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NFL · Week 4 · September 29, 2002 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions: 2002 Week 4 Recap

Lions defeat Saints 26–21 in Week 4

Jax Harrington led Fantasy Impact as Lions prevailed in a 21–26 Week 4 finish.

New Orleans Saints 21 3–1
Final 21–26
Detroit Lions 26 1–3 Winner
Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
21–26
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 7–20 Detroit Lions
Top passer
A. Brooks
FantasyHQ MVP
Jax Harrington
Game date
September 29, 2002

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • J.Pathon 6 REC · 55 YDS · 1 TD +5.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Ja.Reed 2 REC · 40 YDS +3.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Jimmy Horn Jr.
    Jimmy Horn Jr. 6 REC · 87 YDS +2.3 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Jax Harrington 20/36 · 267 YDS · 1 TD +8.0 Fantasy Impact
  • B.Schroeder 7 REC · 78 YDS · 1 TD +5.7 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Hakim 3 REC · 98 YDS +5.0 Fantasy Impact
View Saints vs Lions box score View all 2002 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
Detroit Lions 26–21 New Orleans Saints
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 7–20 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Jax Harrington
Top passer
A. Brooks
Biggest EPA play
(10:42) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 22 for -9 yards (98-K.Edwards). FUMBLES (98-K.Ed…
Game date
2002-09-29

Game summary

The Detroit Lions beat the New Orleans Saints 26–21 on 2002-09-29. Jax Harrington posted a game-high +8.04 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
New Orleans Saints0786021
Detroit Lions13733026

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints
DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 12:08FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 5
    Score
    0-3

    (12:08) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  2. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 10:42TD
    Justin Hall

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 69
    Score
    0-9

    (10:42) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 22 for -9 yards (98-K.Edwards). FUMBLES (98-K.Edwards), touched at NO 22, RECOVERED by DET-96-J.Hall at NO 22. 96-J.Hall for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 10:31XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    0-10

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

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 6:25FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 16
    Score
    0-13

    (6:25) 4-J.Hanson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 4:58TD
    BSB. Schroeder

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 38
    Score
    0-19

    (4:58) 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 4:53XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    0-20

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

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 1:29TD
    DSD. Stallworth

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 4
    Score
    6-20

    (1:29) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.

  8. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 1:25XP
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    7-20

    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.

  9. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 7:31FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 5
    Score
    7-23

    (7:31) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  10. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 3:46TD
    DMD. McAllister

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 12
    Score
    13-23

    (3:46) 26-D.McAllister up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 3:41Safety
    ABA. Brooks

    Points+2

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    15-23

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-A.Brooks rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 11:56FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 20
    Score
    15-26

    (11:56) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.

  13. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 3:45TD
    JPJ. Pathon

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 6
    Score
    21-26

    (3:45) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Jax Harrington · Detroit Lions · Passing · +8.04 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
  2. 2J. Pathon · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
  3. 3B. Schroeder · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.66 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
  4. 4A. Hakim · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.01 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
  5. 5Ja. Reed · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
  6. 6L. Foster · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
  7. 7Jimmy Horn Jr.Jimmy Horn Jr. · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.32 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  8. 8C. Schlesinger · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.40 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.35 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

Jax Harrington — DET · Passing

Jax Harrington posted the highest total EPA (+8.04) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.22 EPA per play.

Jax Harrington's top snap (+4.13 EPA): (14:06) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-A.Hakim to NO 37 for 52 yards (35-F.Brown).

Biggest single play (-6.98 EPA): A. Brooks — (10:42) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 22 for -9 yards (98-K.Edwards). FUMBLES (98-K.Edwards), touched at NO 22, RECOVERED by DET-96-J.Hall at NO 22. 96-J.Hall for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

A. Brooks led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 60 dropbacks · 45.0% completion · -0.02 EPA/play · -1.34 total EPA
  • Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 36 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +0.22 EPA/play · +8.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsDetroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play-0.036-0.001
Offensive success rate46.7%39.0%
Pass EPA/play-0.022+0.223
Rush EPA/play+0.021-0.465
Defensive EPA/play+0.001+0.036
Defensive success rate61.0%53.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints -0.04, Detroit Lions -0.00) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: -0.04 EPA/play (39th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: -0.00 EPA/play (50th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -0.09 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, -3.20 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Justin HallDetroit Lions — Justin Hall (Q1 10:42)
  • Detroit Lions — B. Schroeder (Jax Harrington pass) (Q2 4:58)
  • New Orleans Saints — D. Stallworth (A. Brooks pass) (Q2 1:29)
  • New Orleans Saints — D. McAllister (Q3 3:46)
  • New Orleans Saints — J. Pathon (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 3:45)

Field goals

  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q1 12:08)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q1 6:25)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q3 7:31)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q4 11:56)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 13–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 5 (Q1 12:08) — (12:08) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 69 (Q1 10:42); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 10:31) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 16 (Q1 6:25) — (6:25) 4-J.Hanson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NO 38 (Q2 4:58) — (4:58) 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 4:53) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q2 1:29) — (1:29) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 1:25) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 8–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 5 (Q3 7:31) — (7:31) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 12 (Q3 3:46) — (3:46) 26-D.McAllister up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints registered a safety from the DET 2 (Q3 3:41) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-A.Brooks rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NO 20 (Q4 11:56) — (11:56) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q4 3:45) — (3:45) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 10:42) — (10:42) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 22 for -9 yards (98-K.Edwards). FUMBLES (98-K.Edwards), touched at NO 22, RECOVERED by DET-96-J.Hall at NO 22. 96-J.Hall for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -15.3% · EPA -6.98]
  • Detroit Lions (Q1 15:00) — 3-J.Carney kicks 62 yards from NO 30 to DET 8. 80-D.Howard to NO 22 for 70 yards (24-J.Wilson). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +3.38]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:45) — (3:45) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.1% · EPA +3.06]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 2:43) — (2:43) 30-C.Schlesinger up the middle to DET 38 for 3 yards (93-D.Howard). [WPA +6.3% · EPA -0.35]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 3:46) — (3:46) 26-D.McAllister up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.3% · EPA +2.17]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 10:42) — (10:42) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 22 for -9 yards (98-K.Edwards). FUMBLES (98-K.Edwards), touched at NO 22, RECOVERED by DET-96-J.Hall at NO 22. 96-J.Hall for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -15.3% · EPA -6.98]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 10:06) — (10:06) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 26-D.McAllister INTERCEPTED by 25-C.Harris at DET 10. 25-C.Harris to NO 41 for 49 yards (65-L.Bentley). [WPA -5.9% · EPA -6.10]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 14:06) — (14:06) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-A.Hakim to NO 37 for 52 yards (35-F.Brown). [WPA +3.7% · EPA +4.13]
  • Detroit Lions (Q2 4:58) — (4:58) 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.2% · EPA +3.88]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 12:08 · NO 5 · Score 0-3
    (12:08) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  2. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 10:42 · DET 69 · Score 0-9
    (10:42) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks sacked at NO 22 for -9 yards (98-K.Edwards). FUMBLES (98-K.Edwards), touched at NO 22, RECOVERED by DET-96-J.Hall at NO 22. 96-J.Hall for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 10:31 · NO 2 · Score 0-10
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  4. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 6:25 · NO 16 · Score 0-13
    (6:25) 4-J.Hanson 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 4:58 · NO 38 · Score 0-19
    (4:58) 3-J.Harrington pass to 84-B.Schroeder for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 4:53 · NO 2 · Score 0-20
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 1:29 · DET 4 · Score 6-20
    (1:29) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
  8. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 1:25 · DET 2 · Score 7-20
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
  9. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 7:31 · NO 5 · Score 7-23
    (7:31) 4-J.Hanson 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 3:46 · DET 12 · Score 13-23
    (3:46) 26-D.McAllister up the middle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. New Orleans Saints Safety (+2) — Q3 3:41 · DET 2 · Score 15-23
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 2-A.Brooks rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
  12. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 11:56 · NO 20 · Score 15-26
    (11:56) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-B.Banta, Holder-19-J.Jett.
  13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:45 · DET 6 · Score 21-26
    (3:45) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

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

  • Detroit Lions earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions on 2002-09-29?

The Detroit Lions beat the New Orleans Saints 26-21 in Week 4, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 0, Detroit Lions 13; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Detroit Lions 7; Q3: New Orleans Saints 8, Detroit Lions 3; Q4: New Orleans Saints 6, Detroit Lions 3; Final: New Orleans Saints 21, Detroit Lions 26.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Hall (Q1 10:42) Detroit Lions touchdown — B. Schroeder (J. Harrington pass) (Q2 4:58) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Stallworth (A. Brooks pass) (Q2 1:29) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. McAllister (Q3 3:46) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Pathon (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 3:45) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q1 12:08, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q1 6:25, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 7:31, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q4 11:56, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 45.0% completion, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -1.34 total passing EPA. Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions), 55.6% completion, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +8.04 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions?

Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +8.04 total EPA on Passing plays. across 36 snaps. Their top snap (+4.13 EPA): (14:06) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-A.Hakim to NO 37 for 52 yards (35-F.Brown)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 5 points. Detroit Lions won 26-21 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 3-0 Now 3-1 L

Detroit Lions

Entered 0-3 Now 1-3 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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