Washington Commanders vs. Carolina Panthers: 2015 Week 11 Recap

Game story

In Week 11 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-11-22, the Carolina Panthers took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 44–16 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) paced the passing game, with +14.03 total EPA, and +3.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+17.2% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Washington Commanders changed the game: 9-G.Gano kicks 64 yards from CAR 35 to WAS 1. 12-A.Roberts for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 · +14.03 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
2. 2 G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Funchess · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.36 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
4. 4 P. Garcon · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.11 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Ginn · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.12 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Stewart · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Cotchery · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.33 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 — J. Stewart (C. Newton pass) (Q1 55:01)
• Washington Commanders — D. Jackson (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 53:36)
• Carolina Panthers — M. Tolbert (C. Newton pass) (Q1 45:47)
• Washington Commanders — A. Roberts (Q1 45:41)
• Carolina Panthers — T. Ginn (C. Newton pass) (Q2 38:29)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q2 35:19)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Funchess (C. Newton pass) (Q3 28:57)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q2 30:03)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q3 19:08)
• Carolina Panthers — G. Gano (Q4 10:39)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the WAS 12 (Q1 55:01); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q1 54:56) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CAR 56 (Q1 53:36); Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 53:26) — 3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the WAS 3 (Q1 45:47) — (:47) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 35-M.Tolbert for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q1 45:41) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the CAR 35 (Q1 45:41) — 9-G.Gano kicks 64 yards from CAR 35 to WAS 1. 12-A.Roberts for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 45:27) — 3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 17–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the WAS 2 (Q2 38:29); Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q2 38:21) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the WAS 5 (Q2 35:19) — (5:19) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q2 35:14) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the WAS 24 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 9-G.Gano 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the WAS 5 (Q3 28:57) — (13:57) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 17-D.Funchess for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q3 28:52) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the WAS 30 (Q3 19:08) — (4:08) 9-G.Gano 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 3–2. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the WAS 7 (Q4 10:39) — (10:39) 9-G.Gano 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Washington Commanders registered a safety from the WAS 99 (Q4 0:28) — (:28) (Punt formation) 8-B.Nortman tackled in End Zone for -1 yards, SAFETY (96-H.Bates)..

Turning points

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

• Washington Commanders (Q1 45:41) — 9-G.Gano kicks 64 yards from CAR 35 to WAS 1. 12-A.Roberts for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.2% · EPA +6.63]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 53:36) — (8:36) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 11-D.Jackson for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-24-J.Norman, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +5.73]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 56:24) — (11:24) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle intended for 11-D.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 20-K.Coleman [94-K.Ealy] at CAR 41. 20-K.Coleman to WAS 31 for 28 yards (71-Trent.Williams; 61-S.Long). Penalty [WPA -11.7% · EPA -4.75]
• Washington Commanders (Q2 38:14) — (8:14) 31-M.Jones left end to WAS 22 for 2 yards (59-L.Kuechly). FUMBLES (59-L.Kuechly), RECOVERED by CAR-58-T.Davis at WAS 24. 58-T.Davis to WAS 24 for no gain (75-B.Scherff). [WPA -9.5% · EPA -4.70]
• Carolina Panthers (Q2 40:43) — (10:43) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep right to 88-G.Olsen pushed ob at WAS 26 for 34 yards (26-B.Breeland). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +2.01]

Impact plays

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

• Washington Commanders (Q1 45:41) — 9-G.Gano kicks 64 yards from CAR 35 to WAS 1. 12-A.Roberts for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.2% · EPA +6.63]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 53:36) — (8:36) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 11-D.Jackson for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-24-J.Norman, Illegal Use of Hands, declined. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +5.73]
• Washington Commanders (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) 8-K.Cousins sacked at WAS 11 for -9 yards (25-B.Benwikere). FUMBLES (25-B.Benwikere) [25-B.Benwikere], RECOVERED by CAR-25-B.Benwikere at WAS 11. 25-B.Benwikere to WAS 11 for no gain (75-B.Sch [WPA -4.1% · EPA -5.05]
• Washington Commanders (Q1 56:24) — (11:24) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle intended for 11-D.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 20-K.Coleman [94-K.Ealy] at CAR 41. 20-K.Coleman to WAS 31 for 28 yards (71-Trent.Williams; 61-S.Long). Penalty [WPA -11.7% · EPA -4.75]

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) · 41 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · +3.7% CPOE · +0.34 EPA/play · +14.03 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Washington Commanders) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +6.8% CPOE · -0.45 EPA/play · -16.13 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 (+0.16 vs -0.20), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Carolina Panthers: 13 drives, +16.61 total EPA, 9 scoring drives
• Washington Commanders: 13 drives, -12.65 total EPA, 2 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.
• C. Newton (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• K. Cousins (WAS) 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 55:01 · WAS 12 · Score 0-6
   (10:01) (No Huddle) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 28-J.Stewart for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CAR-28-J.Stewart, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs
2. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 54:56 · WAS 15 · Score 0-7
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
3. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 53:36 · CAR 56 · Score 6-7
   (8:36) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 11-D.Jackson for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CAR-24-J.Norman, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.
4. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 53:26 · CAR 15 · Score 7-7
   3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
5. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 45:47 · WAS 3 · Score 7-13
   (:47) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 35-M.Tolbert for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 45:41 · WAS 15 · Score 7-14
   9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
7. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 45:41 · CAR 35 · Score 13-14
   9-G.Gano kicks 64 yards from CAR 35 to WAS 1. 12-A.Roberts for 99 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 45:27 · CAR 15 · Score 14-14
   3-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-5-T.Way.
9. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 38:29 · WAS 2 · Score 14-20
   (8:29) 1-C.Newton pass incomplete short middle to 19-T.Ginn. Penalty on WAS-29-C.Culliver, Defensive Holding, declined. Carolina challenged the incomplete pass
10. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 38:21 · WAS 15 · Score 14-21
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 35:19 · WAS 5 · Score 14-27
    (5:19) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 35:14 · WAS 15 · Score 14-28
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
13. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · WAS 24 · Score 14-31
    (:03) 9-G.Gano 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
14. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 28:57 · WAS 5 · Score 14-37
    (13:57) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 17-D.Funchess for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 28:52 · WAS 15 · Score 14-38
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
16. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 19:08 · WAS 30 · Score 14-41
    (4:08) 9-G.Gano 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
17. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 10:39 · WAS 7 · Score 14-44
    (10:39) 9-G.Gano 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
18. Washington Commanders Safety (+2) — Q4 0:28 · WAS 99 · Score 16-44
    (:28) (Punt formation) 8-B.Nortman tackled in End Zone for -1 yards, SAFETY (96-H.Bates).