Game story
In Week 14 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-12-08, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 38–23 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. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +9.05 total EPA, and -1.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, A. Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.01 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+19.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (7:55) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 89-A.Bryant to CAR 2 for 52 yards (31-R.Marshall).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 23 |
| Carolina Panthers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 38 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Bryant · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +18.01 total EPA · 9 snaps · +2.00 EPA/play
- 2 D. Williams · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +11.60 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 3 S. Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +10.82 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
- 4 J. Garcia · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +9.05 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 5 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +7.92 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
- 6 M. Muhammad · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.66 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.55 EPA/play
- 7 J. Delhomme · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +4.15 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 8 B. Askew · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +3.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.15 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Bryant — TB · Receiving
A. Bryant posted the highest total EPA (+18.01) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Tampa Bay Buccaneers's efficiency. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +2.00 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.02 EPA) came from Carolina Panthers: (2:17) 34-D.Williams right end for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
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
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A. Bryant (J. Garcia pass)
- Carolina Panthers — S. Smith (J. Delhomme pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Williams
- Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart
- Carolina Panthers — D. Williams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A. Bryant (J. Garcia pass)
- Carolina Panthers — D. Williams
Field goals
- Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant
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 3–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 16 (Q1 53:53) — (8:53) 4-J.Kasay 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..
The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 1 (Q2 36:37) — (6:37) 3-M.Bryant 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q2 31:59) — (1:59) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 7 (Q2 31:56) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..
The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 50 (Q3 26:34) — (11:34) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 89-A.Bryant for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-21-K.Lucas, Illegal Contact, declined.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 26:23) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 38 (Q3 23:28) — (8:28) 17-J.Delhomme pass deep left to 89-S.Smith for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 23:19) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q3 18:37) — (3:37) 24-C.Williams up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q3 18:37) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..
The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 21–6. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q4 13:27) — (13:27) 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 13:21) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 16 (Q4 8:38) — (8:38) 34-D.Williams left end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 8:30) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 15 (Q4 2:36) — (2:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass short left to 89-A.Bryant for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 36 (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) 34-D.Williams right end for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 2:07) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 37:55) — (7:55) (Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 89-A.Bryant to CAR 2 for 52 yards (31-R.Marshall).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 26:34) — (11:34) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 89-A.Bryant for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-21-K.Lucas, Illegal Contact, declined.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 46:03) — (1:03) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Left Upright, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 27:15) — (12:15) 17-J.Delhomme pass short middle intended for 28-J.Stewart INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at 50. 23-J.Phillips to CAR 49 for 1 yard (28-J.Stewart). Penalty on CAR-70-T.Wharton, Offensive Holding,
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 13:27) — (13:27) 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:17) — (2:17) 34-D.Williams right end for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 26:34) — (11:34) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 89-A.Bryant for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-21-K.Lucas, Illegal Contact, declined.
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 27:15) — (12:15) 17-J.Delhomme pass short middle intended for 28-J.Stewart INTERCEPTED by 23-J.Phillips at 50. 23-J.Phillips to CAR 49 for 1 yard (28-J.Stewart). Penalty on CAR-70-T.Wharton, Offensive Holding,
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 41:23) — (11:23) 17-J.Delhomme pass short left intended for 88-D.Rosario INTERCEPTED by 20-R.Barber at TB 19. 20-R.Barber ran ob at TB 23 for 4 yards. Carolina challenged the pass completion ruling, and the pl
Quarterback report card
J.Garcia led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 46 dropbacks · 52.2% completion · -1.3% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +9.05 total EPA
- J.Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) · 23 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · +4.9% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +4.15 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.136 | +0.330 |
| Offensive success rate | 53.0% | 61.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.197 | +0.180 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.159 | +0.520 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.330 | -0.136 |
| Defensive success rate | 38.7% | 47.0% |
By the numbers
Carolina Panthers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.33 vs +0.14), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Carolina Panthers: 10 drives, +24.79 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 drives, +11.25 total EPA, 4 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.
- A. Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Delhomme (CAR) 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.
- Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 53:53 · TB 16 · Score 0-3
(8:53) 4-J.Kasay 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 36:37 · CAR 1 · Score 3-3
(6:37) 3-M.Bryant 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 31:59 · TB 2 · Score 3-9
(1:59) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 31:56 · TB 7 · Score 3-10
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 26:34 · CAR 50 · Score 9-10
(11:34) 7-J.Garcia pass deep left to 89-A.Bryant for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-21-K.Lucas, Illegal Contact, declined. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 26:23 · CAR 2 · Score 10-10
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 23:28 · TB 38 · Score 10-16
(8:28) 17-J.Delhomme pass deep left to 89-S.Smith for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 23:19 · TB 2 · Score 10-17
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 18:37 · CAR 4 · Score 16-17
(3:37) 24-C.Williams up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 18:37 · CAR 2 · Score 17-17
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-J.Bidwell. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 13:27 · TB 4 · Score 17-23
(13:27) 28-J.Stewart up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 13:21 · TB 2 · Score 17-24
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 8:38 · TB 16 · Score 17-30
(8:38) 34-D.Williams left end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 8:30 · TB 2 · Score 17-31
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 2:36 · CAR 15 · Score 23-31
(2:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-J.Garcia pass short left to 89-A.Bryant for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 2:17 · TB 36 · Score 23-37
(2:17) 34-D.Williams right end for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 2:07 · TB 2 · Score 23-38
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-7-J.Baker.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-23 in Week 14, 2008 on 2008-12-08.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, Carolina Panthers 38 (TB 23-38 CAR) in Week 14, 2008 on 2008-12-08.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Carolina Panthers 3; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Carolina Panthers 7; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14, Carolina Panthers 7; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6, Carolina Panthers 21; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, Carolina Panthers 38.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Stewart (Q2 31:59) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — A. Bryant (J. Garcia pass) (Q3 26:34) Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Smith (J. Delhomme pass) (Q3 23:28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Williams (Q3 18:37) Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Stewart (Q4 13:27) Carolina Panthers touchdown — D. Williams (Q4 8:38) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — A. Bryant (J. Garcia pass) (Q4 2:36) Carolina Panthers touchdown — D. Williams (Q4 2:17) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q1 53:53, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 36:37, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
J. Garcia (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 52.2% completion, -1.3% CPOE, +0.20 EPA per dropback, +9.05 total passing EPA. J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers), 60.9% completion, +4.9% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +4.15 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
A. Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the game in total EPA with +18.01 on receiving plays. across 9 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.02 EPA): (2:17) 34-D.Williams right end for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +19.5%.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 9-3 Now 9-4 L
Carolina Panthers
Entered 9-3 Now 10-3 W
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