Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers: 2014 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-09-21, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 37–19 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.

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +0.75 total EPA, and +4.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, L. Blount (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.46 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+11.2% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (5:20) 26-L.Bell right guard to CAR 11 for 81 yards (21-T.DeCoud).

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. Blount · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +8.46 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
2. 2 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.77 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
3. 3 K. Benjamin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.67 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +5.81 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Anderson · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +5.32 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
6. 6 L. Bell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +4.54 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
7. 7 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.89 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Bersin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.98 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

• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 26:10)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 17:31)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q4 13:37)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Wing (Q4 11:17)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Blount (Q4 5:46)
• Carolina Panthers — K. Benjamin (D. Anderson pass) (Q4 4:01)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q1 51:45)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q1 45:11)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q2 35:40)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q2 30:03)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q3 21:26)

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 3–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the PIT 22 (Q1 51:45) — (6:45) 9-G.Gano 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CAR 24 (Q1 45:11) — (:11) 6-S.Suisham 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CAR 6 (Q2 35:40) — (5:40) 6-S.Suisham 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the CAR 27 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 6-S.Suisham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CAR 7 (Q3 26:10) — (11:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-K.Ealy].; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 26:02) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the PIT 22 (Q3 21:26) — (6:26) 9-G.Gano 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CAR 7 (Q3 17:31); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 17:22) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–13. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the PIT 37 (Q4 13:37) — (13:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 13:28) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CAR 71 (Q4 11:17); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 11:00) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q4 5:46) — (5:46) 27-L.Blount up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 5:38) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the PIT 35 (Q4 4:01) — (4:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 20:20) — (5:20) 26-L.Bell right guard to CAR 11 for 81 yards (21-T.DeCoud). [WPA +11.2% · EPA +6.73]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 11:17) — (11:17) 9-B.Wing punts 59 yards to CAR 12, Center-60-G.Warren. 16-C.Brown MUFFS catch, and recovers at CAR 13. 16-C.Brown to CAR 10 for -3 yards (29-S.Thomas). FUMBLES (29-S.Thomas), touched at CAR 3, [WPA +11.0% · EPA +7.79]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 6-S.Suisham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing. [WPA +10.5% · EPA +0.71]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 47:38) — (2:38) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep middle to 85-D.Heyward-Bey. PENALTY on CAR-21-T.DeCoud, Defensive Pass Interference, 42 yards, enforced at PIT 25 - No Play. Penalty on CAR-95-C.Johnson, [WPA +10.0% · EPA +2.84]
• Carolina Panthers (Q3 27:42) — (12:42) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton sacked at CAR 17 for -8 yards (95-J.Jones). FUMBLES (95-J.Jones) [95-J.Jones], RECOVERED by PIT-93-J.Worilds at CAR 17. 93-J.Worilds to CAR 17 for no gain (75-F.Velasco). [WPA -9.6% · EPA -4.41]

Impact plays

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 11:17) — (11:17) 9-B.Wing punts 59 yards to CAR 12, Center-60-G.Warren. 16-C.Brown MUFFS catch, and recovers at CAR 13. 16-C.Brown to CAR 10 for -3 yards (29-S.Thomas). FUMBLES (29-S.Thomas), touched at CAR 3, [WPA +11.0% · EPA +7.79]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 20:20) — (5:20) 26-L.Bell right guard to CAR 11 for 81 yards (21-T.DeCoud). [WPA +11.2% · EPA +6.73]
• Carolina Panthers (Q3 27:42) — (12:42) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton sacked at CAR 17 for -8 yards (95-J.Jones). FUMBLES (95-J.Jones) [95-J.Jones], RECOVERED by PIT-93-J.Worilds at CAR 17. 93-J.Worilds to CAR 17 for no gain (75-F.Velasco). [WPA -9.6% · EPA -4.41]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 4:01) — (4:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.1% · EPA +3.45]

Quarterback report card

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

• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 45 dropbacks · 53.3% completion · +4.8% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.75 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +9.1% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +5.81 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.30 vs +0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Carolina Panthers: 9 drives, +5.02 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 drives, +27.08 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• L. Blount (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• C. Newton (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) 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 51:45 · PIT 22 · Score 0-3
   (6:45) 9-G.Gano 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 45:11 · CAR 24 · Score 3-3
   (:11) 6-S.Suisham 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 35:40 · CAR 6 · Score 6-3
   (5:40) 6-S.Suisham 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · CAR 27 · Score 9-3
   (:03) 6-S.Suisham 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 26:10 · CAR 7 · Score 15-3
   (11:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [94-K.Ealy].
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 26:02 · CAR 2 · Score 16-3
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
7. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 21:26 · PIT 22 · Score 16-6
   (6:26) 9-G.Gano 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 17:31 · CAR 7 · Score 22-6
   (2:31) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-59-L.Kuechly, Defensive Holding, declined.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 17:22 · CAR 2 · Score 23-6
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
10. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 13:37 · PIT 37 · Score 23-12
    (13:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 13:28 · PIT 2 · Score 23-13
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 11:17 · CAR 71 · Score 29-13
    (11:17) 9-B.Wing punts 59 yards to CAR 12, Center-60-G.Warren. 16-C.Brown MUFFS catch, and recovers at CAR 13. 16-C.Brown to CAR 10 for -3 yards (29-S.Thomas).
13. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 11:00 · CAR 2 · Score 30-13
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 5:46 · CAR 8 · Score 36-13
    (5:46) 27-L.Blount up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 5:38 · CAR 2 · Score 37-13
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-B.Wing.
16. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 4:01 · PIT 35 · Score 37-19
    (4:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass deep left to 13-K.Benjamin for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.