Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers: 2024 Week 16 Recap

Game story

In Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-12-22, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 36–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 30 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with +6.17 total EPA, and -1.1% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Young (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.00 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+49.8% win probability) landed in overtime when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (4:22) 10-M.Palardy punts 47 yards to CAR 49, Center-46-A.Brewer. 13-D.Thompkins to ARI 49 for 2 yards (52-V.Dimukeje).

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 B. Young · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +10.00 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Hubbard · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +8.57 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Thielen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +6.88 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +6.17 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Conner · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +3.94 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Conner · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.67 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Moore · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.84 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Tremble · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.82 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 — C. Hubbard (Q1 50:00)
• Carolina Panthers — B. Young (Q2 41:44)
• Carolina Panthers — A. Thielen (B. Young pass) (Q2 38:01)
• Arizona Cardinals — J. Conner (Q2 36:02)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Dallas (K. Murray pass) (Q2 30:11)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Moore (B. Young pass) (Q4 12:10)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Murray (Q4 7:03)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Hubbard (OT 3:24)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — C. Ryland (Q2 44:41)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q3 24:34)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Ryland (Q3 20:03)
• Arizona Cardinals — C. Ryland (Q4 0:02)
• Arizona Cardinals — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)

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 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 4 (Q1 50:00) — (5:00) (Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 49:55) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 17–13. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 30 (Q2 44:41) — (14:41) 38-C.Ryland 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 23 (Q2 41:44) — (11:44) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young scrambles left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI-23-S.Murphy-Bunting, Illegal Contact, declined.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 8 (Q2 38:01) — (8:01) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 37:55) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 6 (Q2 36:02) — (6:02) 6-J.Conner left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 35:57) — 38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q2 30:11) — (:11) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 20-D.Dallas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 30:07) — 38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ARI 11 (Q3 24:34) — (9:34) 4-E.Pineiro 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 12 (Q3 20:03) — (5:03) 38-C.Ryland 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 13–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 18 (Q4 12:10) — (12:10) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 83-D.Moore for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 12:04) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 20 (Q4 7:03) — (7:03) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray right end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 6:56) — 38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 39 (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 38-C.Ryland 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END QUARTER 4.

Overtime: Carolina Panthers won the period 12–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 21 (OT 3:24) — (3:24) 62-C.Zavala reported in as eligible. 30-C.Hubbard right tackle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone (OT 3:18) — END GAME.

Turning points

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

• Arizona Cardinals (OT 4:22) — (4:22) 10-M.Palardy punts 47 yards to CAR 49, Center-46-A.Brewer. 13-D.Thompkins to ARI 49 for 2 yards (52-V.Dimukeje). [WPA +49.8% · EPA -0.04]
• Carolina Panthers (OT 7:53) — (7:53) 10-J.Hekker punts 57 yards to ARI 10, Center-44-J.Jansen, downed by CAR-32-L.Johnson. [WPA +32.5% · EPA +0.64]
• Carolina Panthers (OT 4:11) — (4:11) 30-C.Hubbard right tackle to ARI 21 for 28 yards (34-J.Thompson). [WPA +32.0% · EPA +1.86]
• Carolina Panthers (OT 3:24) — (3:24) 62-C.Zavala reported in as eligible. 30-C.Hubbard right tackle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.9% · EPA +3.68]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 38-C.Ryland 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy. [WPA +22.8% · EPA +1.55]

Impact plays

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

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 39:24) — (9:24) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray FUMBLES (Aborted) at ARI 27, RECOVERED by CAR-92-J.Harris at ARI 30. [WPA -5.9% · EPA -4.66]
• Carolina Panthers (OT 3:24) — (3:24) 62-C.Zavala reported in as eligible. 30-C.Hubbard right tackle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.9% · EPA +3.68]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q4 7:03) — (7:03) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray right end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.7% · EPA +3.50]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 41:44) — (11:44) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young scrambles left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI-23-S.Murphy-Bunting, Illegal Contact, declined. [WPA +7.5% · EPA +3.43]

Quarterback report card

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

• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 45 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -1.1% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +6.17 total EPA
• B.Young (Carolina Panthers) · 35 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · +5.6% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +10.00 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 (+0.18 vs +0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, +10.77 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, +15.82 total EPA, 6 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Young (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Young (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 50:00 · ARI 4 · Score 0-6
   (5:00) (Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 49:55 · ARI 15 · Score 0-7
   4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
3. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 44:41 · CAR 30 · Score 3-7
   (14:41) 38-C.Ryland 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.
4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 41:44 · ARI 23 · Score 3-13
   (11:44) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young scrambles left end for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ARI-23-S.Murphy-Bunting, Illegal Contact, declined.
5. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 38:01 · ARI 8 · Score 3-19
   (8:01) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 37:55 · ARI 15 · Score 3-20
   4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
7. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 36:02 · CAR 6 · Score 9-20
   (6:02) 6-J.Conner left tackle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 35:57 · CAR 15 · Score 10-20
   38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.
9. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:11 · CAR 1 · Score 16-20
   (:11) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 20-D.Dallas for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:07 · CAR 15 · Score 17-20
    38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.
11. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 24:34 · ARI 11 · Score 17-23
    (9:34) 4-E.Pineiro 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 20:03 · CAR 12 · Score 20-23
    (5:03) 38-C.Ryland 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.
13. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 12:10 · ARI 18 · Score 20-29
    (12:10) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 83-D.Moore for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 12:04 · ARI 15 · Score 20-30
    4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
15. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:03 · CAR 20 · Score 26-30
    (7:03) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray right end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 6:56 · CAR 15 · Score 27-30
    38-C.Ryland extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.
17. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · CAR 39 · Score 30-30
    (:02) 38-C.Ryland 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-10-M.Palardy.
18. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 30-30
    END QUARTER 4
19. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — OT 3:24 · ARI 21 · Score 30-36
    (3:24) 62-C.Zavala reported in as eligible. 30-C.Hubbard right tackle for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — OT 3:18 · Score 30-36
    END GAME