Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2002 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-15, the Seattle Seahawks took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 30–24 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.

M. Vick (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -8.88 total EPA.

On the individual side, M. Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.20 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-37.2% win probability) landed in overtime when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (8:18) 4-J.Feely 36 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

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 M. Hasselbeck · Seattle Seahawks · Passing · +19.20 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Robinson · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +11.38 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Jackson · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +5.55 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.24 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Williams · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.60 EPA/play
6. 6 W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.50 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Finneran · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.46 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
8. 8 W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.12 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

• Seattle Seahawks — S. Alexander (Q1 53:53)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Rossum (Q1 53:48)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (M. Vick pass) (Q1 45:22)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. Stevens (M. Hasselbeck pass) (Q3 26:05)
• Seattle Seahawks — W. Williams (Q3 19:12)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gaylor (M. Vick pass) (Q4 0:21)
• Seattle Seahawks — S. Alexander (OT 4:32)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q2 30:27)
• Seattle Seahawks — R. Lindell (Q4 2:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–7. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q1 53:53) — (8:53) 37-S.Alexander up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 53:48) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SEA 30 (Q1 53:48) — 9-R.Lindell kicks 61 yards from SEA 30 to ATL 9. 20-A.Rossum for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q1 53:35) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SEA 20 (Q1 45:22) — (:22) 7-M.Vick pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q1 45:13) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SEA 4 (Q2 30:27) — (:27) 4-J.Feely 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 14–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q3 26:05) — (11:05) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass to 86-J.Stevens for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 26:01) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the SEA 66 (Q3 19:12); Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 19:02) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ATL 26 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 9-R.Lindell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SEA 12 (Q4 0:21) — (:21) 7-M.Vick pass to 81-T.Gaylor for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SEA 2 (Q4 0:17) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

Overtime: Seattle Seahawks won the period 6–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 27 (OT 4:32) — (4:32) 37-S.Alexander for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (OT 8:18) — (8:18) 4-J.Feely 36 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr. [WPA -37.2% · EPA -3.51]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 19:12) — (4:12) 7-M.Vick sacked at ATL 27 for -7 yards (27-W.Williams). FUMBLES (27-W.Williams), RECOVERED by SEA-27-W.Williams at ATL 25. 27-W.Williams for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Sack is 9 yards by rule. [WPA -34.1% · EPA -7.66]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:21) — (:21) 7-M.Vick pass to 81-T.Gaylor for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +32.1% · EPA +4.55]
• Seattle Seahawks (OT 4:32) — (4:32) 37-S.Alexander for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.1% · EPA +3.76]
• Seattle Seahawks (OT 6:58) — (6:58) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass to 81-K.Robinson to ATL 49 for 21 yards (56-K.Brooking). [WPA +21.3% · EPA +2.08]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 19:12) — (4:12) 7-M.Vick sacked at ATL 27 for -7 yards (27-W.Williams). FUMBLES (27-W.Williams), RECOVERED by SEA-27-W.Williams at ATL 25. 27-W.Williams for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Sack is 9 yards by rule. [WPA -34.1% · EPA -7.66]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 36:27) — (6:27) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 81-T.Gaylor INTERCEPTED by 21-K.Lucas at SEA 27. 21-K.Lucas to ATL 33 for 40 yards (28-W.Dunn). [WPA -15.8% · EPA -6.17]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 53:48) — 9-R.Lindell kicks 61 yards from SEA 30 to ATL 9. 20-A.Rossum for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +20.6% · EPA +5.89]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q2 42:38) — (12:38) 44-H.Evans up the middle to ATL 2 for 2 yards (22-G.McBurrows, 54-C.Draft). FUMBLES (22-G.McBurrows), RECOVERED by ATL-97-P.Kerney at ATL 3. [WPA -8.5% · EPA -5.21]

Quarterback report card

M.Vick led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 44 dropbacks · 47.7% completion · -0.20 EPA/play · -8.88 total EPA
• M.Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +0.53 EPA/play · +19.20 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Seattle Seahawks generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, -9.08 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 14 drives, +3.27 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Seattle Seahawks 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.
• M. Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) 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. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 53:53 · ATL 3 · Score 6-0
   (8:53) 37-S.Alexander up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 53:48 · ATL 2 · Score 7-0
   9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 53:48 · SEA 30 · Score 7-6
   9-R.Lindell kicks 61 yards from SEA 30 to ATL 9. 20-A.Rossum for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 53:35 · SEA 2 · Score 7-7
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 45:22 · SEA 20 · Score 7-13
   (:22) 7-M.Vick pass to 83-A.Crumpler for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 45:13 · SEA 2 · Score 7-14
   4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:27 · SEA 4 · Score 7-17
   (:27) 4-J.Feely 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
8. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 26:05 · ATL 5 · Score 13-17
   (11:05) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass to 86-J.Stevens for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 26:01 · ATL 2 · Score 14-17
   9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck.
10. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 19:12 · SEA 66 · Score 20-17
    (4:12) 7-M.Vick sacked at ATL 27 for -7 yards (27-W.Williams). FUMBLES (27-W.Williams), RECOVERED by SEA-27-W.Williams at ATL 25. 27-W.Williams for 25 yards, TO
11. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 19:02 · ATL 2 · Score 21-17
    9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck.
12. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · ATL 26 · Score 24-17
    (2:00) 9-R.Lindell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-52-J.Darche, Holder-8-M.Hasselbeck.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 0:21 · SEA 12 · Score 24-23
    (:21) 7-M.Vick pass to 81-T.Gaylor for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 0:17 · SEA 2 · Score 24-24
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
15. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — OT 4:32 · ATL 27 · Score 30-24
    (4:32) 37-S.Alexander for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.