New York Jets vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 2008 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-22, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 48–29 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Favre (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with -5.26 total EPA, and +9.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.29 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-19.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (11:36) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left intended for 85-A.Gates INTERCEPTED by 36-D.Barrett at LAC 25. 36-D.Barrett for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +16.29 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
2. 2 V. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +7.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.40 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Davis · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +6.76 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.25 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Coles · New York Jets · Receiving · +5.70 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Keller · New York Jets · Receiving · +4.55 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Cotchery · New York Jets · Receiving · +4.46 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.07 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.04 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Baker · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New York Jets — D. Barrett (Q1 56:36)
• Los Angeles Chargers — M. Tolbert (P. Rivers pass) (Q1 47:08)
• Los Angeles Chargers — A. Cromartie (Q2 45:00)
• New York Jets — L. Coles (B. Favre pass) (Q2 43:57)
• Los Angeles Chargers — C. Chambers (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 41:25)
• Los Angeles Chargers — A. Gates (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 33:23)
• Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson (Q3 25:41)
• New York Jets — C. Stuckey (B. Favre pass) (Q4 10:39)
• Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson (Q4 4:00)
• New York Jets — D. Keller (B. Favre pass) (Q4 3:41)

Field goals

• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q1 50:44)
• New York Jets — J. Feely (Q4 8:25)
• Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q4 2:08)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–7. New York Jets found the end zone from the NYJ 80 (Q1 56:36); New York Jets added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 56:27) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-7-B.Graham.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the NYJ 18 (Q1 50:44) — (5:44) 10-N.Kaeding 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NYJ 1 (Q1 47:08) — (2:08) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 35-M.Tolbert for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q1 47:03) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 21–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the LAC 50 (Q2 45:00); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 44:48) — 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 3 (Q2 43:57) — (13:57) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short middle to 87-L.Coles for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 43:50) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-7-B.Graham.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NYJ 27 (Q2 41:25) — (11:25) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 89-C.Chambers for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 41:17) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NYJ 6 (Q2 33:23) — (3:23) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 85-A.Gates for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q2 33:17) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NYJ 2 (Q3 25:41) — (10:41) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q3 25:36) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The fourth quarter: New York Jets won the period 15–10. New York Jets found the end zone from the LAC 4 (Q4 10:39) — (10:39) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short left to 83-C.Stuckey for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the LAC 14 (Q4 8:25) — (8:25) 3-J.Feely 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-7-B.Graham.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NYJ 2 (Q4 4:00) — (4:00) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 3:55) — 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 (Q4 3:41) — (3:41) 4-B.Favre pass short right to 81-D.Keller for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the NYJ 31 (Q4 2:08) — (2:08) 10-N.Kaeding 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 56:36) — (11:36) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left intended for 85-A.Gates INTERCEPTED by 36-D.Barrett at LAC 25. 36-D.Barrett for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.8% · EPA -6.73]
• New York Jets (Q1 49:09) — (4:09) 20-T.Jones right end to NYJ 39 for no gain (51-T.Dobbins). FUMBLES (51-T.Dobbins), RECOVERED by LAC-23-Q.Jammer at NYJ 39. 23-Q.Jammer to NYJ 16 for 23 yards (89-J.Cotchery). [WPA -18.0% · EPA -5.72]
• New York Jets (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short left intended for 87-L.Coles INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Cromartie at LAC 48. 31-A.Cromartie for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -8.48]
• New York Jets (Q2 44:48) — 10-N.Kaeding kicks 69 yards from LAC 30 to NYJ 1. 29-L.Washington to LAC 5 for 94 yards (20-A.Cason). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +5.34]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 55:43) — (10:43) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 84-C.Davis to LAC 43 for 12 yards (97-C.Pace). [WPA +6.5% · EPA +2.00]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New York Jets (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short left intended for 87-L.Coles INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Cromartie at LAC 48. 31-A.Cromartie for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.1% · EPA -8.48]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 56:36) — (11:36) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left intended for 85-A.Gates INTERCEPTED by 36-D.Barrett at LAC 25. 36-D.Barrett for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.8% · EPA -6.73]
• New York Jets (Q1 49:09) — (4:09) 20-T.Jones right end to NYJ 39 for no gain (51-T.Dobbins). FUMBLES (51-T.Dobbins), RECOVERED by LAC-23-Q.Jammer at NYJ 39. 23-Q.Jammer to NYJ 16 for 23 yards (89-J.Cotchery). [WPA -18.0% · EPA -5.72]
• Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 4:51) — (4:51) 17-P.Rivers pass deep right to 83-V.Jackson to NYJ 2 for 60 yards (34-D.Lowery). [WPA +0.1% · EPA +5.38]

Quarterback report card

B.Favre led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Favre (New York Jets) · 51 dropbacks · 58.8% completion · +9.8% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -5.26 total EPA
• P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 25 dropbacks · 76.0% completion · +12.2% CPOE · +0.65 EPA/play · +16.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Los Angeles Chargers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.26 vs +0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Los Angeles Chargers: 13 drives, +19.15 total EPA, 9 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 12 drives, +2.34 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Los Angeles Chargers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Favre (NYJ) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• P. Rivers (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 56:36 · NYJ 80 · Score 6-0
   (11:36) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left intended for 85-A.Gates INTERCEPTED by 36-D.Barrett at LAC 25. 36-D.Barrett for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 56:27 · LAC 2 · Score 7-0
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-7-B.Graham.
3. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q1 50:44 · NYJ 18 · Score 7-3
   (5:44) 10-N.Kaeding 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
4. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 47:08 · NYJ 1 · Score 7-9
   (2:08) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 35-M.Tolbert for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 47:03 · NYJ 2 · Score 7-10
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
6. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · LAC 50 · Score 7-16
   (15:00) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short left intended for 87-L.Coles INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Cromartie at LAC 48. 31-A.Cromartie for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 44:48 · NYJ 2 · Score 7-17
   10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
8. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 43:57 · LAC 3 · Score 13-17
   (13:57) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short middle to 87-L.Coles for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 43:50 · LAC 2 · Score 14-17
   3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-7-B.Graham.
10. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 41:25 · NYJ 27 · Score 14-23
    (11:25) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 89-C.Chambers for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 41:17 · NYJ 2 · Score 14-24
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
12. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 33:23 · NYJ 6 · Score 14-30
    (3:23) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 85-A.Gates for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 33:17 · NYJ 2 · Score 14-31
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
14. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 25:41 · NYJ 2 · Score 14-37
    (10:41) 21-L.Tomlinson left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 25:36 · NYJ 2 · Score 14-38
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
16. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 10:39 · LAC 4 · Score 20-38
    (10:39) (Shotgun) 4-B.Favre pass short left to 83-C.Stuckey for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q4 8:25 · LAC 14 · Score 23-38
    (8:25) 3-J.Feely 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-7-B.Graham.
18. Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 4:00 · NYJ 2 · Score 23-44
    (4:00) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 3:55 · NYJ 2 · Score 23-45
    10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
20. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 3:41 · LAC 13 · Score 29-45
    (3:41) 4-B.Favre pass short right to 81-D.Keller for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 2:08 · NYJ 31 · Score 29-48
    (2:08) 10-N.Kaeding 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.