Quick answer
- Winner
- New England Patriots
- Final score
- New England Patriots 27–24 Miami Dolphins
- Halftime
- Miami Dolphins 21–10 New England Patriots at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Ryan Williams
- Top passer
- T. Brady
- Biggest EPA play
- (8:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady up the middle to MIA 29 for 4 yards (93-A.Ogunleye). FUMBLES (…
- Game date
- 2002-12-29
Game summary
The New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 27–24 on 2002-12-29, overcoming Miami Dolphins's 21–10 halftime lead. Ryan Williams posted a game-high +7.55 total EPA in the rushing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Miami Dolphins | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
 New England Patriots | 0 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 27 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
MIAMiami Dolphins
(3:21) 34-R.Williams left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
(9:02) 34-R.Williams right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
(2:31) 32-A.Smith left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
(1:12) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 80-J.McKnight for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
(:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
(3:41) 4-A.Vinatieri 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
(5:03) 10-O.Mare 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
(2:49) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
(1:14) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
(13:01) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
NENew England PatriotsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 3:21TD Ryan WilliamsPoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 8
- Score
- 6-0
(3:21) 34-R.Williams left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 3:17XP OMO. MarePoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 2
- Score
- 7-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 9:02TD Ryan WilliamsPoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 14
- Score
- 13-0
(9:02) 34-R.Williams right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 8:52XP OMO. MarePoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 2
- Score
- 14-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 2:31TD Arian SmithPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIA 11
- Score
- 14-6
(2:31) 32-A.Smith left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 2:25XP AVA. VinatieriPoints+1
- Yard line
- MIA 2
- Score
- 14-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 1:12TD JMJ. McKnightPoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 32
- Score
- 20-7
(1:12) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 80-J.McKnight for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 1:06XP OMO. MarePoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 2
- Score
- 21-7
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 0:04FG AVA. VinatieriPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIA 23
- Score
- 21-10
(:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- NENew England Patriots
Q3 3:41FG AVA. VinatieriPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIA 18
- Score
- 21-13
(3:41) 4-A.Vinatieri 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 5:03FG OMO. MarePoints+3
- Yard line
- NE 10
- Score
- 24-13
(5:03) 10-O.Mare 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
- NENew England Patriots
Q4 2:49TD Trent BrownPoints+6
- Yard line
- MIA 3
- Score
- 24-19
(2:49) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NENew England Patriots
Q4 2:46Safety TBT. BradyPoints+2
- Yard line
- MIA 2
- Score
- 24-21
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
- NENew England Patriots
Q4 1:14FG AVA. VinatieriPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIA 25
- Score
- 24-24
(1:14) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- NENew England Patriots
OT 13:01FG AVA. VinatieriPoints+3
- Yard line
- MIA 17
- Score
- 24-27
(13:01) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1Ryan Williams · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +7.55 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 2C. Chambers · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +4.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
- 3Keldric Faulk · New England Patriots · Rushing · +3.24 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
- 4J. McKnight · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
- 5
Denzel Ward · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.09 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play - 6D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.50 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
- 7Arian Smith · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 8R. Konrad · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +1.29 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.29 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
Ryan Williams — MIA · Rushing
Ryan Williams posted the highest total EPA (+7.55) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Miami Dolphins. Across 32 counted snaps, they averaged +0.24 EPA per play.
Ryan Williams's top snap (+2.39 EPA): (9:02) 34-R.Williams right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Biggest single play (-4.97 EPA): T. Brady — (8:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady up the middle to MIA 29 for 4 yards (93-A.Ogunleye). FUMBLES (93-A.Ogunleye), RECOVERED by MIA-54-Z.Thomas at MIA 29. 54-Z.Thomas to NE 49 for 22 yards (72-M.Light).
Quarterback report card
T. Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T. Brady (New England Patriots) · 47 dropbacks · 53.2% completion · -0.05 EPA/play · -2.26 total EPA
- J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins) · 29 dropbacks · 37.9% completion · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.63 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.041 | +0.034 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.7% | 49.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.022 | -0.084 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.330 | -0.062 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.034 | -0.041 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.0% | 56.3% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Miami Dolphins +0.04, New England Patriots +0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Miami Dolphins: +0.04 EPA/play (60th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- New England Patriots: +0.03 EPA/play (57th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Miami Dolphins: 13 drives, +3.54 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 14 drives, +3.32 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Miami Dolphins — Ryan Williams
- Miami Dolphins — Ryan Williams
- New England Patriots — Arian Smith
- Miami Dolphins — J. McKnight (J. Fiedler pass)
- New England Patriots — Trent Brown (T. Brady pass)
Field goals
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
- Miami Dolphins — O. Mare
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
- New England Patriots — A. Vinatieri
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 8 (Q1 3:21) — (3:21) 34-R.Williams left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 3:17) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals..
The second quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 14–10. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 14 (Q2 9:02) — (9:02) 34-R.Williams right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 8:52) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 11 (Q2 2:31) — (2:31) 32-A.Smith left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 2:25) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the NE 32 (Q2 1:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 80-J.McKnight for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 1:06) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 23 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..
The third quarter: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 18 (Q3 3:41) — (3:41) 4-A.Vinatieri 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..
The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 11–3. Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the NE 10 (Q4 5:03) — (5:03) 10-O.Mare 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the MIA 3 (Q4 2:49) — (2:49) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots registered a safety from the MIA 2 (Q4 2:46) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 25 (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..
Overtime: New England Patriots won the period 3–0. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the MIA 17 (OT 13:01) — (13:01) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-M.Royals punts 30 yards to MIA 44, Center-89-E.Perry. 33-K.Faulk to MIA 44 for no gain (96-D.Bowens).
- Miami Dolphins (Q4 2:18) — (2:18) 3-M.Royals punts 23 yards to MIA 34, Center-89-E.Perry, out of bounds.
- New England Patriots (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 32-A.Smith left tackle to MIA 25 for no gain (59-D.Rodgers, 31-B.Marion).
- New England Patriots (Q1 8:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady up the middle to MIA 29 for 4 yards (93-A.Ogunleye). FUMBLES (93-A.Ogunleye), RECOVERED by MIA-54-Z.Thomas at MIA 29. 54-Z.Thomas to NE 49 for 22 yards (72-M.Light).
- New England Patriots (OT 14:14) — (14:14) 12-T.Brady pass to 33-K.Faulk ran ob at MIA 25 for 20 yards. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New England Patriots (Q1 8:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady up the middle to MIA 29 for 4 yards (93-A.Ogunleye). FUMBLES (93-A.Ogunleye), RECOVERED by MIA-54-Z.Thomas at MIA 29. 54-Z.Thomas to NE 49 for 22 yards (72-M.Light).
- New England Patriots (Q4 8:06) — (8:06) 12-T.Brady pass intended for 80-T.Brown INTERCEPTED by 31-B.Marion (54-Z.Thomas) at NE 40. 31-B.Marion to NE 31 for 9 yards (80-T.Brown).
- Miami Dolphins (Q2 1:12) — (1:12) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 80-J.McKnight for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Miami Dolphins (Q3 8:45) — (8:45) 10-O.Mare 47 yard field goal is No Good, Short, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 3:21 · NE 8 · Score 6-0
(3:21) 34-R.Williams left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 3:17 · NE 2 · Score 7-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 9:02 · NE 14 · Score 13-0
(9:02) 34-R.Williams right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 8:52 · NE 2 · Score 14-0
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 2:31 · MIA 11 · Score 14-6
(2:31) 32-A.Smith left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 2:25 · MIA 2 · Score 14-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 1:12 · NE 32 · Score 20-7
(1:12) (Shotgun) 9-J.Fiedler pass to 80-J.McKnight for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 1:06 · NE 2 · Score 21-7
10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · MIA 23 · Score 21-10
(:04) 4-A.Vinatieri 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q3 3:41 · MIA 18 · Score 21-13
(3:41) 4-A.Vinatieri 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q4 5:03 · NE 10 · Score 24-13
(5:03) 10-O.Mare 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-E.Perry, Holder-3-M.Royals. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 2:49 · MIA 3 · Score 24-19
(2:49) 12-T.Brady pass to 80-T.Brown for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots Safety (+2) — Q4 2:46 · MIA 2 · Score 24-21
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 1:14 · MIA 25 · Score 24-24
(1:14) 4-A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - New England Patriots FG (+3) — OT 13:01 · MIA 17 · Score 24-27
(13:01) 4-A.Vinatieri 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- New England Patriots earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- Ryan Williams (Miami Dolphins) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots on 2002-12-29?
The New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 27-24 in Week 17, 2002.
What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
Q1: Miami Dolphins 7, New England Patriots 0; Q2: Miami Dolphins 14, New England Patriots 10; Q3: Miami Dolphins 0, New England Patriots 3; Q4: Miami Dolphins 3, New England Patriots 11; Q5: Miami Dolphins 0, New England Patriots 3; Final: Miami Dolphins 24, New England Patriots 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Williams (Q1 3:21) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Williams (Q2 9:02) New England Patriots touchdown — A. Smith (Q2 2:31) Miami Dolphins touchdown — J. McKnight (J. Fiedler pass) (Q2 1:12) New England Patriots touchdown — T. Brown (T. Brady pass) (Q4 2:49) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q2 0:04, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q3 3:41, 3 pts) Miami Dolphins field goal — O. Mare (Q4 5:03, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (Q4 1:14, 3 pts) New England Patriots field goal — A. Vinatieri (OT 13:01, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
T. Brady (New England Patriots), 53.2% completion, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -2.26 total passing EPA. J. Fiedler (Miami Dolphins), 37.9% completion, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.63 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots?
Ryan Williams (Miami Dolphins) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.55 total EPA on Rushing plays. across 32 snaps. Their top snap (+2.39 EPA): (9:02) 34-R.Williams right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. New England Patriots won 27-24 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Miami Dolphins
Entered 9-6 Now 9-7 L
New England Patriots
Entered 8-7 Now 9-7 W
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