New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams: 2004 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-11-07, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 40–22 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with -0.33 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. Givens (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.00 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-22.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (14:53) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE -1 for -7 yards (92-D.Lewis). FUMBLES (92-D.Lewis), touched at NE -1, RECOVERED by LA-91-L.Little at NE -1. TOUCHDOWN.

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 D. Givens · New England Patriots · Receiving · +10.00 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.00 EPA/play
2. 2 I. Bruce · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +8.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.21 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +7.23 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Holt · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.86 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.93 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Vinatieri · New England Patriots · Passing · +4.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.05 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Manumaleuna · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.76 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Johnson · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.69 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.69 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

• Los Angeles Rams — T. Brady (Q2 44:53)
• New England Patriots — M. Vrabel (T. Brady pass) (Q2 39:11)
• Los Angeles Rams — I. Bruce (M. Bulger pass) (Q2 35:29)
• New England Patriots — T. Brown (A. Vinatieri pass) (Q3 22:47)
• New England Patriots — C. Dillon (Q3 18:40)
• Los Angeles Rams — T. Holt (M. Bulger pass) (Q4 14:18)
• New England Patriots — B. Johnson (T. Brady pass) (Q4 5:30)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q1 56:30)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q1 50:46)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 33:08)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 30:03)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 6–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LA 25 (Q1 56:30) — (11:30) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LA 13 (Q1 50:46) — (5:46) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 14–13. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the LA 94 (Q2 44:53); Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 44:46) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-12-C.Chandler.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the LA 2 (Q2 39:11) — (9:11) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q2 39:04) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NE 11 (Q2 35:29) — (5:29) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 35:19) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-12-C.Chandler.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LA 27 (Q2 33:08) — (3:08) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the LA 18 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LA 4 (Q3 22:47) — (7:47) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri pass to 80-T.Brown for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q3 22:15) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the LA 5 (Q3 18:40) — (3:40) 28-C.Dillon left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q3 18:36) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 8–7. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NE 16 (Q4 14:18) — (14:18) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams registered a safety from the NE 2 (Q4 14:13); New England Patriots found the end zone from the LA 4 (Q4 5:30) — (5:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 81-B.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 5:23) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q2 44:53) — (14:53) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE -1 for -7 yards (92-D.Lewis). FUMBLES (92-D.Lewis), touched at NE -1, RECOVERED by LA-91-L.Little at NE -1. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -22.1% · EPA -6.32]
• New England Patriots (Q1 52:46) — (7:46) (Punt formation) 8-Jo.Miller punts 41 yards to LA 38, Center-66-L.Paxton. 84-S.McDonald MUFFS catch, touched at LA 38, RECOVERED by NE-66-L.Paxton at LA 28. 66-L.Paxton to LA 28 for no gain (96 [WPA +15.4% · EPA +6.02]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 31:15) — (1:15) 10-M.Bulger sacked at NE 34 for -4 yards (55-W.McGinest). FUMBLES (55-W.McGinest), RECOVERED by NE-97-J.Green at NE 28. 97-J.Green to NE 28 for no gain (67-A.McCollum). Play Challenged by Revie [WPA -13.9% · EPA -3.01]
• New England Patriots (Q2 35:14) — (5:14) 12-T.Brady pass to 87-D.Givens to LA 28 for 50 yards (23-J.Butler). [WPA +13.9% · EPA +3.52]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q2 35:29) — (5:29) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.6% · EPA +2.12]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q2 44:53) — (14:53) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE -1 for -7 yards (92-D.Lewis). FUMBLES (92-D.Lewis), touched at NE -1, RECOVERED by LA-91-L.Little at NE -1. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -22.1% · EPA -6.32]
• New England Patriots (Q1 52:46) — (7:46) (Punt formation) 8-Jo.Miller punts 41 yards to LA 38, Center-66-L.Paxton. 84-S.McDonald MUFFS catch, touched at LA 38, RECOVERED by NE-66-L.Paxton at LA 28. 66-L.Paxton to LA 28 for no gain (96 [WPA +15.4% · EPA +6.02]
• Los Angeles Rams (Q3 20:53) — (5:53) 10-M.Bulger pass intended for 81-T.Holt INTERCEPTED by 95-R.Phifer (55-W.McGinest) at LA 47. 95-R.Phifer to LA 21 for 26 yards (76-O.Pace). [WPA -7.0% · EPA -5.69]
• New England Patriots (Q3 22:47) — (7:47) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri pass to 80-T.Brown for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.8% · EPA +4.05]

Quarterback report card

M.Bulger led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Bulger (Los Angeles Rams) · 44 dropbacks · 52.3% completion · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.33 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · +0.21 EPA/play · +7.23 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs -0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Los Angeles Rams: 10 drives, -1.33 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 12 drives, +22.75 total EPA, 9 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. Givens (New England Patriots) 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. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 56:30 · LA 25 · Score 3-0
   (11:30) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
2. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 50:46 · LA 13 · Score 6-0
   (5:46) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
3. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 44:53 · LA 94 · Score 6-6
   (14:53) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE -1 for -7 yards (92-D.Lewis). FUMBLES (92-D.Lewis), touched at NE -1, RECOVERED by LA-91-L.Little at NE -1. TOUCHDOWN.
4. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 44:46 · NE 2 · Score 6-7
   14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-12-C.Chandler.
5. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 39:11 · LA 2 · Score 12-7
   (9:11) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 39:04 · LA 2 · Score 13-7
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
7. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q2 35:29 · NE 11 · Score 13-13
   (5:29) 10-M.Bulger pass to 80-I.Bruce for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q2 35:19 · NE 2 · Score 13-14
   14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-12-C.Chandler.
9. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 33:08 · LA 27 · Score 16-14
   (3:08) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
10. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · LA 18 · Score 19-14
    (:03) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
11. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 22:47 · LA 4 · Score 25-14
    (7:47) (Field Goal formation) 4-A.Vinatieri pass to 80-T.Brown for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 22:15 · LA 2 · Score 26-14
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
13. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 18:40 · LA 5 · Score 32-14
    (3:40) 28-C.Dillon left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 18:36 · LA 2 · Score 33-14
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.
15. Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 14:18 · NE 16 · Score 33-20
    (14:18) (Shotgun) 10-M.Bulger pass to 81-T.Holt for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Los Angeles Rams Safety (+2) — Q4 14:13 · NE 2 · Score 33-22
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 28-M.Faulk rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Play Challenged by NE and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by NE at 14:13.)
17. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 5:30 · LA 4 · Score 39-22
    (5:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 81-B.Johnson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 5:23 · LA 2 · Score 40-22
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.