New York Jets vs. New England Patriots: 2003 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-09-21, the New England Patriots took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 23–16 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

V. Testaverde (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with -9.70 total EPA.

On the individual side, C. Conway (New York Jets) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.40 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-23.3% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New England Patriots changed the game: (7:14) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 23 for -5 yards (75-C.McGlockton). FUMBLES (75-C.McGlockton), RECOVERED by NYJ-93-J.Reed at NE 29. 93-J.Reed to NE 13 for 16 yards (83-D.Branch). Play Challenged by NE a

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 C. Conway · New York Jets · Receiving · +4.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
2. 2 W. Chrebet · New York Jets · Receiving · +4.32 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Fauria · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.27 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.11 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Sowell · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.63 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Graham · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Becht · New York Jets · Receiving · +1.75 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.74 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.74 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 England Patriots — T. Brady (Q3 17:13)
• New England Patriots — A. Samuel (Q4 15:00)
• New York Jets — W. Chrebet (V. Testaverde pass) (Q4 12:58)

Field goals

• New York Jets — D. Brien (Q1 56:55)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q1 51:03)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q2 44:53)
• New York Jets — D. Brien (Q2 36:38)
• New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri (Q3 25:15)
• New York Jets — D. Brien (Q3 20:40)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the NE 23 (Q1 56:55) — (11:55) 6-D.Brien 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 6 (Q1 51:03) — (6:03) 4-A.Vinatieri 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 4 (Q2 44:53) — (14:53) 4-A.Vinatieri 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the NE 21 (Q2 36:38) — (6:38) 6-D.Brien 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 10–3. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the NYJ 29 (Q3 25:15) — (10:15) 4-A.Vinatieri 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the NE 12 (Q3 20:40) — (5:40) 6-D.Brien 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the NYJ 1 (Q3 17:13) — (2:13) NE 90-Klecko eligible. 12-T.Brady right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q3 17:08) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 43 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 80-W.Chrebet INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at NE 45. 22-A.Samuel for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 14:49) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NE 29 (Q4 12:58) — (12:58) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 80-W.Chrebet for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q4 12:53) — 6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski..

Turning points

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

• New England Patriots (Q3 22:14) — (7:14) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 23 for -5 yards (75-C.McGlockton). FUMBLES (75-C.McGlockton), RECOVERED by NYJ-93-J.Reed at NE 29. 93-J.Reed to NE 13 for 16 yards (83-D.Branch). Play Challenged by NE a [WPA -23.3% · EPA -5.92]
• New York Jets (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 80-W.Chrebet INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at NE 45. 22-A.Samuel for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.3% · EPA -8.40]
• New York Jets (Q2 40:23) — (10:23) (Field Goal formation) 4-D.Stryzinski pass incomplete to 68-K.Mawae. [WPA -12.3% · EPA -3.14]
• New York Jets (Q4 7:14) — (7:14) 6-D.Brien 42 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski. [WPA -10.9% · EPA -3.16]
• New England Patriots (Q3 27:03) — (12:03) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 31-L.Centers pushed ob at NYJ 30 for 12 yards (56-S.Cowart). Penalty on NYJ-92-S.Ellis, Encroachment, declined. [WPA +10.5% · EPA +1.91]

Impact plays

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

• New York Jets (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 80-W.Chrebet INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at NE 45. 22-A.Samuel for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -16.3% · EPA -8.40]
• New England Patriots (Q3 22:14) — (7:14) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 23 for -5 yards (75-C.McGlockton). FUMBLES (75-C.McGlockton), RECOVERED by NYJ-93-J.Reed at NE 29. 93-J.Reed to NE 13 for 16 yards (83-D.Branch). Play Challenged by NE a [WPA -23.3% · EPA -5.92]
• New York Jets (Q4 12:58) — (12:58) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 80-W.Chrebet for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.5% · EPA +3.36]
• New York Jets (Q4 7:14) — (7:14) 6-D.Brien 42 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski. [WPA -10.9% · EPA -3.16]

Quarterback report card

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

• V.Testaverde (New York Jets) · 45 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · -0.22 EPA/play · -9.70 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 33 dropbacks · 45.5% completion · -0.19 EPA/play · -6.38 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.07 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New England Patriots: 14 drives, -6.59 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 13 drives, -10.26 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots 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. Conway (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.

1. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q1 56:55 · NE 23 · Score 3-0
   (11:55) 6-D.Brien 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
2. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 51:03 · NYJ 6 · Score 3-3
   (6:03) 4-A.Vinatieri 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
3. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 44:53 · NYJ 4 · Score 3-6
   (14:53) 4-A.Vinatieri 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
4. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 36:38 · NE 21 · Score 6-6
   (6:38) 6-D.Brien 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
5. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 25:15 · NYJ 29 · Score 6-9
   (10:15) 4-A.Vinatieri 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
6. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q3 20:40 · NE 12 · Score 9-9
   (5:40) 6-D.Brien 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.
7. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 17:13 · NYJ 1 · Score 9-15
   (2:13) NE 90-Klecko eligible. 12-T.Brady right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 17:08 · NYJ 2 · Score 9-16
   4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
9. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · NE 43 · Score 9-22
   (15:00) 16-V.Testaverde pass intended for 80-W.Chrebet INTERCEPTED by 22-A.Samuel at NE 45. 22-A.Samuel for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 14:49 · NYJ 2 · Score 9-23
    4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
11. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q4 12:58 · NE 29 · Score 15-23
    (12:58) 16-V.Testaverde pass to 80-W.Chrebet for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q4 12:53 · NE 2 · Score 16-23
    6-D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-4-D.Stryzinski.