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NFL · Week 3 · September 24, 2006 · 12 min read

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2006 Week 3 Recap

Panthers defeat Buccaneers 26–24 in Week 3

Shi Smith led Fantasy Impact as Panthers prevailed in a 26–24 Week 3 finish.

Carolina Panthers 26 1–2 Winner
Final 26–24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 0–3
Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
26–24
Halftime
Carolina Panthers 20–7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top passer
J. Delhomme
FantasyHQ MVP
Shi Smith
Game date
September 24, 2006

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • Shi Smith
    Shi Smith 7 REC · 112 YDS +8.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Kisean Johnson
    Kisean Johnson 7 REC · 97 YDS · 1 TD +8.0 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Delhomme 22/42 · 261 YDS · 1 TD +3.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • Arian Smith
    Arian Smith 4 REC · 72 YDS +5.2 Fantasy Impact
  • I.Hilliard 1 REC · 16 YDS +1.9 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Galloway 1 REC · 8 YDS · 1 TD +1.9 Fantasy Impact
View Panthers vs Buccaneers box score View all 2006 NFL game recaps

Game story

The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26–24 in Week 3 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-09-24, a matchup that came down to the wire. The decisive swing (+25.7% win probability) came in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers swung the momentum.

In Week 3 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-09-24, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 26–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +3.57 total EPA, and +7.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Smith (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+25.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (:41) 17-J.Delhomme scrambles up the middle to TB 30 for 12 yards (20-R.Barber).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Carolina Panthers101033026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers07143024

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

  1. 1 S. Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.62 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
  2. 2 K. Johnson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.96 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
  3. 3 A. Smith · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +5.15 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
  4. 4 J. Delhomme · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +3.57 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
  5. 5 I. Hilliard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.87 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.87 EPA/play
  6. 6 J. Galloway · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
  7. 7 K. Johnson · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.74 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.74 EPA/play
  8. 8 D. Carter · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.52 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

S. Smith — CAR · Receiving

S. Smith posted the highest total EPA (+8.62) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Carolina Panthers's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +1.23 EPA per play.

The signature play (-5.61 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (14:19) 2-C.Simms pass short right intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-C.Gamble at TB 42. 20-C.Gamble to TB 31 for 11 yards (84-J.Galloway).

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Carolina Panthers — K. Johnson (J. Delhomme pass) (Q1 59:10)
  • Carolina Panthers — K. Johnson (Q2 42:50)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J. Galloway (C. Simms pass) (Q2 37:03)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Williams (Q3 27:54)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Simms (Q3 21:05)

Field goals

  • Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q1 46:36)
  • Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q2 30:55)
  • Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q3 15:41)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant (Q4 5:05)
  • Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay (Q4 0:07)

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 10–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 31 (Q1 59:10) — (14:10) 17-J.Delhomme pass deep left to 19-K.Johnson for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 59:01) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 33 (Q1 46:36) — (1:36) 4-J.Kasay 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q2 42:50) — (12:50) 19-K.Johnson left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. flanker reverse; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 42:41) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q2 37:03) — (7:03) 2-C.Simms pass short left to 84-J.Galloway for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 36:57) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 33 (Q2 30:55) — (:55) 4-J.Kasay 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q3 27:54) — (12:54) 24-C.Williams up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 27:46) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q3 21:05) — (6:05) 2-C.Simms scrambles left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [59-A.Seward].; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 20:56) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 31 (Q3 15:41) — (:41) 4-J.Kasay 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 10 (Q4 5:05) — (5:05) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 29 (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 4-J.Kasay 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..

Turning points

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

  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:41) — (:41) 17-J.Delhomme scrambles up the middle to TB 30 for 12 yards (20-R.Barber). [WPA +25.7% · EPA +1.86]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 4-J.Kasay 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. [WPA +19.0% · EPA +0.89]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 10:10) — (10:10) 17-J.Delhomme sacked at TB 35 for -7 yards (53-S.Quarles). FUMBLES (53-S.Quarles), touched at TB 35, RECOVERED by TB-90-D.White at TB 39. 90-D.White to TB 39 for no gain (63-G.Hangartner). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -4.74]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:02) — 4-J.Kasay kicks 58 yards from CAR 30 to TB 12. 32-M.Pittman to TB 18 for 6 yards. Lateral to 34-E.Graham to TB 19 for 1 yard (88-K.Hankton). [WPA -16.1% · EPA +0.02]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 59:19) — (14:19) 2-C.Simms pass short right intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-C.Gamble at TB 42. 20-C.Gamble to TB 31 for 11 yards (84-J.Galloway). [WPA -15.7% · EPA -5.61]

Impact plays

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

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 59:19) — (14:19) 2-C.Simms pass short right intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-C.Gamble at TB 42. 20-C.Gamble to TB 31 for 11 yards (84-J.Galloway). [WPA -15.7% · EPA -5.61]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 26:19) — (11:19) 26-D.Foster up the middle to TB 49 for 3 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), RECOVERED by TB-95-C.Hovan at TB 49. 95-C.Hovan to TB 49 for no gain (68-M.Wahle). [WPA -13.6% · EPA -4.84]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 10:10) — (10:10) 17-J.Delhomme sacked at TB 35 for -7 yards (53-S.Quarles). FUMBLES (53-S.Quarles), touched at TB 35, RECOVERED by TB-90-D.White at TB 39. 90-D.White to TB 39 for no gain (63-G.Hangartner). [WPA -18.7% · EPA -4.74]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 28:35) — (13:35) 17-J.Delhomme sacked at CAR 14 for -10 yards (97-S.Rice). FUMBLES (97-S.Rice), touched at CAR 14, RECOVERED by TB-90-D.White at CAR 15. Play Challenged by CAR and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by CAR at [WPA -9.9% · EPA -3.88]

Quarterback report card

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

  • J.Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) · 42 dropbacks · 52.4% completion · +7.5% CPOE · +0.09 EPA/play · +3.57 total EPA
  • C.Simms (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 27 dropbacks · 48.1% completion · -5.4% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

StatCarolina PanthersTampa Bay Buccaneers
Offensive EPA/play+0.036-0.024
Offensive success rate47.7%44.6%
Pass EPA/play+0.085+0.028
Rush EPA/play-0.130-0.159
Defensive EPA/play+0.024-0.036
Defensive success rate55.4%52.3%

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Carolina Panthers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.02), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

  • Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, +3.07 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, -1.80 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.
  • One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
  • S. Smith (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
  • J. Delhomme (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
  • C. Simms (TB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

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

  1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 59:10 · TB 31 · Score 6-0
    (14:10) 17-J.Delhomme pass deep left to 19-K.Johnson for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 59:01 · TB 2 · Score 7-0
    4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  3. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 46:36 · TB 33 · Score 10-0
    (1:36) 4-J.Kasay 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 42:50 · TB 4 · Score 16-0
    (12:50) 19-K.Johnson left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. flanker reverse
  5. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 42:41 · TB 2 · Score 17-0
    4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 37:03 · CAR 8 · Score 17-6
    (7:03) 2-C.Simms pass short left to 84-J.Galloway for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 36:57 · CAR 2 · Score 17-7
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:55 · TB 33 · Score 20-7
    (:55) 4-J.Kasay 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 27:54 · CAR 4 · Score 20-13
    (12:54) 24-C.Williams up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 27:46 · CAR 2 · Score 20-14
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 21:05 · CAR 2 · Score 20-20
    (6:05) 2-C.Simms scrambles left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN [59-A.Seward].
  12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 20:56 · CAR 2 · Score 20-21
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  13. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 15:41 · TB 31 · Score 23-21
    (:41) 4-J.Kasay 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 5:05 · CAR 10 · Score 23-24
    (5:05) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
  15. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · TB 29 · Score 26-24
    (:07) 4-J.Kasay 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-24 in Week 3, 2006 on 2006-09-24.

What was the final score of Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

The final score was Carolina Panthers 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 (CAR 26-24 TB) in Week 3, 2006 on 2006-09-24.

What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Q1: Carolina Panthers 10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q2: Carolina Panthers 10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q3: Carolina Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14; Q4: Carolina Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Final: Carolina Panthers 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Carolina Panthers touchdown — K. Johnson (J. Delhomme pass) (Q1 59:10) Carolina Panthers touchdown — K. Johnson (Q2 42:50) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — J. Galloway (C. Simms pass) (Q2 37:03) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Williams (Q3 27:54) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Simms (Q3 21:05) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q1 46:36, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q2 30:55, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q3 15:41, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 5:05, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q4 0:07, 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?

J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers), 52.4% completion, +7.5% CPOE, +0.09 EPA per dropback, +3.57 total passing EPA. C. Simms (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 48.1% completion, -5.4% CPOE, +0.01 EPA per dropback, +0.29 total passing EPA.

Who was the most impactful player in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

S. Smith (Carolina Panthers) led the game in total EPA with +8.62 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.61 EPA): (14:19) 2-C.Simms pass short right intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 20-C.Gamble at TB 42. 20-C.Gamble to TB 31 for 11 yards (84-J.Galloway).. The biggest win-probability swing was +25.7%.

Was Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Carolina Panthers won 26-24 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Carolina Panthers

Entered 0-2 Now 1-2 W

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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