Las Vegas Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers: 2020 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-13, the Las Vegas Raiders took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 34–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 42 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Bridgewater (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +9.26 total EPA, and +0.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Carr (Las Vegas Raiders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +13.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+36.0% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (8:41) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 11-R.Anderson for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LV-20-D.Arnette, Defensive Holding, declined.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

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

1. 1 D. Carr · Las Vegas Raiders · Passing · +13.87 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Bridgewater · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +9.26 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Anderson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.42 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
4. 4 N. Agholor · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +3.48 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.48 EPA/play
5. 5 C. McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +3.08 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Jacobs · Las Vegas Raiders · Rushing · +2.95 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
7. 7 C. McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
8. 8 H. Ruggs · Las Vegas Raiders · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play

Player of the game

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

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Jacobs (Q1 50:51)
• Carolina Panthers — C. McCaffrey (Q1 46:02)
• Las Vegas Raiders — N. Agholor (D. Carr pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Jacobs (Q3 20:33)
• Carolina Panthers — C. McCaffrey (Q4 12:37)
• Carolina Panthers — R. Anderson (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q4 8:41)
• Las Vegas Raiders — J. Jacobs (Q4 4:14)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — J. Slye (Q1 55:07)
• Las Vegas Raiders — D. Carlson (Q2 38:16)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Slye (Q2 35:08)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Slye (Q2 30:02)
• Las Vegas Raiders — D. Carlson (Q3 24:43)

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 9–7. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the LV 29 (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 4-J.Slye 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q1 50:51) — (5:51) 28-J.Jacobs left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 50:47) — 2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the LV 6 (Q1 46:02) — (1:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The second quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 10–6. Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the CAR 2 (Q2 38:16) — (8:16) 2-D.Carlson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the LV 28 (Q2 35:08) — (5:08) 4-J.Slye 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the CAR 23 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 15-N.Agholor for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 31:54) — 2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the LV 13 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 4-J.Slye 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton..

The third quarter: Las Vegas Raiders won the period 27–15. Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the LV 89 (Q3 29:55) — (14:55) 22-C.McCaffrey right tackle to CAR 13 for 2 yards (42-C.Littleton; 44-N.Kwiatkoski).; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the LV 89 (Q3 29:55) — (14:55) 22-C.McCaffrey right tackle to CAR 13 for 2 yards (42-C.Littleton; 44-N.Kwiatkoski).; Las Vegas Raiders connected on a field goal from the CAR 36 (Q3 24:43) — (9:43) 2-D.Carlson 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the CAR 7 (Q3 20:33) — (5:33) (Shotgun) 28-J.Jacobs up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 20:29) — 2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 15–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the LV 3 (Q4 12:37) — (12:37) 22-C.McCaffrey right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the LV 15 (Q4 12:32) — 4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the LV 75 (Q4 8:41); Carolina Panthers registered a safety from the LV 2 (Q4 8:29) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 5-T.Bridgewater pass to 11-R.Anderson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Las Vegas Raiders found the end zone from the CAR 6 (Q4 4:14) — (4:14) 28-J.Jacobs right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Las Vegas Raiders added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 4:08) — 2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole..

Turning points

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 11-R.Anderson for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LV-20-D.Arnette, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +36.0% · EPA +6.40]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:23) — (1:23) 40-A.Armah up the middle to LV 46 for no gain (96-C.Ferrell; 42-C.Littleton). [WPA -22.2% · EPA -2.58]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q4 5:06) — (5:06) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass incomplete deep left to 13-H.Renfrow (24-R.Douglas). PENALTY on CAR-52-T.Whitehead, Defensive Pass Interference, 18 yards, enforced at CAR 35 - No Play. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +2.26]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q1 51:30) — (6:30) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 11-H.Ruggs pushed ob at CAR 1 for 45 yards (33-T.Boston). [WPA +12.9% · EPA +3.58]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 15-N.Agholor for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.8% · EPA +3.48]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 11-R.Anderson for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LV-20-D.Arnette, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +36.0% · EPA +6.40]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q1 51:30) — (6:30) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 11-H.Ruggs pushed ob at CAR 1 for 45 yards (33-T.Boston). [WPA +12.9% · EPA +3.58]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 15-N.Agholor for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.8% · EPA +3.48]
• Las Vegas Raiders (Q3 23:18) — (8:18) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short right to 28-J.Jacobs to CAR 24 for 29 yards (54-S.Thompson). [WPA +9.6% · EPA +2.97]

Quarterback report card

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

• T.Bridgewater (Carolina Panthers) · 41 dropbacks · 53.7% completion · +0.5% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +9.26 total EPA
• D.Carr (Las Vegas Raiders) · 32 dropbacks · 68.8% completion · +9.0% CPOE · +0.43 EPA/play · +13.87 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Las Vegas Raiders generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs +0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Carolina Panthers: 10 drives, +11.05 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Las Vegas Raiders: 9 drives, +19.35 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Las Vegas Raiders 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.
• D. Carr (Las Vegas Raiders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Carr (LV) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 55:07 · LV 29 · Score 0-3
   (10:07) 4-J.Slye 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
2. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q1 50:51 · CAR 1 · Score 6-3
   (5:51) 28-J.Jacobs left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q1 50:47 · CAR 15 · Score 7-3
   2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.
4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 46:02 · LV 6 · Score 7-9
   (1:02) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 22-C.McCaffrey up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q2 38:16 · CAR 2 · Score 10-9
   (8:16) 2-D.Carlson 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.
6. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 35:08 · LV 28 · Score 10-12
   (5:08) 4-J.Slye 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
7. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · CAR 23 · Score 16-12
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 15-N.Agholor for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q2 31:54 · CAR 15 · Score 17-12
   2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.
9. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · LV 13 · Score 17-15
   (:02) 4-J.Slye 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
10. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+17) — Q3 29:55 · LV 89 · Score 17-15
    (14:55) 22-C.McCaffrey right tackle to CAR 13 for 2 yards (42-C.Littleton; 44-N.Kwiatkoski).
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+15) — Q3 29:55 · LV 89 · Score 17-15
    (14:55) 22-C.McCaffrey right tackle to CAR 13 for 2 yards (42-C.Littleton; 44-N.Kwiatkoski).
12. Las Vegas Raiders FG (+3) — Q3 24:43 · CAR 36 · Score 20-15
    (9:43) 2-D.Carlson 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.
13. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q3 20:33 · CAR 7 · Score 26-15
    (5:33) (Shotgun) 28-J.Jacobs up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q3 20:29 · CAR 15 · Score 27-15
    2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.
15. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 12:37 · LV 3 · Score 27-21
    (12:37) 22-C.McCaffrey right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 12:32 · LV 15 · Score 27-22
    4-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-3-J.Charlton.
17. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 8:41 · LV 75 · Score 27-28
    (8:41) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep right to 11-R.Anderson for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LV-20-D.Arnette, Defensive Holding, declined.
18. Carolina Panthers Safety (+2) — Q4 8:29 · LV 2 · Score 27-30
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 5-T.Bridgewater pass to 11-R.Anderson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
19. Las Vegas Raiders TD (+6) — Q4 4:14 · CAR 6 · Score 33-30
    (4:14) 28-J.Jacobs right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Las Vegas Raiders XP (+1) — Q4 4:08 · CAR 15 · Score 34-30
    2-D.Carlson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-T.Sieg, Holder-6-A.Cole.