Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears: 2003 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2003 NFL season on 2003-12-21, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 27–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Grossman (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with -0.20 total EPA.

On the individual side, L. Coles (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+16.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (3:05) 8-R.Grossman pass to 83-D.Terrell to WAS 47 for 22 yards (23-A.Jimoh).

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 L. Coles · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +11.97 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Hasselbeck · Washington Commanders · Passing · +10.56 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Booker · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +6.83 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Gardner · Washington Commanders · Passing · +3.50 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Morton · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.69 EPA/play
6. 6 D. White · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +3.07 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.07 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Gardner · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
8. 8 D. McCants · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.58 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.29 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

• Chicago Bears — M. Booker (R. Grossman pass) (Q1 55:07)
• Washington Commanders — C. Morton (R. Gardner pass) (Q1 45:57)
• Washington Commanders — L. Coles (T. Hasselbeck pass) (Q2 30:20)
• Chicago Bears — J. Gage (R. Grossman pass) (Q3 23:30)
• Chicago Bears — A. Thomas (Q3 15:36)
• Washington Commanders — L. Coles (T. Hasselbeck pass) (Q4 13:00)

Field goals

• Washington Commanders — J. Hall (Q1 55:16)
• Chicago Bears — P. Edinger (Q1 47:48)
• Chicago Bears — P. Edinger (Q4 0:10)

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 10–10. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the CHI 9 (Q1 55:16) — (10:16) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the WAS 59 (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 8-R.Grossman pass to 86-M.Booker for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 54:57) — 2-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the WAS 1 (Q1 47:48) — (2:48) 2-P.Edinger 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CHI 36 (Q1 45:57) — (:57) 87-R.Gardner pass to 20-C.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Backward pass from Hasselback.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q1 45:48) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..

The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CHI 14 (Q2 30:20) — (:20) (Shotgun) 8-T.Hasselbeck pass to 80-L.Coles for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q2 30:16) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..

The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 14–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the WAS 11 (Q3 23:30) — (8:30) 8-R.Grossman pass to 87-J.Gage for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 23:23) — 2-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the WAS 3 (Q3 15:36) — (:36) 35-A.Thomas right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 15:34) — 2-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

The fourth quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–3. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CHI 19 (Q4 13:00) — (13:00) 8-T.Hasselbeck pass to 80-L.Coles for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q4 12:52) — 10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the WAS 28 (Q4 0:10) — (:10) 2-P.Edinger 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

Turning points

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

• Chicago Bears (Q4 3:05) — (3:05) 8-R.Grossman pass to 83-D.Terrell to WAS 47 for 22 yards (23-A.Jimoh). [WPA +16.8% · EPA +1.92]
• Chicago Bears (Q3 23:30) — (8:30) 8-R.Grossman pass to 87-J.Gage for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.7% · EPA +3.40]
• Washington Commanders (Q4 13:00) — (13:00) 8-T.Hasselbeck pass to 80-L.Coles for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +2.83]
• Chicago Bears (Q4 0:10) — (:10) 2-P.Edinger 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard. [WPA +14.7% · EPA +1.06]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 30:20) — (:20) (Shotgun) 8-T.Hasselbeck pass to 80-L.Coles for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +4.00]

Impact plays

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

• Chicago Bears (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 8-R.Grossman pass to 86-M.Booker for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.0% · EPA +4.79]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 45:57) — (:57) 87-R.Gardner pass to 20-C.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Backward pass from Hasselback. [WPA +11.3% · EPA +4.11]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 30:20) — (:20) (Shotgun) 8-T.Hasselbeck pass to 80-L.Coles for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +4.00]
• Chicago Bears (Q1 58:24) — (13:24) 8-R.Grossman pass to 87-J.Gage to WAS 45 for 9 yards (54-J.Trotter). FUMBLES (54-J.Trotter), RECOVERED by WAS-41-M.Bowen at WAS 41. 41-M.Bowen to WAS 41 for no gain (88-D.Clark). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -3.99]

Quarterback report card

R.Grossman led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Grossman (Chicago Bears) · 35 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.20 total EPA
• T.Hasselbeck (Washington Commanders) · 27 dropbacks · 59.3% completion · +0.39 EPA/play · +10.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Washington Commanders +0.11, Chicago Bears +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Chicago Bears: 12 drives, +6.31 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Washington Commanders: 12 drives, +7.45 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Chicago Bears 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.
• L. Coles (Washington Commanders) 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. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 55:16 · CHI 9 · Score 3-0
   (10:16) 10-J.Hall 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
2. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 55:07 · WAS 59 · Score 3-6
   (10:07) 8-R.Grossman pass to 86-M.Booker for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 54:57 · WAS 2 · Score 3-7
   2-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
4. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 47:48 · WAS 1 · Score 3-10
   (2:48) 2-P.Edinger 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
5. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 45:57 · CHI 36 · Score 9-10
   (:57) 87-R.Gardner pass to 20-C.Morton for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Backward pass from Hasselback.
6. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 45:48 · CHI 2 · Score 10-10
   10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
7. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 30:20 · CHI 14 · Score 16-10
   (:20) (Shotgun) 8-T.Hasselbeck pass to 80-L.Coles for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 30:16 · CHI 2 · Score 17-10
   10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
9. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 23:30 · WAS 11 · Score 17-16
   (8:30) 8-R.Grossman pass to 87-J.Gage for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 23:23 · WAS 2 · Score 17-17
    2-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
11. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 15:36 · WAS 3 · Score 17-23
    (:36) 35-A.Thomas right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 15:34 · WAS 2 · Score 17-24
    2-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
13. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 13:00 · CHI 19 · Score 23-24
    (13:00) 8-T.Hasselbeck pass to 80-L.Coles for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q4 12:52 · CHI 2 · Score 24-24
    10-J.Hall extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
15. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q4 0:10 · WAS 28 · Score 24-27
    (:10) 2-P.Edinger 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.