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NFL · Week 15 · December 15, 2002 · 12 min read

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions: 2002 Week 15 Recap

Buccaneers defeat Lions 23–20 in Week 15

B.Schroeder led Fantasy Impact as Buccaneers prevailed in a 23–20 Week 15 finish.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 11–3 Winner
Final 23–20
Detroit Lions 20 3–11
Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
23–20
Halftime
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13–10 Detroit Lions
Top passer
Buddy Johnson
FantasyHQ MVP
B.Schroeder
Game date
December 15, 2002

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • Buddy Johnson
    Buddy Johnson 24/44 · 256 YDS +5.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Michael Pittman
    Michael Pittman 5 REC · 47 YDS +2.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Kisean Johnson
    Kisean Johnson 6 REC · 90 YDS +2.5 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • B.Schroeder 4 REC · 96 YDS · 1 TD +6.7 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Cason 2 REC · 38 YDS +2.3 Fantasy Impact
  • M.McMahon 10/23 · 160 YDS · 2 TD +1.3 Fantasy Impact
View Buccaneers vs Lions box score View all 2002 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23–20 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13–10 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
B. Schroeder
Top passer
Buddy Johnson
Biggest EPA play
7-M.Gramatica kicks 66 yards from TB 30 to DET 4. 18-E.Drummond to TB 5 for 91 yards (7-M.…
Game date
2002-12-15

Game summary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Detroit Lions 23–20 on 2002-12-15. B. Schroeder posted a game-high +6.69 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers310010023
Detroit Lions01037020

Scoring Map

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

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q1 10:45FG
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    3-0

    (10:45) 7-M.Gramatica 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

  2. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 14:21TD
    MAM. Alstott

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    9-0

    (14:21) 40-M.Alstott left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 14:17XP
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    10-0

    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 11:30TD
    BSB. Schroeder

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TB 18
    Score
    10-6

    (11:30) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 11:24XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TB 2
    Score
    10-7

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  6. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 5:39FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 19
    Score
    10-10

    (5:39) 4-J.Hanson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  7. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 0:18FG
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 10
    Score
    13-10

    (:18) 7-M.Gramatica 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 12:05FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 6
    Score
    13-13

    (12:05) 4-J.Hanson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  9. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q4 10:12TD
    Michael Pittman

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 4
    Score
    19-13

    (10:12) 32-M.Pittman left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q4 10:08XP
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    20-13

    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 9:50TD
    MMM. McMahon

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TB 2
    Score
    20-19

    (9:50) 8-M.McMahon scrambles right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 9:44XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TB 2
    Score
    20-20

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  13. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q4 3:08FG
    MGM. Gramatica

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 20
    Score
    23-20

    (3:08) 7-M.Gramatica 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1B. Schroeder · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
  2. 2Buddy JohnsonBuddy Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +5.63 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
  3. 3Michael PittmanMichael Pittman · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.90 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
  4. 4Kisean JohnsonKisean Johnson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.55 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
  5. 5A. Cason · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.26 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
  6. 6K. Dilger · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
  7. 7M. Alstott · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +2.01 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  8. 8R. Dudley · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.70 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.57 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

B. Schroeder — DET · Receiving

B. Schroeder posted the highest total EPA (+6.69) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.84 EPA per play.

B. Schroeder's top snap (+3.42 EPA): (11:30) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (+5.25 EPA): M. Gramatica — 7-M.Gramatica kicks 66 yards from TB 30 to DET 4. 18-E.Drummond to TB 5 for 91 yards (7-M.Gramatica). PENALTY on TB-7-M.Gramatica, 3 yards, enforced at TB 5.

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 JohnsonBuddy Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +0.13 EPA/play · +5.63 total EPA
  • M. McMahon (Detroit Lions) · 23 dropbacks · 43.5% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +1.33 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatTampa Bay BuccaneersDetroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play+0.140+0.095
Offensive success rate51.6%44.9%
Pass EPA/play+0.128-0.093
Rush EPA/play+0.141+0.087
Defensive EPA/play-0.095-0.140
Defensive success rate55.1%48.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.14, Detroit Lions +0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +0.14 EPA/play (82nd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: +0.10 EPA/play (76th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +6.53 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, +13.03 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Alstott (Q2 14:21)
  • Detroit Lions — B. Schroeder (M. McMahon pass) (Q2 11:30)
  • Michael PittmanTampa Bay Buccaneers — Michael Pittman (Q4 10:12)
  • Detroit Lions — M. McMahon (Q4 9:50)

Field goals

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica (Q1 10:45)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q2 5:39)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica (Q2 0:18)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q3 12:05)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Gramatica (Q4 3:08)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DET 2 (Q1 10:45) — (10:45) 7-M.Gramatica 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 14:21) — (14:21) 40-M.Alstott left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 14:17) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the TB 18 (Q2 11:30) — (11:30) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 11:24) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TB 19 (Q2 5:39) — (5:39) 4-J.Hanson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DET 10 (Q2 0:18) — (:18) 7-M.Gramatica 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the TB 6 (Q3 12:05) — (12:05) 4-J.Hanson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q4 10:12) — (10:12) 32-M.Pittman left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 10:08) — 7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q4 9:50) — (9:50) 8-M.McMahon scrambles right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 9:44) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the DET 20 (Q4 3:08) — (3:08) 7-M.Gramatica 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 1:56) — (1:56) 4-J.Hanson 57 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett. [WPA -25.7% · EPA -2.05]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 10:08) — 7-M.Gramatica kicks 66 yards from TB 30 to DET 4. 18-E.Drummond to TB 5 for 91 yards (7-M.Gramatica). PENALTY on TB-7-M.Gramatica, 3 yards, enforced at TB 5. [WPA +20.6% · EPA +5.25]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 2:36) — (2:36) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder to TB 43 for 19 yards (38-J.Howell). Penalty on TB-97-S.Rice, Defensive Offside, declined. [WPA +20.0% · EPA +2.02]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 10:12) — (10:12) 32-M.Pittman left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +1.62]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 6:23) — (6:23) 14-B.Johnson pass to 85-K.Dilger to DET 36 for 23 yards (29-C.Cash). [WPA +15.3% · EPA +2.23]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 10:08) — 7-M.Gramatica kicks 66 yards from TB 30 to DET 4. 18-E.Drummond to TB 5 for 91 yards (7-M.Gramatica). PENALTY on TB-7-M.Gramatica, 3 yards, enforced at TB 5. [WPA +20.6% · EPA +5.25]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 13:19) — (13:19) 8-M.McMahon pass intended for 82-G.Crowell INTERCEPTED by 53-S.Quarles at TB 38. 53-S.Quarles to TB 42 for 4 yards (51-D.Raiola). Ball batted and intercepted. [WPA -14.4% · EPA -4.76]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 15:00) — 4-J.Hanson kicks 63 yards from DET 30 to TB 7. 27-A.Stecker to DET 26 for 67 yards (23-R.Cooper). [WPA +12.8% · EPA +3.88]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 11:30) — (11:30) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.3% · EPA +3.42]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 10:45 · DET 2 · Score 3-0
    (10:45) 7-M.Gramatica 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 14:21 · DET 1 · Score 9-0
    (14:21) 40-M.Alstott left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 14:17 · DET 2 · Score 10-0
    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
  4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 11:30 · TB 18 · Score 10-6
    (11:30) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 11:24 · TB 2 · Score 10-7
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  6. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 5:39 · TB 19 · Score 10-10
    (5:39) 4-J.Hanson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 0:18 · DET 10 · Score 13-10
    (:18) 7-M.Gramatica 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
  8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 12:05 · TB 6 · Score 13-13
    (12:05) 4-J.Hanson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 10:12 · DET 4 · Score 19-13
    (10:12) 32-M.Pittman left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 10:08 · DET 2 · Score 20-13
    7-M.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.
  11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 9:50 · TB 2 · Score 20-19
    (9:50) 8-M.McMahon scrambles right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 9:44 · TB 2 · Score 20-20
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 3:08 · DET 20 · Score 23-20
    (3:08) 7-M.Gramatica 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-R.Benjamin, Holder-9-T.Tupa.

Key takeaways

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

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • B. Schroeder (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions on 2002-12-15?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Detroit Lions 23-20 in Week 15, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Detroit Lions 0; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10, Detroit Lions 10; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Detroit Lions 3; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10, Detroit Lions 7; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, Detroit Lions 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Alstott (Q2 14:21) Detroit Lions touchdown — B. Schroeder (M. McMahon pass) (Q2 11:30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Pittman (Q4 10:12) Detroit Lions touchdown — M. McMahon (Q4 9:50) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q1 10:45, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 5:39, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q2 0:18, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 12:05, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Gramatica (Q4 3:08, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?

Buddy Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 54.5% completion, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +5.63 total passing EPA. M. McMahon (Detroit Lions), 43.5% completion, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +1.33 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions?

B. Schroeder (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.69 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+3.42 EPA): (11:30) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 10-3 Now 11-3 W

Detroit Lions

Entered 3-10 Now 3-11 L

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