Game story
In Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-20, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Houston Texans, pulling away with a 24–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
R. Mallett (Houston Texans) paced the passing game, with -5.66 total EPA, and -16.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.31 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-11.8% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (2:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle intended for 81-K.Norwood INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore at HOU 0. 26-R.Moore to HOU 17 for 17 yards (81-K.Norwood). FUMBLES (81-K.Norwood), recovere
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +5.31 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
- 2 C. Brown · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play
- 3 J. Grimes · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.52 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 4 C. Fiedorowicz · Houston Texans · Receiving · +1.13 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 5 J. Cotchery · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.12 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
- 6 J. Prosch · Houston Texans · Rushing · +0.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 7 C. Worthy · Houston Texans · Receiving · +0.51 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 8 N. Washington · Houston Texans · Receiving · +0.25 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Newton — CAR · Rushing
C. Newton posted the highest total EPA (+5.31) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Carolina Panthers's efficiency. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +0.89 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.35 EPA) came from Carolina Panthers: (2:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle intended for 81-K.Norwood INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore at HOU 0. 26-R.Moore to HOU 17 for 17 yards (81-K.Norwood). FUMBLES (81-K.Norwood), recovered by HOU-57-J.Tuggle
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)
- Houston Texans — G. Graham (R. Mallett pass)
- Carolina Panthers — C. Newton
- Carolina Panthers — C. Brown (C. Newton pass)
- Houston Texans — R. Mallett
Field goals
- Houston Texans — R. Bullock
- Carolina Panthers — G. Gano
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Houston Texans won the period 3–0. Houston Texans connected on a field goal from the CAR 25 (Q1 53:00) — (8:00) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the HOU 25 (Q2 41:30) — (11:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 19-T.Ginn for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q2 41:22) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the HOU 10 (Q2 35:28) — (5:28) 9-G.Gano 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Houston Texans found the end zone from the CAR 7 (Q3 23:35) — (8:35) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle to 88-G.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 23:29) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the HOU 2 (Q3 16:10) — (1:10) 1-C.Newton up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q3 16:04) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the HOU 36 (Q4 9:02) — (9:02) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 10-C.Brown for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the HOU 15 (Q4 8:53) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Houston Texans found the end zone from the CAR 6 (Q4 6:38) — (6:38) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett scrambles right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Houston Texans added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 6:31) — 4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 32:55) — (2:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle intended for 81-K.Norwood INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore at HOU 0. 26-R.Moore to HOU 17 for 17 yards (81-K.Norwood). FUMBLES (81-K.Norwood), recovere
- Carolina Panthers (Q1 59:48) — (14:48) 8-B.Nortman punts 60 yards to HOU 20, Center-44-J.Jansen. 12-K.Mumphery to HOU 28 for 8 yards (53-B.Jacobs; 44-J.Jansen).
- Houston Texans (Q1 53:53) — (8:53) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle to 41-J.Grimes to CAR 29 for 14 yards (54-S.Thompson).
- Houston Texans (Q4 0:13) — (:13) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass incomplete deep middle to 10-D.Hopkins.
- Houston Texans (Q3 23:35) — (8:35) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle to 88-G.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 32:55) — (2:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle intended for 81-K.Norwood INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore at HOU 0. 26-R.Moore to HOU 17 for 17 yards (81-K.Norwood). FUMBLES (81-K.Norwood), recovere
- Houston Texans (Q4 6:38) — (6:38) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett scrambles right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Houston Texans (Q4 9:13) — (9:13) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle intended for 88-G.Graham INTERCEPTED by 56-A.Klein at HOU 44. 56-A.Klein to HOU 36 for 8 yards (60-B.Jones).
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 9:02) — (9:02) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 10-C.Brown for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
R.Mallett led all passers in efficiency for Houston Texans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- R.Mallett (Houston Texans) · 63 dropbacks · 42.9% completion · -16.5% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -5.66 total EPA
- C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 46 dropbacks · 39.1% completion · -12.4% CPOE · -0.11 EPA/play · -5.06 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Houston Texans | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.076 | -0.025 |
| Offensive success rate | 35.2% | 41.1% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.090 | -0.110 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.138 | +0.059 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.025 | +0.076 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.9% | 64.8% |
By the numbers
Carolina Panthers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Carolina Panthers: 15 drives, -2.34 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Houston Texans: 14 drives, -8.02 total EPA, 3 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.
- R. Mallett (HOU) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- C. Newton (CAR) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Houston Texans FG (+3) — Q1 53:00 · CAR 25 · Score 3-0
(8:00) 4-R.Bullock 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 41:30 · HOU 25 · Score 3-6
(11:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 19-T.Ginn for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 41:22 · HOU 15 · Score 3-7
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 35:28 · HOU 10 · Score 3-10
(5:28) 9-G.Gano 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q3 23:35 · CAR 7 · Score 9-10
(8:35) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett pass short middle to 88-G.Graham for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q3 23:29 · CAR 15 · Score 10-10
4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 16:10 · HOU 2 · Score 10-16
(1:10) 1-C.Newton up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 16:04 · HOU 15 · Score 10-17
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 9:02 · HOU 36 · Score 10-23
(9:02) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 10-C.Brown for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 8:53 · HOU 15 · Score 10-24
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Houston Texans TD (+6) — Q4 6:38 · CAR 6 · Score 16-24
(6:38) (Shotgun) 15-R.Mallett scrambles right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Houston Texans XP (+1) — Q4 6:31 · CAR 15 · Score 17-24
4-R.Bullock extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Weeks, Holder-9-S.Lechler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers beat the Houston Texans 24-17 in Week 2, 2015 on 2015-09-20.
What was the final score of Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
The final score was Houston Texans 17, Carolina Panthers 24 (HOU 17-24 CAR) in Week 2, 2015 on 2015-09-20.
What was the score by quarter in Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
Q1: Houston Texans 3, Carolina Panthers 0; Q2: Houston Texans 0, Carolina Panthers 10; Q3: Houston Texans 7, Carolina Panthers 7; Q4: Houston Texans 7, Carolina Panthers 7; Final: Houston Texans 17, Carolina Panthers 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — T. Ginn (C. Newton pass) (Q2 41:30) Houston Texans touchdown — G. Graham (R. Mallett pass) (Q3 23:35) Carolina Panthers touchdown — C. Newton (Q3 16:10) Carolina Panthers touchdown — C. Brown (C. Newton pass) (Q4 9:02) Houston Texans touchdown — R. Mallett (Q4 6:38) Houston Texans field goal — R. Bullock (Q1 53:00, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q2 35:28, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
R. Mallett (Houston Texans), 42.9% completion, -16.5% CPOE, -0.09 EPA per dropback, -5.66 total passing EPA. C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 39.1% completion, -12.4% CPOE, -0.11 EPA per dropback, -5.06 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) led the game in total EPA with +5.31 on rushing plays. across 6 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.35 EPA): (2:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle intended for 81-K.Norwood INTERCEPTED by 26-R.Moore at HOU 0. 26-R.Moore to HOU 17 for 17 yards (81-K.Norwood). FUMBLES (81-. The biggest win-probability swing was -11.8%.
Was Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Carolina Panthers won 24-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Houston Texans
Entered 0-1 Now 0-2 L
Carolina Panthers
Entered 1-0 Now 2-0 W
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