Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers: 2013 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-11-03, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 34–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

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

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +9.27 total EPA, and +4.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.27 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-10.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (10:18) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 59-L.Kuechly at ATL 42. 59-L.Kuechly to ATL 39 for 3 yards (19-D.Davis).

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 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +9.27 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
2. 2 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.33 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.75 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.58 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Tolbert · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.33 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
7. 7 B. LaFell · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.53 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Johnson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.37 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.19 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 — M. Tolbert (Q1 51:18)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q2 34:20)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Newton (Q4 9:05)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Florence (Q4 8:39)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 44:13)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q3 27:04)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q4 1:17)

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 ATL 4 (Q1 51:18) — (6:18) 35-M.Tolbert up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 51:13) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CAR 10 (Q2 44:13) — (14:13) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ATL 14 (Q2 34:20) — (4:20) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 34:14) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 17 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 31:55) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 3–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 37 (Q3 27:04) — (12:04) 9-G.Gano 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 17–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ATL 8 (Q4 9:05) — (9:05) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 9:00) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the CAR 66 (Q4 8:39); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 8:30) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 2 (Q4 1:17) — (1:17) 9-G.Gano 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:18) — (10:18) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 59-L.Kuechly at ATL 42. 59-L.Kuechly to ATL 39 for 3 yards (19-D.Davis). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -3.61]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 30:20) — (:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass incomplete deep right to 89-S.Smith. The Replay Assistant challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right intende [WPA -9.0% · EPA -3.07]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 43:22) — (13:22) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 89-S.Smith to CAR 41 for 23 yards (50-O.Umenyiora). [WPA +7.0% · EPA +3.00]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.31]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 40:19) — (10:19) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right intended for 19-T.Ginn INTERCEPTED by 21-D.Trufant at ATL 5. 21-D.Trufant to ATL 5 for no gain (19-T.Ginn). [WPA -6.2% · EPA -2.02]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:39) — (8:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 19-D.Davis INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Florence at ATL 38. 29-D.Florence for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.0% · EPA -8.20]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 34:20) — (4:20) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.2% · EPA +3.72]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:18) — (10:18) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 59-L.Kuechly at ATL 42. 59-L.Kuechly to ATL 39 for 3 yards (19-D.Davis). [WPA -10.1% · EPA -3.61]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.31]

Quarterback report card

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

• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 40 dropbacks · 57.5% completion · +4.5% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +9.27 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 29 dropbacks · 69.0% completion · +9.9% CPOE · -0.25 EPA/play · -7.27 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 (+0.14 vs -0.18), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -12.04 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, +12.02 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.
• C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Newton (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Ryan (ATL) 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 51:18 · ATL 4 · Score 0-6
   (6:18) 35-M.Tolbert up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 51:13 · ATL 2 · Score 0-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
3. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 44:13 · CAR 10 · Score 3-7
   (14:13) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 34:20 · ATL 14 · Score 3-13
   (4:20) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 34:14 · ATL 2 · Score 3-14
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · CAR 17 · Score 9-14
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 31:55 · CAR 2 · Score 10-14
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 27:04 · ATL 37 · Score 10-17
   (12:04) 9-G.Gano 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
9. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 9:05 · ATL 8 · Score 10-23
   (9:05) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 9:00 · ATL 2 · Score 10-24
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 8:39 · CAR 66 · Score 10-30
    (8:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 19-D.Davis INTERCEPTED by 29-D.Florence at ATL 38. 29-D.Florence for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 8:30 · ATL 2 · Score 10-31
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
13. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 1:17 · ATL 2 · Score 10-34
    (1:17) 9-G.Gano 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.