Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2001 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2001 NFL season on 2001-12-02, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 27–23 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

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

A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +14.36 total EPA.

On the individual side, A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.36 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+23.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (2:45) 4-J.Kasay 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.

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 A. Brooks · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +14.36 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Horn · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +12.05 total EPA · 18 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Weinke · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +3.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Williams · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.79 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
5. 5 I. Byrd · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.29 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.29 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Hayes · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Connell · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.08 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.08 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. Weinke (Q1 49:09)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Smith (A. Brooks pass) (Q2 30:57)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Connell (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 15:00)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Weinke (Q4 5:50)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Horn (A. Brooks pass) (Q4 1:35)

Field goals

• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q2 37:36)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q3 24:05)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q3 17:45)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q4 13:13)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q4 2:45)

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 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 6 (Q1 49:09) — (4:09) 16-C.Weinke up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 49:05) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 10–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 24 (Q2 37:36) — (7:36) 3-J.Carney 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q2 30:57) — (:57) 2-A.Brooks pass to 44-T.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0 Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 30:49) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 6 (Q3 24:05) — (9:05) 3-J.Carney 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 30 (Q3 17:45) — (2:45) 4-J.Kasay 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–13. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 14 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, Run 4; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 14:56) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 6 (Q4 13:13) — (13:13) 4-J.Kasay 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 5:50) — (5:50) 16-C.Weinke up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 5:49) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 34 (Q4 2:45) — (2:45) 4-J.Kasay 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 17 (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, Run 0; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 1:31) — 3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

Turning points

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:45) — (2:45) 4-J.Kasay 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. [WPA +23.8% · EPA +1.78]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 34-R.Williams to CAR 32 for 42 yards (37-J.Hitchcock). Pass 0, Run 42 [WPA +20.6% · EPA +1.91]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:33) — (:33) 16-C.Weinke sacked at CAR 47 for -6 yards (56-C.Clemons). [WPA -20.6% · EPA -0.69]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, Run 0 [WPA +20.5% · EPA +4.37]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 14:56) — 4-T.Gowin kicks 64 yards from NO 30 to CAR 6. 89-S.Smith to NO 12 for 82 yards (28-C.Oldham). [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.51]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q3 18:50) — (3:50) 2-A.Brooks FUMBLES (Aborted) at CAR 41, touched at CAR 41, RECOVERED by CAR-77-K.Jenkins at CAR 41. 77-K.Jenkins to CAR 41 for no gain (34-R.Williams). [WPA -10.4% · EPA -4.91]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 14:56) — 4-T.Gowin kicks 64 yards from NO 30 to CAR 6. 89-S.Smith to NO 12 for 82 yards (28-C.Oldham). [WPA +14.9% · EPA +4.51]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, Run 0 [WPA +20.5% · EPA +4.37]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 8:27) — (8:27) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 88-W.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 37-J.Hitchcock at CAR 34. 37-J.Hitchcock to NO 31 for 35 yards (62-J.Fontenot). [WPA -9.6% · EPA -2.95]

Quarterback report card

A.Brooks led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 47 dropbacks · 55.3% completion · +0.31 EPA/play · +14.36 total EPA
• C.Weinke (Carolina Panthers) · 30 dropbacks · 36.7% completion · -0.11 EPA/play · -3.21 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Carolina Panthers +0.06, New Orleans Saints +0.05) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Carolina Panthers: 13 drives, +4.29 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 12 drives, +4.83 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• New Orleans Saints 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.
• A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 49:09 · NO 6 · Score 6-0
   (4:09) 16-C.Weinke up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 49:05 · NO 2 · Score 7-0
   4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 37:36 · CAR 24 · Score 7-3
   (7:36) 3-J.Carney 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
4. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 30:57 · CAR 4 · Score 7-9
   (:57) 2-A.Brooks pass to 44-T.Smith for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 4, Run 0 Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
5. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 30:49 · CAR 2 · Score 7-10
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
6. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 24:05 · CAR 6 · Score 7-13
   (9:05) 3-J.Carney 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
7. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 17:45 · NO 30 · Score 10-13
   (2:45) 4-J.Kasay 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
8. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · CAR 14 · Score 10-19
   (15:00) 2-A.Brooks pass to 83-A.Connell for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 10, Run 4
9. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 14:56 · CAR 2 · Score 10-20
   3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
10. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 13:13 · NO 6 · Score 13-20
    (13:13) 4-J.Kasay 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 5:50 · NO 1 · Score 19-20
    (5:50) 16-C.Weinke up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 5:49 · NO 2 · Score 20-20
    4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
13. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 2:45 · NO 34 · Score 23-20
    (2:45) 4-J.Kasay 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:35 · CAR 17 · Score 23-26
    (1:35) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 87-J.Horn for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, Run 0
15. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 1:31 · CAR 2 · Score 23-27
    3-J.Carney extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.