Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants: 2015 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-12-20, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 38–35 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

E. Manning (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with +1.88 total EPA, and -2.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+24.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (:05) 9-G.Gano 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. Penalty on NYG-13-O.Beckham Jr., Illegal Formation, declined.

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 · +16.45 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
2. 2 O.Beckham Jr. · New York Giants · Receiving · +7.61 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Ginn · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +6.04 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Brown · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.07 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
5. 5 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Artis-Payne · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
7. 7 S. Vereen · New York Giants · Rushing · +2.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
8. 8 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +1.88 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.04 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 — T. Ginn (C. Newton pass) (Q1 50:41)
• New York Giants — R. Randle (E. Manning pass) (Q1 46:33)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q2 32:26)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Funchess (C. Newton pass) (Q2 30:21)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Brown (C. Newton pass) (Q3 25:14)
• Carolina Panthers — T. Ginn (C. Newton pass) (Q3 20:38)
• New York Giants — W. Tye (E. Manning pass) (Q3 16:27)
• New York Giants — R. Jennings (Q4 13:34)
• New York Giants — S. Vereen (E. Manning pass) (Q4 5:36)
• New York Giants — O. Beckham (E. Manning pass) (Q4 1:51)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q4 0:05)

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 7–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NYG 3 (Q1 50:41) — (5:41) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 19-T.Ginn for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q1 50:33) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; New York Giants found the end zone from the CAR 27 (Q1 46:33) — (1:33) (No Huddle) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 82-R.Randle for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 46:24) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NYG 37 (Q2 32:26) — (2:26) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 32:14) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NYG 14 (Q2 30:21) — (:21) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 17-D.Funchess for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 30:15) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NYG 20 (Q3 25:14) — (10:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 10-C.Brown for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q3 25:03) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NYG 14 (Q3 20:38); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q3 20:32) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; New York Giants found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q3 16:27) — (1:27) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 45-W.Tye for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 16:18) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 21–3. New York Giants found the end zone from the CAR 38 (Q4 13:34) — (13:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 23-R.Jennings left tackle for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 13:24); New York Giants found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q4 5:36) — (5:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 34-S.Vereen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 5:27) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing.; New York Giants found the end zone from the CAR 14 (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham Jr. for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 1:46) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NYG 25 (Q4 0:05).

Turning points

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 9-G.Gano 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. Penalty on NYG-13-O.Beckham Jr., Illegal Formation, declined. [WPA +24.2% · EPA +0.60]
• New York Giants (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham Jr. for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.0% · EPA +4.28]
• New York Giants (Q4 2:55) — (2:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 13-O.Beckham Jr. to CAR 19 for 40 yards (31-C.Tillman). [WPA +15.3% · EPA +3.14]
• New York Giants (Q2 33:37) — (3:37) 23-R.Jennings left end to CAR 49 for 2 yards (54-S.Thompson). Carolina challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 23-R.Jennings left end to CAR 49 for 2 yards [WPA -13.8% · EPA -4.86]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 32:26) — (2:26) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.4% · EPA +4.23]

Impact plays

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

• New York Giants (Q4 7:43) — (7:43) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left intended for 88-H.Nicks INTERCEPTED by 31-C.Tillman [99-K.Short] at CAR -4. Touchback. [WPA -6.8% · EPA -5.93]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 9:00) — (9:00) 9-G.Gano 34 yard field goal is BLOCKED (41-D.Rodgers-Cromartie), Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman, RECOVERED by NYG-20-P.Amukamara at NYG 45. 20-P.Amukamara to CAR 46 for 9 yards (9-G.Gan [WPA -4.4% · EPA -5.73]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:50) — (6:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton FUMBLES (Aborted) at CAR 17, RECOVERED by NYG-72-K.Wynn at CAR 14. Officially, a rush for 0 yards. [WPA -6.8% · EPA -5.08]
• New York Giants (Q2 33:37) — (3:37) 23-R.Jennings left end to CAR 49 for 2 yards (54-S.Thompson). Carolina challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 23-R.Jennings left end to CAR 49 for 2 yards [WPA -13.8% · EPA -4.86]

Quarterback report card

E.Manning led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 49 dropbacks · 59.2% completion · -2.2% CPOE · +0.04 EPA/play · +1.88 total EPA
• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 49 dropbacks · 51.0% completion · -0.6% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +16.45 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 (+0.08 vs +0.03), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Carolina Panthers: 15 drives, +7.76 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 16 drives, +2.32 total EPA, 5 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.

Every scoring play

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

1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 50:41 · NYG 3 · Score 6-0
   (5:41) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 19-T.Ginn for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 50:33 · NYG 15 · Score 7-0
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
3. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q1 46:33 · CAR 27 · Score 7-6
   (1:33) (No Huddle) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 82-R.Randle for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q1 46:24 · CAR 15 · Score 7-7
   3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing.
5. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 32:26 · NYG 37 · Score 13-7
   (2:26) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 32:14 · NYG 15 · Score 14-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
7. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 30:21 · NYG 14 · Score 20-7
   (:21) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 17-D.Funchess for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 30:15 · NYG 15 · Score 21-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
9. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 25:14 · NYG 20 · Score 27-7
   (10:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 10-C.Brown for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 25:03 · NYG 15 · Score 28-7
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 20:38 · NYG 14 · Score 34-7
    (5:38) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 19-T.Ginn for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CAR-19-T.Ginn, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 20:32 · NYG 15 · Score 35-7
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
13. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 16:27 · CAR 8 · Score 35-13
    (1:27) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 45-W.Tye for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 16:18 · CAR 15 · Score 35-14
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing.
15. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 13:34 · CAR 38 · Score 35-20
    (13:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 23-R.Jennings left tackle for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 13:24 · CAR 15 · Score 35-21
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing. PENALTY on CAR-58-T.Davis, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
17. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 5:36 · CAR 8 · Score 35-27
    (5:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 34-S.Vereen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 5:27 · CAR 15 · Score 35-28
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing.
19. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 1:51 · CAR 14 · Score 35-34
    (1:51) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham Jr. for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q4 1:46 · CAR 15 · Score 35-35
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-57-D.Aiken, Holder-9-B.Wing.
21. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 0:05 · NYG 25 · Score 38-35
    (:05) 9-G.Gano 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. Penalty on NYG-13-O.Beckham Jr., Illegal Formation, declined.