Game story
In Week 4 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-09-29, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 21–14 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +3.41 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Branch (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.37 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-18.0% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.37 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 2 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +9.34 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 3 C. Conway · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
- 4 D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
- 5 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +3.41 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 6 C. Fauria · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
- 7 M. Vrabel · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
- 8 A. Smith · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.16 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Branch — NE · Receiving
D. Branch posted the highest total EPA (+9.37) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New England Patriots's efficiency. Across 15 counted snaps, they averaged +0.62 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.03 EPA) came from New England Patriots: (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Conway (D. Brees pass)
- New England Patriots — M. Vrabel (T. Brady pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LAC 5 (Q1 54:30) — (9:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 54:26) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 52 (Q1 49:25) — (4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 49:17) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q2 44:17) — (14:17) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 44:13) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 37 (Q2 32:28) — (2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 32:19) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 58 (Q3 29:26) — (14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 29:14) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New England Patriots (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 29:26) — (14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:28) — (2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New England Patriots (Q2 36:56) — (6:56) 4-A.Vinatieri 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 49:25) — (4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New England Patriots (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:28) — (2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 49:25) — (4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 29:26) — (14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 55 dropbacks · 65.5% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +3.41 total EPA
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 18 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · -0.23 EPA/play · -4.13 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New England Patriots | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.005 | +0.075 |
| Offensive success rate | 51.1% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.062 | -0.130 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.022 | +0.265 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.075 | +0.005 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 48.9% |
By the numbers
Los Angeles Chargers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, +4.83 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 10 drives, -0.43 total EPA, 2 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.
- D. Branch (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.
- New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 54:30 · LAC 5 · Score 6-0
(9:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 54:26 · LAC 2 · Score 7-0
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 49:25 · NE 52 · Score 7-6
(4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 49:17 · NE 2 · Score 7-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 44:17 · LAC 1 · Score 13-7
(14:17) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 44:13 · LAC 2 · Score 14-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 32:28 · NE 37 · Score 14-13
(2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 32:19 · NE 2 · Score 14-14
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 29:26 · NE 58 · Score 14-20
(14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 29:14 · NE 2 · Score 14-21
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the New England Patriots 21-14 in Week 4, 2002 on 2002-09-29.
What was the final score of New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The final score was New England Patriots 14, Los Angeles Chargers 21 (NE 14-21 LAC) in Week 4, 2002 on 2002-09-29.
What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q1: New England Patriots 7, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q2: New England Patriots 7, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q3: New England Patriots 0, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Final: New England Patriots 14, Los Angeles Chargers 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
New England Patriots touchdown — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass) (Q1 54:30) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — C. Conway (D. Brees pass) (Q1 49:25) New England Patriots touchdown — M. Vrabel (T. Brady pass) (Q2 44:17) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 32:28) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q3 29:26) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
T. Brady (New England Patriots), 65.5% completion, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +3.41 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 55.6% completion, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -4.13 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
D. Branch (New England Patriots) led the game in total EPA with +9.37 on receiving plays. across 15 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.03 EPA): (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).. The biggest win-probability swing was -18.0%.
Was New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Los Angeles Chargers won 21-14 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
New England Patriots
Entered 3-0 Now 3-1 L
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 3-0 Now 4-0 W
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