Game story
In Week 16 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-22, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 20–13 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) paced the passing game, with -13.14 total EPA.
On the individual side, D. Stallworth (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-19.1% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Cincinnati Bengals changed the game: (2:07) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 81-R.Dugans INTERCEPTED by 22-F.Thomas at NO 22. 22-F.Thomas to CIN 35 for 43 yards (84-T.Houshmandzadeh).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.03 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
- 2 N. Luchey · Cincinnati Bengals · Rushing · +6.79 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 3 T. Houshmandzadeh · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
- 4 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.63 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 5 P. Warrick · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.42 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 6 D. Farmer · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +0.14 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
- 7 D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +0.07 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
- 8 C. Johnson · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · -0.04 total EPA · 9 snaps · -0.00 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Stallworth — NO · Receiving
D. Stallworth posted the highest total EPA (+8.03) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New Orleans Saints's efficiency. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +0.89 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.09 EPA) came from Cincinnati Bengals: (2:07) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 81-R.Dugans INTERCEPTED by 22-F.Thomas at NO 22. 22-F.Thomas to CIN 35 for 43 yards (84-T.Houshmandzadeh).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Cincinnati Bengals — P. Warrick (J. Kitna pass)
- New Orleans Saints — D. Stallworth (A. Brooks pass)
- Cincinnati Bengals — N. Luchey
- Cincinnati Bengals — N. Luchey
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CIN 20 (Q1 54:51) — (9:51) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 30 (Q1 53:26) — (8:26) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-27-K.Irvin, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 53:15) — 5-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CIN 57 (Q1 51:29) — (6:29) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CIN 2 (Q1 51:19) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CIN 25 (Q2 31:20) — (1:20) 3-J.Carney 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The fourth quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 13–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 10:48) — (10:48) 30-N.Luchey right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q4 1:50) — (1:50) 30-N.Luchey up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 1:46) — 5-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 17:07) — (2:07) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 81-R.Dugans INTERCEPTED by 22-F.Thomas at NO 22. 22-F.Thomas to CIN 35 for 43 yards (84-T.Houshmandzadeh).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 51:29) — (6:29) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 11:33) — (11:33) 30-N.Luchey left guard to NO 1 for 7 yards (20-J.Bellamy).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 45:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at CIN 45 for -6 yards (Team). FUMBLES (Team), RECOVERED by CIN-51-T.Spikes at CIN 48. 51-T.Spikes to CIN 48 for no gain (26-D.McAllister). {NOTE: Ball came loose whe
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 48:52) — (3:52) 2-A.Brooks pass to 44-T.Smith to CIN 31 for 7 yards (21-J.Burris). FUMBLES (21-J.Burris), RECOVERED by CIN-51-T.Spikes at CIN 31. 51-T.Spikes to CIN 31 for no gain (83-D.Stallworth).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q3 17:07) — (2:07) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 81-R.Dugans INTERCEPTED by 22-F.Thomas at NO 22. 22-F.Thomas to CIN 35 for 43 yards (84-T.Houshmandzadeh).
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 51:29) — (6:29) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Cincinnati Bengals (Q1 53:26) — (8:26) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-27-K.Irvin, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.
- New Orleans Saints (Q1 45:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at CIN 45 for -6 yards (Team). FUMBLES (Team), RECOVERED by CIN-51-T.Spikes at CIN 48. 51-T.Spikes to CIN 48 for no gain (26-D.McAllister). {NOTE: Ball came loose whe
Quarterback report card
J.Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Cincinnati Bengals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals) · 46 dropbacks · 43.5% completion · -0.29 EPA/play · -13.14 total EPA
- A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 42 dropbacks · 38.1% completion · -0.31 EPA/play · -12.92 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.245 | -0.135 |
| Offensive success rate | 32.9% | 40.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.310 | -0.286 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.385 | +0.170 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.135 | +0.245 |
| Defensive success rate | 59.2% | 67.1% |
By the numbers
Cincinnati Bengals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.14 vs -0.24), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Cincinnati Bengals: 15 drives, -13.93 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, -18.60 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Cincinnati Bengals 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. Stallworth (New Orleans Saints) 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 Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 54:51 · CIN 20 · Score 3-0
(9:51) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 53:26 · NO 30 · Score 3-6
(8:26) 3-J.Kitna pass to 80-P.Warrick for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-27-K.Irvin, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 53:15 · NO 2 · Score 3-7
5-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 51:29 · CIN 57 · Score 9-7
(6:29) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 51:19 · CIN 2 · Score 10-7
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 31:20 · CIN 25 · Score 13-7
(1:20) 3-J.Carney 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 10:48 · NO 1 · Score 13-13
(10:48) 30-N.Luchey right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q4 1:50 · NO 3 · Score 13-19
(1:50) 30-N.Luchey up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q4 1:46 · NO 2 · Score 13-20
5-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.St. Louis, Holder-8-N.Harris.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the New Orleans Saints 20-13 in Week 16, 2002 on 2002-12-22.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Cincinnati Bengals?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 13, Cincinnati Bengals 20 (NO 13-20 CIN) in Week 16, 2002 on 2002-12-22.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 10, Cincinnati Bengals 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 3, Cincinnati Bengals 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 0, Cincinnati Bengals 13; Final: New Orleans Saints 13, Cincinnati Bengals 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Cincinnati Bengals?
Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — P. Warrick (J. Kitna pass) (Q1 53:26) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Stallworth (A. Brooks pass) (Q1 51:29) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — N. Luchey (Q4 10:48) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — N. Luchey (Q4 1:50) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q1 54:51, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 31:20, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Cincinnati Bengals?
J. Kitna (Cincinnati Bengals), 43.5% completion, -0.29 EPA per dropback, -13.14 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 38.1% completion, -0.31 EPA per dropback, -12.92 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Cincinnati Bengals?
D. Stallworth (New Orleans Saints) led the game in total EPA with +8.03 on receiving plays. across 9 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.09 EPA): (2:07) 3-J.Kitna pass intended for 81-R.Dugans INTERCEPTED by 22-F.Thomas at NO 22. 22-F.Thomas to CIN 35 for 43 yards (84-T.Houshmandzadeh).. The biggest win-probability swing was -19.1%.
Was New Orleans Saints vs Cincinnati Bengals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Cincinnati Bengals won 20-13 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 9-5 Now 9-6 L
Cincinnati Bengals
Entered 1-13 Now 2-13 W
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