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NFL · Week 3 · September 21, 2003 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans: 2003 Week 3 Recap

Titans defeat Saints 27–12 in Week 3

D.Bennett led Fantasy Impact as Titans prevailed in a 12–27 Week 3 finish.

New Orleans Saints 12 1–2
Final 12–27
Tennessee Titans 27 2–1 Winner
Winner
Tennessee Titans
Final score
12–27
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 5–13 Tennessee Titans
Top passer
S. McNair
FantasyHQ MVP
D.Bennett
Game date
September 21, 2003

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • J.Pathon 4 REC · 89 YDS · 1 TD +8.6 Fantasy Impact
  • E.Conwell 4 REC · 47 YDS +2.6 Fantasy Impact
  • D.McAllister 3 REC · 23 YDS +1.3 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Titans

  • D.Bennett 8 REC · 105 YDS · 1 TD +12.2 Fantasy Impact
  • S.McNair 22/36 · 251 YDS · 2 TD +10.1 Fantasy Impact
  • J.McCareins 5 REC · 44 YDS · 1 TD +6.0 Fantasy Impact
View Saints vs Titans box score View all 2003 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Tennessee Titans
Final score
Tennessee Titans 27–12 New Orleans Saints
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 5–13 Tennessee Titans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
D. Bennett
Top passer
S. McNair
Biggest EPA play
(14:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth to NO 42 for 7 yards (59-P.Sirmon). FUMBLES (59…
Game date
2003-09-21

Game summary

The Tennessee Titans beat the New Orleans Saints 27–12 on 2003-09-21. D. Bennett posted a game-high +12.16 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
New Orleans Saints2307012
Tennessee Titans10377027

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints
TENTennessee Titans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. TENTennessee Titans
    Q1 7:48FG
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 4
    Score
    0-3

    (7:48) 1-G.Anderson 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  2. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 6:18Safety
    MBM. Berger

    Points+2

    Yard line
    TEN 62
    Score
    2-3

    (6:18) (Punt formation) 17-M.Berger punts 46 yards to TEN 16, Center-47-K.Houser. 86-J.McCareins to TEN 14 for -2 yards (29-K.Craver). FUMBLES (29-K.Craver), recovered by TEN-24-T.Beckham at TEN 2. 24-T.Beckham to TEN 0 for -2 yards. Lateral to 37-L.Thompson tackled in End Zone, SAFETY NULLIFIED by Penalty. PENALTY on TEN-24-T.Beckham, Illegal Forward Pass, 0 yards, enforced in End Zone, SAFETY.

  3. TENTennessee Titans
    Q1 2:41TD
    JMJ. McCareins

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    2-9

    (2:41) 9-S.McNair pass to 86-J.McCareins for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. TENTennessee Titans
    Q1 1:52XP
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    2-10

    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  5. TENTennessee Titans
    Q2 5:20FG
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 25
    Score
    2-13

    (5:20) (Field Goal formation) 1-G.Anderson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  6. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 1:50FG
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TEN 13
    Score
    5-13

    (1:50) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger.

  7. TENTennessee Titans
    Q3 10:46TD
    DBD. Bennett

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 5
    Score
    5-19

    (10:46) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-33-A.Ambrose, Defensive Holding, declined.

  8. TENTennessee Titans
    Q3 10:41XP
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    5-20

    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

  9. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 13:33TD
    JPJ. Pathon

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TEN 10
    Score
    11-20

    (13:33) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 13:23XP
    JCJ. Carney

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TEN 2
    Score
    12-20

    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger.

  11. TENTennessee Titans
    Q4 6:18TD
    EGE. George

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 6
    Score
    12-26

    (6:18) 27-E.George left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. TENTennessee Titans
    Q4 6:13XP
    GAG. Anderson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    12-27

    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1D. Bennett · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +12.16 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
  2. 2S. McNair · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +10.11 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
  3. 3J. Pathon · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +8.57 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.14 EPA/play
  4. 4J. McCareins · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +6.05 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
  5. 5E. Kinney · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +3.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
  6. 6C. Hentrich · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +3.32 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.32 EPA/play
  7. 7D. Mason · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +3.00 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
  8. 8S. Meier · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +2.88 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.72 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. Bennett — TEN · Receiving

D. Bennett posted the highest total EPA (+12.16) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tennessee Titans. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +1.52 EPA per play.

D. Bennett's top snap (+2.70 EPA): (10:46) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-33-A.Ambrose, Defensive Holding, declined.

Biggest single play (-4.13 EPA): A. Brooks — (14:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth to NO 42 for 7 yards (59-P.Sirmon). FUMBLES (59-P.Sirmon), RECOVERED by TEN-21-S.Rolle at NO 40. 21-S.Rolle to NO 37 for 3 yards (62-J.Fontenot; 87-J.Horn).

Quarterback report card

S. McNair led all passers in efficiency for Tennessee Titans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • S. McNair (Tennessee Titans) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +0.28 EPA/play · +10.11 total EPA
  • A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 28 dropbacks · 53.6% completion · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsTennessee Titans
Offensive EPA/play+0.041+0.188
Offensive success rate47.5%57.6%
Pass EPA/play+0.002+0.396
Rush EPA/play-0.444-0.016
Defensive EPA/play-0.188-0.041
Defensive success rate42.4%52.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Tennessee Titans held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs +0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: +0.04 EPA/play (64th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • Tennessee Titans: +0.19 EPA/play (91st percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
  • New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +2.44 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • Tennessee Titans: 8 drives, +15.94 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Tennessee Titans — J. McCareins (S. McNair pass) (Q1 2:41)
  • Tennessee Titans — D. Bennett (S. McNair pass) (Q3 10:46)
  • New Orleans Saints — J. Pathon (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 13:33)
  • Tennessee Titans — E. George (Q4 6:18)

Field goals

  • Tennessee Titans — G. Anderson (Q1 7:48)
  • Tennessee Titans — G. Anderson (Q2 5:20)
  • New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 1:50)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 10–2. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the NO 4 (Q1 7:48) — (7:48) 1-G.Anderson 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.; New Orleans Saints registered a safety from the TEN 62 (Q1 6:18); Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q1 2:41) — (2:41) 9-S.McNair pass to 86-J.McCareins for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 1:52) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the NO 25 (Q2 5:20) — (5:20) (Field Goal formation) 1-G.Anderson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the TEN 13 (Q2 1:50) — (1:50) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger..

The third quarter: Tennessee Titans won the period 7–0. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NO 5 (Q3 10:46) — (10:46) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-33-A.Ambrose, Defensive Holding, declined.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 10:41) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the TEN 10 (Q4 13:33) — (13:33) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q4 13:23) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q4 6:18) — (6:18) 27-E.George left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 6:13) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 6:03) — 15-C.Hentrich kicks 44 yards from TEN 20 to NO 36. 96-M.Williams MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by TEN-87-T.Calico at NO 38. [WPA -12.9% · EPA -3.45]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 6:18) — (6:18) (Punt formation) 17-M.Berger punts 46 yards to TEN 16, Center-47-K.Houser. 86-J.McCareins to TEN 14 for -2 yards (29-K.Craver). FUMBLES (29-K.Craver), recovered by TEN-24-T.Beckham at TEN 2. 24 [WPA +9.5% · EPA +3.14]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q2 9:19) — (9:19) (Punt formation) 15-C.Hentrich pass to 86-J.McCareins to NO 38 for 15 yards (22-F.Thomas). [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.32]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 14:17) — (14:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth to NO 42 for 7 yards (59-P.Sirmon). FUMBLES (59-P.Sirmon), RECOVERED by TEN-21-S.Rolle at NO 40. 21-S.Rolle to NO 37 for 3 yards (62-J.Fontenot; 87-J.Horn). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.13]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q2 0:22) — (:22) 9-S.McNair sacked at NO 8 for -2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NO-90-K.Smith at NO 3. 90-K.Smith to NO 3 for no gain (69-Z.Piller; 9-S.McNair). [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.75]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 14:17) — (14:17) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-D.Stallworth to NO 42 for 7 yards (59-P.Sirmon). FUMBLES (59-P.Sirmon), RECOVERED by TEN-21-S.Rolle at NO 40. 21-S.Rolle to NO 37 for 3 yards (62-J.Fontenot; 87-J.Horn). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.13]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q2 0:22) — (:22) 9-S.McNair sacked at NO 8 for -2 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by NO-90-K.Smith at NO 3. 90-K.Smith to NO 3 for no gain (69-Z.Piller; 9-S.McNair). [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.75]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q1 6:03) — 15-C.Hentrich kicks 44 yards from TEN 20 to NO 36. 96-M.Williams MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by TEN-87-T.Calico at NO 38. [WPA -12.9% · EPA -3.45]
  • Tennessee Titans (Q2 9:19) — (9:19) (Punt formation) 15-C.Hentrich pass to 86-J.McCareins to NO 38 for 15 yards (22-F.Thomas). [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.32]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q1 7:48 · NO 4 · Score 0-3
    (7:48) 1-G.Anderson 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  2. New Orleans Saints Safety (+2) — Q1 6:18 · TEN 62 · Score 2-3
    (6:18) (Punt formation) 17-M.Berger punts 46 yards to TEN 16, Center-47-K.Houser. 86-J.McCareins to TEN 14 for -2 yards (29-K.Craver). FUMBLES (29-K.Craver), recovered by TEN-24-T.Beckham at TEN 2. 24
  3. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q1 2:41 · NO 2 · Score 2-9
    (2:41) 9-S.McNair pass to 86-J.McCareins for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q1 1:52 · NO 2 · Score 2-10
    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  5. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q2 5:20 · NO 25 · Score 2-13
    (5:20) (Field Goal formation) 1-G.Anderson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  6. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 1:50 · TEN 13 · Score 5-13
    (1:50) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Carney 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger.
  7. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 10:46 · NO 5 · Score 5-19
    (10:46) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-33-A.Ambrose, Defensive Holding, declined.
  8. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q3 10:41 · NO 2 · Score 5-20
    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.
  9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 13:33 · TEN 10 · Score 11-20
    (13:33) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 80-J.Pathon for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 13:23 · TEN 2 · Score 12-20
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-17-M.Berger.
  11. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q4 6:18 · NO 6 · Score 12-26
    (6:18) 27-E.George left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q4 6:13 · NO 2 · Score 12-27
    1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-T.Ackerman, Holder-15-C.Hentrich.

Key takeaways

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

  • Tennessee Titans earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • D. Bennett (Tennessee Titans) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Tennessee Titans on 2003-09-21?

The Tennessee Titans beat the New Orleans Saints 27-12 in Week 3, 2003.

What was the score by quarter in New Orleans Saints vs Tennessee Titans?

Q1: New Orleans Saints 2, Tennessee Titans 10; Q2: New Orleans Saints 3, Tennessee Titans 3; Q3: New Orleans Saints 0, Tennessee Titans 7; Q4: New Orleans Saints 7, Tennessee Titans 7; Final: New Orleans Saints 12, Tennessee Titans 27.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New Orleans Saints vs Tennessee Titans?

Tennessee Titans touchdown — J. McCareins (S. McNair pass) (Q1 2:41) Tennessee Titans touchdown — D. Bennett (S. McNair pass) (Q3 10:46) New Orleans Saints touchdown — J. Pathon (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 13:33) Tennessee Titans touchdown — E. George (Q4 6:18) Tennessee Titans field goal — G. Anderson (Q1 7:48, 3 pts) Tennessee Titans field goal — G. Anderson (Q2 5:20, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q2 1:50, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in New Orleans Saints vs Tennessee Titans?

S. McNair (Tennessee Titans), 61.1% completion, +0.28 EPA per dropback, +10.11 total passing EPA. A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 53.6% completion, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.10 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in New Orleans Saints vs Tennessee Titans?

D. Bennett (Tennessee Titans) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.16 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+2.70 EPA): (10:46) (Shotgun) 9-S.McNair pass to 83-D.Bennett for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-33-A.Ambrose, Defensive Holding, declined..

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L

Tennessee Titans

Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W

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