Game story
In Week 15 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-16, the Tennessee Titans took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 24–7 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with -10.20 total EPA.
On the individual side, S. McNair (Tennessee Titans) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.77 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-13.3% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (10:06) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 86-D.Patten INTERCEPTED by 29-R.Coady at NE 24. 29-R.Coady for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Tennessee Titans | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 S. McNair · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +9.77 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
- 2 D. Mason · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +9.48 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 3 S. McNair · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +4.92 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.64 EPA/play
- 4 A. Smith · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.39 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
- 5 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Rushing · +0.64 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
- 6 E. George · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +0.64 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 7 T. Brown · New England Patriots · Receiving · +0.57 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
- 8 M. Green · Tennessee Titans · Rushing · +0.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
S. McNair — TEN · Passing
S. McNair posted the highest total EPA (+9.77) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tennessee Titans's efficiency. Across 30 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.36 EPA) came from New England Patriots: (10:06) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 86-D.Patten INTERCEPTED by 29-R.Coady at NE 24. 29-R.Coady for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Tennessee Titans — S. McNair
- Tennessee Titans — S. McNair
- New England Patriots — T. Brady
- Tennessee Titans — R. Coady
Field goals
- Tennessee Titans — J. Nedney
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 14–0. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NE 11 (Q2 42:24) — (12:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair scrambles up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 42:16) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NE 1 (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 9-S.McNair up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 30:32) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the TEN 10 (Q3 28:10) — (13:10) 12-T.Brady up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q3 28:08) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the TEN 89 (Q3 25:06) — (10:06) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 86-D.Patten INTERCEPTED by 29-R.Coady at NE 24. 29-R.Coady for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 24:58) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..
The fourth quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 3–0. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the NE 11 (Q4 9:26) — (9:26) 6-J.Nedney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New England Patriots (Q3 25:06) — (10:06) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 86-D.Patten INTERCEPTED by 29-R.Coady at NE 24. 29-R.Coady for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tennessee Titans (Q1 58:34) — (13:34) (Shotgun) 35-R.Holcombe right guard pushed ob at NE 29 for 39 yards (36-L.Milloy).
- Tennessee Titans (Q2 42:24) — (12:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair scrambles up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tennessee Titans (Q1 57:12) — (12:12) 6-J.Nedney 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
- New England Patriots (Q2 39:23) — (9:23) 12-T.Brady sacked at TEN 45 for -7 yards (97-C.Hall).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New England Patriots (Q3 25:06) — (10:06) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 86-D.Patten INTERCEPTED by 29-R.Coady at NE 24. 29-R.Coady for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tennessee Titans (Q2 42:24) — (12:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair scrambles up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tennessee Titans (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 9-S.McNair up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
- New England Patriots (Q3 28:10) — (13:10) 12-T.Brady up the middle for 10 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) · 34 dropbacks · 41.2% completion · -0.30 EPA/play · -10.20 total EPA
- S.McNair (Tennessee Titans) · 30 dropbacks · 36.7% completion · +0.33 EPA/play · +9.77 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New England Patriots | Tennessee Titans |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.162 | +0.063 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.1% | 44.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.307 | +0.326 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.140 | -0.009 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.063 | +0.162 |
| Defensive success rate | 55.9% | 63.9% |
By the numbers
Tennessee Titans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.16), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- New England Patriots: 11 drives, -9.91 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Tennessee Titans: 11 drives, +5.90 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Tennessee Titans leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- S. McNair (Tennessee Titans) 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.
- Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 42:24 · NE 11 · Score 0-6
(12:24) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair scrambles up the middle for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 42:16 · NE 2 · Score 0-7
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich. - Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q2 30:37 · NE 1 · Score 0-13
(:37) 9-S.McNair up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld. - Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q2 30:32 · NE 2 · Score 0-14
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 28:10 · TEN 10 · Score 6-14
(13:10) 12-T.Brady up the middle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 28:08 · TEN 2 · Score 7-14
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 25:06 · TEN 89 · Score 7-20
(10:06) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 86-D.Patten INTERCEPTED by 29-R.Coady at NE 24. 29-R.Coady for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q3 24:58 · NE 2 · Score 7-21
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich. - Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q4 9:26 · NE 11 · Score 7-24
(9:26) 6-J.Nedney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-A.Graham, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans?
The Tennessee Titans beat the New England Patriots 24-7 in Week 15, 2002 on 2002-12-16.
What was the final score of New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans?
The final score was New England Patriots 7, Tennessee Titans 24 (NE 7-24 TEN) in Week 15, 2002 on 2002-12-16.
What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans?
Q2: New England Patriots 0, Tennessee Titans 14; Q3: New England Patriots 7, Tennessee Titans 7; Q4: New England Patriots 0, Tennessee Titans 3; Final: New England Patriots 7, Tennessee Titans 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans?
Tennessee Titans touchdown — S. McNair (Q2 42:24) Tennessee Titans touchdown — S. McNair (Q2 30:37) New England Patriots touchdown — T. Brady (Q3 28:10) Tennessee Titans touchdown — R. Coady (Q3 25:06) Tennessee Titans field goal — J. Nedney (Q4 9:26, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans?
T. Brady (New England Patriots), 41.2% completion, -0.30 EPA per dropback, -10.20 total passing EPA. S. McNair (Tennessee Titans), 36.7% completion, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +9.77 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans?
S. McNair (Tennessee Titans) led the game in total EPA with +9.77 on passing plays. across 30 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.36 EPA): (10:06) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 86-D.Patten INTERCEPTED by 29-R.Coady at NE 24. 29-R.Coady for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -13.3%.
Season records after this game
New England Patriots
Entered 8-5 Now 8-6 L
Tennessee Titans
Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W
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