Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2003 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-09-14, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 41–20 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with -11.48 total EPA.

On the individual side, H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.49 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-20.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (14:22) 10-T.Green pass intended for 87-E.Kennison INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at KC 26. 30-C.Scott for 26 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 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +11.49 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +9.91 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Kennison · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +5.72 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Morton · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.79 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Dunn · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.41 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
7. 7 P. Holmes · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +1.73 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Blaylock · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.42 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.42 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

• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Scott (Q1 59:22)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Hall (Q1 54:48)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Burress (T. Maddox pass) (Q1 48:33)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q2 42:54)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. Dunn (T. Green pass) (Q2 34:55)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. Woods (Q2 32:35)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q3 27:15)
• Kansas City Chiefs — P. Holmes (Q4 5:14)

Field goals

• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q1 54:50)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed (Q2 30:04)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 17–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 83 (Q1 59:22) — (14:22) 10-T.Green pass intended for 87-E.Kennison INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at KC 26. 30-C.Scott for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q1 59:12) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the KC 2 (Q1 54:50) — (9:50) 3-J.Reed 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 30 (Q1 54:48) — 3-J.Reed kicks 70 yards from PIT 30 to KC 0. 82-D.Hall for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-3-J.Reed, Tripping, declined.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 54:35) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the KC 33 (Q1 48:33) — (3:33) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q1 48:27) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 20–3. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q2 42:54) — (12:54) 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 42:49) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q2 34:55) — (4:55) 10-T.Green pass to 89-J.Dunn for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 34:50) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the KC 59 (Q2 32:35) — (2:35) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Woods at PIT 46. 21-J.Woods for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the KC 33 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 3-J.Reed 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q3 27:15) — (12:15) 31-P.Holmes right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 27:10) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker..

The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 31 (Q4 5:14) — (5:14) 31-P.Holmes left end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 5:06) — 8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 59:22) — (14:22) 10-T.Green pass intended for 87-E.Kennison INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at KC 26. 30-C.Scott for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -20.2% · EPA -7.11]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 32:35) — (2:35) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Woods at PIT 46. 21-J.Woods for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.4% · EPA -7.83]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 54:48) — 3-J.Reed kicks 70 yards from PIT 30 to KC 0. 82-D.Hall for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-3-J.Reed, Tripping, declined. [WPA +17.0% · EPA +5.79]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 48:40) — (3:40) 10-T.Green pass intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 51-J.Farrior at KC 42. 51-J.Farrior to KC 33 for 9 yards (62-C.Wiegmann). [WPA -12.6% · EPA -4.38]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 20:17) — (5:17) 8-T.Maddox pass INTERCEPTED by 59-S.Barber at KC -2. 59-S.Barber to KC 26 for 28 yards (80-P.Burress). [WPA -8.5% · EPA -5.40]

Impact plays

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 32:35) — (2:35) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Woods at PIT 46. 21-J.Woods for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.4% · EPA -7.83]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 59:22) — (14:22) 10-T.Green pass intended for 87-E.Kennison INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at KC 26. 30-C.Scott for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -20.2% · EPA -7.11]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 54:48) — 3-J.Reed kicks 70 yards from PIT 30 to KC 0. 82-D.Hall for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-3-J.Reed, Tripping, declined. [WPA +17.0% · EPA +5.79]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 20:17) — (5:17) 8-T.Maddox pass INTERCEPTED by 59-S.Barber at KC -2. 59-S.Barber to KC 26 for 28 yards (80-P.Burress). [WPA -8.5% · EPA -5.40]

Quarterback report card

T.Maddox led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Maddox (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 50 dropbacks · 56.0% completion · -0.23 EPA/play · -11.48 total EPA
• T.Green (Kansas City Chiefs) · 24 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · -0.18 EPA/play · -4.38 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Kansas City Chiefs held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.19), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 14 drives, +1.06 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, -16.77 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• H. Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) 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. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 59:22 · PIT 83 · Score 6-0
   (14:22) 10-T.Green pass intended for 87-E.Kennison INTERCEPTED by 30-C.Scott at KC 26. 30-C.Scott for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 59:12 · KC 2 · Score 7-0
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 54:50 · KC 2 · Score 10-0
   (9:50) 3-J.Reed 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
4. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 54:48 · PIT 30 · Score 10-6
   3-J.Reed kicks 70 yards from PIT 30 to KC 0. 82-D.Hall for 100 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-3-J.Reed, Tripping, declined.
5. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 54:35 · PIT 2 · Score 10-7
   8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 48:33 · KC 33 · Score 16-7
   (3:33) 8-T.Maddox pass to 80-P.Burress for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 48:27 · KC 2 · Score 17-7
   3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
8. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 42:54 · PIT 3 · Score 17-13
   (12:54) 31-P.Holmes up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 42:49 · PIT 2 · Score 17-14
   8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.
10. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 34:55 · PIT 3 · Score 17-20
    (4:55) 10-T.Green pass to 89-J.Dunn for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 34:50 · PIT 2 · Score 17-21
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.
12. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 32:35 · KC 59 · Score 17-27
    (2:35) 8-T.Maddox pass intended for 82-A.Randle El INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Woods at PIT 46. 21-J.Woods for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · KC 33 · Score 20-27
    (:04) 3-J.Reed 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-8-T.Maddox.
14. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 27:15 · PIT 4 · Score 20-33
    (12:15) 31-P.Holmes right end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 27:10 · PIT 2 · Score 20-34
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.
16. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 5:14 · PIT 31 · Score 20-40
    (5:14) 31-P.Holmes left end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 5:06 · PIT 2 · Score 20-41
    8-M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-83-K.Gammon, Holder-9-J.Baker.