FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 1 · September 9, 2012 · 12 min read

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2012 Week 1 Recap

Buccaneers defeat Panthers 16–10 in Week 1

G.Olsen led Fantasy Impact as Buccaneers prevailed in a 10–16 Week 1 finish.

Carolina Panthers 10 0–1
Final 10–16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 1–0 Winner
Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
10–16
Halftime
Carolina Panthers 0–13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top passer
C. Newton
FantasyHQ MVP
G.Olsen
Game date
September 9, 2012

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • G.Olsen 6 REC · 56 YDS +4.8 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Newton 23/38 · 296 YDS · 1 TD +2.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Shi Smith
    Shi Smith 7 REC · 106 YDS +2.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • Dean Clark
    Dean Clark 1 REC · 33 YDS +2.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Mykel Williams
    Mykel Williams 2 REC · 12 YDS · 1 TD +1.1 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Ware 2 CAR · 14 YDS +0.9 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16–10 Carolina Panthers
Halftime
Carolina Panthers 0–13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
G. Olsen
Top passer
C. Newton
Biggest EPA play
(6:03) 1-C.Newton pass short right intended for 11-B.LaFell INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber (25…
Game date
2012-09-09

Game summary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 16–10 on 2012-09-09. G. Olsen posted a game-high +4.79 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
Carolina Panthers0073010
Tampa Bay Buccaneers10303016

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

CARCarolina Panthers
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

8 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q1 5:28TD
    Mykel Williams

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 6
    Score
    0-6

    (5:28) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 19-M.Williams for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q1 5:20XP
    CBC. Barth

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    0-7

    10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

  3. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q1 1:25FG
    CBC. Barth

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 18
    Score
    0-10

    (1:25) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

  4. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 2:59FG
    CBC. Barth

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    0-13

    (2:59) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

  5. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 9:03TD
    BLB. LaFell

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TB 22
    Score
    6-13

    (9:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 11-B.LaFell for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 8:55XP
    JMJ. Medlock

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TB 2
    Score
    7-13

    6-J.Medlock extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  7. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q4 8:03FG
    CBC. Barth

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 22
    Score
    7-16

    (8:03) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.

  8. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 2:50FG
    JMJ. Medlock

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 3
    Score
    10-16

    (2:50) (Field Goal formation) 6-J.Medlock 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.79 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
  2. 2C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +2.85 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
  3. 3Shi SmithShi Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.01 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  4. 4Dean ClarkDean Clark · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
  5. 5L. Murphy · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.15 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
  6. 6Mykel WilliamsMykel Williams · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.12 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
  7. 7D. Ware · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +0.93 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
  8. 8B. LaFell · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.61 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

G. Olsen — CAR · Receiving

G. Olsen posted the highest total EPA (+4.79) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.68 EPA per play.

G. Olsen's top snap (+2.35 EPA): (14:27) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 88-G.Olsen to CAR 36 for 20 yards (20-R.Barber).

Biggest single play (-5.80 EPA): C. Newton — (6:03) 1-C.Newton pass short right intended for 11-B.LaFell INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber (25-A.Talib) at TB 26. 20-R.Barber to 50 for 24 yards (69-J.Gross). 25 tipped the ball in the air and 20 caught i

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) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +13.0% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +2.85 total EPA
  • J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 31 dropbacks · 51.6% completion · +0.1% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.00 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatCarolina PanthersTampa Bay Buccaneers
Offensive EPA/play-0.129-0.043
Offensive success rate39.4%40.0%
Pass EPA/play+0.075+0.000
Rush EPA/play-0.675-0.107
Defensive EPA/play+0.043+0.129
Defensive success rate60.0%60.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.04 vs -0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Carolina Panthers: -0.13 EPA/play (19th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.04 EPA/play (37th percentile vs. 2012 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: 10 drives, -8.52 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -3.46 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Mykel WilliamsTampa Bay Buccaneers — Mykel Williams (J. Freeman pass) (Q1 5:28)
  • Carolina Panthers — B. LaFell (C. Newton pass) (Q3 9:03)

Field goals

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth (Q1 1:25)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth (Q2 2:59)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth (Q4 8:03)
  • Carolina Panthers — J. Medlock (Q4 2:50)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 6 (Q1 5:28) — (5:28) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 19-M.Williams for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q1 5:20) — 10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 18 (Q1 1:25) — (1:25) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 2 (Q2 2:59) — (2:59) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 22 (Q3 9:03) — (9:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 11-B.LaFell for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 8:55) — 6-J.Medlock extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 22 (Q4 8:03) — (8:03) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 3 (Q4 2:50) — (2:50) (Field Goal formation) 6-J.Medlock 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 6:03) — (6:03) 1-C.Newton pass short right intended for 11-B.LaFell INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber (25-A.Talib) at TB 26. 20-R.Barber to 50 for 24 yards (69-J.Gross). 25 tipped the ball in the air and 20 caught i [WPA -13.9% · EPA -5.80]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 4:58) — (4:58) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 83-L.Murphy pushed ob at TB 18 for 51 yards (25-A.Talib). [WPA +8.2% · EPA +3.36]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 9:03) — (9:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 11-B.LaFell for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.0% · EPA +2.74]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 13:21) — (13:21) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 11-B.LaFell ran ob at CAR 36 for 24 yards [71-M.Bennett]. PENALTY on TB-71-M.Bennett, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 36. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +2.46]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 3:28) — (3:28) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton up the middle to TB 3 for no gain (54-L.David, 20-R.Barber). [WPA -6.5% · EPA -1.55]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 6:03) — (6:03) 1-C.Newton pass short right intended for 11-B.LaFell INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber (25-A.Talib) at TB 26. 20-R.Barber to 50 for 24 yards (69-J.Gross). 25 tipped the ball in the air and 20 caught i [WPA -13.9% · EPA -5.80]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 4:58) — (4:58) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 83-L.Murphy pushed ob at TB 18 for 51 yards (25-A.Talib). [WPA +8.2% · EPA +3.36]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 13:34) — (13:34) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 89-S.Smith to TB 35 for 31 yards (21-E.Wright). [WPA +5.3% · EPA +2.98]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 9:03) — (9:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 11-B.LaFell for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.0% · EPA +2.74]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 5:28 · CAR 6 · Score 0-6
    (5:28) 5-J.Freeman pass short middle to 19-M.Williams for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 5:20 · CAR 2 · Score 0-7
    10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 1:25 · CAR 18 · Score 0-10
    (1:25) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 2:59 · CAR 2 · Score 0-13
    (2:59) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
  5. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 9:03 · TB 22 · Score 6-13
    (9:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 11-B.LaFell for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 8:55 · TB 2 · Score 7-13
    6-J.Medlock extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 8:03 · CAR 22 · Score 7-16
    (8:03) (Field Goal formation) 10-C.Barth 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
  8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 2:50 · TB 3 · Score 10-16
    (2:50) (Field Goal formation) 6-J.Medlock 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • G. Olsen (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • C. Newton (CAR) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2012-09-09?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 16-10 in Week 1, 2012.

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

Q1: Carolina Panthers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10; Q2: Carolina Panthers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Q3: Carolina Panthers 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q4: Carolina Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Final: Carolina Panthers 10, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16.

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

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Williams (J. Freeman pass) (Q1 5:28) Carolina Panthers touchdown — B. LaFell (C. Newton pass) (Q3 9:03) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q1 1:25, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q2 2:59, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q4 8:03, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Medlock (Q4 2:50, 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?

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 60.5% completion, +13.0% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +2.85 total passing EPA. J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 51.6% completion, +0.1% CPOE, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.00 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

G. Olsen (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.79 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 7 snaps. Their top snap (+2.35 EPA): (14:27) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 88-G.Olsen to CAR 36 for 20 yards (20-R.Barber)..

Was Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 16-10 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Carolina Panthers

Now 0-1 L

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Now 1-0 W