Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers: 2016 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-10-30, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 30–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -5.68 total EPA, and +14.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, Jo. Brown (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.44 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.0% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (12:01) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer sacked at ARI 35 for -8 yards (98-S.Lotulelei). FUMBLES (98-S.Lotulelei) [98-S.Lotulelei], RECOVERED by CAR-58-T.Davis at ARI 46. 58-T.Davis for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 Jo. Brown · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.44 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Nelson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +5.05 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
3. 3 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.47 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Ginn · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Benjamin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
6. 6 B. Golden · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.60 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +2.53 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Funchess · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.40 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Carolina Panthers — T. Davis (Q1 57:01)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (Q1 47:27)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (Q2 41:10)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Nelson (C. Palmer pass) (Q2 30:26)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Palmer (Q3 16:51)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Nelson (C. Palmer pass) (Q4 5:05)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q2 32:51)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q3 27:02)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q3 22:22)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the CAR 57 (Q1 57:01); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 56:48) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q1 47:27) — (2:27) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Chris Scott reports as an eligible reciever; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 47:24) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q2 41:10) — (11:10) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Chris Scott reports as an eligible reciever; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 41:05) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ARI 25 (Q2 32:51) — (2:51) 9-G.Gano 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 5 (Q2 30:26) — (:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 14-J.Nelson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 30:20) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-9-R.Quigley..

The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–6. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ARI 34 (Q3 27:02) — (12:02) 9-G.Gano 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ARI 2 (Q3 22:22) — (7:22) 9-G.Gano 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 17 (Q3 16:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 12-Jo.Brown for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 16:45) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-9-R.Quigley..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 6–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q4 5:05) — (5:05) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 14-J.Nelson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 57:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer sacked at ARI 35 for -8 yards (98-S.Lotulelei). FUMBLES (98-S.Lotulelei) [98-S.Lotulelei], RECOVERED by CAR-58-T.Davis at ARI 46. 58-T.Davis for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.0% · EPA -7.80]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 3:19) — (3:19) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 31-D.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 94-K.Ealy [99-K.Short] at CAR 49. 94-K.Ealy to ARI 44 for 7 yards (53-A.Shipley). [WPA -9.2% · EPA -5.28]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 3:28) — (3:28) (Shotgun) 28-J.Stewart right guard to CAR 41 for 4 yards (22-T.Jefferson). FUMBLES (22-T.Jefferson), RECOVERED by ARI-22-T.Jefferson at CAR 40. 22-T.Jefferson to CAR 40 for no gain (88-G.Olsen) [WPA -9.1% · EPA -4.21]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 58:50) — (13:50) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 84-J.Gresham to ARI 39 for 7 yards (20-K.Coleman). [WPA +3.9% · EPA +1.33]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 59:27) — (14:27) 31-D.Johnson right tackle to ARI 32 for -2 yards (99-K.Short; 33-T.Boston). [WPA -3.6% · EPA -1.17]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q1 57:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer sacked at ARI 35 for -8 yards (98-S.Lotulelei). FUMBLES (98-S.Lotulelei) [98-S.Lotulelei], RECOVERED by CAR-58-T.Davis at ARI 46. 58-T.Davis for 46 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.0% · EPA -7.80]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 3:19) — (3:19) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left intended for 31-D.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 94-K.Ealy [99-K.Short] at CAR 49. 94-K.Ealy to ARI 44 for 7 yards (53-A.Shipley). [WPA -9.2% · EPA -5.28]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 3:28) — (3:28) (Shotgun) 28-J.Stewart right guard to CAR 41 for 4 yards (22-T.Jefferson). FUMBLES (22-T.Jefferson), RECOVERED by ARI-22-T.Jefferson at CAR 40. 22-T.Jefferson to CAR 40 for no gain (88-G.Olsen) [WPA -9.1% · EPA -4.21]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 16:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 12-Jo.Brown for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.5% · EPA +3.39]

Quarterback report card

C.Palmer led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Palmer (Arizona Cardinals) · 60 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · +14.5% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -5.68 total EPA
• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 29 dropbacks · 48.3% completion · -5.1% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +2.53 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Carolina Panthers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -9.84 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, +1.96 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Carolina Panthers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• Jo. Brown (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Palmer (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Newton (CAR) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 57:01 · CAR 57 · Score 0-6
   (12:01) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer sacked at ARI 35 for -8 yards (98-S.Lotulelei). FUMBLES (98-S.Lotulelei) [98-S.Lotulelei], RECOVERED by CAR-58-T.Davis at ARI 46. 5
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 56:48 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
3. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 47:27 · ARI 2 · Score 0-13
   (2:27) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Chris Scott reports as an eligible reciever
4. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 47:24 · ARI 15 · Score 0-14
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
5. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 41:10 · ARI 1 · Score 0-20
   (11:10) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Chris Scott reports as an eligible reciever
6. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 41:05 · ARI 15 · Score 0-21
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
7. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 32:51 · ARI 25 · Score 0-24
   (2:51) 9-G.Gano 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:26 · CAR 5 · Score 6-24
   (:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short left to 14-J.Nelson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:20 · CAR 15 · Score 7-24
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-9-R.Quigley.
10. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 27:02 · ARI 34 · Score 7-27
    (12:02) 9-G.Gano 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
11. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 22:22 · ARI 2 · Score 7-30
    (7:22) 9-G.Gano 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 16:51 · CAR 17 · Score 13-30
    (1:51) (Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass deep middle to 12-Jo.Brown for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 16:45 · CAR 15 · Score 14-30
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-9-R.Quigley.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 5:05 · CAR 4 · Score 20-30
    (5:05) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-C.Palmer pass short middle to 14-J.Nelson for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.