Bills 23–28 Broncos: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 3, 2002

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?

R. Smith (Denver Broncos) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.33 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 9 snaps. Their top snap (+3.23 EPA): (2:45) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Quick answer

Winner: Denver Broncos
Final score: Denver Broncos 28–23 Buffalo Bills
Halftime: Buffalo Bills 7–14 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Ryan Smith
Top passer: D. Bledsoe
Biggest EPA play: (3:46) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 24 for no gain (99-M.Reagor). FUMBLES (99-M.Reagor),…
Game date: 2002-09-22

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills 28–23 on 2002-09-22. Ryan Smith posted a game-high +9.33 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Buffalo Bills	0	7	3	13	0	23
Denver Broncos	7	7	7	7	0	28

Scoring Map

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

BUFBuffalo Bills

DEN 76

+3DEN 20

BUF 26

DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DENDenver Broncos
Q1 3:46TD
THT. Henry
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 76
Score
0-6
(3:46) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 24 for no gain (99-M.Reagor). FUMBLES (99-M.Reagor), RECOVERED by DEN-91-C.McGlockton at BUF 24. 91-C.McGlockton for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q1 3:38XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 2
Score
0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
DENDenver Broncos
Q2 9:55TD
CPC. Portis
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 1
Score
0-13
(9:55) 26-C.Portis right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q2 9:51XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 2
Score
0-14
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 2:54TD
THT. Henry
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 1
Score
6-14
(2:54) 20-T.Henry left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 2:50XP
MHM. Hollis
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 2
Score
7-14
1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 10:02FG
MHM. Hollis
Points+3
Yard line
DEN 20
Score
10-14
(10:02) 1-M.Hollis 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 0:36TD
DCD. Carswell
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 1
Score
10-20
(:36) 14-B.Griese pass to 89-D.Carswell for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 0:33XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 2
Score
10-21
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 7:40TD
Joe Reed
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 4
Score
16-21
(7:40) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Reed for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 2:45TD
Ryan Smith
Points+6
Yard line
BUF 26
Score
16-27
(2:45) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 2:39XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
BUF 2
Score
16-28
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 1:16TD
EME. Moulds
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 2
Score
22-28
(1:16) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 80-E.Moulds for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 1:12XP
MHM. Hollis
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 2
Score
23-28
1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Ryan Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +9.33 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
2D. Bledsoe · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +8.61 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
3P. Price · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.58 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
4J. Riemersma · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.48 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
5B. Griese · Denver Broncos · Passing · +4.02 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
6C. Portis · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +3.93 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
7Joe Reed · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.95 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
8E. Moulds · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.15 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 Smith — DEN · Receiving

Ryan Smith posted the highest total EPA (+9.33) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Denver Broncos. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +1.04 EPA per play.

Ryan Smith's top snap (+3.23 EPA): (2:45) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-6.81 EPA): T. Henry — (3:46) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 24 for no gain (99-M.Reagor). FUMBLES (99-M.Reagor), RECOVERED by DEN-91-C.McGlockton at BUF 24. 91-C.McGlockton for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

D. Bledsoe led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

D. Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills) · 47 dropbacks · 57.4% completion · +0.18 EPA/play · +8.61 total EPA
B. Griese (Denver Broncos) · 39 dropbacks · 48.7% completion · +0.10 EPA/play · +4.02 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Buffalo Bills	Denver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play	+0.036	+0.052
Offensive success rate	52.5%	50.0%
Pass EPA/play	+0.183	+0.092
Rush EPA/play	-0.666	+0.038
Defensive EPA/play	-0.052	-0.036
Defensive success rate	50.0%	47.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Buffalo Bills +0.04, Denver Broncos +0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Buffalo Bills: +0.04 EPA/play (58th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
Denver Broncos: +0.05 EPA/play (63rd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)

Buffalo Bills: 12 drives, +2.90 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Denver Broncos: 13 drives, +4.87 total EPA, 2 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Denver Broncos — T. Henry (Q1 3:46)
Denver Broncos — C. Portis (Q2 9:55)
Buffalo Bills — T. Henry (Q2 2:54)
Denver Broncos — D. Carswell (B. Griese pass) (Q3 0:36)
Buffalo Bills — Joe Reed (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q4 7:40)
Denver Broncos — Ryan Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q4 2:45)
Buffalo Bills — E. Moulds (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q4 1:16)

Field goals

Buffalo Bills — M. Hollis (Q3 10:02)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 76 (Q1 3:46); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 3:38) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q2 9:55) — (9:55) 26-C.Portis right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 9:51) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q2 2:54) — (2:54) 20-T.Henry left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 2:50) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-8-B.Moorman..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the DEN 20 (Q3 10:02) — (10:02) 1-M.Hollis 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q3 0:36) — (:36) 14-B.Griese pass to 89-D.Carswell for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 0:33) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen..

The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 13–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q4 7:40) — (7:40) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Reed for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 26 (Q4 2:45) — (2:45) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q4 2:39) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 2 (Q4 1:16) — (1:16) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 80-E.Moulds for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 1:12) — 1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Buffalo Bills (Q1 3:46) — (3:46) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 24 for no gain (99-M.Reagor). FUMBLES (99-M.Reagor), RECOVERED by DEN-91-C.McGlockton at BUF 24. 91-C.McGlockton for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.6% · EPA -6.81]
Buffalo Bills (Q3 12:16) — (12:16) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 81-P.Price to DEN 26 for 42 yards (43-I.Reese). [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.79]
Denver Broncos (Q4 8:24) — (8:24) 16-T.Rouen FUMBLES (Aborted) at DEN 12, and recovers at DEN 12. [WPA -8.5% · EPA -3.69]
Denver Broncos (Q3 3:45) — (3:45) 14-B.Griese pass to 85-A.Lelie to BUF 47 for 16 yards (21-C.Watson). [WPA +7.6% · EPA +2.47]
Buffalo Bills (Q2 4:57) — (4:57) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 80-E.Moulds to DEN 16 for 44 yards (28-K.Kennedy). [WPA +7.0% · EPA +4.00]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Buffalo Bills (Q1 3:46) — (3:46) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 24 for no gain (99-M.Reagor). FUMBLES (99-M.Reagor), RECOVERED by DEN-91-C.McGlockton at BUF 24. 91-C.McGlockton for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -19.6% · EPA -6.81]
Buffalo Bills (Q2 4:57) — (4:57) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 80-E.Moulds to DEN 16 for 44 yards (28-K.Kennedy). [WPA +7.0% · EPA +4.00]
Buffalo Bills (Q3 12:16) — (12:16) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 81-P.Price to DEN 26 for 42 yards (43-I.Reese). [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.79]
Denver Broncos (Q4 8:24) — (8:24) 16-T.Rouen FUMBLES (Aborted) at DEN 12, and recovers at DEN 12. [WPA -8.5% · EPA -3.69]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 3:46 · DEN 76 · Score 0-6
(3:46) 20-T.Henry right tackle to BUF 24 for no gain (99-M.Reagor). FUMBLES (99-M.Reagor), RECOVERED by DEN-91-C.McGlockton at BUF 24. 91-C.McGlockton for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 3:38 · BUF 2 · Score 0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 9:55 · BUF 1 · Score 0-13
(9:55) 26-C.Portis right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 9:51 · BUF 2 · Score 0-14
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 2:54 · DEN 1 · Score 6-14
(2:54) 20-T.Henry left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 2:50 · DEN 2 · Score 7-14
1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 10:02 · DEN 20 · Score 10-14
(10:02) 1-M.Hollis 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 0:36 · BUF 1 · Score 10-20
(:36) 14-B.Griese pass to 89-D.Carswell for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 0:33 · BUF 2 · Score 10-21
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 7:40 · DEN 4 · Score 16-21
(7:40) (Shotgun) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 82-J.Reed for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 2:45 · BUF 26 · Score 16-27
(2:45) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 2:39 · BUF 2 · Score 16-28
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-78-M.Lepsis, Holder-16-T.Rouen.
Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 1:16 · DEN 2 · Score 22-28
(1:16) 11-D.Bledsoe pass to 80-E.Moulds for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 1:12 · DEN 2 · Score 23-28
1-M.Hollis extra point is GOOD, Center-70-T.Teague, Holder-8-B.Moorman.

Key takeaways

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

Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Ryan Smith (Denver Broncos) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos on 2002-09-22?

The Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills 28-23 in Week 3, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: Buffalo Bills 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Buffalo Bills 7, Denver Broncos 7; Q3: Buffalo Bills 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Buffalo Bills 13, Denver Broncos 7; Final: Buffalo Bills 23, Denver Broncos 28.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?

Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Henry (Q1 3:46) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Portis (Q2 9:55) Buffalo Bills touchdown — T. Henry (Q2 2:54) Denver Broncos touchdown — D. Carswell (B. Griese pass) (Q3 0:36) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Reed (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q4 7:40) Denver Broncos touchdown — R. Smith (B. Griese pass) (Q4 2:45) Buffalo Bills touchdown — E. Moulds (D. Bledsoe pass) (Q4 1:16) Buffalo Bills field goal — M. Hollis (Q3 10:02, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?

D. Bledsoe (Buffalo Bills), 57.4% completion, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +8.61 total passing EPA. B. Griese (Denver Broncos), 48.7% completion, +0.10 EPA per dropback, +4.02 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?

Ryan Smith (Denver Broncos) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.33 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 9 snaps. Their top snap (+3.23 EPA): (2:45) 14-B.Griese pass to 80-R.Smith for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 5 points. Denver Broncos won 28-23 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Buffalo Bills

Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W

Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: 2002 Week 3 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Bills

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

Quick answer

Game summary