49ers 17–14 Cardinals: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2002

Quick answer

Winner: San Francisco 49ers
Final score: San Francisco 49ers 17–14 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime: San Francisco 49ers 10–7 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: J. Garcia
Top passer: J. Garcia
Biggest EPA play: (8:05) 31-M.Shipp up the middle to SF 15 for -6 yards (50-D.Smith, 91-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES …
Game date: 2002-12-21

Game summary

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 17–14 on 2002-12-21. J. Garcia posted a game-high +11.54 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
San Francisco 49ers	7	3	7	0	0	17
Arizona Cardinals	0	7	0	7	0	14

Scoring Map

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

SFSan Francisco 49ers

ARI 25

ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 10:04TD
FBF. Beasley
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 25
Score
6-0
(10:04) 5-J.Garcia pass to 40-F.Beasley for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 9:57XP
JCJ. Chandler
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 2
Score
7-0
3-J.Chandler extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 7:42TD
KKK. Kasper
Points+6
Yard line
SF 4
Score
7-6
(7:42) 16-J.Plummer pass to 11-K.Kasper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 7:37XP
BGB. Gramatica
Points+1
Yard line
SF 2
Score
7-7
7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q2 0:49FG
JCJ. Chandler
Points+3
Yard line
ARI 6
Score
10-7
(:49) 3-J.Chandler 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q3 13:28TD
GHG. Hearst
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 8
Score
16-7
(13:28) 20-G.Hearst right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q3 13:22XP
JCJ. Chandler
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 2
Score
17-7
3-J.Chandler extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 4:16TD
KKK. Kasper
Points+6
Yard line
SF 6
Score
17-13
(4:16) 16-J.Plummer pass to 11-K.Kasper for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 4:08XP
BGB. Gramatica
Points+1
Yard line
SF 2
Score
17-14
7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1J. Garcia · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +11.54 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
2Cedrick Wilson Jr. · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
3K. Kasper · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.15 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
4T. Streets · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.13 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
5F. Beasley · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.56 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
6S. Bush · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.11 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
7M. Shipp · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
8G. Hearst · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +0.80 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.80 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 (+11.54) in the game, the strongest overall impact for San Francisco 49ers. Across 42 counted snaps, they averaged +0.27 EPA per play.

J. Garcia's top snap (-3.61 EPA): (1:04) 5-J.Garcia FUMBLES (Aborted) at ARI 19, RECOVERED by ARI-41-J.Lucas at ARI 17. 41-J.Lucas to ARI 17 for no gain (40-F.Beasley).

Biggest single play (-5.07 EPA): M. Shipp — (8:05) 31-M.Shipp up the middle to SF 15 for -6 yards (50-D.Smith, 91-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES (50-D.Smith), RECOVERED by SF-98-J.Peterson at SF 17. 98-J.Peterson to SF 20 for 3 yards (16-J.Plummer).

Quarterback report card

J. Garcia led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) · 42 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · +0.27 EPA/play · +11.54 total EPA
Jack Plummer (Arizona Cardinals) · 34 dropbacks · 47.1% completion · -0.05 EPA/play · -1.58 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	San Francisco 49ers	Arizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play	+0.018	-0.051
Offensive success rate	47.1%	44.3%
Pass EPA/play	+0.275	-0.047
Rush EPA/play	-0.183	-0.217
Defensive EPA/play	+0.051	-0.018
Defensive success rate	55.7%	52.9%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, San Francisco 49ers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

San Francisco 49ers: +0.02 EPA/play (54th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
Arizona Cardinals: -0.05 EPA/play (36th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)

Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, -3.55 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
San Francisco 49ers: 10 drives, +1.57 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

San Francisco 49ers — F. Beasley (J. Garcia pass) (Q1 10:04)
Arizona Cardinals — K. Kasper (Jack Plummer pass) (Q2 7:42)
San Francisco 49ers — G. Hearst (Q3 13:28)
Arizona Cardinals — K. Kasper (Jack Plummer pass) (Q4 4:16)

Field goals

San Francisco 49ers — J. Chandler (Q2 0:49)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 25 (Q1 10:04) — (10:04) 5-J.Garcia pass to 40-F.Beasley for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 9:57) — 3-J.Chandler extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 4 (Q2 7:42) — (7:42) 16-J.Plummer pass to 11-K.Kasper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 7:37) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 6 (Q2 0:49) — (:49) 3-J.Chandler 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q3 13:28) — (13:28) 20-G.Hearst right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 13:22) — 3-J.Chandler extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 6 (Q4 4:16) — (4:16) 16-J.Plummer pass to 11-K.Kasper for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 4:08) — 7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Arizona Cardinals (Q3 8:05) — (8:05) 31-M.Shipp up the middle to SF 15 for -6 yards (50-D.Smith, 91-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES (50-D.Smith), RECOVERED by SF-98-J.Peterson at SF 17. 98-J.Peterson to SF 20 for 3 yards (16-J.Plummer). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -5.07]
Arizona Cardinals (Q1 2:33) — (2:33) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 83-J.McAddley INTERCEPTED by 33-T.Parrish (29-A.Plummer) at SF 19. 33-T.Parrish to SF 47 for 28 yards (50-J.Starkey). [WPA -12.1% · EPA -3.97]
San Francisco 49ers (Q4 2:41) — (2:41) 32-K.Barlow right tackle to ARI 32 for 9 yards (21-R.Hill, 53-M.Young). [WPA +11.9% · EPA +0.80]
Arizona Cardinals (Q3 10:01) — (10:01) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 31-M.Shipp to SF 26 for 15 yards (98-J.Peterson, 24-M.Rumph). PENALTY on SF-24-M.Rumph, 5 yards, enforced at SF 26. [WPA +10.6% · EPA +2.48]
San Francisco 49ers (Q4 3:47) — (3:47) 5-J.Garcia pass to 83-J.Stokes to 50 for 21 yards (42-K.Lassiter). [WPA +9.3% · EPA +1.33]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Arizona Cardinals (Q3 8:05) — (8:05) 31-M.Shipp up the middle to SF 15 for -6 yards (50-D.Smith, 91-C.Okeafor). FUMBLES (50-D.Smith), RECOVERED by SF-98-J.Peterson at SF 17. 98-J.Peterson to SF 20 for 3 yards (16-J.Plummer). [WPA -16.6% · EPA -5.07]
Arizona Cardinals (Q1 2:33) — (2:33) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 83-J.McAddley INTERCEPTED by 33-T.Parrish (29-A.Plummer) at SF 19. 33-T.Parrish to SF 47 for 28 yards (50-J.Starkey). [WPA -12.1% · EPA -3.97]
San Francisco 49ers (Q1 3:32) — (3:32) 3-J.Chandler 42 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur. [WPA -7.4% · EPA -3.64]
San Francisco 49ers (Q3 1:04) — (1:04) 5-J.Garcia FUMBLES (Aborted) at ARI 19, RECOVERED by ARI-41-J.Lucas at ARI 17. 41-J.Lucas to ARI 17 for no gain (40-F.Beasley). [WPA -7.5% · EPA -3.61]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 10:04 · ARI 25 · Score 6-0
(10:04) 5-J.Garcia pass to 40-F.Beasley for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 9:57 · ARI 2 · Score 7-0
3-J.Chandler extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 7:42 · SF 4 · Score 7-6
(7:42) 16-J.Plummer pass to 11-K.Kasper for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 7:37 · SF 2 · Score 7-7
7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 0:49 · ARI 6 · Score 10-7
(:49) 3-J.Chandler 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 13:28 · ARI 8 · Score 16-7
(13:28) 20-G.Hearst right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 13:22 · ARI 2 · Score 17-7
3-J.Chandler extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-B.LaFleur.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 4:16 · SF 6 · Score 17-13
(4:16) 16-J.Plummer pass to 11-K.Kasper for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 4:08 · SF 2 · Score 17-14
7-B.Gramatica extra point is GOOD, Center-48-N.Hodel, Holder-10-S.Player.

Key takeaways

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

San Francisco 49ers 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 Arizona Cardinals on 2002-12-21?

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 17-14 in Week 16, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 3, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: San Francisco 49ers 17, Arizona Cardinals 14.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

San Francisco 49ers touchdown — F. Beasley (J. Garcia pass) (Q1 10:04) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — K. Kasper (J. Plummer pass) (Q2 7:42) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — G. Hearst (Q3 13:28) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — K. Kasper (J. Plummer pass) (Q4 4:16) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Chandler (Q2 0:49, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers), 54.8% completion, +0.27 EPA per dropback, +11.54 total passing EPA. Jack Plummer (Arizona Cardinals), 47.1% completion, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -1.58 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.54 total EPA on Passing plays. across 42 snaps. Their top snap (-3.61 EPA): (1:04) 5-J.Garcia FUMBLES (Aborted) at ARI 19, RECOVERED by ARI-41-J.Lucas at ARI 17. 41-J.Lucas to ARI 17 for no gain (40-F.Beasley)..

Was San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. San Francisco 49ers won 17-14 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

San Francisco 49ers

Entered 9-5 Now 10-5 W

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 5-9 Now 5-10 L

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2002 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · 49ers

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

Quick answer

Game summary