San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2002 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-10-20, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 35–27 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 25 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with +12.99 total EPA.

On the individual side, A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.59 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-25.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (2:30) 5-J.Garcia pass intended for 89-T.Streets INTERCEPTED by 27-K.Irvin at SF 37. 27-K.Irvin to SF 37 for no gain (89-T.Streets).

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 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +13.59 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Garcia · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +12.99 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +11.13 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Pathon · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.58 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Owens · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.29 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
6. 6 G. Hearst · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +3.36 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
7. 7 D. McAllister · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.56 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
8. 8 G. Hearst · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.30 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.38 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

• San Francisco 49ers — T. Owens (J. Garcia pass) (Q1 54:34)
• New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister (A. Brooks pass) (Q1 48:14)
• San Francisco 49ers — G. Hearst (Q2 43:36)
• San Francisco 49ers — G. Hearst (Q3 16:16)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Horn (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 12:39)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Horn (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 11:20)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Brooks (Q4 1:58)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — J. Cortez (Q2 37:15)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 34:29)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q3 22:10)
• San Francisco 49ers — J. Cortez (Q4 8:43)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q4 3:17)

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 7–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q1 54:34) — (9:34) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 54:29) — 6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 4 (Q1 48:14) — (3:14) 2-A.Brooks pass to 26-D.McAllister for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 48:09) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 10–3. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q2 43:36) — (13:36) 20-G.Hearst right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 43:32) — 6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the NO 6 (Q2 37:15) — (7:15) 6-J.Cortez 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SF 28 (Q2 34:29) — (4:29) 3-J.Carney 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SF 13 (Q3 22:10) — (7:10) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the NO 8 (Q3 16:16) — (1:16) 20-G.Hearst left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 16:10) — 6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 22–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 10 (Q4 12:39) — (12:39) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. pass 10, run 0; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 20 (Q4 11:20) — (11:20) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. pass 20, run 0; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the NO 23 (Q4 8:43) — (8:43) 6-J.Cortez 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the SF 4 (Q4 3:17) — (3:17) 3-J.Carney 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) 2-A.Brooks up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO, Offensive 12 On-field, declined.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 1:56) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) 5-J.Garcia pass intended for 89-T.Streets INTERCEPTED by 27-K.Irvin at SF 37. 27-K.Irvin to SF 37 for no gain (89-T.Streets). [WPA -25.5% · EPA -3.42]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 12:07) — (12:07) 32-K.Barlow left guard to SF 15 for 6 yards (93-D.Howard). FUMBLES (93-D.Howard), RECOVERED by NO-29-S.Knight at SF 22. 29-S.Knight to SF 22 for no gain (89-T.Streets). [WPA -22.0% · EPA -3.62]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:20) — (11:20) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. pass 20, run 0 [WPA +13.3% · EPA +3.03]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 57:25) — (12:25) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens to NO 14 for 31 yards (20-J.Bellamy, 29-S.Knight). Pass 4, Run 27 [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.62]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:51) — (12:51) 2-A.Brooks pass to 84-M.Lewis to SF 28 for no gain. FUMBLES, touched at SF 28, RECOVERED by SF-96-A.Carter at SF 28. 96-A.Carter to SF 31 for 3 yards (88-D.Sloan). [WPA -12.5% · EPA -4.91]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:51) — (12:51) 2-A.Brooks pass to 84-M.Lewis to SF 28 for no gain. FUMBLES, touched at SF 28, RECOVERED by SF-96-A.Carter at SF 28. 96-A.Carter to SF 31 for 3 yards (88-D.Sloan). [WPA -12.5% · EPA -4.91]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 12:07) — (12:07) 32-K.Barlow left guard to SF 15 for 6 yards (93-D.Howard). FUMBLES (93-D.Howard), RECOVERED by NO-29-S.Knight at SF 22. 29-S.Knight to SF 22 for no gain (89-T.Streets). [WPA -22.0% · EPA -3.62]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 57:25) — (12:25) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens to NO 14 for 31 yards (20-J.Bellamy, 29-S.Knight). Pass 4, Run 27 [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.62]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) 5-J.Garcia pass intended for 89-T.Streets INTERCEPTED by 27-K.Irvin at SF 37. 27-K.Irvin to SF 37 for no gain (89-T.Streets). [WPA -25.5% · EPA -3.42]

Quarterback report card

J.Garcia led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) · 43 dropbacks · 53.5% completion · +0.30 EPA/play · +12.99 total EPA
• A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 42 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · +0.32 EPA/play · +13.59 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

New Orleans Saints held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.25 vs +0.19), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +20.65 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 9 drives, +15.75 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New Orleans Saints leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) 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. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 54:34 · NO 4 · Score 6-0
   (9:34) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0
2. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 54:29 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 48:14 · SF 4 · Score 7-6
   (3:14) 2-A.Brooks pass to 26-D.McAllister for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 48:09 · SF 2 · Score 7-7
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
5. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 43:36 · NO 2 · Score 13-7
   (13:36) 20-G.Hearst right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 43:32 · NO 2 · Score 14-7
   6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
7. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 37:15 · NO 6 · Score 17-7
   (7:15) 6-J.Cortez 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
8. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 34:29 · SF 28 · Score 17-10
   (4:29) 3-J.Carney 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
9. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 22:10 · SF 13 · Score 17-13
   (7:10) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
10. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 16:16 · NO 8 · Score 23-13
    (1:16) 20-G.Hearst left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 16:10 · NO 2 · Score 24-13
    6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
12. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:39 · SF 10 · Score 24-19
    (12:39) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. pass 10, run 0
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 11:20 · SF 20 · Score 24-25
    (11:20) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. pass 20, run 0
14. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 8:43 · NO 23 · Score 27-25
    (8:43) 6-J.Cortez 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
15. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 3:17 · SF 4 · Score 27-28
    (3:17) 3-J.Carney 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:58 · SF 1 · Score 27-34
    (1:58) 2-A.Brooks up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO, Offensive 12 On-field, declined.
17. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:56 · SF 2 · Score 27-35
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.