Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2018 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-16, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 31–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +6.77 total EPA, and +1.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.32 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.6% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (4:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 11 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. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +19.32 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Ridley · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.42 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +6.77 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Wright · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.27 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Hooper · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.13 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
6. 6 C. McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.42 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Moore · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Funchess · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.29 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 — J. Wright (C. Newton pass) (Q2 38:50)
• Atlanta Falcons — C. Ridley (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 34:08)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Hooper (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 30:28)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Ryan (Q3 24:44)
• Carolina Panthers — T. Smith (C. Newton pass) (Q4 11:27)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Ryan (Q4 7:27)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Moore (C. Newton pass) (Q4 2:30)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q1 56:40)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 50:46)

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 56:40) — (11:40) 9-G.Gano 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CAR 26 (Q1 50:46) — (5:46) 3-M.Bryant 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q2 38:50) — (8:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 13-J.Wright for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 38:42) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 11 (Q2 34:08) — (4:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 34:03) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q2 30:28) — (:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-A.Hooper for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 30:22) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q3 24:44) — (9:44) 2-M.Ryan right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 24:23) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 11:27) — (11:27) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 11-T.Smith for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 11:23) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q4 7:27) — (7:27) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan scrambles left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 7:17) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ATL 51 (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 12-D.Moore for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 2:20) — 9-G.Gano extra point 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.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 34:08) — (4:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.16]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 42:22) — (12:22) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton scrambles left end to ATL 23 for 10 yards (27-D.Kazee). Penalty on ATL-27-D.Kazee, Disqualification, offsetting. Penalty on CAR-11-T.Smith, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetti [WPA +12.4% · EPA +2.99]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass incomplete deep left to 12-D.Moore (23-R.Alford) [97-G.Jarrett]. [WPA -10.6% · EPA -1.92]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 53:20) — (8:20) 26-T.Coleman right end pushed ob at CAR 31 for 27 yards (26-D.Jackson). [WPA +9.1% · EPA +2.05]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:13) — (7:13) 26-T.Coleman right tackle to CAR 24 for 36 yards (26-D.Jackson). FUMBLES (26-D.Jackson), ball out of bounds at CAR 24. [WPA +7.7% · EPA +2.74]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:26) — (6:26) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle intended for 20-C.Anderson INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Allen at ATL 19. 37-R.Allen to ATL 47 for 28 yards (13-J.Wright). [WPA -6.8% · EPA -7.25]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:30) — (2:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 12-D.Moore for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.3% · EPA +4.58]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 27:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 18-C.Ridley ran ob at CAR 38 for 22 yards (28-R.Gaulden). [WPA +5.7% · EPA +3.16]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 34:08) — (4:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.16]

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) · 52 dropbacks · 61.5% completion · +1.5% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.77 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 33 dropbacks · 69.7% completion · +15.2% CPOE · +0.59 EPA/play · +19.32 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 (+0.19 vs +0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +14.53 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Carolina Panthers: 11 drives, +9.13 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• 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 56:40 · ATL 36 · Score 3-0
   (11:40) 9-G.Gano 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
2. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 50:46 · CAR 26 · Score 3-3
   (5:46) 3-M.Bryant 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 38:50 · ATL 5 · Score 9-3
   (8:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 13-J.Wright for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 38:42 · ATL 15 · Score 10-3
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 34:08 · CAR 11 · Score 10-9
   (4:08) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 34:03 · CAR 15 · Score 10-10
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:28 · CAR 8 · Score 10-16
   (:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-A.Hooper for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:22 · CAR 15 · Score 10-17
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 24:44 · CAR 1 · Score 10-23
   (9:44) 2-M.Ryan right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 24:23 · CAR 15 · Score 10-24
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 11:27 · ATL 3 · Score 16-24
    (11:27) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 11-T.Smith for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 11:23 · ATL 15 · Score 17-24
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 7:27 · CAR 8 · Score 17-30
    (7:27) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan scrambles left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 7:17 · CAR 15 · Score 17-31
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
15. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 2:30 · ATL 51 · Score 23-31
    (2:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 12-D.Moore for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 2:20 · ATL 15 · Score 24-31
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.