Quick answer
- Winner
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Final score
- Los Angeles Chargers 21–14 New England Patriots
- Halftime
- Tied 14–14 at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- D. Branch
- Top passer
- T. Brady
- Biggest EPA play
- (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 …
- Game date
- 2002-09-29
Game summary
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the New England Patriots 21–14 on 2002-09-29. D. Branch posted a game-high +9.37 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New England Patriots | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
 Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
NENew England Patriots(9:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
(4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
(14:17) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
(2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
(14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
LACLos Angeles ChargersFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- NENew England Patriots
Q1 9:30TD CFC. FauriaPoints+6
- Yard line
- LAC 5
- Score
- 6-0
(9:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NENew England Patriots
Q1 9:26XP AVA. VinatieriPoints+1
- Yard line
- LAC 2
- Score
- 7-0
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q1 4:25TD CCC. ConwayPoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 52
- Score
- 7-6
(4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q1 4:17XP SCS. ChristiePoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 2
- Score
- 7-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 14:17TD MVM. VrabelPoints+6
- Yard line
- LAC 1
- Score
- 13-7
(14:17) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- NENew England Patriots
Q2 14:13XP AVA. VinatieriPoints+1
- Yard line
- LAC 2
- Score
- 14-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 2:28TD Laken TomlinsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 37
- Score
- 14-13
(2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 2:19XP SCS. ChristiePoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 2
- Score
- 14-14
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
- LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q3 14:26TD Laken TomlinsonPoints+6
- Yard line
- NE 58
- Score
- 14-20
(14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q3 14:14XP SCS. ChristiePoints+1
- Yard line
- NE 2
- Score
- 14-21
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1D. Branch · New England Patriots · Receiving · +9.37 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 2Laken Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +9.34 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 3C. Conway · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
- 4D. Patten · New England Patriots · Receiving · +3.55 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
- 5T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +3.41 total EPA · 55 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 6C. Fauria · New England Patriots · Receiving · +2.15 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
- 7M. Vrabel · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
- 8
Arian Smith · New England Patriots · Rushing · +1.16 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.07 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
D. Branch — NE · Receiving
D. Branch posted the highest total EPA (+9.37) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New England Patriots. Across 15 counted snaps, they averaged +0.62 EPA per play.
D. Branch's top snap (+2.61 EPA): (13:40) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch ran ob at LAC 39 for 16 yards (25-A.Molden).
Biggest single play (-7.03 EPA): T. Brady — (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).
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) · 55 dropbacks · 65.5% completion · +0.06 EPA/play · +3.41 total EPA
- D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 18 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · -0.23 EPA/play · -4.13 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | New England Patriots | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.005 | +0.075 |
| Offensive success rate | 51.1% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.062 | -0.130 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.022 | +0.265 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.075 | +0.005 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 48.9% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Los Angeles Chargers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- New England Patriots: -0.01 EPA/play (49th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Los Angeles Chargers: +0.07 EPA/play (69th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, +4.83 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New England Patriots: 10 drives, -0.43 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New England Patriots — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Conway (D. Brees pass)
- New England Patriots — M. Vrabel (T. Brady pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — Laken Tomlinson
- Los Angeles Chargers — Laken Tomlinson
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LAC 5 (Q1 9:30) — (9:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 9:26) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 52 (Q1 4:25) — (4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q1 4:17) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New England Patriots found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q2 14:17) — (14:17) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 14:13) — 4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 37 (Q2 2:28) — (2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q2 2:19) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the NE 58 (Q3 14:26) — (14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 14:14) — 8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New England Patriots (Q3 2:42) — (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 14:26) — (14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 2:28) — (2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New England Patriots (Q2 6:56) — (6:56) 4-A.Vinatieri 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 4:25) — (4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- New England Patriots (Q3 2:42) — (2:42) 12-T.Brady pass INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Edwards at LAC 7. 59-D.Edwards to NE 47 for 46 yards (81-D.Hayes).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 2:28) — (2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 4:25) — (4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 14:26) — (14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 9:30 · LAC 5 · Score 6-0
(9:30) 12-T.Brady pass to 88-C.Fauria for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 9:26 · LAC 2 · Score 7-0
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 4:25 · NE 52 · Score 7-6
(4:25) 9-D.Brees pass to 80-C.Conway for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 4:17 · NE 2 · Score 7-7
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 14:17 · LAC 1 · Score 13-7
(14:17) 12-T.Brady pass to 50-M.Vrabel for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 14:13 · LAC 2 · Score 14-7
4-A.Vinatieri extra point is GOOD, Center-66-L.Paxton, Holder-13-K.Walter. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 2:28 · NE 37 · Score 14-13
(2:28) 21-L.Tomlinson right tackle for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 2:19 · NE 2 · Score 14-14
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 14:26 · NE 58 · Score 14-20
(14:26) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 14:14 · NE 2 · Score 14-21
8-S.Christie extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-2-D.Bennett.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Chargers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- D. Branch (New England Patriots) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers on 2002-09-29?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the New England Patriots 21-14 in Week 4, 2002.
What was the score by quarter in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q1: New England Patriots 7, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q2: New England Patriots 7, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q3: New England Patriots 0, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Final: New England Patriots 14, Los Angeles Chargers 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
New England Patriots touchdown — C. Fauria (T. Brady pass) (Q1 9:30) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — C. Conway (D. Brees pass) (Q1 4:25) New England Patriots touchdown — M. Vrabel (T. Brady pass) (Q2 14:17) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 2:28) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q3 14:26) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
T. Brady (New England Patriots), 65.5% completion, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +3.41 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 55.6% completion, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -4.13 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers?
D. Branch (New England Patriots) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.37 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 15 snaps. Their top snap (+2.61 EPA): (13:40) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass to 83-D.Branch ran ob at LAC 39 for 16 yards (25-A.Molden)..
Was New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Los Angeles Chargers won 21-14 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
New England Patriots
Entered 3-0 Now 3-1 L
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 3-0 Now 4-0 W
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