Game story
In Week 8 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-29, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 17–3 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 7 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -18.59 total EPA, and -4.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, R. Shepard (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +2.41 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+9.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (5:55) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 19-R.Shepard pushed ob at TB 38 for 14 yards (29-R.Smith).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 R. Shepard · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.41 EPA/play
- 2 K. Benjamin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 3 C. McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.76 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 4 C. Brate · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.60 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
- 5 C. Samuel · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +0.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
- 6 O. Howard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +0.58 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
- 7 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +0.52 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 8 J. Rodgers · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · -0.24 total EPA · 1 snaps · -0.24 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
R. Shepard — CAR · Receiving
R. Shepard posted the highest total EPA (+2.41) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Carolina Panthers's efficiency. Across 1 counted snaps, they averaged +2.41 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.25 EPA) came from Carolina Panthers: (8:56) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 25 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 — J. Stewart
- Carolina Panthers — K. Benjamin (C. Newton pass)
Field goals
- Carolina Panthers — G. Gano
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — P. Murray
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 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q1 46:37) — (1:37) 65-A.Silatolu reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 46:34) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..
The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 3–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 10 (Q2 30:20) — (:20) (Field Goal formation) 9-G.Gano 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..
The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 23 (Q3 19:53) — (4:53) (Field Goal formation) 7-P.Murray 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger..
The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 25 (Q4 8:56) — (8:56) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 8:48) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Carolina Panthers (Q1 50:55) — (5:55) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 19-R.Shepard pushed ob at TB 38 for 14 yards (29-R.Smith).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 25:38) — (10:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-J.Winston sacked at CAR 40 for -7 yards (sack split by 93-K.Love and 97-M.Addison).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 35:53) — (5:53) 3-J.Winston sacked at CAR 40 for -3 yards (90-J.Peppers). FUMBLES (90-J.Peppers) [90-J.Peppers], touched at CAR 35, RECOVERED by CAR-20-K.Coleman at CAR 33. 20-K.Coleman to CAR 33 for no gain (
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 28:39) — (13:39) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left intended for 84-E.Dickson INTERCEPTED by 23-C.Conte at TB 36. 23-C.Conte to TB 36 for no gain (22-C.McCaffrey).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 36:51) — (6:51) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep right to 84-C.Brate to CAR 33 for 17 yards (41-C.Munnerlyn).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 8:56) — (8:56) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 35:53) — (5:53) 3-J.Winston sacked at CAR 40 for -3 yards (90-J.Peppers). FUMBLES (90-J.Peppers) [90-J.Peppers], touched at CAR 35, RECOVERED by CAR-20-K.Coleman at CAR 33. 20-K.Coleman to CAR 33 for no gain (
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 28:39) — (13:39) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left intended for 84-E.Dickson INTERCEPTED by 23-C.Conte at TB 36. 23-C.Conte to TB 36 for no gain (22-C.McCaffrey).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 11:42) — (11:42) (Shotgun) 3-J.Winston pass deep left INTERCEPTED by 29-M.Adams (41-C.Munnerlyn) at 50. 29-M.Adams to TB 48 for 2 yards (10-A.Humphries). FUMBLES (10-A.Humphries), recovered by CAR-59-L.Kuechly
Quarterback report card
J.Winston led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 46 dropbacks · 45.7% completion · -4.4% CPOE · -0.40 EPA/play · -18.59 total EPA
- C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 35 dropbacks · 51.4% completion · -1.0% CPOE · -0.10 EPA/play · -3.44 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.040 | -0.250 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.6% | 38.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.098 | -0.404 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.115 | -0.116 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.250 | +0.040 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.7% | 56.4% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Carolina Panthers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.04 vs -0.25), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, -3.14 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12 drives, -20.28 total EPA, 1 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.
- R. Shepard (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Winston (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.
- Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 46:37 · TB 1 · Score 6-0
(1:37) 65-A.Silatolu reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 46:34 · TB 15 · Score 7-0
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:20 · TB 10 · Score 10-0
(:20) (Field Goal formation) 9-G.Gano 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 19:53 · CAR 23 · Score 10-3
(4:53) (Field Goal formation) 7-P.Murray 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 8:56 · TB 25 · Score 16-3
(8:56) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 8:48 · TB 15 · Score 17-3
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-3 in Week 8, 2017 on 2017-10-29.
What was the final score of Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The final score was Carolina Panthers 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3 (CAR 17-3 TB) in Week 8, 2017 on 2017-10-29.
What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q1: Carolina Panthers 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q2: Carolina Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Q3: Carolina Panthers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Q4: Carolina Panthers 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0; Final: Carolina Panthers 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Stewart (Q1 46:37) Carolina Panthers touchdown — K. Benjamin (C. Newton pass) (Q4 8:56) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q2 30:20, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — P. Murray (Q3 19:53, 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. Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 45.7% completion, -4.4% CPOE, -0.40 EPA per dropback, -18.59 total passing EPA. C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 51.4% completion, -1.0% CPOE, -0.10 EPA per dropback, -3.44 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
R. Shepard (Carolina Panthers) led the game in total EPA with +2.41 on receiving plays. across 1 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.25 EPA): (8:56) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +9.8%.
Season records after this game
Carolina Panthers
Entered 4-3 Now 5-3 W
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 2-4 Now 2-5 L
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