.Perry at LV 39.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) 10-O.Mare 40 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- Las Vegas Raiders (Q3 27:26) — (12:26) 12-R.Gannon pass to 84-J.Porter to MIA 20 for 16 yards (31-B.Marion).
Quarterback report card
R.Gannon led all passers in efficiency for Las Vegas Raiders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.87 total EPA
- J.Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) · 37 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · +0.17 EPA/play · +6.14 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Las Vegas Raiders | Miami Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.047 | +0.074 |
| Offensive success rate | 51.4% | 53.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.022 | +0.166 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.103 | -0.183 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.074 | -0.047 |
| Defensive success rate | 46.6% | 48.6% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Las Vegas Raiders +0.05, Miami Dolphins +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Las Vegas Raiders: 10 drives, +3.28 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, +6.54 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Miami Dolphins 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.
- C. Chambers (Miami Dolphins) 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.
- Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 55:28 · LV 7 · Score 0-3
(10:28) 10-O.Mare 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q1 51:31 · MIA 8 · Score 3-3
(6:31) 11-S.Janikowski 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 49:06 · LV 5 · Score 3-9
(4:06) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 88-C.Carter for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 49:01 · LV 2 · Score 3-10
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 35:06 · LV 4 · Score 3-16
(5:06) 28-T.Minor right guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 35:01 · LV 2 · Score 3-17
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q2 30:49 · MIA 20 · Score 6-17
(:49) 11-S.Janikowski 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q3 26:18 · MIA 27 · Score 9-17
(11:18) 11-S.Janikowski 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-62-A.Treu, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q3 18:42 · LV 9 · Score 9-20
(3:42) 10-O.Mare 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · MIA 20 · Score 15-20
(15:00) 12-R.Gannon pass to 84-J.Porter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Las Vegas Raiders Safety (+2) — Q4 14:52 · MIA 2 · Score 17-20
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-R.Gannon pass to 84-J.Porter is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 2:33 · LV 23 · Score 17-23
(2:33) 10-O.Mare 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins?
The Miami Dolphins beat the Las Vegas Raiders 23-17 in Week 15, 2002 on 2002-12-15.
What was the final score of Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins?
The final score was Las Vegas Raiders 17, Miami Dolphins 23 (LV 17-23 MIA) in Week 15, 2002 on 2002-12-15.
What was the score by quarter in Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins?
Q1: Las Vegas Raiders 3, Miami Dolphins 10; Q2: Las Vegas Raiders 3, Miami Dolphins 7; Q3: Las Vegas Raiders 3, Miami Dolphins 3; Q4: Las Vegas Raiders 8, Miami Dolphins 3; Final: Las Vegas Raiders 17, Miami Dolphins 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — C. Carter (J. Fiedler pass) (Q1 49:06) Miami Dolphins touchdown — T. Minor (Q2 35:06) Las Vegas Raiders touchdown — J. Porter (R. Gannon pass) (Q4 15:00) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q1 55:28, 3 pts) Las Vegas Raiders field goal — S. Janikowski (Q1 51:31, 3 pts) Las Vegas Raiders field goal — S. Janikowski (Q2 30:49, 3 pts) Las Vegas Raiders field goal — S. Janikowski (Q3 26:18, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q3 18:42, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q4 2:33, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins?
R. Gannon (Las Vegas Raiders), 42.5% completion, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.87 total passing EPA. J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins), 56.8% completion, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +6.14 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins?
C. Chambers (Miami Dolphins) led the game in total EPA with +6.16 on receiving plays. across 12 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.81 EPA): (9:11) 34-R.Williams left tackle to MIA 13 for 2 yards (50-E.Barton). FUMBLES (50-E.Barton), RECOVERED by LV-33-A.Dorsett at MIA 13. Play Challenged by MIA and Upheld. (Timeout #1 . The biggest win-probability swing was -15.6%.
Was Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Miami Dolphins won 23-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Las Vegas Raiders
Entered 9-4 Now 9-5 L
Miami Dolphins
Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W
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