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NFL · Week 8 · October 27, 2002 · 12 min read

Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders: 2002 Week 8 Recap

Commanders defeat Colts 26–21 in Week 8

S.Matthews led Fantasy Impact as Commanders prevailed in a 21–26 Week 8 finish.

Indianapolis Colts 21 4–3
Final 21–26
Washington Commanders 26 3–4 Winner
Winner
Washington Commanders
Final score
21–26
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 7–23 Washington Commanders
Top passer
Paul Manning
FantasyHQ MVP
S.Matthews
Game date
October 27, 2002

Top fantasy performers · Colts

  • M.Pollard 2 REC · 38 YDS +3.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Ryan Williams
    Ryan Williams 1 REC · 20 YDS · 1 TD +3.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Malik Harrison
    Malik Harrison 6 REC · 77 YDS +2.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Commanders

  • S.Matthews 17/37 · 216 YDS · 2 TD +5.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Darwin Thompson
    Darwin Thompson 4 REC · 63 YDS +4.3 Fantasy Impact
  • D.McCants 3 REC · 49 YDS · 1 TD +4.0 Fantasy Impact
View Colts vs Commanders box score View all 2002 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Washington Commanders
Final score
Washington Commanders 26–21 Indianapolis Colts
Halftime
Indianapolis Colts 7–23 Washington Commanders at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
S. Matthews
Top passer
Paul Manning
Biggest EPA play
(2:14) 48-S.Davis right end to WAS 10 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by IND-97-J.Cannida …
Game date
2002-10-27

Game summary

The Washington Commanders beat the Indianapolis Colts 26–21 on 2002-10-27. S. Matthews posted a game-high +5.84 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q4——T
Indianapolis Colts07140021
Washington Commanders101330026

Scoring Map

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

INDIndianapolis Colts
WASWashington Commanders

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. WASWashington Commanders
    Q1 9:55FG
    JTJ. Tuthill

    Points+3

    Yard line
    IND 22
    Score
    0-3

    (9:55) 14-J.Tuthill 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.

  2. WASWashington Commanders
    Q1 3:46TD
    DMD. McCants

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 9
    Score
    0-9

    (3:46) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 85-D.McCants for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. WASWashington Commanders
    Q1 3:41XP
    JTJ. Tuthill

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-10

    14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.

  4. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 11:09TD
    CDC. Doering

    Points+6

    Yard line
    IND 33
    Score
    0-16

    (11:09) 6-S.Matthews pass to 84-C.Doering for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 11:00XP
    JTJ. Tuthill

    Points+1

    Yard line
    IND 2
    Score
    0-17

    14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.

  6. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 6:13FG
    JTJ. Tuthill

    Points+3

    Yard line
    IND 5
    Score
    0-20

    (6:13) 14-J.Tuthill 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.

  7. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 1:16TD
    PMPaul Manning

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 1
    Score
    6-20

    (1:16) 18-P.Manning right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q2 1:13XP
    MVM. Vanderjagt

    Points+1

    Yard line
    WAS 2
    Score
    7-20

    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.

  9. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 0:04FG
    JTJ. Tuthill

    Points+3

    Yard line
    IND 23
    Score
    7-23

    (:04) 14-J.Tuthill 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.

  10. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 15:00TD
    EJE. James

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 2
    Score
    13-23

    (15:00) 18-P.Manning pass to 32-E.James for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 14:56Safety
    EJE. James

    Points+2

    Yard line
    WAS 2
    Score
    15-23

    (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 32-E.James rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

  12. INDIndianapolis Colts
    Q4 6:53TD
    Ryan Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 20
    Score
    21-23

    (6:53) 18-P.Manning pass to 35-R.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. WASWashington Commanders
    Q4 0:22FG
    JTJ. Tuthill

    Points+3

    Yard line
    IND 4
    Score
    21-26

    (:22) 14-J.Tuthill 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1S. Matthews · Washington Commanders · Passing · +5.84 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
  2. 2Darwin ThompsonDarwin Thompson · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +4.30 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
  3. 3D. McCants · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
  4. 4M. Pollard · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.53 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
  5. 5Ryan WilliamsRyan Williams · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.32 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.32 EPA/play
  6. 6C. Doering · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +2.37 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
  7. 7Malik HarrisonMalik Harrison · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
  8. 8Paul Manning · Indianapolis Colts · Rushing · +1.71 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.71 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

S. Matthews — WAS · Passing

S. Matthews posted the highest total EPA (+5.84) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Washington Commanders. Across 37 counted snaps, they averaged +0.16 EPA per play.

S. Matthews's top snap (+3.93 EPA): (11:09) 6-S.Matthews pass to 84-C.Doering for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-6.00 EPA): Shaquan Davis — (2:14) 48-S.Davis right end to WAS 10 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by IND-97-J.Cannida at WAS 10. 97-J.Cannida to WAS 3 for 7 yards (59-W.Brown).

Quarterback report card

Paul Manning led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Paul Manning (Indianapolis Colts) · 38 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.28 total EPA
  • S. Matthews (Washington Commanders) · 37 dropbacks · 45.9% completion · +0.16 EPA/play · +5.84 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatIndianapolis ColtsWashington Commanders
Offensive EPA/play-0.022+0.021
Offensive success rate45.3%45.7%
Pass EPA/play-0.034+0.135
Rush EPA/play+0.053-0.156
Defensive EPA/play-0.021+0.022
Defensive success rate54.3%54.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Indianapolis Colts -0.02, Washington Commanders +0.02) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Indianapolis Colts: -0.02 EPA/play (45th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Washington Commanders: +0.02 EPA/play (54th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
  • Indianapolis Colts: 11 drives, -1.67 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Washington Commanders: 12 drives, +1.96 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Washington Commanders — D. McCants (S. Matthews pass) (Q1 3:46)
  • Washington Commanders — C. Doering (S. Matthews pass) (Q2 11:09)
  • Indianapolis Colts — Paul Manning (Q2 1:16)
  • Indianapolis Colts — E. James (Paul Manning pass) (Q4 15:00)
  • Ryan WilliamsIndianapolis Colts — Ryan Williams (Paul Manning pass) (Q4 6:53)

Field goals

  • Washington Commanders — J. Tuthill (Q1 9:55)
  • Washington Commanders — J. Tuthill (Q2 6:13)
  • Washington Commanders — J. Tuthill (Q2 0:04)
  • Washington Commanders — J. Tuthill (Q4 0:22)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 10–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the IND 22 (Q1 9:55) — (9:55) 14-J.Tuthill 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the IND 9 (Q1 3:46) — (3:46) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 85-D.McCants for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q1 3:41) — 14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..

The second quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 13–7. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the IND 33 (Q2 11:09) — (11:09) 6-S.Matthews pass to 84-C.Doering for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the IND 2 (Q2 11:00) — 14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the IND 5 (Q2 6:13) — (6:13) 14-J.Tuthill 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the WAS 1 (Q2 1:16) — (1:16) 18-P.Manning right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 1:13) — 13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the IND 23 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 14-J.Tuthill 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..

The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 14–3. Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the WAS 2 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 18-P.Manning pass to 32-E.James for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Indianapolis Colts registered a safety from the WAS 2 (Q4 14:56) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 32-E.James rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the WAS 20 (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 18-P.Manning pass to 35-R.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the IND 4 (Q4 0:22) — (:22) 14-J.Tuthill 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 18-P.Manning pass to 35-R.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.5% · EPA +3.32]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 32-E.James INTERCEPTED by 26-I.Ohalete at WAS 43. 26-I.Ohalete pushed ob at WAS 47 for 4 yards (81-M.Pollard). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -4.82]
  • Washington Commanders (Q1 12:48) — (12:48) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 88-D.Thompson to IND 37 for 12 yards (50-D.Thornton). [WPA +11.0% · EPA +2.32]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 6:46) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 18-P.Manning pass to 83-Q.Ismail is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. [WPA -8.7% · EPA -0.95]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 0:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass to 86-T.Walters to IND 45 for 8 yards. FUMBLES, touched at IND 47, RECOVERED by WAS-98-J.Armstead at IND 47. Walters attemped lateral. [WPA -7.9% · EPA -0.26]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Washington Commanders (Q2 2:14) — (2:14) 48-S.Davis right end to WAS 10 for no gain. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by IND-97-J.Cannida at WAS 10. 97-J.Cannida to WAS 3 for 7 yards (59-W.Brown). [WPA -3.6% · EPA -6.00]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 32-E.James INTERCEPTED by 26-I.Ohalete at WAS 43. 26-I.Ohalete pushed ob at WAS 47 for 4 yards (81-M.Pollard). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -4.82]
  • Indianapolis Colts (Q3 9:33) — (9:33) 18-P.Manning pass intended for 88-M.Harrison INTERCEPTED by 21-F.Smoot at IND 26. 21-F.Smoot to IND 14 for 12 yards (42-D.Smith). [WPA -1.3% · EPA -4.48]
  • Washington Commanders (Q2 11:09) — (11:09) 6-S.Matthews pass to 84-C.Doering for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.7% · EPA +3.93]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q1 9:55 · IND 22 · Score 0-3
    (9:55) 14-J.Tuthill 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
  2. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 3:46 · IND 9 · Score 0-9
    (3:46) (Shotgun) 6-S.Matthews pass to 85-D.McCants for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 3:41 · IND 2 · Score 0-10
    14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
  4. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q2 11:09 · IND 33 · Score 0-16
    (11:09) 6-S.Matthews pass to 84-C.Doering for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q2 11:00 · IND 2 · Score 0-17
    14-J.Tuthill extra point is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
  6. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 6:13 · IND 5 · Score 0-20
    (6:13) 14-J.Tuthill 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
  7. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q2 1:16 · WAS 1 · Score 6-20
    (1:16) 18-P.Manning right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Indianapolis Colts XP (+1) — Q2 1:13 · WAS 2 · Score 7-20
    13-M.Vanderjagt extra point is GOOD, Center-48-J.Snow, Holder-17-H.Smith.
  9. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · IND 23 · Score 7-23
    (:04) 14-J.Tuthill 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.
  10. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · WAS 2 · Score 13-23
    (15:00) 18-P.Manning pass to 32-E.James for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Indianapolis Colts Safety (+2) — Q4 14:56 · WAS 2 · Score 15-23
    (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 32-E.James rushes right guard. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
  12. Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 6:53 · WAS 20 · Score 21-23
    (6:53) 18-P.Manning pass to 35-R.Williams for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q4 0:22 · IND 4 · Score 21-26
    (:22) 14-J.Tuthill 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-E.Albright, Holder-4-B.Barker.

Key takeaways

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders on 2002-10-27?

The Washington Commanders beat the Indianapolis Colts 26-21 in Week 8, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders?

Q1: Indianapolis Colts 0, Washington Commanders 10; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 7, Washington Commanders 13; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 14, Washington Commanders 3; Final: Indianapolis Colts 21, Washington Commanders 26.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders?

Washington Commanders touchdown — D. McCants (S. Matthews pass) (Q1 3:46) Washington Commanders touchdown — C. Doering (S. Matthews pass) (Q2 11:09) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — P. Manning (Q2 1:16) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — E. James (P. Manning pass) (Q4 15:00) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — R. Williams (P. Manning pass) (Q4 6:53) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Tuthill (Q1 9:55, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Tuthill (Q2 6:13, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Tuthill (Q2 0:04, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — J. Tuthill (Q4 0:22, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders?

Paul Manning (Indianapolis Colts), 55.3% completion, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -1.28 total passing EPA. S. Matthews (Washington Commanders), 45.9% completion, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +5.84 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders?

S. Matthews (Washington Commanders) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.84 total EPA on Passing plays. across 37 snaps. Their top snap (+3.93 EPA): (11:09) 6-S.Matthews pass to 84-C.Doering for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders a close game?

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

Season records after this game

Indianapolis Colts

Entered 4-2 Now 4-3 L

Washington Commanders

Entered 2-4 Now 3-4 W

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