Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers: 2017 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-12-10, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 31–24 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 18 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Keenum (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -4.22 total EPA, and +0.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Stewart (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.29 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-37.5% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (4:47) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle intended for 22-C.McCaffrey INTERCEPTED by 34-A.Sendejo at CAR 40. 34-A.Sendejo to CAR 6 for 34 yards (75-M.Kalil; 1-C.Newton).

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 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +6.29 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Funchess · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.53 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.16 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Bersin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.89 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.89 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Thielen · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.76 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Wright · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
7. 7 J. McKinnon · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +1.11 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Ham · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +0.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.72 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

• Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (Q1 56:06)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Rudolph (C. Keenum pass) (Q1 51:33)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (Q2 44:22)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Funchess (C. Newton pass) (Q3 23:51)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (C. Keenum pass) (Q4 5:47)
• Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (Q4 1:50)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — K. Forbath (Q2 35:08)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Forbath (Q2 30:09)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q3 21:57)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Forbath (Q4 3:11)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIN 60 (Q1 56:06) — (11:06) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart right guard for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIN 20 (Q1 55:55) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CAR 18 (Q1 51:33) — (6:33) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep left to 82-K.Rudolph for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 51:28) — 2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–6. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q2 44:22) — (14:22) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 44:16) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CAR 12 (Q2 35:08) — (5:08) 2-K.Forbath 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CAR 4 (Q2 30:09) — (:09) 2-K.Forbath 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIN 18 (Q3 23:51) — (8:51) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 17-D.Funchess for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 23:42) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the MIN 23 (Q3 21:57) — (6:57) 9-G.Gano 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 11–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the CAR 52 (Q4 5:47) — (5:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings registered a safety from the CAR 2 (Q4 5:36) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-C.Keenum pass to 81-B.Bell is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the CAR 9 (Q4 3:11) — (3:11) 2-K.Forbath 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 1:50) — (1:50) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 1:47) — 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 (Q4 4:47) — (4:47) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle intended for 22-C.McCaffrey INTERCEPTED by 34-A.Sendejo at CAR 40. 34-A.Sendejo to CAR 6 for 34 yards (75-M.Kalil; 1-C.Newton). [WPA -37.5% · EPA -5.83]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton up the middle to MIN 8 for 62 yards (26-T.Waynes). [WPA +24.5% · EPA +4.07]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 56:06) — (11:06) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart right guard for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.1% · EPA +4.89]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 5:47) — (5:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.7% · EPA +4.64]
• Carolina Panthers (Q3 23:51) — (8:51) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 17-D.Funchess for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +3.20]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 4:47) — (4:47) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle intended for 22-C.McCaffrey INTERCEPTED by 34-A.Sendejo at CAR 40. 34-A.Sendejo to CAR 6 for 34 yards (75-M.Kalil; 1-C.Newton). [WPA -37.5% · EPA -5.83]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 8:54) — (8:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass short right intended for 14-S.Diggs INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Bradberry at CAR 25. 24-J.Bradberry to CAR 28 for 3 yards (14-S.Diggs). [WPA -8.9% · EPA -5.08]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 56:06) — (11:06) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart right guard for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.1% · EPA +4.89]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 23:42) — (8:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum sacked at MIN 17 for -8 yards (97-M.Addison). FUMBLES (97-M.Addison), RECOVERED by CAR-29-M.Adams at MIN 35. 29-M.Adams to MIN 31 for 4 yards (82-K.Rudolph). The Replay Off [WPA -9.4% · EPA -4.80]

Quarterback report card

C.Keenum led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• C.Keenum (Minnesota Vikings) · 58 dropbacks · 46.6% completion · +0.7% CPOE · -0.07 EPA/play · -4.22 total EPA
• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 27 dropbacks · 48.1% completion · -4.7% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -2.46 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Carolina Panthers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.05 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 14 drives, -4.25 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, -10.38 total EPA, 5 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.
• J. Stewart (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• 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.

1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 56:06 · MIN 60 · Score 0-6
   (11:06) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart right guard for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 55:55 · MIN 20 · Score 0-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 51:33 · CAR 18 · Score 6-7
   (6:33) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep left to 82-K.Rudolph for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 51:28 · CAR 15 · Score 7-7
   2-K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
5. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 44:22 · MIN 1 · Score 7-13
   (14:22) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 44:16 · MIN 15 · Score 7-14
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
7. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 35:08 · CAR 12 · Score 10-14
   (5:08) 2-K.Forbath 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
8. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:09 · CAR 4 · Score 13-14
   (:09) 2-K.Forbath 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
9. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 23:51 · MIN 18 · Score 13-20
   (8:51) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 17-D.Funchess for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 23:42 · MIN 15 · Score 13-21
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
11. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 21:57 · MIN 23 · Score 13-24
    (6:57) 9-G.Gano 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 5:47 · CAR 52 · Score 19-24
    (5:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass short left to 19-A.Thielen for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Minnesota Vikings Safety (+2) — Q4 5:36 · CAR 2 · Score 21-24
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-C.Keenum pass to 81-B.Bell is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
14. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 3:11 · CAR 9 · Score 24-24
    (3:11) 2-K.Forbath 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley.
15. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 1:50 · MIN 1 · Score 24-30
    (1:50) 72-T.Moton reported in as eligible. 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 1:47 · MIN 15 · Score 24-31
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.