Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: 2018 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-11-04, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 42–28 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with +7.65 total EPA, and +1.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, A. Humphries (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.91 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-13.8% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (11:58) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 25-E.Reid at TB 49. 25-E.Reid to TB 10 for 39 yards (66-R.Jensen).

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 A. Humphries · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +9.91 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
2. 2 O. Howard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +8.99 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Fitzpatrick · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +7.65 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +7.53 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
5. 5 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.24 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
6. 6 C. McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.03 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Godwin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.51 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Samuel · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +3.20 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.20 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 — A. Armah (Q1 55:39)
• Carolina Panthers — C. McCaffrey (Q1 48:19)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — O. Howard (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q2 44:21)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Samuel (Q2 41:36)
• Carolina Panthers — C. McCaffrey (Q2 37:29)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q2 34:07)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — O. Howard (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q2 30:19)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A. Humphries (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q3 20:18)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A. Humphries (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 14:33)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Samuel (C. Newton pass) (Q4 9:10)

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 14–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q1 55:39) — (10:39) 71-M.Newhouse reported in as eligible. 40-A.Armah up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 55:34) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 3 (Q1 48:19) — (3:19) 22-C.McCaffrey right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 48:14) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 21–14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q2 44:21) — (14:21) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 80-O.Howard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-T.Davis].; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 44:15) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 33 (Q2 41:36) — (11:36) 10-C.Samuel left end for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play was a double reverse; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 41:20) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q2 37:29); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 37:24) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 17 (Q2 34:07) — (4:07) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 88-G.Olsen for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 34:01) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 3 (Q2 30:19) — (:19) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 80-O.Howard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 30:15) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 5 (Q3 20:18) — (5:18) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 10-A.Humphries for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 20:14) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 30 (Q4 14:33); Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 14:24) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 19 (Q4 9:10) — (9:10) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 10-C.Samuel for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 9:04) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy..

Turning points

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

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 56:58) — (11:58) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 25-E.Reid at TB 49. 25-E.Reid to TB 10 for 39 yards (66-R.Jensen). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.19]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 14:33) — (14:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 10-A.Humphries to CAR 1 for 29 yards (59-L.Kuechly). Tampa Bay challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.67]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 13:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 22-C.McCaffrey to CAR 33 for 8 yards (54-L.David) [91-B.Allen]. [WPA +5.0% · EPA +0.27]
• Carolina Panthers (Q1 50:07) — (5:07) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 22-C.McCaffrey to TB 39 for 32 yards (31-J.Whitehead). [WPA +4.6% · EPA +2.13]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 54:25) — (9:25) (Shotgun) 32-J.Rodgers right guard to TB 35 for 15 yards (41-C.Munnerlyn; 54-S.Thompson). [WPA +4.5% · EPA +2.72]

Impact plays

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

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 56:58) — (11:58) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 25-E.Reid at TB 49. 25-E.Reid to TB 10 for 39 yards (66-R.Jensen). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -5.19]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 30:19) — (:19) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 80-O.Howard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.3% · EPA +4.32]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 34:07) — (4:07) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 88-G.Olsen for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.1% · EPA +4.16]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 14:33) — (14:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 10-A.Humphries to CAR 1 for 29 yards (59-L.Kuechly). Tampa Bay challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.67]

Quarterback report card

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

• R.Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 50 dropbacks · 48.0% completion · +1.0% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +7.65 total EPA
• C.Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 29 dropbacks · 65.5% completion · +14.3% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +7.53 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 (+0.18 vs +0.00), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 13 drives, +14.46 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12 drives, +0.37 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. Humphries (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 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.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 55:39 · TB 1 · Score 0-6
   (10:39) 71-M.Newhouse reported in as eligible. 40-A.Armah up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 55:34 · TB 15 · Score 0-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
3. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 48:19 · TB 3 · Score 0-13
   (3:19) 22-C.McCaffrey right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 48:14 · TB 15 · Score 0-14
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 44:21 · CAR 4 · Score 6-14
   (14:21) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 80-O.Howard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-T.Davis].
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 44:15 · CAR 15 · Score 7-14
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
7. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 41:36 · TB 33 · Score 7-20
   (11:36) 10-C.Samuel left end for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play was a double reverse
8. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 41:20 · TB 15 · Score 7-21
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
9. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 37:29 · TB 1 · Score 7-27
   (7:29) 71-M.Newhouse reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling,
10. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 37:24 · TB 15 · Score 7-28
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 34:07 · TB 17 · Score 7-34
    (4:07) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep middle to 88-G.Olsen for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 34:01 · TB 15 · Score 7-35
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 30:19 · CAR 3 · Score 13-35
    (:19) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 80-O.Howard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 30:15 · CAR 15 · Score 14-35
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 20:18 · CAR 5 · Score 20-35
    (5:18) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 10-A.Humphries for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 20:14 · CAR 15 · Score 21-35
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 14:33 · CAR 30 · Score 27-35
    (14:33) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 10-A.Humphries to CAR 1 for 29 yards (59-L.Kuechly). Tampa Bay challenged the short of the goal line rulin
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 14:24 · CAR 15 · Score 28-35
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
19. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 9:10 · TB 19 · Score 28-41
    (9:10) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 10-C.Samuel for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 9:04 · TB 15 · Score 28-42
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.