Quick answer
- Winner
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Final score
- Los Angeles Chargers 20–17 San Francisco 49ers
- Halftime
- San Francisco 49ers 14–7 Los Angeles Chargers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- J. Garcia
- Top passer
- D. Brees
- Biggest EPA play
- (14:18) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Game date
- 2002-11-17
Game summary
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the San Francisco 49ers 20–17 on 2002-11-17, overcoming San Francisco 49ers's 14–7 halftime lead. J. Garcia posted a game-high +15.33 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 | |
| 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
J. Garcia · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +15.33 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play - 2

Tyler Owens · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +14.59 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play - 3
D. Brees · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +5.60 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play - 4
C. Conway · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.83 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play - 5
T. Dwight · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play - 6
G. Hearst · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.06 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play - 7

Laken Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play - 8
G. Hearst · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +1.64 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.14 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
J. Garcia — SF · Passing
J. Garcia posted the highest total EPA (+15.33) in the game, the strongest overall impact for San Francisco 49ers. Across 47 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
J. Garcia's top snap (+7.93 EPA): (14:18) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
D. Brees led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 54 dropbacks · 53.7% completion · +0.10 EPA/play · +5.60 total EPA
J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) · 47 dropbacks · 53.2% completion · +0.33 EPA/play · +15.33 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.076 | +0.070 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.5% | 48.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.305 | +0.126 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.102 | -0.138 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.070 | -0.076 |
| Defensive success rate | 52.0% | 58.5% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (San Francisco 49ers +0.08, Los Angeles Chargers +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- San Francisco 49ers: +0.08 EPA/play (70th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Los Angeles Chargers: +0.07 EPA/play (68th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Los Angeles Chargers: 13 drives, +6.97 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, +7.13 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Los Angeles Chargers — R. Caldwell (D. Brees pass) 
San Francisco 49ers — Tyler Owens (J. Garcia pass) 
San Francisco 49ers — Tyler Owens (J. Garcia pass)
Los Angeles Chargers — F. McCrary (D. Brees pass)
Field goals
San Francisco 49ers — J. Cortez
Los Angeles Chargers — S. Christie
Los Angeles Chargers — S. Christie
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the SF 4 (Q1 0:44) — (:44) 9-D.Brees pass to 82-R.Caldwell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 0:40) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LAC 32 (Q2 1:11) — (1:11) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 1:04) — 6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the SF 69 (Q2 0:58).
The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 10–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the LAC 76 (Q3 14:18) — (14:18) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 14:06) — 6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the LAC 6 (Q3 6:42) — (6:42) 6-J.Cortez 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the SF 18 (Q4 5:10) — (5:10) 8-S.Christie 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q4 0:35) — (:35) 9-D.Brees pass to 44-F.McCrary for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 0:31) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
Overtime: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the SF 22 (OT 4:15) — (4:15) 8-S.Christie 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- San Francisco 49ers (OT 8:51) — (8:51) 6-J.Cortez 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 14:18) — (14:18) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (OT 11:28) — (11:28) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia pass to 83-J.Stokes to LAC 47 for 20 yards (23-Q.Jammer, 42-R.Beckett).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia pass intended for 81-T.Owens INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Harrison at LAC 0. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Chargers (OT 6:46) — (6:46) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 88-E.Parker to SF 28 for 18 yards (38-R.Heard).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 14:18) — (14:18) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 1:11) — (1:11) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 13:32) — (13:32) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 81-S.Alexander INTERCEPTED by 54-Q.Stewart at SF 0. Touchback.
- San Francisco 49ers (OT 8:51) — (8:51) 6-J.Cortez 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 0:44 · SF 4 · Score 0-6
(:44) 9-D.Brees pass to 82-R.Caldwell for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 0:40 · SF 2 · Score 0-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 1:11 · LAC 32 · Score 6-7
(1:11) (Shotgun) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 1:04 · LAC 2 · Score 7-7
6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+7) — Q2 0:58 · SF 69 · Score 7-7
(:58) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway pushed ob at LAC 40 for 9 yards (29-A.Plummer). Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 14:18 · LAC 76 · Score 13-7
(14:18) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 14:06 · LAC 2 · Score 14-7
6-J.Cortez extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q3 6:42 · LAC 6 · Score 17-7
(6:42) 6-J.Cortez 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-7-J.Baker.
Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 5:10 · SF 18 · Score 17-10
(5:10) 8-S.Christie 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 0:35 · SF 1 · Score 17-16
(:35) 9-D.Brees pass to 44-F.McCrary for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 0:31 · SF 2 · Score 17-17
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — OT 4:15 · SF 22 · Score 17-20
(4:15) 8-S.Christie 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Chargers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Chargers on 2002-11-17?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in Week 11, 2002.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 0, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 14, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 10, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 0, Los Angeles Chargers 10; Q5: San Francisco 49ers 0, Los Angeles Chargers 3; Final: San Francisco 49ers 17, Los Angeles Chargers 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — R. Caldwell (D. Brees pass) (Q1 0:44) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — T. Owens (J. Garcia pass) (Q2 1:11) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — T. Owens (J. Garcia pass) (Q3 14:18) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — F. McCrary (D. Brees pass) (Q4 0:35) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Cortez (Q3 6:42, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — S. Christie (Q4 5:10, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — S. Christie (OT 4:15, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Chargers?
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 53.7% completion, +0.10 EPA per dropback, +5.60 total passing EPA. J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers), 53.2% completion, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +15.33 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Chargers?
J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +15.33 total EPA on Passing plays. across 47 snaps. Their top snap (+7.93 EPA): (14:18) 5-J.Garcia pass to 81-T.Owens for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Chargers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Los Angeles Chargers won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 7-2 Now 7-3 L
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 6-3 Now 7-3 W