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NFL · Week 16 · December 24, 2011 · 12 min read

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: 2011 Week 16 Recap

Panthers defeat Buccaneers 48–16 in Week 16

C.Newton led Fantasy Impact as Panthers prevailed in a 16–48 Week 16 finish.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 4–11
Final 16–48
Carolina Panthers 48 6–9 Winner
Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
16–48
Halftime
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10–20 Carolina Panthers
Top passer
J. Freeman
FantasyHQ MVP
C.Newton
Game date
December 24, 2011

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • P.Parker 1 REC · 16 YDS +3.1 Fantasy Impact
  • K.Lumpkin 4 REC · 38 YDS +2.8 Fantasy Impact
  • S.Stroughter 4 REC · 52 YDS +2.7 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • C.Newton 12/20 · 168 YDS · 3 TD +10.0 Fantasy Impact
  • B.LaFell 3 REC · 103 YDS · 1 TD +8.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Josaiah Stewart
    Josaiah Stewart 7 CAR · 88 YDS +5.5 Fantasy Impact
View Buccaneers vs Panthers box score View all 2011 NFL game recaps

Game story

The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48–16 in Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-12-24, a matchup that controlled the game from start to finish. The decisive swing (+16.5% win probability) came in the second quarter when Carolina Panthers swung the momentum.

In Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season on 2011-12-24, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 48–16 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -2.64 total EPA, and +8.8% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.99 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+16.5% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Carolina Panthers changed the game: (13:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 11-B.LaFell for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers01006016
Carolina Panthers1010217048

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

  1. 1 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +9.99 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
  2. 2 B. LaFell · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.62 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.87 EPA/play
  3. 3 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +5.51 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
  4. 4 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +4.23 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
  5. 5 D. Williams · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +3.99 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
  6. 6 P. Parker · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.06 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.06 EPA/play
  7. 7 K. Lumpkin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
  8. 8 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

C. Newton — CAR · Passing

C. Newton posted the highest total EPA (+9.99) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Carolina Panthers's efficiency. Across 20 counted snaps, they averaged +0.50 EPA per play.

The signature play (+7.42 EPA) came from Carolina Panthers: (13:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 11-B.LaFell for 91 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 — D. Williams (Q1 55:17)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A. Benn (J. Freeman pass) (Q2 44:14)
  • Carolina Panthers — B. LaFell (C. Newton pass) (Q2 43:20)
  • Carolina Panthers — D. Williams (Q3 27:01)
  • Carolina Panthers — J. Stewart (C. Newton pass) (Q3 18:30)
  • Carolina Panthers — C. Newton (Q3 15:33)
  • Carolina Panthers — J. Shockey (C. Newton pass) (Q4 15:00)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J. Freeman (Q4 11:11)

Field goals

  • Carolina Panthers — O. Mare (Q1 53:30)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Barth (Q2 35:37)
  • Carolina Panthers — O. Mare (Q2 30:28)

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 found the end zone from the TB 8 (Q1 55:17) — (10:17) 34-D.Williams left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 55:12) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 3 (Q1 53:30) — (8:30) 10-O.Mare 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q2 44:14); Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 44:07) — 10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 91 (Q2 43:20) — (13:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 11-B.LaFell for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 43:06) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 24 (Q2 35:37) — (5:37) 10-C.Barth 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 1 (Q2 30:28) — (:28) 10-O.Mare 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 21–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 22 (Q3 27:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 34-D.Williams right end for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 26:55) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 11 (Q3 18:30) — (3:30) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 28-J.Stewart for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 18:24) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 49 (Q3 15:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton up the middle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 15:24) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–6. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 8 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 80-J.Shockey for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 14:53) — 10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q4 11:11) — (11:11) (No Huddle) 5-J.Freeman up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

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

  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 43:20) — (13:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 11-B.LaFell for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.5% · EPA +7.42]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 5-J.Freeman FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 17, RECOVERED by CAR-50-J.Anderson at TB 8. 50-J.Anderson to TB 8 for no gain (5-J.Freeman). [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.29]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 48:31) — (3:31) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman pass short left to 87-P.Parker to CAR 32 for 16 yards (23-S.Martin). [WPA +7.7% · EPA +3.06]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 41:38) — (11:38) (Shotgun) 5-J.Freeman pass deep left to 18-S.Stroughter to TB 45 for 29 yards (37-J.Nelson). [WPA +6.6% · EPA +3.00]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 5-J.Freeman left guard to CAR 4 for 2 yards (68-A.Neblett, 55-D.Connor). [WPA +5.8% · EPA +2.23]

Impact plays

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

  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 43:20) — (13:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 11-B.LaFell for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.5% · EPA +7.42]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 15:24) — 10-O.Mare kicks 70 yards from CAR 35 to TB -5. 18-S.Stroughter to TB 10 for 15 yards (54-J.Williams). FUMBLES (54-J.Williams), RECOVERED by CAR-22-J.Thomas at TB 8. 22-J.Thomas to TB 8 for no gain (32 [WPA -0.0% · EPA -5.60]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 5-J.Freeman FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 17, RECOVERED by CAR-50-J.Anderson at TB 8. 50-J.Anderson to TB 8 for no gain (5-J.Freeman). [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.29]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 15:33) — (:33) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton up the middle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA +4.49]

Quarterback report card

J.Freeman led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • J.Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 48 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · +8.8% CPOE · -0.05 EPA/play · -2.64 total EPA
  • C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 20 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +0.2% CPOE · +0.50 EPA/play · +9.99 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

StatTampa Bay BuccaneersCarolina Panthers
Offensive EPA/play-0.102+0.341
Offensive success rate48.8%50.7%
Pass EPA/play-0.055+0.499
Rush EPA/play-0.067+0.442
Defensive EPA/play-0.341+0.102
Defensive success rate49.3%51.2%

By the numbers

Carolina Panthers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.34 vs -0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

  • Carolina Panthers: 11 drives, +22.88 total EPA, 8 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -8.33 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.
  • C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
  • J. Freeman (TB) 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 TD (+6) — Q1 55:17 · TB 8 · Score 0-6
    (10:17) 34-D.Williams left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 55:12 · TB 2 · Score 0-7
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  3. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 53:30 · TB 3 · Score 0-10
    (8:30) 10-O.Mare 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 44:14 · CAR 4 · Score 6-10
    (14:14) 5-J.Freeman pass incomplete short left to 17-A.Benn. Tampa Bay challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 5-J.Freeman pass short
  5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 44:07 · CAR 2 · Score 7-10
    10-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
  6. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 43:20 · TB 91 · Score 7-16
    (13:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 11-B.LaFell for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 43:06 · TB 2 · Score 7-17
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 35:37 · CAR 24 · Score 10-17
    (5:37) 10-C.Barth 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.Economos, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
  9. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:28 · TB 1 · Score 10-20
    (:28) 10-O.Mare 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  10. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 27:01 · TB 22 · Score 10-26
    (12:01) (Shotgun) 34-D.Williams right end for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 26:55 · TB 2 · Score 10-27
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  12. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 18:30 · TB 11 · Score 10-33
    (3:30) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 28-J.Stewart for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 18:24 · TB 2 · Score 10-34
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  14. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 15:33 · TB 49 · Score 10-40
    (:33) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton up the middle for 49 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  15. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 15:24 · TB 2 · Score 10-41
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  16. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · TB 8 · Score 10-47
    (15:00) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 80-J.Shockey for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  17. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 14:53 · TB 2 · Score 10-48
    10-O.Mare extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-7-J.Baker.
  18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 11:11 · CAR 1 · Score 16-48
    (11:11) (No Huddle) 5-J.Freeman up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-16 in Week 16, 2011 on 2011-12-24.

What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16, Carolina Panthers 48 (TB 16-48 CAR) in Week 16, 2011 on 2011-12-24.

What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Carolina Panthers 10; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10, Carolina Panthers 10; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Carolina Panthers 21; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6, Carolina Panthers 7; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16, Carolina Panthers 48.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

Carolina Panthers touchdown — D. Williams (Q1 55:17) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — A. Benn (J. Freeman pass) (Q2 44:14) Carolina Panthers touchdown — B. LaFell (C. Newton pass) (Q2 43:20) Carolina Panthers touchdown — D. Williams (Q3 27:01) Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Stewart (C. Newton pass) (Q3 18:30) Carolina Panthers touchdown — C. Newton (Q3 15:33) Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Shockey (C. Newton pass) (Q4 15:00) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — J. Freeman (Q4 11:11) Carolina Panthers field goal — O. Mare (Q1 53:30, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Barth (Q2 35:37, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — O. Mare (Q2 30:28, 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. Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 58.3% completion, +8.8% CPOE, -0.05 EPA per dropback, -2.64 total passing EPA. C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 60.0% completion, +0.2% CPOE, +0.50 EPA per dropback, +9.99 total passing EPA.

Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) led the game in total EPA with +9.99 on passing plays. across 20 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+7.42 EPA): (13:20) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 11-B.LaFell for 91 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +16.5%.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 4-10 Now 4-11 L

Carolina Panthers

Entered 5-9 Now 6-9 W

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