Game story
In Week 18 of the 2004 NFL season on 2005-01-08, the New York Jets took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 20–17 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +8.99 total EPA.
On the individual side, C. Pennington (New York Jets) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.35 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+24.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (:16) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | 7 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Pennington · New York Jets · Passing · +13.35 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 2 S. Moss · New York Jets · Receiving · +9.84 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.46 EPA/play
- 3 D. Brees · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +8.99 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 4 J. McCareins · New York Jets · Receiving · +7.78 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
- 5 E. Parker · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +6.76 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
- 6 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +6.46 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 7 K. McCardell · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.99 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
- 8 C. Martin · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.02 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Pennington — NYJ · Passing
C. Pennington posted the highest total EPA (+13.35) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New York Jets's efficiency. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.76 EPA) came from New York Jets: (10:36) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Chargers — K. McCardell (D. Brees pass)
- New York Jets — A. Becht (C. Pennington pass)
- New York Jets — S. Moss (C. Pennington pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — A. Gates (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
- New York Jets — D. Brien
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
- New York Jets — D. Brien
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NYJ 26 (Q2 39:32); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 39:26) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; New York Jets found the end zone from the LAC 13 (Q2 33:00) — (3:00) 10-C.Pennington pass to 88-A.Becht for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 32:54) — 6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The third quarter: New York Jets won the period 10–0. New York Jets found the end zone from the LAC 47 (Q3 25:36) — (10:36) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 25:29) — 6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the LAC 24 (Q3 16:29) — (1:29) 6-D.Brien 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the NYJ 17 (Q4 10:48) — (10:48) 10-N.Kaeding 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NYJ 1 (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 0:11) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
Overtime: New York Jets won the period 3–0. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the LAC 10 (OT 0:08) — (:08) 6-D.Brien 28 yard field goal 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.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- New York Jets (OT 1:54) — (1:54) 34-L.Jordan left end pushed ob at LAC 15 for 19 yards (59-D.Edwards).
- New York Jets (OT 0:50) — (:50) 34-L.Jordan up the middle to LAC 10 for 2 yards (76-J.Williams).
- New York Jets (Q3 25:36) — (10:36) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 3:22) — (3:22) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates to NYJ 21 for 44 yards (26-E.Coleman).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New York Jets (Q3 25:36) — (10:36) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 31:38) — (1:38) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 86-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 25-R.Tongue (26-E.Coleman) at NYJ 22. 25-R.Tongue to NYJ 44 for 22 yards (9-D.Brees).
- New York Jets (Q1 54:28) — (9:28) 6-D.Brien 33 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
- Los Angeles Chargers (OT 4:23) — (4:23) 10-N.Kaeding 40 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Quarterback report card
D.Brees led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 46 dropbacks · 67.4% completion · +0.20 EPA/play · +8.99 total EPA
- C.Pennington (New York Jets) · 36 dropbacks · 63.9% completion · +0.37 EPA/play · +13.35 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New York Jets | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.111 | +0.031 |
| Offensive success rate | 47.1% | 49.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.355 | +0.212 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.136 | -0.175 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.031 | -0.111 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.0% | 52.9% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New York Jets generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs +0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Los Angeles Chargers: 12 drives, +3.00 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New York Jets: 11 drives, +9.43 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New York Jets 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.
- C. Pennington (New York Jets) 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.
- Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 39:32 · NYJ 26 · Score 0-6
(9:32) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete to 86-K.McCardell. Play Challenged by LAC and REVERSED. 9-D.Brees pass to 86-K.McCardell for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 39:26 · NYJ 2 · Score 0-7
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 33:00 · LAC 13 · Score 6-7
(3:00) 10-C.Pennington pass to 88-A.Becht for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 32:54 · LAC 2 · Score 7-7
6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 25:36 · LAC 47 · Score 13-7
(10:36) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 25:29 · LAC 2 · Score 14-7
6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New York Jets FG (+3) — Q3 16:29 · LAC 24 · Score 17-7
(1:29) 6-D.Brien 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 10:48 · NYJ 17 · Score 17-10
(10:48) 10-N.Kaeding 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 0:16 · NYJ 1 · Score 17-16
(:16) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 0:11 · NYJ 2 · Score 17-17
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - New York Jets FG (+3) — OT 0:08 · LAC 10 · Score 20-17
(:08) 6-D.Brien 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The New York Jets beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 in Week 18, 2004 on 2005-01-08.
What was the final score of New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The final score was New York Jets 20, Los Angeles Chargers 17 (NYJ 20-17 LAC) in Week 18, 2004 on 2005-01-08.
What was the score by quarter in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q2: New York Jets 7, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q3: New York Jets 10, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Q4: New York Jets 0, Los Angeles Chargers 10; Q5: New York Jets 3, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Final: New York Jets 20, Los Angeles Chargers 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. McCardell (D. Brees pass) (Q2 39:32) New York Jets touchdown — A. Becht (C. Pennington pass) (Q2 33:00) New York Jets touchdown — S. Moss (C. Pennington pass) (Q3 25:36) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Gates (D. Brees pass) (Q4 0:16) New York Jets field goal — D. Brien (Q3 16:29, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q4 10:48, 3 pts) New York Jets field goal — D. Brien (OT 0:08, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers?
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 67.4% completion, +0.20 EPA per dropback, +8.99 total passing EPA. C. Pennington (New York Jets), 63.9% completion, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +13.35 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers?
C. Pennington (New York Jets) led the game in total EPA with +13.35 on passing plays. across 36 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.76 EPA): (10:36) 10-C.Pennington pass to 83-S.Moss for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +24.3%.
Was New York Jets vs Los Angeles Chargers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. New York Jets won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New York Jets
Entered 10-6 Now 11-6 W
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 12-4 Now 12-5 L
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