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NFL · Week 1 · September 8, 2002 · 12 min read

Los Angeles Rams vs. Denver Broncos: 2002 Week 1 Recap

Broncos defeat Rams 23–16 in Week 1

T.Holt led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 16–23 Week 1 finish.

Los Angeles Rams 16 0–1
Final 16–23
Denver Broncos 23 1–0 Winner
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
16–23
Halftime
Los Angeles Rams 6–16 Denver Broncos
Top passer
Kade Warner
FantasyHQ MVP
T.Holt
Game date
September 8, 2002

Top fantasy performers · Rams

  • T.Holt +6.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Kade Warner 32/45 · 295 YDS +5.0 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Faulk +4.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • E.McCaffrey 2 REC · 50 YDS · 1 TD +4.2 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Portis 5 CAR · 34 YDS +3.1 Fantasy Impact
  • O.Gary 5 REC · 48 YDS +2.5 Fantasy Impact
View Rams vs Broncos box score View all 2002 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 23–16 LA
Halftime
LA 6–16 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
T. Holt
Top passer
Kade Warner
Biggest EPA play
(10:36) 14-B.Griese pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Davis at LA 23. 58-D.…
Game date
2002-09-08

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the LA 23–16 on 2002-09-08. T. Holt posted a game-high +6.56 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 15 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
LA0673016
Denver Broncos7907023

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

LALA
DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 3:57TD
    Ryan Smith

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 7
    Score
    0-6

    (3:57) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 3:51XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 2
    Score
    0-7

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  3. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 13:09FG
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 23
    Score
    0-10

    (13:09) 1-J.Elam 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  4. LALA
    Q2 6:47FG
    Jordan Wilkins

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 23
    Score
    3-10

    (6:47) 14-J.Wilkins 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl. Penalty on DEN-37-T.Poole, Defensive Offside, declined.

  5. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 1:20FG
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 16
    Score
    3-13

    (1:20) 1-J.Elam 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 0:36FG
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+3

    Yard line
    LA 14
    Score
    3-16

    (:36) 1-J.Elam 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  7. LALA
    Q2 0:05FG
    Jordan Wilkins

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 26
    Score
    6-16

    (:05) 14-J.Wilkins 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl.

  8. LALA
    Q3 14:09TD
    MFM. Faulk

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 3
    Score
    12-16

    (14:09) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. LALA
    Q3 14:04XP
    Jordan Wilkins

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    13-16

    14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl.

  10. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 6:03TD
    EME. McCaffrey

    Points+6

    Yard line
    LA 23
    Score
    13-22

    (6:03) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 5:55XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    LA 2
    Score
    13-23

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.

  12. LALA
    Q4 2:17FG
    Jordan Wilkins

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 21
    Score
    16-23

    (2:17) 14-J.Wilkins 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1T. Holt · LA · Receiving · +6.56 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
  2. 2Kade Warner · LA · Passing · +5.02 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  3. 3E. McCaffrey · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.23 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
  4. 4M. Faulk · LA · Receiving · +4.14 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
  5. 5C. Portis · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +3.10 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
  6. 6I. Bruce · LA · Receiving · +2.62 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
  7. 7O. Gary · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.50 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
  8. 8E. Conwell · LA · Receiving · +2.10 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.70 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

T. Holt — LA · Receiving

T. Holt posted the highest total EPA (+6.56) in the game, the strongest overall impact for LA. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.09 EPA per play.

T. Holt's top snap (+2.68 EPA): (10:03) 13-K.Warner pass to 81-T.Holt to DEN 36 for 23 yards (43-I.Reese).

Biggest single play (-5.33 EPA): B. Griese — (10:36) 14-B.Griese pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Davis at LA 23. 58-D.Davis to DEN 48 for 29 yards (80-R.Smith).

Quarterback report card

Kade Warner led all passers in efficiency for LA, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Kade Warner (LA) · 45 dropbacks · 71.1% completion · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.02 total EPA
  • B. Griese (Denver Broncos) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.67 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatLADenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play-0.043+0.025
Offensive success rate49.3%46.1%
Pass EPA/play+0.089-0.047
Rush EPA/play-0.151-0.097
Defensive EPA/play-0.025+0.043
Defensive success rate53.9%50.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • LA: -0.04 EPA/play (38th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: +0.03 EPA/play (55th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +1.87 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • LA: 11 drives, -3.23 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Ryan SmithDenver Broncos — Ryan Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q1 3:57)
  • LA — M. Faulk (Q3 14:09)
  • Denver Broncos — E. McCaffrey (B. Griese pass) (Q4 6:03)

Field goals

  • Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 13:09)
  • Jordan WilkinsLA — Jordan Wilkins (Q2 6:47)
  • Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 1:20)
  • Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 0:36)
  • Jordan WilkinsLA — Jordan Wilkins (Q2 0:05)
  • Jordan WilkinsLA — Jordan Wilkins (Q4 2:17)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LA 7 (Q1 3:57) — (3:57) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q1 3:51) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 9–6. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LA 23 (Q2 13:09) — (13:09) 1-J.Elam 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; LA connected on a field goal from the DEN 23 (Q2 6:47); Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LA 16 (Q2 1:20) — (1:20) 1-J.Elam 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LA 14 (Q2 0:36) — (:36) 1-J.Elam 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; LA connected on a field goal from the DEN 26 (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 14-J.Wilkins 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl..

The third quarter: LA won the period 7–0. LA found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q3 14:09) — (14:09) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; LA added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 14:04) — 14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LA 23 (Q4 6:03) — (6:03) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LA 2 (Q4 5:55) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; LA connected on a field goal from the DEN 21 (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) 14-J.Wilkins 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • LA (Q3 1:23) — (1:23) 13-K.Warner pass incomplete to 44-C.Hetherington. [WPA -21.3% · EPA -3.61]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 10:36) — (10:36) 14-B.Griese pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Davis at LA 23. 58-D.Davis to DEN 48 for 29 yards (80-R.Smith). [WPA -17.9% · EPA -5.33]
  • LA (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) 14-J.Wilkins 39 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl. [WPA -17.9% · EPA -3.80]
  • Denver Broncos (Q4 8:34) — (8:34) 26-C.Portis left end to LA 47 for 15 yards (20-K.Herring). [WPA +11.2% · EPA +2.50]
  • LA (Q3 9:41) — (9:41) 13-K.Warner pass to 28-M.Faulk pushed ob at DEN 37 for 9 yards (99-M.Reagor). [WPA +10.6% · EPA +2.10]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Denver Broncos (Q3 10:36) — (10:36) 14-B.Griese pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Davis at LA 23. 58-D.Davis to DEN 48 for 29 yards (80-R.Smith). [WPA -17.9% · EPA -5.33]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 15:00) — (15:00) 14-B.Griese pass INTERCEPTED by 35-A.Williams at DEN 29. 35-A.Williams to DEN 26 for 3 yards (87-E.McCaffrey). [WPA -10.3% · EPA -4.65]
  • LA (Q2 1:16) — 1-J.Elam kicks 62 yards from DEN 30 to LA 8. 34-L.Gordon to LA 23 for 15 yards (35-L.Walls). FUMBLES (35-L.Walls), RECOVERED by DEN-21-K.Coleman at LA 25. 21-K.Coleman to LA 23 for 2 yards (21-D.McCle [WPA -7.2% · EPA -3.86]
  • LA (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) 14-J.Wilkins 39 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl. [WPA -17.9% · EPA -3.80]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 3:57 · LA 7 · Score 0-6
    (3:57) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 3:51 · LA 2 · Score 0-7
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  3. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 13:09 · LA 23 · Score 0-10
    (13:09) 1-J.Elam 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  4. LA FG (+3) — Q2 6:47 · DEN 23 · Score 3-10
    (6:47) 14-J.Wilkins 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl. Penalty on DEN-37-T.Poole, Defensive Offside, declined.
  5. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 1:20 · LA 16 · Score 3-13
    (1:20) 1-J.Elam 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  6. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 0:36 · LA 14 · Score 3-16
    (:36) 1-J.Elam 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  7. LA FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · DEN 26 · Score 6-16
    (:05) 14-J.Wilkins 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl.
  8. LA TD (+6) — Q3 14:09 · DEN 3 · Score 12-16
    (14:09) 28-M.Faulk up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. LA XP (+1) — Q3 14:04 · DEN 2 · Score 13-16
    14-J.Wilkins extra point is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl.
  10. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 6:03 · LA 23 · Score 13-22
    (6:03) 14-B.Griese pass to 87-E.McCaffrey for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 5:55 · LA 2 · Score 13-23
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
  12. LA FG (+3) — Q4 2:17 · DEN 21 · Score 16-23
    (2:17) 14-J.Wilkins 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-C.Massey, Holder-87-R.Proehl.

Key takeaways

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

  • Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • T. Holt (LA) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won LA vs Denver Broncos on 2002-09-08?

The Denver Broncos beat the LA 23-16 in Week 1, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in LA vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: LA 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: LA 6, Denver Broncos 9; Q3: LA 7, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: LA 3, Denver Broncos 7; Final: LA 16, Denver Broncos 23.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in LA vs Denver Broncos?

Denver Broncos touchdown — R. Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q1 3:57) LA touchdown — M. Faulk (Q3 14:09) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. McCaffrey (B. Griese pass) (Q4 6:03) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 13:09, 3 pts) LA field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 6:47, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 1:20, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 0:36, 3 pts) LA field goal — J. Wilkins (Q2 0:05, 3 pts) LA field goal — J. Wilkins (Q4 2:17, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in LA vs Denver Broncos?

Kade Warner (LA), 71.1% completion, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +5.02 total passing EPA. B. Griese (Denver Broncos), 52.9% completion, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.67 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in LA vs Denver Broncos?

T. Holt (LA) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.56 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+2.68 EPA): (10:03) 13-K.Warner pass to 81-T.Holt to DEN 36 for 23 yards (43-I.Reese)..

Was LA vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Denver Broncos won 23-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Los Angeles Rams

Now 0-1 L

Denver Broncos

Now 1-0 W

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