New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins: 2002 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-10-06, the Miami Dolphins took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 26–13 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +1.34 total EPA.

On the individual side, J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.85 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-11.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (5:28) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 45 for -9 yards (99-J.Taylor). FUMBLES (99-J.Taylor), RECOVERED by MIA-93-A.Ogunleye at NE 39.

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 J. Fiedler · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +11.85 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.33 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
4. 4 R. McMichael · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.28 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Faulk · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.98 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
7. 7 J. McKnight · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Fiedler · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +1.43 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.71 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

• Miami Dolphins — J. Fiedler (Q1 45:19)
• Miami Dolphins — C. Chambers (J. Fiedler pass) (Q2 41:44)
• New England Patriots — D. Patten (T. Brady pass) (Q3 24:44)
• Miami Dolphins — R. McMichael (J. Fiedler pass) (Q3 16:12)
• New England Patriots — D. Patten (T. Brady pass) (Q4 4:48)

Field goals

• Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q2 31:16)
• Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q4 1:30)

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 6–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 8 (Q1 45:19) — (:19) 9-J.Fiedler scrambles right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 7 (Q2 41:44) — (11:44) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 41:38) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 22 (Q2 31:16) — (1:16) 10-O.Mare 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–6. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 34 (Q3 24:44) — (9:44) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q3 16:12) — (1:12) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 81-R.McMichael for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 16:05) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–3. New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 25 (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 4:41) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 15 (Q4 1:30) — (1:30) 10-O.Mare 33 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.

• New England Patriots (Q1 50:28) — (5:28) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 45 for -9 yards (99-J.Taylor). FUMBLES (99-J.Taylor), RECOVERED by MIA-93-A.Ogunleye at NE 39. [WPA -11.0% · EPA -3.78]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 54:31) — (9:31) 10-O.Mare 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. [WPA -10.0% · EPA -2.29]
• New England Patriots (Q1 52:17) — (7:17) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch to MIA 34 for 24 yards (31-B.Marion). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +2.00]
• Miami Dolphins (Q1 56:23) — (11:23) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 87-D.Ward pushed ob at NE 35 for 14 yards (24-T.Law). [WPA +7.9% · EPA +1.72]
• New England Patriots (Q1 51:39) — (6:39) 32-A.Smith right end to MIA 32 for 2 yards (59-D.Rodgers). PENALTY on NE-77-M.Compton, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at MIA 32. [WPA -7.6% · EPA -1.87]

Impact plays

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

• Miami Dolphins (Q3 26:24) — (11:24) 34-R.Williams up the middle to NE 32 for 1 yard (54-T.Bruschi). FUMBLES (54-T.Bruschi), RECOVERED by NE-27-V.Green at NE 32. [WPA -2.9% · EPA -4.18]
• New England Patriots (Q3 24:44) — (9:44) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.6% · EPA +3.90]
• New England Patriots (Q1 50:28) — (5:28) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 45 for -9 yards (99-J.Taylor). FUMBLES (99-J.Taylor), RECOVERED by MIA-93-A.Ogunleye at NE 39. [WPA -11.0% · EPA -3.78]
• New England Patriots (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.2% · EPA +3.57]

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) · 36 dropbacks · 47.2% completion · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.34 total EPA
• J.Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) · 29 dropbacks · 58.6% completion · +0.41 EPA/play · +11.85 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Miami Dolphins held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, +5.57 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 11 drives, -5.92 total EPA, 2 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.
• J. Fiedler (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.

1. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 45:19 · NE 8 · Score 0-6
   (:19) 9-J.Fiedler scrambles right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 41:44 · NE 7 · Score 0-12
   (11:44) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 84-C.Chambers for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 41:38 · NE 2 · Score 0-13
   10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
4. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 31:16 · NE 22 · Score 0-16
   (1:16) 10-O.Mare 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
5. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 24:44 · MIA 34 · Score 6-16
   (9:44) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 16:12 · NE 1 · Score 6-22
   (1:12) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 81-R.McMichael for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 16:05 · NE 2 · Score 6-23
   10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
8. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 4:48 · MIA 25 · Score 12-23
   (4:48) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 86-D.Patten for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 4:41 · MIA 2 · Score 13-23
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
10. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 1:30 · NE 15 · Score 13-26
    (1:30) 10-O.Mare 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.