Panthers 24–9 Texans: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 3, 2021

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans?

S. Darnold (Carolina Panthers), 56.1% completion, -0.3% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +14.97 total passing EPA. D. Mills (Houston Texans), 54.3% completion, +6.1% CPOE, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -2.58 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans?

S. Darnold (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.97 total EPA on Passing plays. across 41 snaps. Their top snap (+3.26 EPA): (9:39) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 2-Dj.Moore to HOU 46 for 29 yards (24-T.Smith) [94-C.Omenihu]..

Quick answer

Winner: Carolina Panthers
Final score: Carolina Panthers 24–9 Houston Texans
Halftime: Carolina Panthers 7–6 Houston Texans at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Sam Darnold
Top passer: Sam Darnold
Biggest EPA play: (10:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left guard to HOU 5 for no gain (58-C.Kirksey, 4…
Game date: 2021-09-23

Game summary

The Carolina Panthers beat the Houston Texans 24–9 on 2021-09-23. Sam Darnold posted a game-high +14.97 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Carolina Panthers	7	0	7	10	0	24
Houston Texans	0	6	0	3	0	9

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

CARCarolina Panthers

CAR 1

+3CAR 35

HOUHouston Texans

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 6:41TD
Sam Darnold
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 5
Score
6-0
(6:41) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 6:36XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 15
Score
7-0
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
HOUHouston Texans
Q2 0:29TD
Anthony Miller
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 1
Score
7-6
(:29) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short middle to 3-A.Miller for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q3 6:25TD
Tommy Tremble
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 7
Score
13-6
(6:25) 82-T.Tremble left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q3 6:20XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 15
Score
14-6
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 12:47FG
Zane Gonzalez
Points+3
Yard line
HOU 3
Score
17-6
(12:47) 5-Z.Gonzalez 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
HOUHouston Texans
Q4 9:13FG
Joey Slye
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 35
Score
17-9
(9:13) 16-J.Slye 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 4:12TD
Sam Darnold
Points+6
Yard line
HOU 1
Score
23-9
(4:12) 14-S.Darnold up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 4:07XP
Zane Gonzalez
Points+1
Yard line
HOU 15
Score
24-9
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Sam Darnold · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +14.97 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2DJ Moore · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.05 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
3Tommy Tremble · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.90 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.90 EPA/play
4Terrace Marshall Jr. · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.30 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
5Brandin Cooks · Houston Texans · Receiving · +2.27 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
6Alex Erickson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.65 EPA/play
7Tommy Tremble · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.41 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
8D. Arnold · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.16 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Sam Darnold — CAR · Passing

Sam Darnold posted the highest total EPA (+14.97) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 41 counted snaps, they averaged +0.37 EPA per play.

Sam Darnold's top snap (+3.26 EPA): (9:39) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 2-Dj.Moore to HOU 46 for 29 yards (24-T.Smith) [94-C.Omenihu].

Biggest single play (-4.03 EPA): Chris Hubbard — (10:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left guard to HOU 5 for no gain (58-C.Kirksey, 41-Z.Cunningham).

Quarterback report card

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

Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers) · 41 dropbacks · 56.1% completion · -0.3% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +14.97 total EPA
Davis Mills (Houston Texans) · 35 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · +6.1% CPOE · -0.07 EPA/play · -2.58 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Carolina Panthers	Houston Texans
Offensive EPA/play	+0.112	-0.152
Offensive success rate	43.0%	37.1%
Pass EPA/play	+0.365	-0.074
Rush EPA/play	-0.029	-0.358
Defensive EPA/play	+0.152	-0.112
Defensive success rate	62.9%	57.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Carolina Panthers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs -0.15), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Carolina Panthers: +0.11 EPA/play (78th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
Houston Texans: -0.15 EPA/play (18th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)

Carolina Panthers: 10 drives, +9.63 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Houston Texans: 9 drives, -10.62 total EPA, 2 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Carolina Panthers — Sam Darnold (Q1 6:41)
Houston Texans — Anthony Miller (Davis Mills pass) (Q2 0:29)
Carolina Panthers — Tommy Tremble (Q3 6:25)
Carolina Panthers — Sam Darnold (Q4 4:12)

Field goals

Carolina Panthers — Zane Gonzalez (Q4 12:47)
Houston Texans — Joey Slye (Q4 9:13)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the HOU 5 (Q1 6:41) — (6:41) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q1 6:36) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

The second quarter: Houston Texans won the period 6–0. Houston Texans found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q2 0:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short middle to 3-A.Miller for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the HOU 7 (Q3 6:25) — (6:25) 82-T.Tremble left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 6:20) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the HOU 3 (Q4 12:47) — (12:47) 5-Z.Gonzalez 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CAR 35 (Q4 9:13) — (9:13) 16-J.Slye 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the HOU 1 (Q4 4:12) — (4:12) 14-S.Darnold up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 4:07) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Carolina Panthers (Q2 10:58) — (10:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left guard to HOU 5 for no gain (58-C.Kirksey, 41-Z.Cunningham). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -4.03]
Carolina Panthers (Q1 9:39) — (9:39) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 2-Dj.Moore to HOU 46 for 29 yards (24-T.Smith) [94-C.Omenihu]. [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.26]
Houston Texans (Q3 11:41) — (11:41) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass incomplete short left to 13-B.Cooks. CAR-31-J.Burris was injured during the play. His return is Probable. PENALTY on CAR-26-D.Jackson, Defensive Pass Interference, 14 [WPA +8.8% · EPA +2.20]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 0:19) — (:19) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold sacked at CAR 28 for -7 yards (90-R.Blacklock). FUMBLES (90-R.Blacklock) [90-R.Blacklock], recovered by CAR-61-M.Paradis at CAR 29. [WPA -8.3% · EPA -0.41]
Carolina Panthers (Q1 7:27) — (7:27) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short middle to 2-Dj.Moore to HOU 5 for 26 yards (58-C.Kirksey). [WPA +8.0% · EPA +2.22]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Carolina Panthers (Q2 10:58) — (10:58) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 30-C.Hubbard left guard to HOU 5 for no gain (58-C.Kirksey, 41-Z.Cunningham). [WPA -11.3% · EPA -4.03]
Carolina Panthers (Q1 9:39) — (9:39) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 2-Dj.Moore to HOU 46 for 29 yards (24-T.Smith) [94-C.Omenihu]. [WPA +9.0% · EPA +3.26]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 82-T.Tremble to HOU 12 for 30 yards (23-E.Murray). [WPA +5.3% · EPA +2.90]
Houston Texans (Q3 5:09) — (5:09) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills sacked at HOU 20 for -9 yards (49-F.Luvu). [WPA -4.5% · EPA -2.51]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 6:41 · HOU 5 · Score 6-0
(6:41) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 6:36 · HOU 15 · Score 7-0
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q2 0:29 · CAR 1 · Score 7-6
(:29) (Shotgun) 10-D.Mills pass short middle to 3-A.Miller for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 6:25 · HOU 7 · Score 13-6
(6:25) 82-T.Tremble left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 6:20 · HOU 15 · Score 14-6
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 12:47 · HOU 3 · Score 17-6
(12:47) 5-Z.Gonzalez 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q4 9:13 · CAR 35 · Score 17-9
(9:13) 16-J.Slye 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-11-C.Johnston.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 4:12 · HOU 1 · Score 23-9
(4:12) 14-S.Darnold up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 4:07 · HOU 15 · Score 24-9
5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.

Key takeaways

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

Carolina Panthers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Davis Mills (HOU) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans on 2021-09-23?

The Carolina Panthers beat the Houston Texans 24-9 in Week 3, 2021.

What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans?

Q1: Carolina Panthers 7, Houston Texans 0; Q2: Carolina Panthers 0, Houston Texans 6; Q3: Carolina Panthers 7, Houston Texans 0; Q4: Carolina Panthers 10, Houston Texans 3; Final: Carolina Panthers 24, Houston Texans 9.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans?

Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Darnold (Q1 6:41) Houston Texans touchdown — A. Miller (D. Mills pass) (Q2 0:29) Carolina Panthers touchdown — T. Tremble (Q3 6:25) Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Darnold (Q4 4:12) Carolina Panthers field goal — Z. Gonzalez (Q4 12:47, 3 pts) Houston Texans field goal — J. Slye (Q4 9:13, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans?

Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers), 56.1% completion, -0.3% CPOE, +0.37 EPA per dropback, +14.97 total passing EPA. Davis Mills (Houston Texans), 54.3% completion, +6.1% CPOE, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -2.58 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans?

Sam Darnold (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.97 total EPA on Passing plays. across 41 snaps. Their top snap (+3.26 EPA): (9:39) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep right to 2-Dj.Moore to HOU 46 for 29 yards (24-T.Smith) [94-C.Omenihu]..

Season records after this game

Carolina Panthers

Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W

Houston Texans

Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L

Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans: 2021 Week 3 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

Top fantasy performers · Texans

Quick answer

Game summary