New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: 1999 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 1999 NFL season on 2000-01-02, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 45–13 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Delhomme (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -18.82 total EPA.

On the individual side, J. Delhomme (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.09 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+43.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: R.Cunningham kicks 53 yards from CAR 30 to NO 17. D.Philyaw to NO 23 for 6 yards (H.Navies).

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. Delhomme · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +9.09 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
2. 2 P. Jeffers · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.76 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
3. 3 W. Walls · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.19 EPA/play
4. 4 S. Beuerlein · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +6.81 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
5. 5 E. Kennison · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Beuerlein · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.09 EPA/play
7. 7 P. Jeffers · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.34 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Biakabutuka · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.02 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.26 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 — unlisted player (Q1 48:41)
• Carolina Panthers — unlisted player (Q2 44:07)
• Carolina Panthers — unlisted player (Q3 30:00)
• Carolina Panthers — unlisted player (Q3 18:12)
• New Orleans Saints — unlisted player (Q4 15:00)
• Carolina Panthers — unlisted player (Q4 13:00)
• Carolina Panthers — unlisted player (Q4 7:31)
• New Orleans Saints — unlisted player (Q4 0:24)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — unlisted player (Q1 59:45)

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 10–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 10 (Q1 59:45) — (14:45) R.Cunningham 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 7 (Q1 48:41) — (3:41) S.Beuerlein pass to M.Muhammad for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q1 47:02) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 37 (Q2 44:07) — (14:07) S.Beuerlein pass to W.Walls for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 41:57) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) S.Beuerlein pass to W.Walls for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 27:06) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 40 (Q3 18:12) — (3:12) S.Beuerlein pass to P.Jeffers for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q3 15:54) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–13. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 3 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) J.Delhomme pass to E.Kennison for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-E.Davis, Defensive Holding, declined.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 13:00) — D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Gammon, Holder-T.Barnhardt.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 30 (Q4 13:00) — D.Brien kicks 65 yards from NO 30 to CAR 5. M.Bates for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 12:39) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 32 (Q4 7:31) — (7:31) S.Beuerlein pass to P.Jeffers for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q4 7:24) — R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 9 (Q4 0:24) — (:24) J.Delhomme right tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 60:00) — R.Cunningham kicks 53 yards from CAR 30 to NO 17. D.Philyaw to NO 23 for 6 yards (H.Navies). [WPA +43.4% · EPA +0.09]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 48:58) — (3:58) J.Delhomme pass intended for A.Craver INTERCEPTED by M.Minter at CAR 19. M.Minter to NO 37 for 44 yards (K.Poole, A.Craver). [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.19]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 60:00) — (15:00) J.Delhomme pass INTERCEPTED by D.Wells at NO 28. D.Wells to NO 27 for 1 yard (K.Turley). pass tipped by S.Gilbert [WPA -8.1% · EPA -3.91]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:41) — (8:41) R.Williams up the middle to NO 30 for -2 yards (R.Mullen). [WPA -4.8% · EPA -1.41]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 50:29) — (5:29) K.Walter punts 46 yards to NO 33, Center-B.Kinchen. E.Kennison to NO 49 for 16 yards (B.Alexander; K.Walter). [WPA -4.6% · EPA +0.05]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 13:00) — D.Brien kicks 65 yards from NO 30 to CAR 5. M.Bates for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +6.51]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 48:58) — (3:58) J.Delhomme pass intended for A.Craver INTERCEPTED by M.Minter at CAR 19. M.Minter to NO 37 for 44 yards (K.Poole, A.Craver). [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.19]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 3:15) — (3:15) J.Delhomme pass intended for K.Poole INTERCEPTED by B.Alexander at CAR 5. B.Alexander to CAR 23 for 18 yards. [WPA +0.0% · EPA -4.78]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 7:31) — (7:31) S.Beuerlein pass to P.Jeffers for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +4.57]

Quarterback report card

J.Delhomme led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Delhomme (New Orleans Saints) · 56 dropbacks · 46.4% completion · -0.34 EPA/play · -18.82 total EPA
• S.Beuerlein (Carolina Panthers) · 47 dropbacks · 46.8% completion · +0.14 EPA/play · +6.81 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 (+0.18 vs -0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 16 drives, +16.02 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 16 drives, -16.32 total EPA, 2 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.
• J. Delhomme (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

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

1. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 59:45 · NO 10 · Score 0-3
   (14:45) R.Cunningham 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.
2. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 48:41 · NO 7 · Score 0-9
   (3:41) S.Beuerlein pass to M.Muhammad for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 47:02 · NO 2 · Score 0-10
   R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.
4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 44:07 · NO 37 · Score 0-16
   (14:07) S.Beuerlein pass to W.Walls for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 41:57 · NO 2 · Score 0-17
   R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.
6. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · NO 15 · Score 0-23
   (15:00) S.Beuerlein pass to W.Walls for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 27:06 · NO 2 · Score 0-24
   R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.
8. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 18:12 · NO 40 · Score 0-30
   (3:12) S.Beuerlein pass to P.Jeffers for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 15:54 · NO 2 · Score 0-31
   R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · CAR 3 · Score 6-31
    (15:00) J.Delhomme pass to E.Kennison for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-E.Davis, Defensive Holding, declined.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 13:00 · CAR 2 · Score 7-31
    D.Brien extra point is GOOD, Center-K.Gammon, Holder-T.Barnhardt.
12. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 13:00 · NO 30 · Score 7-37
    D.Brien kicks 65 yards from NO 30 to CAR 5. M.Bates for 95 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 12:39 · NO 2 · Score 7-38
    R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.
14. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 7:31 · NO 32 · Score 7-44
    (7:31) S.Beuerlein pass to P.Jeffers for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 7:24 · NO 2 · Score 7-45
    R.Cunningham extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Kinchen, Holder-K.Walter.
16. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 0:24 · CAR 9 · Score 13-45
    (:24) J.Delhomme right tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.