Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2003 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-11-02, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 23–16 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +9.59 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.59 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-16.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (10:13) 15-K.Kittner pass intended for 81-P.Price INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Sheppard at PHI 2. 26-L.Sheppard to PHI 36 for 34 yards (63-R.Garza).

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 D. McNabb · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +9.59 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Smith · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +7.14 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Thrash · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.03 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Finneran · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.77 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
5. 5 F. Mitchell · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.36 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.18 EPA/play
6. 6 P. Price · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.18 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
7. 7 W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.79 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Lewis · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +1.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.65 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — F. Mitchell (D. McNabb pass) (Q1 50:11)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Duckett (Q2 42:56)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Staley (Q4 14:14)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q1 58:30)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q2 33:19)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 30:43)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q2 30:43)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q3 25:37)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q4 7:50)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q4 5:23)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 3 (Q1 58:30) — (13:30) 2-D.Akers 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 37 (Q1 50:11) — (5:11) 5-D.McNabb pass to 84-F.Mitchell for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 50:03) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 16–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PHI 1 (Q2 42:56) — (12:56) 45-T.Duckett up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 42:52) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 22 (Q2 33:19) — (3:19) 4-J.Feely 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal (Q2 30:43) — Timeout #2 by PHI at 00:43.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 7 (Q2 30:43) — (:43) 4-J.Feely 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 3–0. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 8 (Q3 25:37) — (10:37) 2-D.Akers 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q4 14:14) — (14:14) 22-D.Staley right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 14:09) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q4 7:50) — (7:50) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 28 (Q4 5:23) — (5:23) 4-J.Feely 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:13) — (10:13) 15-K.Kittner pass intended for 81-P.Price INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Sheppard at PHI 2. 26-L.Sheppard to PHI 36 for 34 yards (63-R.Garza). [WPA -16.1% · EPA -5.12]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 14:14) — (14:14) 22-D.Staley right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +1.17]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:36) — (7:36) 15-K.Kittner pass incomplete to 81-P.Price (32-M.Lewis). PENALTY on PHI-26-L.Sheppard, Defensive Pass Interference, 21 yards, enforced at ATL 43 - No Play. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +2.25]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 15:54) — (:54) 5-D.McNabb pass to 82-L.Smith to ATL 37 for 36 yards (24-B.Scott). [WPA +11.0% · EPA +2.43]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 8-D.Johnson punts 54 yards to ATL 17, Center-88-M.Bartrum. 20-A.Rossum to PHI 11 for 72 yards (58-Ik.Reese). [WPA -10.8% · EPA -3.93]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 60:00) — 2-D.Akers kicks 64 yards from PHI 30 to ATL 6. 20-A.Rossum to ATL 16 for 10 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by PHI-85-S.Morey at ATL 11. [WPA -9.4% · EPA -5.78]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:13) — (10:13) 15-K.Kittner pass intended for 81-P.Price INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Sheppard at PHI 2. 26-L.Sheppard to PHI 36 for 34 yards (63-R.Garza). [WPA -16.1% · EPA -5.12]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 50:11) — (5:11) 5-D.McNabb pass to 84-F.Mitchell for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.1% · EPA +4.96]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash to ATL 11 for 41 yards (47-K.McCadam). [WPA +5.4% · EPA +4.28]

Quarterback report card

D.McNabb led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 39 dropbacks · 53.8% completion · +0.25 EPA/play · +9.59 total EPA
• K.Kittner (Atlanta Falcons) · 24 dropbacks · 45.8% completion · -0.25 EPA/play · -5.96 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Philadelphia Eagles generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -9.83 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 12 drives, +2.19 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Philadelphia Eagles 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. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) 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. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q1 58:30 · ATL 3 · Score 3-0
   (13:30) 2-D.Akers 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
2. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 50:11 · ATL 37 · Score 9-0
   (5:11) 5-D.McNabb pass to 84-F.Mitchell for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 50:03 · ATL 2 · Score 10-0
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
4. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 42:56 · PHI 1 · Score 10-6
   (12:56) 45-T.Duckett up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 42:52 · PHI 2 · Score 10-7
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
6. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 33:19 · PHI 22 · Score 10-10
   (3:19) 4-J.Feely 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:43 · Score 10-10
   Timeout #2 by PHI at 00:43.
8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:43 · PHI 7 · Score 10-13
   (:43) 4-J.Feely 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
9. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q3 25:37 · ATL 8 · Score 13-13
   (10:37) 2-D.Akers 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
10. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 14:14 · ATL 4 · Score 19-13
    (14:14) 22-D.Staley right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 14:09 · ATL 2 · Score 20-13
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
12. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 7:50 · ATL 23 · Score 23-13
    (7:50) 2-D.Akers 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
13. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 5:23 · PHI 28 · Score 23-16
    (5:23) 4-J.Feely 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.