Game story
In Week 17 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-29, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 15–0 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 9 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -2.34 total EPA.
On the individual side, K. Dilger (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.08 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-23.2% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (1:09) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 86-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 22. 55-D.Brooks to CHI 34 for 44 yards (86-M.Booker).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q4 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 K. Dilger · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
- 2 K. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.57 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 3 J. Gilmore · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.23 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
- 4 K. McCardell · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.11 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 5 R. Dudley · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.03 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
- 6 R. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +0.87 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 7 D. Shelton · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +0.78 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 8 A. Peterson · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +0.76 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
K. Dilger — TB · Receiving
K. Dilger posted the highest total EPA (+3.08) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +1.03 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.83 EPA) came from Chicago Bears: (1:09) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 86-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 22. 55-D.Brooks to CHI 34 for 44 yards (86-M.Booker).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Field goals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 6–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CHI 12 (Q2 33:26) — (3:26) 7-M.Gramatica 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CHI 14 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 7-M.Gramatica 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 9–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CHI 15 (Q4 13:16) — (13:16) 7-M.Gramatica 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CHI 8 (Q4 7:05) — (7:05) 7-M.Gramatica 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CHI 15 (Q4 3:14) — (3:14) 7-M.Gramatica 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Chicago Bears (Q2 31:09) — (1:09) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 86-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 22. 55-D.Brooks to CHI 34 for 44 yards (86-M.Booker).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 35:36) — (5:36) 32-M.Pittman right end to CHI 19 for 12 yards (30-M.Brown). Measurement.
- Chicago Bears (Q4 13:12) — (13:12) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 86-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 25-B.Kelly at CHI 47. 25-B.Kelly to CHI 48 for -1 yards (86-M.Booker).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 36:45) — (6:45) 11-R.Johnson sacked at CHI 39 for -10 yards (43-M.Green).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 58:40) — (13:40) 11-R.Johnson sacked at TB 46 for -4 yards (70-A.Boone).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Chicago Bears (Q2 31:09) — (1:09) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 86-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 22. 55-D.Brooks to CHI 34 for 44 yards (86-M.Booker).
- Chicago Bears (Q4 3:44) — (3:44) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 32-L.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Smith at CHI 20. 26-D.Smith to CHI 18 for 2 yards (57-O.Kreutz).
- Chicago Bears (Q4 6:27) — (6:27) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 80-D.White INTERCEPTED by 25-B.Kelly at TB 37. 25-B.Kelly to TB 37 for no gain (80-D.White).
- Chicago Bears (Q4 1:06) — (1:06) 17-C.Sauter pass to 32-L.Johnson to TB 20 for 31 yards (34-D.Jackson, 47-J.Lynch).
Quarterback report card
R.Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 31 dropbacks · 51.6% completion · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.34 total EPA
- H.Burris (Chicago Bears) · 21 dropbacks · 33.3% completion · -0.98 EPA/play · -20.66 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.031 | -0.305 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.4% | 40.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.096 | -0.576 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.031 | -0.118 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.305 | +0.031 |
| Defensive success rate | 60.0% | 56.6% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Tampa Bay Buccaneers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.30), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Chicago Bears: 12 drives, -21.36 total EPA, 0 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -2.58 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- K. Dilger (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 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.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 33:26 · CHI 12 · Score 3-0
(3:26) 7-M.Gramatica 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · CHI 14 · Score 6-0
(:06) 7-M.Gramatica 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 13:16 · CHI 15 · Score 9-0
(13:16) 7-M.Gramatica 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 7:05 · CHI 8 · Score 12-0
(7:05) 7-M.Gramatica 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 3:14 · CHI 15 · Score 15-0
(3:14) 7-M.Gramatica 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Chicago Bears 15-0 in Week 17, 2002 on 2002-12-29.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15, Chicago Bears 0 (TB 15-0 CHI) in Week 17, 2002 on 2002-12-29.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears?
Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6, Chicago Bears 0; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9, Chicago Bears 0; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15, Chicago Bears 0.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q2 33:26, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q2 30:06, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q4 13:16, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q4 7:05, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q4 3:14, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears?
R. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 51.6% completion, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.34 total passing EPA. H. Burris (Chicago Bears), 33.3% completion, -0.98 EPA per dropback, -20.66 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears?
K. Dilger (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +3.08 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.83 EPA): (1:09) 10-H.Burris pass intended for 86-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 22. 55-D.Brooks to CHI 34 for 44 yards (86-M.Booker).. The biggest win-probability swing was -23.2%.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 11-4 Now 12-4 W
Chicago Bears
Entered 4-11 Now 4-12 L
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