Game story
In Week 15 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-12-14, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 19–17 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
D. Anderson (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +8.49 total EPA, and +6.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, G. Olsen (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+15.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (7:41) 22-D.Martin up the middle to CAR 16 for 63 yards (33-T.Boston).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Carolina Panthers | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +8.94 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 2 D. Anderson · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +8.49 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 3 K. Benjamin · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.52 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
- 4 V. Jackson · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.01 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 5 J. Cotchery · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
- 6 C. Sims · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 7 C. Brown · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.22 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
- 8 D. Martin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +1.20 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
G. Olsen — CAR · Receiving
G. Olsen posted the highest total EPA (+8.94) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Carolina Panthers's efficiency. Across 13 counted snaps, they averaged +0.69 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.48 EPA) came from Carolina Panthers: (9:15) (No Huddle) 28-J.Stewart left guard to TB 5 for -2 yards (21-A.Verner). FUMBLES (21-A.Verner), touched at TB 6, RECOVERED by TB-97-A.Spence at TB 8. 97-A.Spence to TB 8 for no gain (67-R.Kalil).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (J. McCown pass)
- Carolina Panthers — J. Cotchery (D. Anderson pass)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J. McCown
Field goals
- Carolina Panthers — G. Gano
- Carolina Panthers — G. Gano
- Carolina Panthers — G. Gano
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — P. Murray
- Carolina Panthers — G. Gano
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–6. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 11 (Q1 53:23) — (8:23) 9-G.Gano 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 8 (Q1 51:00) — (6:00) 12-J.McCown pass short right to 13-M.Evans for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Kevin Pamphile reported as eligible; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q1 50:54) — 7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 31 (Q1 46:19) — (1:19) 9-G.Gano 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 20 (Q2 31:14) — (1:14) 9-G.Gano 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 30 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) 7-P.Murray 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen..
The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q3 28:58) — (13:58) (Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass short left to 82-J.Cotchery for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 28:53) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 27 (Q4 8:35) — (8:35) 9-G.Gano 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 16 (Q4 3:20) — (3:20) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown scrambles right guard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 3:11) — 7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 52:41) — (7:41) 22-D.Martin up the middle to CAR 16 for 63 yards (33-T.Boston).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 29:48) — (14:48) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown sacked at TB 3 for -12 yards (sack split by 97-M.Addison and 95-C.Johnson). FUMBLES (97-M.Addison) [97-M.Addison], RECOVERED by CAR-99-K.Short at TB 4. 99-K.Short to TB 4
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 24:15) — (9:15) (No Huddle) 28-J.Stewart left guard to TB 5 for -2 yards (21-A.Verner). FUMBLES (21-A.Verner), touched at TB 6, RECOVERED by TB-97-A.Spence at TB 8. 97-A.Spence to TB 8 for no gain (67-R.Kalil)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 30:15) — (:15) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown pass short right to 34-C.Sims to CAR 30 for 19 yards (24-J.Norman).
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 41:13) — (11:13) 9-G.Gano 50 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 24:15) — (9:15) (No Huddle) 28-J.Stewart left guard to TB 5 for -2 yards (21-A.Verner). FUMBLES (21-A.Verner), touched at TB 6, RECOVERED by TB-97-A.Spence at TB 8. 97-A.Spence to TB 8 for no gain (67-R.Kalil)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 52:41) — (7:41) 22-D.Martin up the middle to CAR 16 for 63 yards (33-T.Boston).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 29:48) — (14:48) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown sacked at TB 3 for -12 yards (sack split by 97-M.Addison and 95-C.Johnson). FUMBLES (97-M.Addison) [97-M.Addison], RECOVERED by CAR-99-K.Short at TB 4. 99-K.Short to TB 4
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 3:20) — (3:20) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown scrambles right guard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
D.Anderson led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- D.Anderson (Carolina Panthers) · 47 dropbacks · 53.2% completion · +6.0% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +8.49 total EPA
- J.McCown (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 34 dropbacks · 38.2% completion · -8.4% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -4.96 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.070 | -0.034 |
| Offensive success rate | 34.2% | 48.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.146 | +0.181 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.109 | -0.273 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.034 | +0.070 |
| Defensive success rate | 51.6% | 65.8% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.07, Carolina Panthers -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, -3.14 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11 drives, -5.09 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- G. Olsen (Carolina Panthers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- D. Anderson (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- J. McCown (TB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 53:23 · TB 11 · Score 0-3
(8:23) 9-G.Gano 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 51:00 · CAR 8 · Score 6-3
(6:00) 12-J.McCown pass short right to 13-M.Evans for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Kevin Pamphile reported as eligible - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 50:54 · CAR 2 · Score 7-3
7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 46:19 · TB 31 · Score 7-6
(1:19) 9-G.Gano 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 31:14 · TB 20 · Score 7-9
(1:14) 9-G.Gano 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 30:06 · CAR 30 · Score 10-9
(:06) 7-P.Murray 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 28:58 · TB 2 · Score 10-15
(13:58) (Shotgun) 3-D.Anderson pass short left to 82-J.Cotchery for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 28:53 · TB 2 · Score 10-16
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 8:35 · TB 27 · Score 10-19
(8:35) 9-G.Gano 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 3:20 · CAR 16 · Score 16-19
(3:20) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown scrambles right guard for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 3:11 · CAR 2 · Score 17-19
7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-17 in Week 15, 2014 on 2014-12-14.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, Carolina Panthers 19 (TB 17-19 CAR) in Week 15, 2014 on 2014-12-14.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Carolina Panthers 6; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Carolina Panthers 3; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Carolina Panthers 7; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Carolina Panthers 3; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, Carolina Panthers 19.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Evans (J. McCown pass) (Q1 51:00) Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Cotchery (D. Anderson pass) (Q3 28:58) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — J. McCown (Q4 3:20) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q1 53:23, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q1 46:19, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q2 31:14, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — P. Murray (Q2 30:06, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q4 8:35, 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?
D. Anderson (Carolina Panthers), 53.2% completion, +6.0% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +8.49 total passing EPA. J. McCown (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 38.2% completion, -8.4% CPOE, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -4.96 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?
G. Olsen (Carolina Panthers) led the game in total EPA with +8.94 on receiving plays. across 13 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.48 EPA): (9:15) (No Huddle) 28-J.Stewart left guard to TB 5 for -2 yards (21-A.Verner). FUMBLES (21-A.Verner), touched at TB 6, RECOVERED by TB-97-A.Spence at TB 8. 97-A.Spence to TB 8 for . The biggest win-probability swing was +15.6%.
Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Carolina Panthers won 19-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 2-11 Now 2-12 L
Carolina Panthers
Entered 4-8 Now 5-8 W
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