Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots: 2017 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-01, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the New England Patriots, pulling away with a 33–30 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Brady (New England Patriots) paced the passing game, with +10.24 total EPA, and +5.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +22.57 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+29.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (:04) 9-G.Gano 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.

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 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +22.57 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +10.24 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Funchess · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.46 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Benjamin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.45 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.11 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.56 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Amendola · New England Patriots · Receiving · +5.20 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +4.26 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Dickson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.00 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

• New England Patriots — C. Hogan (T. Brady pass) (Q2 42:43)
• Carolina Panthers — F. Whittaker (C. Newton pass) (Q2 39:49)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Funchess (C. Newton pass) (Q2 30:31)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Funchess (C. Newton pass) (Q3 17:51)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Newton (Q4 13:03)
• New England Patriots — D. Lewis (Q4 8:52)
• New England Patriots — D. Amendola (T. Brady pass) (Q4 3:14)

Field goals

• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q1 56:52)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q1 52:45)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 34:34)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q2 30:04)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q4 0:04)

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. New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CAR 23 (Q1 56:52) — (11:52) 3-S.Gostkowski 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NE 14 (Q1 52:45) — (7:45) 9-G.Gano 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–13. New England Patriots found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q2 42:43) — (12:43) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 15-C.Hogan for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 42:39) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NE 28 (Q2 39:49) — (9:49) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 43-F.Whittaker for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 39:41) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CAR 17 (Q2 34:34) — (4:34) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NE 10 (Q2 30:31) — (:31) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 17-D.Funchess for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q2 30:26) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the CAR 40 (Q2 30:04).

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 6–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NE 16 (Q3 17:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 17-D.Funchess for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–10. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NE 7 (Q4 13:03) — (13:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CAR 1-Newton 50th career rush TD, extends NFL record for rush TD by QB.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NE 15 (Q4 12:58) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) 33-D.Lewis left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 8:46) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q4 3:14) — (3:14) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 80-D.Amendola for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 3:09) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NE 30 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 9-G.Gano 48 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 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 9-G.Gano 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy. [WPA +29.6% · EPA +0.89]
• New England Patriots (Q4 3:14) — (3:14) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 80-D.Amendola for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +22.4% · EPA +2.65]
• Carolina Panthers (Q3 27:29) — (12:29) 28-J.Stewart right guard to NE 9 for 4 yards (98-T.Flowers). FUMBLES (98-T.Flowers), RECOVERED by NE-52-E.Roberts at NE 7. 52-E.Roberts to NE 7 for no gain (28-J.Stewart). [WPA -18.9% · EPA -4.95]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 31:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin to NE 14 for 43 yards (30-D.Harmon). [WPA +16.2% · EPA +3.54]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:23) — (2:23) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton sacked at CAR 16 for -11 yards (91-D.Wise). PENALTY on NE-24-S.Gilmore, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced at CAR 27 - No Play. [WPA +11.9% · EPA +1.27]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q3 27:29) — (12:29) 28-J.Stewart right guard to NE 9 for 4 yards (98-T.Flowers). FUMBLES (98-T.Flowers), RECOVERED by NE-52-E.Roberts at NE 7. 52-E.Roberts to NE 7 for no gain (28-J.Stewart). [WPA -18.9% · EPA -4.95]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 13-K.Benjamin to NE 19 for 39 yards (21-M.Butler). [WPA +7.3% · EPA +3.65]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 31:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin to NE 14 for 43 yards (30-D.Harmon). [WPA +16.2% · EPA +3.54]
• New England Patriots (Q2 35:33) — (5:33) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass deep left to 87-R.Gronkowski pushed ob at CAR 15 for 43 yards (36-D.Cox). NE 87-Gronkowski 6,393 career rec yds, passes Brown for 3rd-most in franchise history. [WPA +11.7% · EPA +3.43]

Quarterback report card

T.Brady led all passers in efficiency for New England Patriots, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 51 dropbacks · 62.7% completion · +5.2% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +10.24 total EPA
• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +12.6% CPOE · +0.63 EPA/play · +22.57 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 (+0.26 vs +0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Carolina Panthers: 9 drives, +19.97 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New England Patriots: 10 drives, +14.43 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.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• C. Newton (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. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q1 56:52 · CAR 23 · Score 0-3
   (11:52) 3-S.Gostkowski 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
2. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 52:45 · NE 14 · Score 3-3
   (7:45) 9-G.Gano 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
3. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 42:43 · CAR 2 · Score 3-9
   (12:43) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 15-C.Hogan for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 42:39 · CAR 15 · Score 3-10
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
5. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 39:49 · NE 28 · Score 9-10
   (9:49) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 43-F.Whittaker for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 39:41 · NE 15 · Score 10-10
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
7. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 34:34 · CAR 17 · Score 10-13
   (4:34) 3-S.Gostkowski 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
8. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 30:31 · NE 10 · Score 16-13
   (:31) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 17-D.Funchess for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 30:26 · NE 15 · Score 17-13
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
10. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · CAR 40 · Score 17-16
    (:04) 3-S.Gostkowski 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen. Kick good off of right upright. NE 3-Gostkowski longest FG of his career
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 17:51 · NE 16 · Score 23-16
    (2:51) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 17-D.Funchess for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 13:03 · NE 7 · Score 29-16
    (13:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. CAR 1-Newton 50th career rush TD, extends NFL record for rush TD by QB.
13. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 12:58 · NE 15 · Score 30-16
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
14. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 8:52 · CAR 8 · Score 30-22
    (8:52) 33-D.Lewis left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 8:46 · CAR 15 · Score 30-23
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
16. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q4 3:14 · CAR 1 · Score 30-29
    (3:14) (Shotgun) 12-T.Brady pass short middle to 80-D.Amendola for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
17. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q4 3:09 · CAR 15 · Score 30-30
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-49-J.Cardona, Holder-6-R.Allen.
18. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · NE 30 · Score 33-30
    (:04) 9-G.Gano 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.