Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2009 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-09-20, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 28–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +9.35 total EPA, and -1.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+10.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (9:27) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 80-M.Booker to CAR 36 for 27 yards (41-C.Munnerlyn).

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. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +13.87 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Delhomme · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +9.35 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.73 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.96 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Rosario · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.42 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
5. 5 S. Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.20 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.80 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Snelling · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.39 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.39 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 — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 45:43)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Williams (Q2 42:31)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Snelling (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 35:16)
• Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 30:53)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q4 12:27)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Rosario (J. Delhomme pass) (Q4 6:53)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q1 54:53)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q2 31:54)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 20 (Q1 54:53) — (9:53) 4-J.Kasay 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 24 (Q1 45:43) — (:43) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q1 45:37) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–10. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q2 42:31) — (12:31) 34-D.Williams left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 42:25) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 10 (Q2 35:16) — (5:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 44-J.Snelling for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 35:10) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 32 (Q2 31:54) — (1:54) 4-J.Kasay 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 7 (Q2 30:53) — (:53) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 30:50) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q4 12:27) — (12:27) 33-M.Turner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 12:23) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q4 6:53); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 6:45) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 39:27) — (9:27) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 80-M.Booker to CAR 36 for 27 yards (41-C.Munnerlyn). [WPA +10.5% · EPA +2.44]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 48:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 80-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Marshall at CAR 33. 31-R.Marshall to CAR 46 for 13 yards (12-M.Jenkins). [WPA -9.5% · EPA -3.38]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 43:02) — (13:02) 28-J.Stewart right end pushed ob at ATL 3 for 28 yards (26-E.Coleman). [WPA +8.6% · EPA +2.76]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 46:39) — (1:39) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins to CAR 29 for 24 yards (30-C.Godfrey). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +1.35]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:29) — (7:29) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 80-M.Booker to CAR 22 for 15 yards (58-T.Davis). [WPA +7.7% · EPA +2.56]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 23:15) — (8:15) 33-M.Turner up the middle to CAR 10 for 3 yards (30-C.Godfrey). FUMBLES (30-C.Godfrey), RECOVERED by CAR-26-Q.Teal at CAR 8. [WPA -7.4% · EPA -4.63]
• Carolina Panthers (Q3 19:24) — (4:24) 34-D.Williams up the middle to CAR 44 for 4 yards (53-M.Peterson). FUMBLES (53-M.Peterson), RECOVERED by ATL-28-T.DeCoud at CAR 47. [WPA -6.7% · EPA -4.46]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 48:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 80-M.Booker INTERCEPTED by 31-R.Marshall at CAR 33. 31-R.Marshall to CAR 46 for 13 yards (12-M.Jenkins). [WPA -9.5% · EPA -3.38]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) (Shotgun) 17-J.Delhomme pass short middle to 88-D.Rosario for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Atlanta challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 06:45.) [WPA +0.9% · EPA +3.18]

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) · 43 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · -1.3% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +9.35 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 30 dropbacks · 70.0% completion · +13.7% CPOE · +0.46 EPA/play · +13.87 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.14 vs +0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 9 drives, +11.88 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Carolina Panthers: 10 drives, +6.76 total EPA, 4 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. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• 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 FG (+3) — Q1 54:53 · ATL 20 · Score 3-0
   (9:53) 4-J.Kasay 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
2. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 45:43 · CAR 24 · Score 3-6
   (:43) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 45:37 · CAR 2 · Score 3-7
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 42:31 · ATL 3 · Score 9-7
   (12:31) 34-D.Williams left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 42:25 · ATL 2 · Score 10-7
   4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 35:16 · CAR 10 · Score 10-13
   (5:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 44-J.Snelling for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 35:10 · CAR 2 · Score 10-14
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 31:54 · ATL 32 · Score 13-14
   (1:54) 4-J.Kasay 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:53 · CAR 7 · Score 13-20
   (:53) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:50 · CAR 2 · Score 13-21
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 12:27 · CAR 1 · Score 13-27
    (12:27) 33-M.Turner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 12:23 · CAR 2 · Score 13-28
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
13. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 6:53 · ATL 11 · Score 19-28
    (6:53) (Shotgun) 17-J.Delhomme pass short middle to 88-D.Rosario for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Atlanta challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld
14. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 6:45 · ATL 2 · Score 20-28
    4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.