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NFL · Week 16 · December 22, 2002 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2002 Week 16 Recap

Falcons defeat Lions 36–15 in Week 16

Q.McCord led Fantasy Impact as Falcons prevailed in a 15–36 Week 16 finish.

Detroit Lions 15 3–12
Final 15–36
Atlanta Falcons 36 9–5 Winner
Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
15–36
Halftime
Detroit Lions 0–13 Atlanta Falcons
Top passer
M. Vick
FantasyHQ MVP
Q.McCord
Game date
December 22, 2002

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • B.Schroeder 2 REC · 60 YDS +5.6 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Schlesinger 2 REC · 39 YDS +4.0 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Cason 1 REC · 15 YDS · 1 TD +1.8 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

  • Q.McCord 7 REC · 182 YDS · 1 TD +16.4 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Vick 20/44 · 366 YDS · 2 TD +14.0 Fantasy Impact
  • B.Finneran 3 REC · 54 YDS · 1 TD +3.4 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Falcons box score View all 2002 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
Atlanta Falcons 36–15 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Detroit Lions 0–13 Atlanta Falcons at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Q. McCord
Top passer
M. Vick
Biggest EPA play
(2:00) 7-M.Vick pass to 86-B.Finneran for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2002-12-22

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 36–15 on 2002-12-22. Q. McCord posted a game-high +16.42 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 32 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Detroit Lions00015015
Atlanta Falcons310617036

Scoring Map

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

DETDetroit Lions
ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 7:54FG
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 5
    Score
    0-3

    (7:54) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

  2. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 6:10FG
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 5
    Score
    0-6

    (6:10) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

  3. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 0:23TD
    QMQ. McCord

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 20
    Score
    0-12

    (:23) 7-M.Vick pass to 88-Q.McCord for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 0:17XP
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    0-13

    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

  5. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q3 11:01FG
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 18
    Score
    0-16

    (11:01) 4-J.Feely 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

  6. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q3 7:24FG
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    0-19

    (7:24) 4-J.Feely 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

  7. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 13:36FG
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 21
    Score
    0-22

    (13:36) 4-J.Feely 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 10:01TD
    Josaiah Stewart

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 1
    Score
    6-22

    (10:01) 8-M.McMahon pass to 34-J.Stewart for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 9:53Safety
    MMM. McMahon

    Points+2

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    8-22

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. PENALTY on ATL, Defensive 12 On-field, 5 yards, enforced between downs.

  10. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 9:37TD
    ACA. Cason

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 15
    Score
    14-22

    (9:37) 8-M.McMahon pass to 31-A.Cason for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 9:31XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    15-22

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

  12. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 3:53TD
    WDW. Dunn

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 3
    Score
    15-28

    (3:53) 28-W.Dunn up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 3:49XP
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    15-29

    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

  14. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 2:00TD
    BFB. Finneran

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 34
    Score
    15-35

    (2:00) 7-M.Vick pass to 86-B.Finneran for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  15. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 1:51XP
    JFJ. Feely

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    15-36

    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Q. McCord · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +16.42 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
  2. 2M. Vick · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +14.00 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
  3. 3B. Schroeder · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.60 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
  4. 4C. Schlesinger · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.04 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
  5. 5B. Finneran · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.42 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
  6. 6W. Dunn · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
  7. 7A. Cason · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
  8. 8Ryan KellyRyan Kelly · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.64 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.64 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

Q. McCord — ATL · Receiving

Q. McCord posted the highest total EPA (+16.42) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Atlanta Falcons. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +1.82 EPA per play.

Q. McCord's top snap (+4.52 EPA): (12:59) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass to 88-Q.McCord to DET 7 for 60 yards (45-Brian Walker). PENALTY on DET-45-Brian Walker, Face Mask (15 Yards), 4 yards, enforced at DET 7.

Biggest single play (+6.00 EPA): M. Vick — (2:00) 7-M.Vick pass to 86-B.Finneran for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

M. Vick led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • M. Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 44 dropbacks · 45.5% completion · +0.32 EPA/play · +14.00 total EPA
  • M. McMahon (Detroit Lions) · 39 dropbacks · 28.2% completion · -0.27 EPA/play · -10.37 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsAtlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play-0.170+0.073
Offensive success rate34.6%46.0%
Pass EPA/play-0.266+0.276
Rush EPA/play-0.238+0.002
Defensive EPA/play-0.073+0.170
Defensive success rate54.0%65.4%

Drive & efficiency notes

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: -0.17 EPA/play (14th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: +0.07 EPA/play (69th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, +7.32 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 13 drives, -13.24 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Atlanta Falcons — Q. McCord (M. Vick pass) (Q2 0:23)
  • Josaiah StewartDetroit Lions — Josaiah Stewart (M. McMahon pass) (Q4 10:01)
  • Detroit Lions — A. Cason (M. McMahon pass) (Q4 9:37)
  • Atlanta Falcons — W. Dunn (Q4 3:53)
  • Atlanta Falcons — B. Finneran (M. Vick pass) (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

  • Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q1 7:54)
  • Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q2 6:10)
  • Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q3 11:01)
  • Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q3 7:24)
  • Atlanta Falcons — J. Feely (Q4 13:36)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 5 (Q1 7:54) — (7:54) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 5 (Q2 6:10) — (6:10) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 20 (Q2 0:23) — (:23) 7-M.Vick pass to 88-Q.McCord for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 0:17) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 18 (Q3 11:01) — (11:01) 4-J.Feely 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 2 (Q3 7:24) — (7:24) 4-J.Feely 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 17–15. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 21 (Q4 13:36) — (13:36) 4-J.Feely 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 10:01) — (10:01) 8-M.McMahon pass to 34-J.Stewart for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions registered a safety from the ATL 2 (Q4 9:53); Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q4 9:37) — (9:37) 8-M.McMahon pass to 31-A.Cason for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 9:31) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q4 3:53) — (3:53) 28-W.Dunn up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 3:49) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 34 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 7-M.Vick pass to 86-B.Finneran for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 1:51) — 4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Detroit Lions (Q1 6:41) — (6:41) (Shotgun) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder ran ob at ATL 42 for 46 yards. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +4.61]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 4:55) — (4:55) 4-J.Hanson 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett. [WPA -12.3% · EPA -3.88]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 1:24) — (1:24) 8-M.McMahon pass INTERCEPTED by 33-A.Ambrose (61-E.Johnson) at ATL 36. 33-A.Ambrose to ATL 37 for 1 yard (51-D.Raiola). [WPA -10.5% · EPA -3.56]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 2:11) — (2:11) 7-M.Vick pass intended for 86-B.Finneran INTERCEPTED by 59-J.Gooch (24-T.Lyght) at DET 27. 59-J.Gooch to DET 30 for 3 yards (74-T.Weiner). [WPA -9.7% · EPA -4.17]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 0:55) — (:55) 8-M.McMahon pass to 30-C.Schlesinger to ATL 41 for 21 yards (29-K.Carpenter). [WPA +8.9% · EPA +2.18]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 7-M.Vick pass to 86-B.Finneran for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +6.00]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 9:53) — (9:53) 7-M.Vick pass to 44-B.Christian to ATL 34 for 14 yards (54-B.Green). FUMBLES (54-B.Green), RECOVERED by DET-35-A.Goodman at ATL 35. 35-A.Goodman to ATL 15 for 20 yards (81-T.Gaylor). [WPA -6.3% · EPA -5.70]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 6:41) — (6:41) (Shotgun) 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder ran ob at ATL 42 for 46 yards. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +4.61]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q3 12:59) — (12:59) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass to 88-Q.McCord to DET 7 for 60 yards (45-Brian Walker). PENALTY on DET-45-Brian Walker, Face Mask (15 Yards), 4 yards, enforced at DET 7. [WPA +3.3% · EPA +4.52]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 7:54 · DET 5 · Score 0-3
    (7:54) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
  2. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 6:10 · DET 5 · Score 0-6
    (6:10) 4-J.Feely 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
  3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 0:23 · DET 20 · Score 0-12
    (:23) 7-M.Vick pass to 88-Q.McCord for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 0:17 · DET 2 · Score 0-13
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
  5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 11:01 · DET 18 · Score 0-16
    (11:01) 4-J.Feely 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
  6. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 7:24 · DET 2 · Score 0-19
    (7:24) 4-J.Feely 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
  7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 13:36 · DET 21 · Score 0-22
    (13:36) 4-J.Feely 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
  8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 10:01 · ATL 1 · Score 6-22
    (10:01) 8-M.McMahon pass to 34-J.Stewart for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Detroit Lions Safety (+2) — Q4 9:53 · ATL 2 · Score 8-22
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-M.McMahon pass to 84-B.Schroeder is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. PENALTY on ATL, Defensive 12 On-field, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
  10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 9:37 · ATL 15 · Score 14-22
    (9:37) 8-M.McMahon pass to 31-A.Cason for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 9:31 · ATL 2 · Score 15-22
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 3:53 · DET 3 · Score 15-28
    (3:53) 28-W.Dunn up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 3:49 · DET 2 · Score 15-29
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.
  14. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · DET 34 · Score 15-35
    (2:00) 7-M.Vick pass to 86-B.Finneran for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  15. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 1:51 · DET 2 · Score 15-36
    4-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Rackley, Holder-13-C.Mohr.

Key takeaways

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

  • Atlanta Falcons earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • Q. McCord (Atlanta Falcons) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons on 2002-12-22?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 36-15 in Week 16, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons?

Q1: Detroit Lions 0, Atlanta Falcons 3; Q2: Detroit Lions 0, Atlanta Falcons 10; Q3: Detroit Lions 0, Atlanta Falcons 6; Q4: Detroit Lions 15, Atlanta Falcons 17; Final: Detroit Lions 15, Atlanta Falcons 36.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons?

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — Q. McCord (M. Vick pass) (Q2 0:23) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Stewart (M. McMahon pass) (Q4 10:01) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. Cason (M. McMahon pass) (Q4 9:37) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — W. Dunn (Q4 3:53) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — B. Finneran (M. Vick pass) (Q4 2:00) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q1 7:54, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q2 6:10, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q3 11:01, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q3 7:24, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Feely (Q4 13:36, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons?

M. Vick (Atlanta Falcons), 45.5% completion, +0.32 EPA per dropback, +14.00 total passing EPA. M. McMahon (Detroit Lions), 28.2% completion, -0.27 EPA per dropback, -10.37 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons?

Q. McCord (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +16.42 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 9 snaps. Their top snap (+4.52 EPA): (12:59) (Shotgun) 7-M.Vick pass to 88-Q.McCord to DET 7 for 60 yards (45-Brian Walker). PENALTY on DET-45-Brian Walker, Face Mask (15 Yards), 4 yards, enforced at DET 7..

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 3-11 Now 3-12 L

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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