Game story
In Week 16 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-12-26, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 37–20 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 19 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Griese (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +2.64 total EPA.
On the individual side, J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +21.14 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+11.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (1:59) 8-B.Griese pass to 80-M.Clayton for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 37 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Delhomme · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +21.14 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 2 M. Muhammad · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +14.69 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
- 3 M. Clayton · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +8.05 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.01 EPA/play
- 4 J. Galloway · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.37 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
- 5 J. Jurevicius · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.95 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
- 6 M. Seidman · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.99 EPA/play
- 7 N. Goings · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.91 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 8 B. Griese · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +2.64 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Delhomme — CAR · Passing
J. Delhomme posted the highest total EPA (+21.14) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Carolina Panthers's efficiency. Across 26 counted snaps, they averaged +0.81 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.56 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (4:48) 8-B.Griese pass intended for 32-M.Pittman INTERCEPTED by 94-K.Moorehead (94-K.Moorehead) at TB 17. 94-K.Moorehead for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Carolina Panthers — M. Muhammad (J. Delhomme pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Clayton (B. Griese pass)
- Carolina Panthers — M. Muhammad (J. Delhomme pass)
- Carolina Panthers — K. Colbert (J. Delhomme pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Clayton (B. Griese pass)
- Carolina Panthers — M. Seidman (J. Delhomme pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J. Galloway (B. Griese pass)
- Carolina Panthers — K. Moorehead
Field goals
- Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay
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 TB 15 (Q1 52:28) — (7:28) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 87-M.Muhammad for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 52:19) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 22 (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) 8-B.Griese pass to 80-M.Clayton for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q1 46:48) — 6-J.Taylor extra point is GOOD, Center-86-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..
The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 6 (Q2 41:18) — (11:18) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 87-M.Muhammad for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 41:13) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 8 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 4-J.Kasay 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q3 24:12) — (9:12) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 83-K.Colbert for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 24:05) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 6 (Q3 21:34) — (6:34) 8-B.Griese pass to 80-M.Clayton for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by CAR at 06:25.); Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 21:25) — 6-J.Taylor extra point is GOOD, Center-86-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..
The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 13–6. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q4 12:21) — (12:21) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 82-M.Seidman for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 14 (Q4 8:23) — (8:23) 8-B.Griese pass to 84-J.Galloway for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the CAR 79 (Q4 4:48); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 4:41) — 4-J.Kasay extra point 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.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) 8-B.Griese pass to 80-M.Clayton for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 55:49) — (10:49) 8-B.Griese pass intended for 80-M.Clayton INTERCEPTED by 28-C.Branch at CAR 45. 28-C.Branch to CAR 45 for no gain (80-M.Clayton).
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 41:18) — (11:18) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 87-M.Muhammad for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 16:45) — (1:45) 8-B.Griese FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 49, RECOVERED by CAR-96-A.Wallace at TB 49. 96-A.Wallace to TB 49 for no gain (8-B.Griese).
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 44:51) — (14:51) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 87-M.Muhammad to TB 34 for 14 yards (20-R.Barber, 52-I.Gold).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) 8-B.Griese pass intended for 32-M.Pittman INTERCEPTED by 94-K.Moorehead (94-K.Moorehead) at TB 17. 94-K.Moorehead for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 16:45) — (1:45) 8-B.Griese FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 49, RECOVERED by CAR-96-A.Wallace at TB 49. 96-A.Wallace to TB 49 for no gain (8-B.Griese).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 55:49) — (10:49) 8-B.Griese pass intended for 80-M.Clayton INTERCEPTED by 28-C.Branch at CAR 45. 28-C.Branch to CAR 45 for no gain (80-M.Clayton).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) 8-B.Griese pass to 80-M.Clayton for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
B.Griese led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Griese (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 48 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +0.05 EPA/play · +2.64 total EPA
- J.Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) · 26 dropbacks · 73.1% completion · +0.81 EPA/play · +21.14 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.272 | +0.013 |
| Offensive success rate | 51.8% | 56.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.814 | +0.053 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.087 | -0.381 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.013 | -0.272 |
| Defensive success rate | 44.0% | 48.2% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Carolina Panthers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.27 vs +0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Carolina Panthers: 11 drives, +22.57 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, +1.01 total EPA, 4 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.
- J. Delhomme (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.
- Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 52:28 · TB 15 · Score 6-0
(7:28) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 87-M.Muhammad for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 52:19 · TB 2 · Score 7-0
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 46:59 · CAR 22 · Score 7-6
(1:59) 8-B.Griese pass to 80-M.Clayton for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 46:48 · CAR 2 · Score 7-7
6-J.Taylor extra point is GOOD, Center-86-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 41:18 · TB 6 · Score 13-7
(11:18) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 87-M.Muhammad for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 41:13 · TB 2 · Score 14-7
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · TB 8 · Score 17-7
(:05) 4-J.Kasay 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 24:12 · TB 4 · Score 23-7
(9:12) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 83-K.Colbert for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 24:05 · TB 2 · Score 24-7
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 21:34 · CAR 6 · Score 24-13
(6:34) 8-B.Griese pass to 80-M.Clayton for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by CAR at 06:25.) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 21:25 · CAR 2 · Score 24-14
6-J.Taylor extra point is GOOD, Center-86-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 12:21 · TB 2 · Score 30-14
(12:21) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 82-M.Seidman for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 8:23 · CAR 14 · Score 30-20
(8:23) 8-B.Griese pass to 84-J.Galloway for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 4:48 · CAR 79 · Score 36-20
(4:48) 8-B.Griese pass intended for 32-M.Pittman INTERCEPTED by 94-K.Moorehead (94-K.Moorehead) at TB 17. 94-K.Moorehead for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 4:41 · TB 2 · Score 37-20
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-20 in Week 16, 2004 on 2004-12-26.
What was the final score of Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The final score was Carolina Panthers 37, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 (CAR 37-20 TB) in Week 16, 2004 on 2004-12-26.
What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q1: Carolina Panthers 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q2: Carolina Panthers 10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q3: Carolina Panthers 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q4: Carolina Panthers 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6; Final: Carolina Panthers 37, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — M. Muhammad (J. Delhomme pass) (Q1 52:28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Clayton (B. Griese pass) (Q1 46:59) Carolina Panthers touchdown — M. Muhammad (J. Delhomme pass) (Q2 41:18) Carolina Panthers touchdown — K. Colbert (J. Delhomme pass) (Q3 24:12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Clayton (B. Griese pass) (Q3 21:34) Carolina Panthers touchdown — M. Seidman (J. Delhomme pass) (Q4 12:21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — J. Galloway (B. Griese pass) (Q4 8:23) Carolina Panthers touchdown — K. Moorehead (Q4 4:48) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q2 30:05, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
B. Griese (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 62.5% completion, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +2.64 total passing EPA. J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers), 73.1% completion, +0.81 EPA per dropback, +21.14 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) led the game in total EPA with +21.14 on passing plays. across 26 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.56 EPA): (4:48) 8-B.Griese pass intended for 32-M.Pittman INTERCEPTED by 94-K.Moorehead (94-K.Moorehead) at TB 17. 94-K.Moorehead for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +11.2%.
Season records after this game
Carolina Panthers
Entered 6-8 Now 7-8 W
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 5-9 Now 5-10 L
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