Carolina Panthers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2020 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-11-08, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 33–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Bridgewater (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +17.91 total EPA, and +14.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Bridgewater (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.91 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+20.1% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (6:09) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce to CAR 12 for 44 yards (24-R.Douglas).

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 T. Bridgewater · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +17.91 total EPA · 57 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +16.08 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
3. 3 C. McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +10.31 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +9.39 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Hill · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +5.32 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Samuel · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.18 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Charlton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +4.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.73 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Zylstra · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.73 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 — C. McCaffrey (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q1 51:13)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Samuel (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q2 42:44)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Robinson (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 33:50)
• Kansas City Chiefs — C. Edwards-Helaire (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 19:47)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 14:29)
• Carolina Panthers — T. Bridgewater (Q4 10:26)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q4 7:44)
• Carolina Panthers — C. McCaffrey (Q4 1:55)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 46:42)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q2 41:06)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Slye (Q2 30:46)

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 7–3. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the KC 9 (Q1 51:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 22-C.McCaffrey for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q1 51:07) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CAR 21 (Q1 46:42) — (1:42) 7-H.Butker 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the KC 14 (Q2 42:44) — (12:44) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short middle to 10-C.Samuel for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 42:39) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CAR 37 (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) 7-H.Butker 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q2 33:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 11-D.Robinson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 33:45) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the CAR 35 (Q2 30:46) — 4-J.Slye kicks 65 yards from CAR 35 to end zone, Touchback..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 7–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q3 19:47) — (4:47) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 25-C.Edwards-Helaire for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 19:42) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–13. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CAR 28 (Q4 14:29) — (14:29) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-B.Burns].; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the KC 4 (Q4 10:26) — (10:26) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 10:22) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q4 7:44) — (7:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 7:40) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 1:53) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 21:09) — (6:09) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce to CAR 12 for 44 yards (24-R.Douglas). [WPA +20.1% · EPA +3.89]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 4-J.Slye 67 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton. [WPA -18.9% · EPA -0.71]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 1:33) — (1:33) 5-T.Townsend punts 36 yards to CAR 9, Center-41-J.Winchester, fair catch by 14-P.Cooper. [WPA -16.2% · EPA -0.10]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Punt formation) 3-J.Charlton pass deep left to 16-B.Zylstra to KC 27 for 28 yards (20-A.Hamilton). [WPA +13.1% · EPA +4.73]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 30:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass incomplete short left to 31-Darr.Williams. PENALTY on KC-87-T.Kelce, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at CAR 41 - No Play. [WPA -12.4% · EPA -0.59]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q2 44:54) — (14:54) (Punt formation) 3-J.Charlton pass deep left to 16-B.Zylstra to KC 27 for 28 yards (20-A.Hamilton). [WPA +13.1% · EPA +4.73]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 13:09) — (13:09) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater scrambles up the middle to KC 31 for 15 yards (56-B.Niemann). CAR-65-D.Daley was injured during the play. His return is Questionable. [WPA +9.8% · EPA +4.29]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 51:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 22-C.McCaffrey for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.7% · EPA +4.21]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 21:09) — (6:09) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce to CAR 12 for 44 yards (24-R.Douglas). [WPA +20.1% · EPA +3.89]

Quarterback report card

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

• T.Bridgewater (Carolina Panthers) · 57 dropbacks · 63.2% completion · +14.6% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +17.91 total EPA
• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 51 dropbacks · 58.8% completion · +5.6% CPOE · +0.32 EPA/play · +16.08 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Kansas City Chiefs held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs +0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 9 drives, +17.81 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 10 drives, +18.50 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Kansas City Chiefs 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.
• T. Bridgewater (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Bridgewater (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• P. Mahomes (KC) 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 51:13 · KC 9 · Score 6-0
   (6:13) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short left to 22-C.McCaffrey for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 51:07 · KC 15 · Score 7-0
   4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
3. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 46:42 · CAR 21 · Score 7-3
   (1:42) 7-H.Butker 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 42:44 · KC 14 · Score 13-3
   (12:44) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short middle to 10-C.Samuel for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 42:39 · KC 15 · Score 14-3
   4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
6. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 41:06 · CAR 37 · Score 14-6
   (11:06) 7-H.Butker 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 33:50 · CAR 1 · Score 14-12
   (3:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 11-D.Robinson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 33:45 · CAR 15 · Score 14-13
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
9. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:46 · CAR 35 · Score 17-13
   4-J.Slye kicks 65 yards from CAR 35 to end zone, Touchback.
10. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 19:47 · CAR 4 · Score 17-19
    (4:47) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 25-C.Edwards-Helaire for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 19:42 · CAR 15 · Score 17-20
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
12. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 14:29 · CAR 28 · Score 17-26
    (14:29) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-B.Burns].
13. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 10:26 · KC 4 · Score 23-26
    (10:26) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 10:22 · KC 15 · Score 24-26
    4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 7:44 · CAR 2 · Score 24-32
    (7:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 10-T.Hill for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 7:40 · CAR 15 · Score 24-33
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
17. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 1:55 · KC 1 · Score 30-33
    (1:55) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 1:53 · KC 15 · Score 31-33
    4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.