Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers: 2006 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-09-10, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 20–6 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with -16.16 total EPA, and -6.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Jenkins (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (:37) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 12-M.Jenkins for 34 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 M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.94 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.98 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Vick · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +6.33 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Crumpler · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.45 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Johnson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.46 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Carter · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Norwood · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.28 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Vick · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.78 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Griffith · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.49 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.49 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

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Jenkins (M. Vick pass) (Q2 30:37)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Crumpler (M. Vick pass) (Q3 15:41)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q1 52:10)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Koenen (Q1 46:23)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Koenen (Q2 39:17)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q3 23:08)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 36 (Q1 52:10) — (7:10) 4-J.Kasay 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CAR 7 (Q1 46:23) — (1:23) 9-M.Koenen 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CAR 14 (Q2 39:17) — (9:17) 9-M.Koenen 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 34 (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 12-M.Jenkins for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 30:28) — 9-M.Koenen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 28 (Q3 23:08) — (8:08) 4-J.Kasay 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q3 15:41) — (:41) 7-M.Vick pass short right to 83-A.Crumpler for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 15:35) — 9-M.Koenen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 12-M.Jenkins for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.5% · EPA +4.54]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 50:44) — (5:44) 7-M.Vick scrambles left guard pushed ob at CAR 29 for 24 yards (31-R.Marshall). [WPA +8.9% · EPA +1.77]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 33:59) — (3:59) 9-M.Koenen 50 yard field goal is BLOCKED (90-J.Peppers), Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub. [WPA -7.3% · EPA -3.10]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 56:48) — (11:48) 28-W.Dunn left tackle to CAR 30 for -3 yards (93-M.Rucker, 21-K.Lucas). [WPA -7.3% · EPA -1.37]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 42:50) — (12:50) 7-M.Vick pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins to ATL 49 for 32 yards (30-M.Minter). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.55]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:37) — (:37) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 12-M.Jenkins for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.5% · EPA +4.54]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:18) — (10:18) 9-M.Koenen 50 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub. [WPA -5.4% · EPA -3.68]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 33:59) — (3:59) 9-M.Koenen 50 yard field goal is BLOCKED (90-J.Peppers), Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub. [WPA -7.3% · EPA -3.10]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 13:39) — (13:39) 17-J.Delhomme pass deep middle intended for 84-M.Gaines INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Webster at ATL 27. 27-J.Webster to ATL 22 for -5 yards (18-D.Carter). [WPA -5.2% · EPA -2.69]

Quarterback report card

J.Delhomme led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) · 45 dropbacks · 46.7% completion · -6.0% CPOE · -0.36 EPA/play · -16.16 total EPA
• M.Vick (Atlanta Falcons) · 26 dropbacks · 38.5% completion · -8.2% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +6.33 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.05 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, +4.66 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, -12.71 total EPA, 2 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Jenkins (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Delhomme (CAR) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Vick (ATL) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 52:10 · ATL 36 · Score 0-3
   (7:10) 4-J.Kasay 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
2. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 46:23 · CAR 7 · Score 3-3
   (1:23) 9-M.Koenen 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
3. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 39:17 · CAR 14 · Score 6-3
   (9:17) 9-M.Koenen 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
4. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:37 · CAR 34 · Score 12-3
   (:37) 7-M.Vick pass short left to 12-M.Jenkins for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:28 · CAR 2 · Score 13-3
   9-M.Koenen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.
6. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 23:08 · ATL 28 · Score 13-6
   (8:08) 4-J.Kasay 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 15:41 · CAR 1 · Score 19-6
   (:41) 7-M.Vick pass short right to 83-A.Crumpler for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 15:35 · CAR 2 · Score 20-6
   9-M.Koenen extra point is GOOD, Center-47-B.Stutz, Holder-8-M.Schaub.