Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2016 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-10-16, the New Orleans Saints took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 41–38 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +10.31 total EPA, and +1.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.69 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+21.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (:16) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.

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 D. Brees · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +20.69 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +10.31 total EPA · 53 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
3. 3 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.79 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Cooks · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.08 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.60 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Fleener · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.28 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
7. 7 W. Snead · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Ginn · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.33 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 Orleans Saints — C. Fleener (Q1 53:59)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Cooks (D. Brees pass) (Q1 47:43)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Thomas (D. Brees pass) (Q2 43:52)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Funchess (C. Newton pass) (Q2 31:19)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Dickson (C. Newton pass) (Q3 21:56)
• New Orleans Saints — C. Fleener (D. Brees pass) (Q3 20:04)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (Q4 14:53)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (Q4 9:43)
• New Orleans Saints — J. Hill (D. Brees pass) (Q4 6:10)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Newton (Q4 3:04)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q2 33:07)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q2 30:15)
• New Orleans Saints — W. Lutz (Q4 0:16)

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 14–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q1 53:59) — (8:59) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 82-C.Fleener right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 53:55) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 87 (Q1 47:43) — (2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 54; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 47:31) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 9 (Q2 43:52) — (13:52) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 13-M.Thomas for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 6; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 43:47) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 24 (Q2 33:07) — (3:07) 9-G.Gano 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 17 (Q2 31:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 17-D.Funchess for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, YAC 0; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 31:15) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 15 (Q2 30:15).

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q3 21:56) — (6:56) 79-C.Scott reported in as eligible. 1-C.Newton pass short left to 84-E.Dickson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [94-C.Jordan]. Pass 1, YAC 0; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 21:49) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 50 (Q3 20:04) — (5:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 82-C.Fleener for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 23, YAC 27; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 19:56) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 21–10. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q4 14:53) — (14:53) 28-J.Stewart left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 14:49) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee. PENALTY on NO-94-C.Jordan, Leverage, 15 yards, enforced between downs.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 1 (Q4 9:43) — (9:43) 79-C.Scott reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q4 6:10); New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 6:02) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q4 3:04); Carolina Panthers registered a safety from the NO 2 (Q4 2:58) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 1-C.Newton pass to 17-D.Funchess is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 34 (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:16) — (:16) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. [WPA +21.3% · EPA +1.03]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 47:43) — (2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 54 [WPA +13.1% · EPA +7.24]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 3:04) — (3:04) 79-C.Scott reported in as eligible. 1-C.Newton right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field [WPA +12.4% · EPA +0.76]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:04) — (5:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 82-C.Fleener for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 23, YAC 27 [WPA +11.5% · EPA +5.71]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:58) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 1-C.Newton pass to 17-D.Funchess is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. [WPA +11.3% · EPA +1.05]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 47:43) — (2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 54 [WPA +13.1% · EPA +7.24]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 39:04) — (9:04) 1-C.Newton pass short right intended for 17-D.Funchess INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Moore at NO 0. Touchback. The Replay Official reviewed the pass interception ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruli [WPA -6.4% · EPA -6.39]
• New Orleans Saints (Q3 20:04) — (5:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 82-C.Fleener for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 23, YAC 27 [WPA +11.5% · EPA +5.71]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 13:41) — (13:41) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 21-T.Williams at CAR 31. 21-T.Williams to 50 for 19 yards (83-W.Snead). [WPA -7.6% · EPA -4.68]

Quarterback report card

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

• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 53 dropbacks · 50.9% completion · +1.9% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +10.31 total EPA
• D.Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 51 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +3.6% CPOE · +0.41 EPA/play · +20.69 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 +0.12, New Orleans Saints +0.12) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Carolina Panthers: 14 drives, +12.25 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, +11.28 total EPA, 7 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.
• D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Brees (NO) 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 Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 53:59 · CAR 2 · Score 0-6
   (8:59) 68-T.Lelito reported in as eligible. 82-C.Fleener right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 53:55 · CAR 15 · Score 0-7
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 47:43 · CAR 87 · Score 0-13
   (2:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep right to 10-B.Cooks for 87 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 33, YAC 54
4. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q1 47:31 · CAR 15 · Score 0-14
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 43:52 · CAR 9 · Score 0-20
   (13:52) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass short middle to 13-M.Thomas for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 3, YAC 6
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 43:47 · CAR 15 · Score 0-21
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
7. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 33:07 · NO 24 · Score 3-21
   (3:07) 9-G.Gano 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
8. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 31:19 · NO 17 · Score 9-21
   (1:19) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 17-D.Funchess for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 17, YAC 0
9. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 31:15 · NO 15 · Score 10-21
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
10. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 30:15 · CAR 15 · Score 10-24
    (:15) 3-W.Lutz 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead. Penalty on CAR-26-D.Worley, Running Into the Kicker, declined.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 21:56 · NO 1 · Score 16-24
    (6:56) 79-C.Scott reported in as eligible. 1-C.Newton pass short left to 84-E.Dickson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN [94-C.Jordan]. Pass 1, YAC 0
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 21:49 · NO 15 · Score 17-24
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 20:04 · CAR 50 · Score 17-30
    (5:04) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep middle to 82-C.Fleener for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 23, YAC 27
14. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 19:56 · CAR 15 · Score 17-31
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
15. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 14:53 · NO 2 · Score 23-31
    (14:53) 28-J.Stewart left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 14:49 · NO 15 · Score 24-31
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee. PENALTY on NO-94-C.Jordan, Leverage, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
17. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 9:43 · NO 1 · Score 30-31
    (9:43) 79-C.Scott reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 6:10 · CAR 8 · Score 30-37
    (6:10) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass incomplete short left to 89-J.Hill [99-K.Short]. New Orleans challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (
19. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 6:02 · CAR 15 · Score 30-38
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
20. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 3:04 · NO 2 · Score 36-38
    (3:04) 79-C.Scott reported in as eligible. 1-C.Newton right end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the
21. Carolina Panthers Safety (+2) — Q4 2:58 · NO 2 · Score 38-38
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 1-C.Newton pass to 17-D.Funchess is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
22. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:16 · CAR 34 · Score 38-41
    (:16) 3-W.Lutz 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-6-T.Morstead.