Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 23–20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Halftime
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9–6 New Orleans Saints at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- K. McCardell
- Top passer
- Buddy Johnson
- Biggest EPA play
- (12:46) Line of scrimmage changed on possession. 2-A.Brooks sacked at TB 33 for -4 yards (…
- Game date
- 2002-12-01
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23–20 on 2002-12-01, overcoming Tampa Bay Buccaneers's 9–6 halftime lead. K. McCardell posted a game-high +7.32 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 20 |
 New Orleans Saints | 0 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers(3:24) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 0 for -10 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY.
(10:09) 26-D.McAllister right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
(7:02) 14-B.Johnson pass to 40-M.Alstott for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 43
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
(13:00) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on TB-25-B.Kelly, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. Pass 3, Run 0
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
(9:06) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, Run 0
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
(5:09) 7-M.Gramatica 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
(9:52) 3-J.Carney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
(2:54) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, Run 0
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
NONew Orleans SaintsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 3:24Safety ABA. BrooksPoints+2
- Yard line
- TB 90
- Score
- 2-0
(3:24) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 0 for -10 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 10:09TD DMD. McAllisterPoints+6
- Yard line
- TB 6
- Score
- 2-6
(10:09) 26-D.McAllister right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 7:02TD MAM. AlstottPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 44
- Score
- 8-6
(7:02) 14-B.Johnson pass to 40-M.Alstott for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 43
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 6:51XP MGM. GramaticaPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 9-6
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 13:00TD ABA. BrooksPoints+6
- Yard line
- TB 3
- Score
- 9-12
(13:00) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on TB-25-B.Kelly, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. Pass 3, Run 0
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 12:56XP JCJ. CarneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- TB 2
- Score
- 9-13
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 9:06TD Jimmy Horn Jr.Points+6
- Yard line
- TB 14
- Score
- 9-19
(9:06) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, Run 0
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 9:00XP JCJ. CarneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- TB 2
- Score
- 9-20
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 5:09FG MGM. GramaticaPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 33
- Score
- 12-20
(5:09) 7-M.Gramatica 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 9:52FG JCJ. CarneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- TB 30
- Score
- 12-23
(9:52) 3-J.Carney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:54TD KMK. McCardellPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 18-23
(2:54) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, Run 0
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:49Safety Buddy JohnsonPoints+2
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 20-23
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1K. McCardell · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +7.32 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 2Buddy Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +6.58 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 3Ja. Reed · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.54 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.63 EPA/play
- 4M. Alstott · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.41 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.20 EPA/play
- 5Jimmy Horn Jr. · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.35 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
- 6J. Jurevicius · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.36 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 7
James Cook III · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.87 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play - 8K. Dilger · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
K. McCardell — TB · Receiving
K. McCardell posted the highest total EPA (+7.32) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across 14 counted snaps, they averaged +0.52 EPA per play.
K. McCardell's top snap (+4.05 EPA): (2:54) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, Run 0
Biggest single play (-5.00 EPA): A. Brooks — (12:46) Line of scrimmage changed on possession. 2-A.Brooks sacked at TB 33 for -4 yards (51-A.Singleton). FUMBLES (51-A.Singleton), RECOVERED by TB-94-G.Spires at TB 33. 94-G.Spires to TB 33 for no g
Quarterback report card
Buddy Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Buddy Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 50 dropbacks · 56.0% completion · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.58 total EPA
- A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 30 dropbacks · 30.0% completion · -0.18 EPA/play · -5.33 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.096 | -0.090 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.3% | 31.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.132 | -0.177 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.436 | -0.009 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.090 | +0.096 |
| Defensive success rate | 68.8% | 60.7% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.10, New Orleans Saints -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.10 EPA/play (26th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: -0.09 EPA/play (27th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -7.17 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, -8.06 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Alstott (Buddy Johnson pass)
- New Orleans Saints — A. Brooks
- New Orleans Saints — Jimmy Horn Jr. (A. Brooks pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — K. McCardell (Buddy Johnson pass)
Field goals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 2–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers registered a safety from the TB 90 (Q1 3:24) — (3:24) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 0 for -10 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–6. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 6 (Q2 10:09) — (10:09) 26-D.McAllister right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 44 (Q2 7:02) — (7:02) 14-B.Johnson pass to 40-M.Alstott for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 43; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 6:51) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 3 (Q3 13:00) — (13:00) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on TB-25-B.Kelly, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. Pass 3, Run 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 12:56) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 14 (Q3 9:06) — (9:06) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, Run 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 9:00) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 33 (Q3 5:09) — (5:09) 7-M.Gramatica 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 8–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 30 (Q4 9:52) — (9:52) 3-J.Carney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q4 2:54) — (2:54) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, Run 0; Tampa Bay Buccaneers registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 2:49) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 14:10) — (14:10) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn pushed ob at TB 4 for 52 yards (20-R.Barber). Pass 27, Run 25
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 12:46) — (12:46) Line of scrimmage changed on possession. 2-A.Brooks sacked at TB 33 for -4 yards (51-A.Singleton). FUMBLES (51-A.Singleton), RECOVERED by TB-94-G.Spires at TB 33. 94-G.Spires to TB 33 for no g
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 2:54) — (2:54) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, Run 0
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 12:59) — (12:59) 14-B.Johnson sacked at TB 29 for -12 yards (94-C.Grant). FUMBLES (94-C.Grant), RECOVERED by NO-56-C.Clemons at TB 29. 56-C.Clemons to TB 29 for no gain (60-C.Coleman).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 7:02) — (7:02) 14-B.Johnson pass to 40-M.Alstott for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 43
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 12:46) — (12:46) Line of scrimmage changed on possession. 2-A.Brooks sacked at TB 33 for -4 yards (51-A.Singleton). FUMBLES (51-A.Singleton), RECOVERED by TB-94-G.Spires at TB 33. 94-G.Spires to TB 33 for no g
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 14:10) — (14:10) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn pushed ob at TB 4 for 52 yards (20-R.Barber). Pass 27, Run 25
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 12:59) — (12:59) 14-B.Johnson sacked at TB 29 for -12 yards (94-C.Grant). FUMBLES (94-C.Grant), RECOVERED by NO-56-C.Clemons at TB 29. 56-C.Clemons to TB 29 for no gain (60-C.Coleman).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 7:02) — (7:02) 14-B.Johnson pass to 40-M.Alstott for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 43
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety (+2) — Q1 3:24 · TB 90 · Score 2-0
(3:24) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 0 for -10 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), ball out of bounds in End Zone, SAFETY. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 10:09 · TB 6 · Score 2-6
(10:09) 26-D.McAllister right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 7:02 · NO 44 · Score 8-6
(7:02) 14-B.Johnson pass to 40-M.Alstott for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 1, Run 43 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 6:51 · NO 2 · Score 9-6
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 13:00 · TB 3 · Score 9-12
(13:00) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on TB-25-B.Kelly, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. Pass 3, Run 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 12:56 · TB 2 · Score 9-13
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 9:06 · TB 14 · Score 9-19
(9:06) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 14, Run 0 - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 9:00 · TB 2 · Score 9-20
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 5:09 · NO 33 · Score 12-20
(5:09) 7-M.Gramatica 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 9:52 · TB 30 · Score 12-23
(9:52) 3-J.Carney 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:54 · NO 2 · Score 18-23
(2:54) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, Run 0 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety (+2) — Q4 2:49 · NO 2 · Score 20-23
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- New Orleans Saints earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- K. McCardell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints on 2002-12-01?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in Week 13, 2002.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, New Orleans Saints 6; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, New Orleans Saints 14; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, New Orleans Saints 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. McAllister (Q2 10:09) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Alstott (B. Johnson pass) (Q2 7:02) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Brooks (Q3 13:00) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Horn (A. Brooks pass) (Q3 9:06) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — K. McCardell (B. Johnson pass) (Q4 2:54) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q3 5:09, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q4 9:52, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
Buddy Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 56.0% completion, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +6.58 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 30.0% completion, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -5.33 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints?
K. McCardell (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.32 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 14 snaps. Their top snap (+4.05 EPA): (2:54) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 2, Run 0.
Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. New Orleans Saints won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 9-2 Now 9-3 L
New Orleans Saints
Entered 7-4 Now 8-4 W
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