Dolphins 38–31 Chiefs: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2008

Quick answer

Winner: Miami Dolphins
Final score: Miami Dolphins 38–31 Kansas City Chiefs
Halftime: Miami Dolphins 24–28 Kansas City Chiefs at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: C. Pennington
Top passer: T. Thigpen
Biggest EPA play: (13:02) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass deep left intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 21-…
Game date: 2008-12-21

Game summary

The Miami Dolphins beat the Kansas City Chiefs 38–31 on 2008-12-21, overcoming Kansas City Chiefs's 28–24 halftime lead. C. Pennington posted a game-high +14.03 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 35 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Miami Dolphins	10	14	7	7	0	38
Kansas City Chiefs	7	21	3	0	0	31

Scoring Map

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

MIAMiami Dolphins

KC 31

MIA 33

KCKansas City Chiefs

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

20 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 14:50TD
TGT. Ginn
Points+6
Yard line
KC 31
Score
6-0
(14:50) 19-T.Ginn left end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 14:42XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
KC 2
Score
7-0
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q1 11:52FG
DCD. Carpenter
Points+3
Yard line
KC 16
Score
10-0
(11:52) 5-D.Carpenter 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q1 10:22TD
DDD. Darling
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 33
Score
10-6
(10:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass deep right to 81-D.Darling for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q1 10:15XP
CBC. Barth
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
10-7
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q2 14:14TD
TGT. Gonzalez
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 8
Score
10-13
(14:14) 4-T.Thigpen pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q2 14:05XP
CBC. Barth
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
10-14
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 11:39TD
DMD. Martin
Points+6
Yard line
KC 11
Score
16-14
(11:39) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 88-D.Martin for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 11:33XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
KC 2
Score
17-14
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q2 10:35TD
Lonnie Johnson Jr.
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
17-20
(10:35) 27-L.Johnson left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q2 10:32XP
CBC. Barth
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
17-21
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 6:20TD
AFA. Fasano
Points+6
Yard line
KC 14
Score
23-21
(6:20) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 80-A.Fasano for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q2 6:12XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
KC 2
Score
24-21
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q2 0:55TD
TTT. Thigpen
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 8
Score
24-27
(:55) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q2 0:50XP
CBC. Barth
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
24-28
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
KCKansas City Chiefs
Q3 9:11FG
CBC. Barth
Points+3
Yard line
MIA 9
Score
24-31
(9:11) 5-C.Barth 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q3 6:51TD
Ryan Williams
Points+6
Yard line
KC 4
Score
30-31
(6:51) 34-R.Williams left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q3 6:46XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
KC 2
Score
31-31
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields. PENALTY on KC, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 4:14TD
AFA. Fasano
Points+6
Yard line
KC 14
Score
37-31
(4:14) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 80-A.Fasano for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on KC-24-B.Flowers, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 4:08XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
KC 2
Score
38-31
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1C. Pennington · Miami Dolphins · Passing · +14.03 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
2T. Gonzalez · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +9.26 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.32 EPA/play
3A. Fasano · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +7.03 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.34 EPA/play
4D. Bess · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +5.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
5J. Charles · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +5.30 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play
6D. Darling · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +4.79 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play
7Lonnie Johnson Jr. · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +4.57 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
8Ryan Williams · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +3.92 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.65 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

C. Pennington — MIA · Passing

C. Pennington posted the highest total EPA (+14.03) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Miami Dolphins. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.40 EPA per play.

C. Pennington's top snap (-4.52 EPA): (:30) 10-C.Pennington kneels to KC 5 for -1 yards.

Biggest single play (-6.50 EPA): T. Thigpen — (13:02) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass deep left intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Goodman at MIA 27. 21-A.Goodman ran ob at KC 18 for 55 yards (4-T.Thigpen).

Quarterback report card

T. Thigpen led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

T. Thigpen (Kansas City Chiefs) · 47 dropbacks · 42.6% completion · -10.2% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.57 total EPA
C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) · 35 dropbacks · 74.3% completion · +9.8% CPOE · +0.40 EPA/play · +14.03 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Miami Dolphins	Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive EPA/play	+0.207	+0.076
Offensive success rate	61.7%	52.5%
Pass EPA/play	+0.401	+0.012
Rush EPA/play	+0.081	+0.417
Defensive EPA/play	-0.076	-0.207
Defensive success rate	47.5%	38.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Miami Dolphins generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.21 vs +0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Miami Dolphins: +0.21 EPA/play (90th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
Kansas City Chiefs: +0.08 EPA/play (68th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)

Kansas City Chiefs: 12 drives, +6.08 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Miami Dolphins: 12 drives, +16.77 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Miami Dolphins — T. Ginn (Q1 14:50)
Kansas City Chiefs — D. Darling (T. Thigpen pass) (Q1 10:22)
Kansas City Chiefs — T. Gonzalez (T. Thigpen pass) (Q2 14:14)
Miami Dolphins — D. Martin (C. Pennington pass) (Q2 11:39)
Kansas City Chiefs — Lonnie Johnson Jr. (Q2 10:35)
Miami Dolphins — A. Fasano (C. Pennington pass) (Q2 6:20)
Kansas City Chiefs — T. Thigpen (Q2 0:55)
Miami Dolphins — Ryan Williams (Q3 6:51)
Miami Dolphins — A. Fasano (C. Pennington pass) (Q4 4:14)

Field goals

Miami Dolphins — D. Carpenter (Q1 11:52)
Kansas City Chiefs — C. Barth (Q3 9:11)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 10–7. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the KC 31 (Q1 14:50) — (14:50) 19-T.Ginn left end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q1 14:42) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Miami Dolphins connected on a field goal from the KC 16 (Q1 11:52) — (11:52) 5-D.Carpenter 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the MIA 33 (Q1 10:22) — (10:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass deep right to 81-D.Darling for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q1 10:15) — 5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 21–14. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the MIA 8 (Q2 14:14) — (14:14) 4-T.Thigpen pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 14:05) — 5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the KC 11 (Q2 11:39) — (11:39) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 88-D.Martin for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 11:33) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the MIA 2 (Q2 10:35) — (10:35) 27-L.Johnson left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 10:32) — 5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the KC 14 (Q2 6:20) — (6:20) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 80-A.Fasano for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q2 6:12) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the MIA 8 (Q2 0:55) — (:55) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 0:50) — 5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the MIA 9 (Q3 9:11) — (9:11) 5-C.Barth 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q3 6:51) — (6:51) 34-R.Williams left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q3 6:46).

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–0. Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the KC 14 (Q4 4:14); Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the KC 2 (Q4 4:08) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Miami Dolphins (Q4 4:14) — (4:14) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 80-A.Fasano for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on KC-24-B.Flowers, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +20.0% · EPA +3.25]
Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass short right to 25-J.Charles to MIA 2 for 75 yards (37-Y.Bell). [WPA +16.1% · EPA +5.31]
Miami Dolphins (Q1 14:50) — (14:50) 19-T.Ginn left end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.5% · EPA +3.40]
Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 6:12) — 5-D.Carpenter kicks 61 yards from MIA 30 to KC 9. 14-K.Robinson to KC 26 for 17 yards (58-W.Kershaw). FUMBLES (58-W.Kershaw), RECOVERED by MIA-41-J.Thomas at KC 32. 41-J.Thomas to KC 32 for no gain (2 [WPA -12.0% · EPA -4.10]
Miami Dolphins (Q2 2:20) — (2:20) 10-C.Pennington pass incomplete short left to 81-J.Haynos. [WPA -11.7% · EPA -3.32]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 13:02) — (13:02) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass deep left intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 21-A.Goodman at MIA 27. 21-A.Goodman ran ob at KC 18 for 55 yards (4-T.Thigpen). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -6.50]
Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass short right to 25-J.Charles to MIA 2 for 75 yards (37-Y.Bell). [WPA +16.1% · EPA +5.31]
Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 1:02) — (1:02) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass short middle intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Hill at KC 19. 24-R.Hill to KC 3 for 16 yards (54-B.Waters). [WPA -1.6% · EPA -4.95]
Miami Dolphins (Q4 0:30) — (:30) 10-C.Pennington kneels to KC 5 for -1 yards. [EPA -4.52]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q1 14:50 · KC 31 · Score 6-0
(14:50) 19-T.Ginn left end for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q1 14:42 · KC 2 · Score 7-0
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
Miami Dolphins FG (+3) — Q1 11:52 · KC 16 · Score 10-0
(11:52) 5-D.Carpenter 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 10:22 · MIA 33 · Score 10-6
(10:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen pass deep right to 81-D.Darling for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 10:15 · MIA 2 · Score 10-7
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 14:14 · MIA 8 · Score 10-13
(14:14) 4-T.Thigpen pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 14:05 · MIA 2 · Score 10-14
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 11:39 · KC 11 · Score 16-14
(11:39) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 88-D.Martin for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 11:33 · KC 2 · Score 17-14
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 10:35 · MIA 2 · Score 17-20
(10:35) 27-L.Johnson left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 10:32 · MIA 2 · Score 17-21
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q2 6:20 · KC 14 · Score 23-21
(6:20) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 80-A.Fasano for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q2 6:12 · KC 2 · Score 24-21
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.
Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 0:55 · MIA 8 · Score 24-27
(:55) (Shotgun) 4-T.Thigpen up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 0:50 · MIA 2 · Score 24-28
5-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 9:11 · MIA 9 · Score 24-31
(9:11) 5-C.Barth 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-T.Gafford, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q3 6:51 · KC 4 · Score 30-31
(6:51) 34-R.Williams left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q3 6:46 · KC 2 · Score 31-31
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields. PENALTY on KC, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 4:14 · KC 14 · Score 37-31
(4:14) 10-C.Pennington pass short middle to 80-A.Fasano for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on KC-24-B.Flowers, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 4:08 · KC 2 · Score 38-31
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.

Key takeaways

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

Miami Dolphins earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
T. Thigpen (KC) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs on 2008-12-21?

The Miami Dolphins beat the Kansas City Chiefs 38-31 in Week 16, 2008.

What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs?

Q1: Miami Dolphins 10, Kansas City Chiefs 7; Q2: Miami Dolphins 14, Kansas City Chiefs 21; Q3: Miami Dolphins 7, Kansas City Chiefs 3; Q4: Miami Dolphins 7, Kansas City Chiefs 0; Final: Miami Dolphins 38, Kansas City Chiefs 31.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs?

Miami Dolphins touchdown — T. Ginn (Q1 14:50) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — D. Darling (T. Thigpen pass) (Q1 10:22) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — T. Gonzalez (T. Thigpen pass) (Q2 14:14) Miami Dolphins touchdown — D. Martin (C. Pennington pass) (Q2 11:39) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — L. Johnson (Q2 10:35) Miami Dolphins touchdown — A. Fasano (C. Pennington pass) (Q2 6:20) Kansas City Chiefs touchdown — T. Thigpen (Q2 0:55) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Williams (Q3 6:51) Miami Dolphins touchdown — A. Fasano (C. Pennington pass) (Q4 4:14) Miami Dolphins field goal — D. Carpenter (Q1 11:52, 3 pts) Kansas City Chiefs field goal — C. Barth (Q3 9:11, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs?

T. Thigpen (Kansas City Chiefs), 42.6% completion, -10.2% CPOE, +0.01 EPA per dropback, +0.57 total passing EPA. C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins), 74.3% completion, +9.8% CPOE, +0.40 EPA per dropback, +14.03 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs?

C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.03 total EPA on Passing plays. across 35 snaps. Their top snap (-4.52 EPA): (:30) 10-C.Pennington kneels to KC 5 for -1 yards..

Was Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Miami Dolphins won 38-31 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Miami Dolphins

Entered 9-5 Now 10-5 W

Kansas City Chiefs

Entered 2-12 Now 2-13 L

Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2008 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Dolphins

Top fantasy performers · Chiefs

Quick answer

Game summary