Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins: 2003 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-15, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Miami Dolphins, pulling away with a 34–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) paced the passing game, with -5.19 total EPA.

On the individual side, D. McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.01 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (2:27) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash to MIA 1 for 44 yards (54-Z.Thomas; 20-A.Freeman). PENALTY on MIA-29-S.Madison, Face Mask (15 Yards), 0 yards, enforced at MIA 1.

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 · +13.01 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +8.10 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
3. 3 R. McMichael · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +6.79 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Thrash · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.77 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.89 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Pinkston · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.72 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.86 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Westbrook · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.85 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.62 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Turk · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +3.70 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.70 EPA/play
8. 8 F. Mitchell · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.59 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 — B. Westbrook (Q1 58:56)
• Miami Dolphins — J. Fiedler (Q1 50:51)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. McNabb (Q1 46:56)
• Miami Dolphins — T. Minor (Q2 45:00)
• Philadelphia Eagles — B. Westbrook (F. Mitchell pass) (Q2 41:21)
• Miami Dolphins — R. Williams (Q3 24:52)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Buckhalter (Q4 15:00)

Field goals

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q2 32:55)
• Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q2 30:30)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Akers (Q4 2:05)
• Miami Dolphins — O. Mare (Q4 0:19)

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 14–7. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIA 21 (Q1 58:56) — (13:56) 36-B.Westbrook up the middle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 58:49) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PHI 1 (Q1 50:51) — (5:51) 9-J.Fiedler up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q1 50:49) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q1 46:56) — (1:56) 5-D.McNabb up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 46:53) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PHI 2 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 28-T.Minor right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q2 44:55) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIA 25 (Q2 41:21) — (11:21) 84-F.Mitchell pass to 36-B.Westbrook for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. McNabb backwards lateral to Mitchell, F.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 41:08) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIA 28 (Q2 32:55) — (2:55) 2-D.Akers 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the PHI 9 (Q2 30:30) — (:30) 10-O.Mare 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the PHI 3 (Q3 24:52) — (9:52) 34-R.Williams left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the PHI 2 (Q3 24:44) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 10–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q4 15:00); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q4 14:53) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the MIA 24 (Q4 2:05) — (2:05) 2-D.Akers 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the PHI 32 (Q4 0:19) — (:19) 10-O.Mare 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 47:27) — (2:27) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash to MIA 1 for 44 yards (54-Z.Thomas; 20-A.Freeman). PENALTY on MIA-29-S.Madison, Face Mask (15 Yards), 0 yards, enforced at MIA 1. [WPA +17.2% · EPA +5.00]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 16:16) — (1:16) 5-D.McNabb pass incomplete to 89-C.Lewis. PENALTY on MIA-20-A.Freeman, Defensive Pass Interference, 28 yards, enforced at MIA 29 - No Play. [WPA +17.0% · EPA +4.13]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 59:54) — (14:54) 5-D.McNabb pass to 87-T.Pinkston to MIA 21 for 59 yards (31-B.Marion). [WPA +13.9% · EPA +4.37]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 22:45) — (7:45) 5-D.McNabb pass incomplete to 36-B.Westbrook. PENALTY on MIA-55-J.Seau, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at MIA 46 - No Play. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +2.52]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 28-C.Buckhalter right end ran ob at MIA 1 for 1 yard (55-J.Seau). Play Challenged by PHI and REVERSED. 28-C.Buckhalter right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.9% · EPA +0.92]

Impact plays

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 47:27) — (2:27) 5-D.McNabb pass to 80-J.Thrash to MIA 1 for 44 yards (54-Z.Thomas; 20-A.Freeman). PENALTY on MIA-29-S.Madison, Face Mask (15 Yards), 0 yards, enforced at MIA 1. [WPA +17.2% · EPA +5.00]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 59:54) — (14:54) 5-D.McNabb pass to 87-T.Pinkston to MIA 21 for 59 yards (31-B.Marion). [WPA +13.9% · EPA +4.37]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 16:16) — (1:16) 5-D.McNabb pass incomplete to 89-C.Lewis. PENALTY on MIA-20-A.Freeman, Defensive Pass Interference, 28 yards, enforced at MIA 29 - No Play. [WPA +17.0% · EPA +4.13]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 39:07) — (9:07) 5-D.McNabb pass intended for 82-L.Smith INTERCEPTED by 54-Z.Thomas at PHI 49. 54-Z.Thomas to PHI 49 for no gain (88-M.Bartrum). Play Challenged by PHI and Upheld. (Timeout #2 by PHI at 09:02.) [WPA -7.0% · EPA -3.88]

Quarterback report card

J.Fiedler led all passers in efficiency for Miami Dolphins, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) · 42 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -0.12 EPA/play · -5.19 total EPA
• D.McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) · 33 dropbacks · 45.5% completion · +0.39 EPA/play · +13.01 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 (+0.30 vs +0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, +11.05 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 12 drives, +23.08 total EPA, 6 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 TD (+6) — Q1 58:56 · MIA 21 · Score 6-0
   (13:56) 36-B.Westbrook up the middle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 58:49 · MIA 2 · Score 7-0
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
3. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 50:51 · PHI 1 · Score 7-6
   (5:51) 9-J.Fiedler up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 50:49 · PHI 2 · Score 7-7
   10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 46:56 · MIA 1 · Score 13-7
   (1:56) 5-D.McNabb up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 46:53 · MIA 2 · Score 14-7
   2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
7. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · PHI 2 · Score 14-13
   (15:00) 28-T.Minor right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 44:55 · PHI 2 · Score 14-14
   10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 41:21 · MIA 25 · Score 20-14
   (11:21) 84-F.Mitchell pass to 36-B.Westbrook for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. McNabb backwards lateral to Mitchell, F.
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 41:08 · MIA 2 · Score 21-14
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
11. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 32:55 · MIA 28 · Score 24-14
    (2:55) 2-D.Akers 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
12. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q2 30:30 · PHI 9 · Score 24-17
    (:30) 10-O.Mare 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.
13. Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 24:52 · PHI 3 · Score 24-23
    (9:52) 34-R.Williams left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 24:44 · PHI 2 · Score 24-24
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.
15. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · MIA 2 · Score 30-24
    (15:00) 28-C.Buckhalter right end ran ob at MIA 1 for 1 yard (55-J.Seau). Play Challenged by PHI and REVERSED. 28-C.Buckhalter right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 14:53 · MIA 2 · Score 31-24
    2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
17. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 2:05 · MIA 24 · Score 34-24
    (2:05) 2-D.Akers 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-88-M.Bartrum, Holder-10-K.Detmer.
18. Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 0:19 · PHI 32 · Score 34-27
    (:19) 10-O.Mare 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Grau, Holder-1-M.Turk.