Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 26–20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Halftime
- New Orleans Saints 13–3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Jimmy Horn Jr.
- Top passer
- Buddy Johnson
- Biggest EPA play
- (1:31) 2-A.Brooks pass INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 23. 55-D.Brooks to TB 46 for 23 ya…
- Game date
- 2002-09-08
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26–20 on 2002-09-08. Jimmy Horn Jr. posted a game-high +9.14 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New Orleans Saints | 6 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
NONew Orleans Saints(8:18) 3-J.Carney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme.
(:24) 3-J.Carney 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme. hit left upright and bounced through
(13:24) 7-M.Gramatica 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
(4:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 82-B.Williams for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme.
(11:39) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. left corner end zone quick curl out
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
(8:46) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. right side
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme.
(2:47) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
(:04) 7-M.Gramatica 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
(2:59) (Punt formation) 9-T.Tupa pass intended for 38-J.Howell INTERCEPTED by 50-J.Allen at TB 0. TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay BuccaneersFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 8:18FG JCJ. CarneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- TB 10
- Score
- 3-0
(8:18) 3-J.Carney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 0:24FG JCJ. CarneyPoints+3
- Yard line
- TB 23
- Score
- 6-0
(:24) 3-J.Carney 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme. hit left upright and bounced through
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 13:24FG MGM. GramaticaPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 34
- Score
- 6-3
(13:24) 7-M.Gramatica 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 4:17TD Bucky WilliamsPoints+6
- Yard line
- TB 32
- Score
- 12-3
(4:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 82-B.Williams for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 4:02XP JCJ. CarneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- TB 2
- Score
- 13-3
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 11:39TD KMK. McCardellPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 4
- Score
- 13-9
(11:39) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. left corner end zone quick curl out
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 11:34XP MGM. GramaticaPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 13-10
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 8:46TD DSD. StallworthPoints+6
- Yard line
- TB 41
- Score
- 19-10
(8:46) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. right side
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 8:36XP JCJ. CarneyPoints+1
- Yard line
- TB 2
- Score
- 20-10
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:47TD JJJ. JureviciusPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 11
- Score
- 20-16
(2:47) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 2:41XP MGM. GramaticaPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 2
- Score
- 20-17
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 0:04FG MGM. GramaticaPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 23
- Score
- 20-20
(:04) 7-M.Gramatica 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- NONew Orleans Saints
OT 2:59TD TTT. TupaPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 93
- Score
- 26-20
(2:59) (Punt formation) 9-T.Tupa pass intended for 38-J.Howell INTERCEPTED by 50-J.Allen at TB 0. TOUCHDOWN.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
Jimmy Horn Jr. · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +9.14 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play - 2A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +7.86 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 3D. Stallworth · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.26 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
- 4Bucky Williams · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.11 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.06 EPA/play
- 5K. McCardell · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
- 6M. Alstott · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 7J. Jurevicius · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 8D. Sloan · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.05 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
Jimmy Horn Jr. — NO · Receiving
Jimmy Horn Jr. posted the highest total EPA (+9.14) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +0.83 EPA per play.
Jimmy Horn Jr.'s top snap (+2.32 EPA): (10:14) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn pushed ob at TB 30 for 8 yards (34-D.Jackson). PENALTY on TB-55-D.Brooks, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at TB 30.
Biggest single play (-5.45 EPA): A. Brooks — (1:31) 2-A.Brooks pass INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 23. 55-D.Brooks to TB 46 for 23 yards (68-K.Turley).
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) · 61 dropbacks · 45.9% completion · -0.06 EPA/play · -3.85 total EPA- A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 47 dropbacks · 51.1% completion · +0.17 EPA/play · +7.86 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | New Orleans Saints | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.049 | -0.057 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.2% | 42.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.167 | -0.148 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.095 | -0.130 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.057 | -0.049 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.3% | 60.8% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- New Orleans Saints: +0.05 EPA/play (62nd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.06 EPA/play (34th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, +4.74 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 15 drives, -5.85 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New Orleans Saints — Bucky Williams (A. Brooks pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — K. McCardell (Buddy Johnson pass)
- New Orleans Saints — D. Stallworth (A. Brooks pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J. Jurevicius (Buddy Johnson pass)
- New Orleans Saints — T. Tupa
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 10 (Q1 8:18) — (8:18) 3-J.Carney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TB 23 (Q1 0:24) — (:24) 3-J.Carney 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme. hit left upright and bounced through.
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 34 (Q2 13:24) — (13:24) 7-M.Gramatica 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 32 (Q2 4:17) — (4:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 82-B.Williams for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 4:02) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 4 (Q3 11:39) — (11:39) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. left corner end zone quick curl out; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 11:34) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TB 41 (Q3 8:46) — (8:46) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. right side; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 8:36) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the NO 11 (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 2:41) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the NO 23 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 7-M.Gramatica 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa..
Overtime: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 93 (OT 2:59) — (2:59) (Punt formation) 9-T.Tupa pass intended for 38-J.Howell INTERCEPTED by 50-J.Allen at TB 0. TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (OT 4:27) — (4:27) 6-D.Johnson punts 49 yards to TB 10, Center-47-K.Houser. 86-K.Williams to TB 6 for -4 yards (40-M.Mitchell).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 7-M.Gramatica 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 7:27) — (7:27) 9-T.Tupa punts 52 yards to end zone, Center-45-M.Solwold, Touchback.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 11:55) — (11:55) 14-B.Johnson pass incomplete to 85-K.Dilger.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 8:20) — (8:20) 14-B.Johnson sacked at TB 48 for -7 yards (98-W.Whitehead). FUMBLES (98-W.Whitehead), touched at TB 48, recovered by TB-62-J.Christy at TB 48.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 1:31) — (1:31) 2-A.Brooks pass INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 23. 55-D.Brooks to TB 46 for 23 yards (68-K.Turley).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 2:59) — (2:59) (Punt formation) 9-T.Tupa pass intended for 38-J.Howell INTERCEPTED by 50-J.Allen at TB 0. TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q3 8:46) — (8:46) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. right side
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 4:17) — (4:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 82-B.Williams for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 8:18 · TB 10 · Score 3-0
(8:18) 3-J.Carney 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 0:24 · TB 23 · Score 6-0
(:24) 3-J.Carney 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme. hit left upright and bounced through - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 13:24 · NO 34 · Score 6-3
(13:24) 7-M.Gramatica 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 4:17 · TB 32 · Score 12-3
(4:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 82-B.Williams for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 4:02 · TB 2 · Score 13-3
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 11:39 · NO 4 · Score 13-9
(11:39) 14-B.Johnson pass to 87-K.McCardell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. left corner end zone quick curl out - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 11:34 · NO 2 · Score 13-10
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 8:46 · TB 41 · Score 19-10
(8:46) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. right side - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 8:36 · TB 2 · Score 20-10
3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-12-J.Delhomme. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:47 · NO 11 · Score 20-16
(2:47) 14-B.Johnson pass to 83-J.Jurevicius for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 2:41 · NO 2 · Score 20-17
7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · NO 23 · Score 20-20
(:04) 7-M.Gramatica 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-M.Solwold, Holder-9-T.Tupa. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — OT 2:59 · NO 93 · Score 26-20
(2:59) (Punt formation) 9-T.Tupa pass intended for 38-J.Howell INTERCEPTED by 50-J.Allen at TB 0. TOUCHDOWN.
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.
- Jimmy Horn Jr. (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2002-09-08?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-20 in Week 1, 2002.
What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q1: New Orleans Saints 6, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Q3: New Orleans Saints 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q4: New Orleans Saints 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10; Q5: New Orleans Saints 6, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Final: New Orleans Saints 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
New Orleans Saints touchdown — B. Williams (A. Brooks pass) (Q2 4:17) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — K. McCardell (B. Johnson pass) (Q3 11:39) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Stallworth (A. Brooks pass) (Q3 8:46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — J. Jurevicius (B. Johnson pass) (Q4 2:47) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Tupa (OT 2:59) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q1 8:18, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q1 0:24, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q2 13:24, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q4 0:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Buddy Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 45.9% completion, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -3.85 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 51.1% completion, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +7.86 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Jimmy Horn Jr. (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.14 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 11 snaps. Their top snap (+2.32 EPA): (10:14) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn pushed ob at TB 30 for 8 yards (34-D.Jackson). PENALTY on TB-55-D.Brooks, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at TB 30..
Was New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. New Orleans Saints won 26-20 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
New Orleans Saints
Now 1-0 W
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Now 0-1 L
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