Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New England Patriots: 2013 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-09-22, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 23–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -5.81 total EPA, and -6.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.98 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-12.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (10:15) 4-R.Lindell 38 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

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 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +5.98 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Dobson · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.28 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Thompkins · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.65 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Williams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.84 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Edelman · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Bolden · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.61 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.50 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Hoomanawanui · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.17 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.58 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

• New England Patriots — K. Thompkins (T. Brady pass) (Q2 37:37)
• New England Patriots — K. Thompkins (T. Brady pass) (Q2 30:52)

Field goals

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Lindell (Q1 46:50)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 30:03)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q3 18:43)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 8:23)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NE 12 (Q1 46:50) — (1:50) 4-R.Lindell 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 17–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the TB 16 (Q2 37:37); New England Patriots added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 37:31) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the TB 5 (Q2 30:52) — (:52) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 85-K.Thompkins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 30:47) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the TB 35 (Q2 30:03).

The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the TB 28 (Q3 18:43) — (3:43) 3-S.Gostkowski 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the TB 15 (Q4 8:23) — (8:23) 3-S.Gostkowski 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen..

Turning points

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

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 55:15) — (10:15) 4-R.Lindell 38 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen. [WPA -12.1% · EPA -3.83]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 34:25) — (4:25) TB 79-Meredith eligible. 22-D.Martin left guard to NE 38 for no gain (55-B.Spikes; 37-A.Dennard). measurement [WPA -9.8% · EPA -2.90]
• New England Patriots (Q1 58:55) — (13:55) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady sacked at NE 31 for -9 yards (sack split by 54-L.David and 23-M.Barron). [WPA -9.4% · EPA -2.50]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 42:49) — (12:49) (No Huddle) 5-J.Freeman pass incomplete short left to 19-M.Williams. [WPA -8.9% · EPA -2.43]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 57:40) — (12:40) 5-J.Freeman pass deep left to 19-M.Williams pushed ob at NE 39 for 28 yards (37-A.Dennard). [WPA +8.3% · EPA +2.50]

Impact plays

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

• New England Patriots (Q3 24:41) — (9:41) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle intended for 44-Z.Sudfeld INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Barron at TB -2. Touchback. [WPA -3.0% · EPA -4.33]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 55:15) — (10:15) 4-R.Lindell 38 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen. [WPA -12.1% · EPA -3.83]
• New England Patriots (Q3 27:52) — (12:52) 38-B.Bolden right tackle to TB 25 for 46 yards (23-M.Barron). [WPA +2.3% · EPA +3.19]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 34:25) — (4:25) TB 79-Meredith eligible. 22-D.Martin left guard to NE 38 for no gain (55-B.Spikes; 37-A.Dennard). measurement [WPA -9.8% · EPA -2.90]

Quarterback report card

J.Freeman led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 47 dropbacks · 40.4% completion · -6.2% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -5.81 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 42 dropbacks · 59.5% completion · +1.5% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +5.98 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

New England Patriots held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.16), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +6.29 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 drives, -13.53 total EPA, 1 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Freeman (TB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 46:50 · NE 12 · Score 3-0
   (1:50) 4-R.Lindell 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
2. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 37:37 · TB 16 · Score 3-6
   (7:37) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 85-K.Thompkins for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. NE 12-Brady 51st straight regular season game with a TD pass, 2nd longe
3. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 37:31 · TB 2 · Score 3-7
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 30:52 · TB 5 · Score 3-13
   (:52) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 85-K.Thompkins for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 30:47 · TB 2 · Score 3-14
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
6. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · TB 35 · Score 3-17
   (:03) 3-S.Gostkowski 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen. NE 3-Gostkowski 8th career 50+ yard FG, ties franchise record (Vinatieri).
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 18:43 · TB 28 · Score 3-20
   (3:43) 3-S.Gostkowski 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.
8. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 8:23 · TB 15 · Score 3-23
   (8:23) 3-S.Gostkowski 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-6-R.Allen.