Game story
In Week 9 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-11-02, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 17–14 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -12.09 total EPA.
On the individual side, K. McCardell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.24 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+32.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (2:17) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-90-K.Smith, Defensive Offside, declined.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 K. McCardell · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +11.24 total EPA · 5 snaps · +2.25 EPA/play
- 2 K. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +9.21 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
- 3 M. Lewis · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +7.24 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.41 EPA/play
- 4 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.91 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 5 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.89 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.89 EPA/play
- 6 T. Jones · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.61 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
- 7 K. Williams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 8 T. Yoder · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.24 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
K. McCardell — TB · Receiving
K. McCardell posted the highest total EPA (+11.24) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +2.25 EPA per play.
The signature play (-10.34 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (:30) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 89-W.Heller INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at NO 27. 33-A.Ambrose for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — M. Lewis (A. Brooks pass)
- New Orleans Saints — A. Ambrose
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Pittman (B. Johnson pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — K. McCardell (B. Johnson pass)
Field goals
- 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 second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 38 (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 84-M.Lewis for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 40:57) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 32 (Q3 15:30) — (:30) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 89-W.Heller INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at NO 27. 33-A.Ambrose for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 15:07) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 26 (Q4 8:12) — (8:12) 14-B.Johnson pass to 32-M.Pittman for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 7:59) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 30 (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-90-K.Smith, Defensive Offside, declined.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 2:08) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 29 (Q4 0:13) — (:13) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-90-K.Smith, Defensive Offside, declined.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 15:30) — (:30) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 89-W.Heller INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at NO 27. 33-A.Ambrose for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 20:58) — (5:58) 14-B.Johnson sacked at NO 24 for -7 yards (98-W.Whitehead). FUMBLES (98-W.Whitehead), touched at NO 24, RECOVERED by NO-53-R.Knight at NO 20. 53-R.Knight to NO 20 for no gain (80-T.Yoder).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:13) — (:13) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson to TB 37 for 8 yards. Lateral to 32-M.Pittman to TB 32 for -5 yards. Lateral to 87-K.McCardell to TB 29 for -3 yards. Lateral to 14-B.Johnson to TB 25 for -4 ya
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 15:30) — (:30) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 89-W.Heller INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at NO 27. 33-A.Ambrose for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-90-K.Smith, Defensive Offside, declined.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 6:19) — (6:19) 17-M.Berger punts 52 yards to TB 17, Center-47-K.Houser. 31-T.Wansley to TB 25 for 8 yards (28-D.Harper). FUMBLES (28-D.Harper), touched at TB 25, RECOVERED by NO-37-S.Gleason at TB 27.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 84-M.Lewis for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
B.Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 50 dropbacks · 54.0% completion · -0.24 EPA/play · -12.09 total EPA
- A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 30 dropbacks · 43.3% completion · -0.18 EPA/play · -5.44 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.139 | -0.172 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.0% | 44.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.186 | -0.226 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.264 | -0.157 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.172 | +0.139 |
| Defensive success rate | 55.2% | 61.0% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints -0.14, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.17) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, -10.71 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 15 drives, -14.97 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New Orleans Saints 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.
- K. McCardell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 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 TD (+6) — Q2 41:06 · TB 38 · Score 6-0
(11:06) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 84-M.Lewis for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 40:57 · TB 2 · Score 7-0
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 15:30 · NO 32 · Score 13-0
(:30) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 89-W.Heller INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at NO 27. 33-A.Ambrose for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 15:07 · TB 2 · Score 14-0
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 8:12 · NO 26 · Score 14-6
(8:12) 14-B.Johnson pass to 32-M.Pittman for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 7:59 · NO 2 · Score 14-7
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:17 · NO 30 · Score 14-13
(2:17) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-90-K.Smith, Defensive Offside, declined. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 2:08 · NO 2 · Score 14-14
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:13 · TB 29 · Score 17-14
(:13) 3-J.Carney 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14 in Week 9, 2003 on 2003-11-02.
What was the final score of New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The final score was New Orleans Saints 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14 (NO 17-14 TB) in Week 9, 2003 on 2003-11-02.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q3: New Orleans Saints 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14; Final: New Orleans Saints 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Lewis (A. Brooks pass) (Q2 41:06) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Ambrose (Q3 15:30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Pittman (B. Johnson pass) (Q4 8:12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — K. McCardell (B. Johnson pass) (Q4 2:17) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q4 0:13, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 54.0% completion, -0.24 EPA per dropback, -12.09 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 43.3% completion, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -5.44 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
K. McCardell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +11.24 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-10.34 EPA): (:30) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 89-W.Heller INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose at NO 27. 33-A.Ambrose for 73 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +32.7%.
Was New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. New Orleans Saints won 17-14 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Entered 3-5 Now 4-5 W
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 4-3 Now 4-4 L
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