Game story
In Week 16 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-12-26, the New England Patriots took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 23–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Pennington (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with -6.57 total EPA.
On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.63 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-21.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New York Jets changed the game: (11:41) 10-C.Pennington pass intended for 83-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 54-T.Bruschi at NE 26. 54-T.Bruschi to NYJ 38 for 36 yards (86-C.Baker).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 13 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| New York Jets | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +12.63 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
- 2 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +8.77 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
- 3 W. Chrebet · New York Jets · Receiving · +5.55 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
- 4 D. Graham · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.55 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.28 EPA/play
- 5 D. Givens · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.06 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
- 6 J. McCareins · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 7 C. Fauria · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
- 8 S. Moss · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Brady — NE · Passing
T. Brady posted the highest total EPA (+12.63) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New England Patriots's efficiency. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.38 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.27 EPA) came from New York Jets: (11:41) 10-C.Pennington pass intended for 83-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 54-T.Bruschi at NE 26. 54-T.Bruschi to NYJ 38 for 36 yards (86-C.Baker).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — D. Graham (T. Brady pass)
- New England Patriots — D. Branch (T. Brady pass)
- New York Jets — S. Moss (C. Pennington pass)
Field goals
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 13–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 10 (Q2 37:52) — (7:52) 4-A.Vinatieri 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYJ 16 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 12-T.Brady pass to 82-D.Graham for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 31:50) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 11 (Q2 30:12) — (:12) 4-A.Vinatieri 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..
The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 8 (Q3 15:43) — (:43) 4-A.Vinatieri 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYJ 6 (Q4 12:42) — (12:42) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 12:36) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 15 (Q4 9:41) — (9:41) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 9:32) — 6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New York Jets (Q1 56:41) — (11:41) 10-C.Pennington pass intended for 83-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 54-T.Bruschi at NE 26. 54-T.Bruschi to NYJ 38 for 36 yards (86-C.Baker).
- New York Jets (Q1 59:07) — (14:07) 10-C.Pennington pass to 28-C.Martin to NYJ 49 for 22 yards (26-E.Wilson).
- New England Patriots (Q2 43:05) — (13:05) 12-T.Brady up the middle to NYJ 38 for 5 yards (51-J.Vilma).
- New England Patriots (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 12-T.Brady pass to 82-D.Graham for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New York Jets (Q1 50:37) — (5:37) 10-C.Pennington pass to 81-J.McCareins to NE 40 for 6 yards (22-A.Samuel).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New York Jets (Q1 56:41) — (11:41) 10-C.Pennington pass intended for 83-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 54-T.Bruschi at NE 26. 54-T.Bruschi to NYJ 38 for 36 yards (86-C.Baker).
- New England Patriots (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) 12-T.Brady pass to 82-D.Graham for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New York Jets (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) 10-C.Pennington sacked at NE 37 for -2 yards (59-R.Colvin). FUMBLES (59-R.Colvin), RECOVERED by NE-97-J.Green at NE 36.
- New York Jets (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 10-C.Pennington pass intended for 80-W.Chrebet INTERCEPTED by 26-E.Wilson at NYJ 39. 26-E.Wilson to NYJ 15 for 24 yards (28-C.Martin).
Quarterback report card
C.Pennington led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Pennington (New York Jets) · 40 dropbacks · 55.0% completion · -0.16 EPA/play · -6.57 total EPA
- T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 33 dropbacks · 63.6% completion · +0.38 EPA/play · +12.63 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New England Patriots | New York Jets |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.085 | -0.171 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.3% | 42.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.407 | -0.171 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.168 | -0.224 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.171 | -0.085 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.5% | 51.7% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- New England Patriots: 12 drives, +7.40 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- New York Jets: 11 drives, -12.48 total EPA, 2 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.
- T. Brady (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 FG (+3) — Q2 37:52 · NYJ 10 · Score 3-0
(7:52) 4-A.Vinatieri 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 31:56 · NYJ 16 · Score 9-0
(1:56) 12-T.Brady pass to 82-D.Graham for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 31:50 · NYJ 2 · Score 10-0
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:12 · NYJ 11 · Score 13-0
(:12) 4-A.Vinatieri 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 15:43 · NYJ 8 · Score 16-0
(:43) 4-A.Vinatieri 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 12:42 · NYJ 6 · Score 22-0
(12:42) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 12:36 · NYJ 2 · Score 23-0
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-8-Jo.Miller. - New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 9:41 · NE 15 · Score 23-6
(9:41) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Jets XP (+1) — Q4 9:32 · NE 2 · Score 23-7
6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New England Patriots vs New York Jets?
The New England Patriots beat the New York Jets 23-7 in Week 16, 2004 on 2004-12-26.
What was the final score of New England Patriots vs New York Jets?
The final score was New England Patriots 23, New York Jets 7 (NE 23-7 NYJ) in Week 16, 2004 on 2004-12-26.
What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs New York Jets?
Q2: New England Patriots 13, New York Jets 0; Q3: New England Patriots 3, New York Jets 0; Q4: New England Patriots 7, New York Jets 7; Final: New England Patriots 23, New York Jets 7.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs New York Jets?
New England Patriots touchdown — D. Graham (T. Brady pass) (Q2 31:56) New England Patriots touchdown — D. Branch (T. Brady pass) (Q4 12:42) New York Jets touchdown — S. Moss (C. Pennington pass) (Q4 9:41) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q2 37:52, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q2 30:12, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q3 15:43, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New England Patriots vs New York Jets?
C. Pennington (New York Jets), 55.0% completion, -0.16 EPA per dropback, -6.57 total passing EPA. T. Brady (New England Patriots), 63.6% completion, +0.38 EPA per dropback, +12.63 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New England Patriots vs New York Jets?
T. Brady (New England Patriots) led the game in total EPA with +12.63 on passing plays. across 33 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.27 EPA): (11:41) 10-C.Pennington pass intended for 83-S.Moss INTERCEPTED by 54-T.Bruschi at NE 26. 54-T.Bruschi to NYJ 38 for 36 yards (86-C.Baker).. The biggest win-probability swing was -21.2%.
Season records after this game
New England Patriots
Entered 12-2 Now 13-2 W
New York Jets
Entered 10-4 Now 10-5 L
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