Game story
In Week 17 of the 2002 NFL season on 2002-12-29, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 10–6 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 7 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -21.76 total EPA.
On the individual side, M. Muhammad (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.32 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-21.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (:41) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 84-M.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 21-T.Cousin at CAR 33. 21-T.Cousin to CAR 33 for no gain (84-M.Lewis). Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Muhammad · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.32 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 2 B. Hoover · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 3 R. Smart · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.53 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play
- 4 S. Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
- 5 R. Peete · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +0.58 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 6 K. Mangum · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 7 S. Smith · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +0.31 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 8 D. McAllister · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +0.08 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Muhammad — CAR · Receiving
M. Muhammad posted the highest total EPA (+5.32) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Carolina Panthers's efficiency. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.66 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.98 EPA) came from Carolina Panthers: (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.Knight to NO 6 for no gain (84-J.Wiggins).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Carolina Panthers — B. Hoover (R. Peete pass)
Field goals
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- New Orleans Saints — J. Carney
- Carolina Panthers — S. Graham
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 12 (Q1 52:18) — (7:18) 3-J.Carney 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..
The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q2 30:57) — (:57) 9-R.Peete pass to 45-B.Hoover for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, Run 0; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 30:51) — 11-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 20 (Q3 20:43) — (5:43) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 33 (Q3 17:48) — (2:48) 11-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 84-M.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 21-T.Cousin at CAR 33. 21-T.Cousin to CAR 33 for no gain (84-M.Lewis). Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 42 yards to NO 10, Center-56-J.Kyle. 84-M.Lewis pushed ob at NO 40 for 30 yards (45-B.Hoover).
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 36:12) — (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.Knight to NO 6 for no gain (84-J.Wiggins).
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:17) — (6:17) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 41. 29-S.Knight to CAR 46 for 13 yards (87-M.Muhammad).
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 37:41) — (7:41) 9-R.Peete pass to 89-S.Smith pushed ob at NO 38 for 29 yards (22-F.Thomas). Pass 24, Run 5
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 36:12) — (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.Knight to NO 6 for no gain (84-J.Wiggins).
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:17) — (6:17) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 41. 29-S.Knight to CAR 46 for 13 yards (87-M.Muhammad).
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 42:53) — (12:53) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed to CAR 11 for 16 yards (58-M.Fields). FUMBLES (58-M.Fields), RECOVERED by CAR-21-T.Cousin at CAR 11. 21-T.Cousin ran ob at CAR 30 for 19 yards (68-K.Tur
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 39:02) — (9:02) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 83-D.Stallworth INTERCEPTED by 21-T.Cousin at CAR 22. 21-T.Cousin to CAR 26 for 4 yards (83-D.Stallworth).
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) · 37 dropbacks · 32.4% completion · -0.59 EPA/play · -21.76 total EPA
- R.Peete (Carolina Panthers) · 32 dropbacks · 59.4% completion · -0.22 EPA/play · -7.04 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.259 | -0.320 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.4% | 35.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.287 | -0.620 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.286 | -0.072 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.320 | +0.259 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.6% | 63.6% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Carolina Panthers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.26 vs -0.32), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Carolina Panthers: 14 drives, -19.98 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, -26.23 total EPA, 2 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.
- M. Muhammad (Carolina Panthers) 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.
- New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 52:18 · CAR 12 · Score 0-3
(7:18) 3-J.Carney 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 30:57 · NO 15 · Score 6-3
(:57) 9-R.Peete pass to 45-B.Hoover for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, Run 0 - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 30:51 · NO 2 · Score 7-3
11-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 20:43 · CAR 20 · Score 7-6
(5:43) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 17:48 · NO 33 · Score 10-6
(2:48) 11-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
The Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 10-6 in Week 17, 2002 on 2002-12-29.
What was the final score of Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
The final score was Carolina Panthers 10, New Orleans Saints 6 (CAR 10-6 NO) in Week 17, 2002 on 2002-12-29.
What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Carolina Panthers 0, New Orleans Saints 3; Q2: Carolina Panthers 7, New Orleans Saints 0; Q3: Carolina Panthers 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Carolina Panthers 10, New Orleans Saints 6.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — B. Hoover (R. Peete pass) (Q2 30:57) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q1 52:18, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 20:43, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — S. Graham (Q3 17:48, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 32.4% completion, -0.59 EPA per dropback, -21.76 total passing EPA. R. Peete (Carolina Panthers), 59.4% completion, -0.22 EPA per dropback, -7.04 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
M. Muhammad (Carolina Panthers) led the game in total EPA with +5.32 on receiving plays. across 8 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.98 EPA): (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.Knight to NO 6 for no gain (84-J.Wiggins).. The biggest win-probability swing was -21.8%.
Was Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. Carolina Panthers won 10-6 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Carolina Panthers
Entered 6-9 Now 7-9 W
New Orleans Saints
Entered 9-6 Now 9-7 L
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