Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2019 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-09-22, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals, pulling away with a 38–20 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) paced the passing game, with -13.71 total EPA, and -2.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Allen (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.09 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+24.6% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (2:05) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 76 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 K. Allen · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +13.09 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
2. 2 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +9.05 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Moore · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.59 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.30 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Kirk · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.47 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Samuel · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.39 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
6. 6 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.70 EPA/play
7. 7 C. McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.91 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Wright · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 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

• Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (K. Murray pass) (Q1 49:34)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Samuel (K. Allen pass) (Q2 44:15)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Moore (K. Allen pass) (Q2 30:58)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Johnson (K. Murray pass) (Q3 26:31)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (K. Allen pass) (Q3 22:47)
• Carolina Panthers — C. McCaffrey (Q3 17:05)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (K. Allen pass) (Q4 13:37)

Field goals

• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q2 31:40)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q3 17:52)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Slye (Q4 4:31)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q1 49:34) — (4:34) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 49:30) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–3. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 5 (Q2 44:15) — (14:15) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass short right to 10-C.Samuel for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-T.Suggs].; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 44:09) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 16 (Q2 31:40) — (1:40) 5-Z.Gonzalez 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 52 (Q2 30:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass deep middle to 12-D.Moore for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 30:49) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–10. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 3 (Q3 26:31) — (11:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 31-D.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 26:20) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q3 22:47) — (7:47) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass short left to 88-G.Olsen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 22:44) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CAR 30 (Q3 17:52) — (2:52) 5-Z.Gonzalez 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 76 (Q3 17:05) — (2:05) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 16:53) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q4 13:37) — (13:37) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass short left to 88-G.Olsen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 13:32) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ARI 18 (Q4 4:31) — (4:31) 4-J.Slye 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

Turning points

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q3 17:05) — (2:05) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.6% · EPA +6.11]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 30:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass deep middle to 12-D.Moore for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +4.74]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 55:55) — (10:55) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen sacked at ARI 25 for -10 yards (55-C.Jones). FUMBLES (55-C.Jones) [55-C.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-55-C.Jones at ARI 26. 55-C.Jones to ARI 26 for no gain (7-K.Allen). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -5.75]
• Carolina Panthers (Q3 23:56) — (8:56) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass deep left to 13-J.Wright to ARI 6 for 33 yards (32-B.Baker). Penalty on ARI, Defensive Too Many Men on Field, declined. [WPA +10.4% · EPA +3.01]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 29:17) — (14:17) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 11-L.Fitzgerald to CAR 42 for 23 yards (25-E.Reid, 33-T.Boston). [WPA +9.3% · EPA +2.25]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q3 17:05) — (2:05) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.6% · EPA +6.11]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 55:55) — (10:55) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen sacked at ARI 25 for -10 yards (55-C.Jones). FUMBLES (55-C.Jones) [55-C.Jones], RECOVERED by ARI-55-C.Jones at ARI 26. 55-C.Jones to ARI 26 for no gain (7-K.Allen). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -5.75]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q3 16:26) — (1:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep left intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Jackson at ARI 47. 26-D.Jackson pushed ob at ARI 22 for 25 yards (1-K.Murray). [WPA -6.1% · EPA -5.53]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 30:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass deep middle to 12-D.Moore for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +4.74]

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) · 55 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -2.3% CPOE · -0.25 EPA/play · -13.71 total EPA
• K.Allen (Carolina Panthers) · 29 dropbacks · 65.5% completion · +11.0% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +13.09 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Carolina Panthers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.19 vs -0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Arizona Cardinals: 11 drives, -7.48 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, +14.82 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.
• K. Allen (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Allen (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. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 49:34 · CAR 1 · Score 0-6
   (4:34) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 49:30 · CAR 15 · Score 0-7
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
3. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 44:15 · ARI 5 · Score 6-7
   (14:15) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass short right to 10-C.Samuel for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-T.Suggs].
4. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 44:09 · ARI 15 · Score 7-7
   4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
5. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 31:40 · CAR 16 · Score 7-10
   (1:40) 5-Z.Gonzalez 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
6. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 30:58 · ARI 52 · Score 13-10
   (:58) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass deep middle to 12-D.Moore for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 30:49 · ARI 15 · Score 14-10
   4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 26:31 · CAR 3 · Score 14-16
   (11:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 31-D.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 26:20 · CAR 15 · Score 14-17
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
10. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 22:47 · ARI 3 · Score 20-17
    (7:47) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass short left to 88-G.Olsen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 22:44 · ARI 15 · Score 21-17
    4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
12. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q3 17:52 · CAR 30 · Score 21-20
    (2:52) 5-Z.Gonzalez 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
13. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 17:05 · ARI 76 · Score 27-20
    (2:05) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 76 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 16:53 · ARI 15 · Score 28-20
    4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
15. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 13:37 · ARI 3 · Score 34-20
    (13:37) (Shotgun) 7-K.Allen pass short left to 88-G.Olsen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 13:32 · ARI 15 · Score 35-20
    4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
17. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 4:31 · ARI 18 · Score 38-20
    (4:31) 4-J.Slye 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.