San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers: 2016 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-09-18, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 46–27 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 32 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +10.87 total EPA, and +0.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-22.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (4:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-C.Hyde up the middle to SF 17 for 2 yards (95-C.Johnson). FUMBLES (95-C.Johnson), touched at SF 15, RECOVERED by CAR-54-S.Thompson at SF 9. 54-S.Thompson for 9 yards, TO

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 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +10.87 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Benjamin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +10.22 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
3. 3 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.22 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
4. 4 V. McDonald · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.80 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.90 EPA/play
5. 5 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.13 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Funchess · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.06 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Ginn · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Ginn · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.21 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.21 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 — C. Hyde (Q1 49:14)
• San Francisco 49ers — T. Smith (B. Gabbert pass) (Q2 40:10)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q2 39:52)
• Carolina Panthers — K. Benjamin (C. Newton pass) (Q3 23:44)
• Carolina Panthers — K. Benjamin (C. Newton pass) (Q3 20:03)
• San Francisco 49ers — B. Gabbert (Q4 12:35)
• San Francisco 49ers — V. McDonald (B. Gabbert pass) (Q4 8:03)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Funchess (C. Newton pass) (Q4 3:36)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — P. Dawson (Q1 56:24)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q2 30:06)
• San Francisco 49ers — P. Dawson (Q4 12:43)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q4 8:11)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q4 4:13)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q4 1:11)

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 7–3. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the CAR 11 (Q1 56:24) — (11:24) 4-P.Dawson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the CAR 85 (Q1 49:14); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 49:04) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–7. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CAR 28 (Q2 40:10) — (10:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert pass deep right to 82-T.Smith for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 40:02) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the SF 78 (Q2 39:52) — (9:52) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 88-G.Olsen for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 39:40) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the SF 21 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 9-G.Gano 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the SF 10 (Q3 23:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 13-K.Benjamin for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q3 23:38) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the SF 9 (Q3 20:03); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q3 19:56) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee..

The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 17–15. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the CAR 21 (Q4 12:43) — (12:43) 4-P.Dawson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q4 12:35) — (12:35) (Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 12:31) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the SF 13 (Q4 8:11) — (8:11) 9-G.Gano 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the CAR 75 (Q4 8:03) — (8:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 7:51) — 4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the SF 31 (Q4 4:13) — (4:13) 9-G.Gano 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the SF 16 (Q4 3:36) — (3:36) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 17-D.Funchess for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the SF 23 (Q4 1:11) — (1:11) 9-G.Gano 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee..

Turning points

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

• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 49:14) — (4:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-C.Hyde up the middle to SF 17 for 2 yards (95-C.Johnson). FUMBLES (95-C.Johnson), touched at SF 15, RECOVERED by CAR-54-S.Thompson at SF 9. 54-S.Thompson for 9 yards, TO [WPA -22.7% · EPA -6.43]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 39:52) — (9:52) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 88-G.Olsen for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.5% · EPA +5.96]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 59:25) — (14:25) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle intended for 84-E.Dickson INTERCEPTED by 41-A.Bethea (53-N.Bowman) at CAR 22. 41-A.Bethea to CAR 22 for no gain (84-E.Dickson). [WPA -12.8% · EPA -4.16]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 43:46) — (13:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 43-F.Whittaker up the middle to SF 43 for 4 yards (41-A.Bethea). FUMBLES (41-A.Bethea), RECOVERED by SF-54-R.Armstrong at SF 41. 54-R.Armstrong to SF 41 for no gain (88-G. [WPA -8.9% · EPA -4.36]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 40:10) — (10:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert pass deep right to 82-T.Smith for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +3.45]

Impact plays

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

• Carolina Panthers (Q4 12:38) — 4-P.Dawson kicks 62 yards from SF 35 to CAR 3. 19-T.Ginn MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by SF-24-S.Draughn at CAR 2. 24-S.Draughn to CAR 2 for no gain (19-T.Ginn). PENALTY on CAR-66-G.Gradkowski, Unsportsmanl [WPA -3.1% · EPA -7.76]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 49:14) — (4:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-C.Hyde up the middle to SF 17 for 2 yards (95-C.Johnson). FUMBLES (95-C.Johnson), touched at SF 15, RECOVERED by CAR-54-S.Thompson at SF 9. 54-S.Thompson for 9 yards, TO [WPA -22.7% · EPA -6.43]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q4 8:03) — (8:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.2% · EPA +6.25]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 39:52) — (9:52) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 88-G.Olsen for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.5% · EPA +5.96]

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 · +0.6% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +10.87 total EPA
• B.Gabbert (San Francisco 49ers) · 41 dropbacks · 41.5% completion · -10.3% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -4.96 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 (+0.01 vs -0.19), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 16 drives, +1.13 total EPA, 9 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 17 drives, -16.59 total EPA, 6 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.
• C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Gabbert (SF) 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. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 56:24 · CAR 11 · Score 3-0
   (11:24) 4-P.Dawson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
2. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 49:14 · CAR 85 · Score 3-6
   (4:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-C.Hyde up the middle to SF 17 for 2 yards (95-C.Johnson). FUMBLES (95-C.Johnson), touched at SF 15, RECOVERED by CAR-54-S.Thompso
3. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 49:04 · SF 15 · Score 3-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
4. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 40:10 · CAR 28 · Score 9-7
   (10:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert pass deep right to 82-T.Smith for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 40:02 · CAR 15 · Score 10-7
   4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
6. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 39:52 · SF 78 · Score 10-13
   (9:52) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 88-G.Olsen for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 39:40 · SF 15 · Score 10-14
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · SF 21 · Score 10-17
   (:06) 9-G.Gano 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
9. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 23:44 · SF 10 · Score 10-23
   (8:44) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 13-K.Benjamin for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 23:38 · SF 15 · Score 10-24
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 20:03 · SF 9 · Score 10-30
    (5:03) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 13-K.Benjamin for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-E.Harold]. PENALTY on CAR-17-D.Funchess, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yar
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 19:56 · SF 15 · Score 10-31
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
13. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 12:43 · CAR 21 · Score 13-31
    (12:43) 4-P.Dawson 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
14. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 12:35 · CAR 1 · Score 19-31
    (12:35) (Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 12:31 · CAR 15 · Score 20-31
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
16. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 8:11 · SF 13 · Score 20-34
    (8:11) 9-G.Gano 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
17. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 8:03 · CAR 75 · Score 26-34
    (8:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-B.Gabbert pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 7:51 · CAR 15 · Score 27-34
    4-P.Dawson extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
19. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 4:13 · SF 31 · Score 27-37
    (4:13) 9-G.Gano 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.
20. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 3:36 · SF 16 · Score 27-43
    (3:36) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 17-D.Funchess for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
21. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 1:11 · SF 23 · Score 27-46
    (1:11) 9-G.Gano 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-A.Lee.