Game story
In the Wild Card of the 2002 NFL season on 2003-01-12, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 31–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with -21.89 total EPA.
On the individual side, B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.79 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-10.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (13:10) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Holman at SF 47. 26-R.Holman to TB 40 for 13 yards (19-K.Johnson).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +8.79 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 2 J. Jurevicius · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +7.68 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.56 EPA/play
- 3 M. Alstott · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +2.23 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
- 4 K. Dilger · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
- 5 K. Barlow · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.65 EPA/play
- 6 C. Wilson · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.27 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
- 7 R. Dudley · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.02 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 8 G. Hearst · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +0.94 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Johnson — TB · Passing
B. Johnson posted the highest total EPA (+8.79) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.24 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.11 EPA) came from San Francisco 49ers: (2:27) 5-J.Garcia sacked at TB 35 for -8 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), RECOVERED by TB-55-D.Brooks at TB 35. 55-D.Brooks to TB 35 for no gain (78-S.Gragg).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Alstott
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J. Jurevicius (B. Johnson pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — R. Dudley (B. Johnson pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Alstott
Field goals
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Chandler
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Chandler
- 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 opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the SF 2 (Q1 51:41) — (6:41) 40-M.Alstott right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. runs in behind block of Sapp; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 51:34) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the TB 6 (Q1 45:22) — (:22) 3-J.Chandler 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur..
The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 21–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the SF 20 (Q2 39:35) — (9:35) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. left corner of end zone; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 39:27) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the TB 22 (Q2 38:36) — (8:36) 3-J.Chandler 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the SF 12 (Q2 37:31) — (7:31) 14-B.Johnson pass to 88-R.Dudley for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. rolls left, finds receiver; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 37:24) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the SF 2 (Q2 30:55) — (:55) 40-M.Alstott left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 30:50) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the SF 1 (Q3 23:33) — (8:33) 7-M.Gramatica 19 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.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 58:10) — (13:10) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Holman at SF 47. 26-R.Holman to TB 40 for 13 yards (19-K.Johnson).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 39:35) — (9:35) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. left corner of end zone
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 46:57) — (1:57) 5-J.Garcia pass to 89-T.Streets ran ob at TB 4 for 30 yards (20-R.Barber).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 53:33) — (8:33) 14-B.Johnson pass to 19-K.Johnson to SF 11 for 17 yards (98-J.Peterson, 50-D.Smith).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 59:43) — (14:43) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius to TB 45 for 15 yards (50-D.Smith).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 17:27) — (2:27) 5-J.Garcia sacked at TB 35 for -8 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), RECOVERED by TB-55-D.Brooks at TB 35. 55-D.Brooks to TB 35 for no gain (78-S.Gragg).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 29:54) — (14:54) 5-J.Garcia pass intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Smith at SF 43. 26-D.Smith to SF 37 for 6 yards (81-T.Owens).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 58:10) — (13:10) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 19-K.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Holman at SF 47. 26-R.Holman to TB 40 for 13 yards (19-K.Johnson).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 32:08) — (2:08) 5-J.Garcia pass intended for 89-T.Streets INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks (20-R.Barber) at SF 26. 55-D.Brooks to SF 26 for no gain (82-E.Johnson).
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) · 45 dropbacks · 48.9% completion · -0.49 EPA/play · -21.89 total EPA
- B.Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 36 dropbacks · 41.7% completion · +0.24 EPA/play · +8.79 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | San Francisco 49ers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.275 | +0.038 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.3% | 43.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.486 | +0.236 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.026 | -0.142 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.038 | +0.275 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.4% | 59.7% |
By the numbers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.28), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- San Francisco 49ers: 14 drives, -19.77 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12 drives, +3.61 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.
- B. Johnson (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 TD (+6) — Q1 51:41 · SF 2 · Score 0-6
(6:41) 40-M.Alstott right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. runs in behind block of Sapp - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 51:34 · SF 2 · Score 0-7
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 45:22 · TB 6 · Score 3-7
(:22) 3-J.Chandler 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 39:35 · SF 20 · Score 3-13
(9:35) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. left corner of end zone - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 39:27 · SF 2 · Score 3-14
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 38:36 · TB 22 · Score 6-14
(8:36) 3-J.Chandler 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 37:31 · SF 12 · Score 6-20
(7:31) 14-B.Johnson pass to 88-R.Dudley for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. rolls left, finds receiver - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 37:24 · SF 2 · Score 6-21
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 30:55 · SF 2 · Score 6-27
(:55) 40-M.Alstott left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 30:50 · SF 2 · Score 6-28
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 23:33 · SF 1 · Score 6-31
(8:33) 7-M.Gramatica 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-6 in Wild Card, 2002 on 2003-01-12.
What was the final score of San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The final score was San Francisco 49ers 6, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31 (SF 6-31 TB) in Wild Card, 2002 on 2003-01-12.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Final: San Francisco 49ers 6, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Alstott (Q1 51:41) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — J. Jurevicius (B. Johnson pass) (Q2 39:35) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — R. Dudley (B. Johnson pass) (Q2 37:31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Alstott (Q2 30:55) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Chandler (Q1 45:22, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Chandler (Q2 38:36, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q3 23:33, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers), 48.9% completion, -0.49 EPA per dropback, -21.89 total passing EPA. B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 41.7% completion, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +8.79 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
B. Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +8.79 on passing plays. across 36 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.11 EPA): (2:27) 5-J.Garcia sacked at TB 35 for -8 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), RECOVERED by TB-55-D.Brooks at TB 35. 55-D.Brooks to TB 35 for no gain (78-S.Gragg).. The biggest win-probability swing was -10.5%.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 11-6 Now 11-7 L
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 12-4 Now 13-4 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
