New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: 2022 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season on 2022-09-25, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 22–14 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Winston (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with +6.14 total EPA, and +4.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, L. Shenault (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.79 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-23.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when New Orleans Saints changed the game: (5:44) 41-A.Kamara right tackle to NO 43 for -2 yards (49-F.Luvu). FUMBLES (49-F.Luvu), touched at NO 42, RECOVERED by CAR-98-M.Haynes at NO 44. 98-M.Haynes for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-81-N

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 L. Shenault · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.79 total EPA · 2 snaps · +4.40 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Smith · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +6.82 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Winston · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +6.14 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.94 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Olave · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +4.30 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.23 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Hubbard · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.07 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Callaway · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.02 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.02 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 — A. Kamara (Q1 50:44)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Ingram (Q4 12:35)
• Carolina Panthers — L. Shenault (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 12:19)
• New Orleans Saints — M. Callaway (J. Winston pass) (Q4 2:29)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q2 44:22)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q2 33:00)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q2 32:56)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q4 8:23)

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 CAR 55 (Q1 50:44); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 50:32) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 9–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 27 (Q2 44:22) — (14:22) 4-E.Pineiro 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 30 (Q2 33:00) — (3:00) 4-E.Pineiro 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the CAR 35 (Q2 32:56) — 4-E.Pineiro kicks 70 yards from CAR 35 to NO -5. 24-D.Washington pushed ob at NO 19 for 24 yards (23-S.Thomas-Oliver)..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 14–9. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 5 (Q4 12:35) — (12:35) 22-M.Ingram up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 12:31) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 67 (Q4 12:19) — (12:19) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 15-L.Shenault for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 16 (Q4 8:23) — (8:23) 4-E.Pineiro 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q4 2:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass short right to 1-M.Callaway for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 2:22) — 3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin..

Turning points

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 50:44) — (5:44) 41-A.Kamara right tackle to NO 43 for -2 yards (49-F.Luvu). FUMBLES (49-F.Luvu), touched at NO 42, RECOVERED by CAR-98-M.Haynes at NO 44. 98-M.Haynes for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-81-N [WPA -23.2% · EPA -9.15]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 12:19) — (12:19) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 15-L.Shenault for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +6.07]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 55:54) — (10:54) (Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass short left to 13-M.Thomas to CAR 41 for 12 yards (26-D.Jackson). [WPA +7.6% · EPA +2.08]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 41:18) — (11:18) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield sacked at CAR 25 for -9 yards (sack split by 96-C.Granderson and 48-J.Gray). [WPA -7.1% · EPA -2.15]
• New Orleans Saints (Q1 53:37) — (8:37) (Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass deep middle to 13-M.Thomas to CAR 19 for 17 yards (49-F.Luvu). PENALTY on NO-22-M.Ingram, Chop Block, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 36 - No Play. [WPA -6.7% · EPA -1.77]

Impact plays

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

• New Orleans Saints (Q1 50:44) — (5:44) 41-A.Kamara right tackle to NO 43 for -2 yards (49-F.Luvu). FUMBLES (49-F.Luvu), touched at NO 42, RECOVERED by CAR-98-M.Haynes at NO 44. 98-M.Haynes for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on NO-81-N [WPA -23.2% · EPA -9.15]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 12:19) — (12:19) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 15-L.Shenault for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +6.07]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 11:25) — (11:25) (Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass short middle intended for 12-C.Olave INTERCEPTED by 95-D.Brown (8-J.Horn) at NO 35. 95-D.Brown to NO 35 for no gain (78-E.McCoy). [WPA -2.7% · EPA -4.96]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 30:53) — (:53) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass deep right to 12-C.Olave to CAR 18 for 49 yards (24-C.Henderson). [WPA +5.7% · EPA +3.80]

Quarterback report card

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

• J.Winston (New Orleans Saints) · 46 dropbacks · 54.3% completion · +4.2% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.14 total EPA
• B.Mayfield (Carolina Panthers) · 28 dropbacks · 42.9% completion · -19.4% CPOE · -0.17 EPA/play · -4.78 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 (-0.07 vs -0.19), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 14 drives, -4.97 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 13 drives, -16.43 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.
• L. Shenault (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Winston (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Mayfield (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 50:44 · CAR 55 · Score 0-6
   (5:44) 41-A.Kamara right tackle to NO 43 for -2 yards (49-F.Luvu). FUMBLES (49-F.Luvu), touched at NO 42, RECOVERED by CAR-98-M.Haynes at NO 44. 98-M.Haynes for
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 50:32 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
   4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
3. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 44:22 · NO 27 · Score 0-10
   (14:22) 4-E.Pineiro 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
4. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 33:00 · NO 30 · Score 0-13
   (3:00) 4-E.Pineiro 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
5. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 32:56 · CAR 35 · Score 0-13
   4-E.Pineiro kicks 70 yards from CAR 35 to NO -5. 24-D.Washington pushed ob at NO 19 for 24 yards (23-S.Thomas-Oliver).
6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:35 · CAR 5 · Score 6-13
   (12:35) 22-M.Ingram up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 12:31 · CAR 15 · Score 7-13
   3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.
8. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 12:19 · NO 67 · Score 7-19
   (12:19) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 15-L.Shenault for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 8:23 · NO 16 · Score 7-22
   (8:23) 4-E.Pineiro 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
10. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:29 · CAR 4 · Score 13-22
    (2:29) (Shotgun) 2-J.Winston pass short right to 1-M.Callaway for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 2:22 · CAR 15 · Score 14-22
    3-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-4-B.Gillikin.