Panthers 10–6 Saints: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2002

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?

M. Muhammad (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.32 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (-3.79 EPA): (6:17) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 41. 29-S.Knight to CAR 46 for 13 yards (87-M.Muhammad)..

Quick answer

Winner: Carolina Panthers
Final score: Carolina Panthers 10–6 New Orleans Saints
Halftime: Carolina Panthers 7–3 New Orleans Saints at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Malik Muhammad
Top passer: A. Brooks
Biggest EPA play: (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.K…
Game date: 2002-12-29

Game summary

The Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 10–6 on 2002-12-29. Malik Muhammad posted a game-high +5.32 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 7 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	—	—	T
Carolina Panthers	0	7	3	0	0	10
New Orleans Saints	3	0	3	0	0	6

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

CARCarolina Panthers

+3CAR 12

NO 15

+1NO 2

+3CAR 20

+3NO 33

NONew Orleans Saints

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

5 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 7:18FG
JCJ. Carney
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 12
Score
0-3
(7:18) 3-J.Carney 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 0:57TD
BHB. Hoover
Points+6
Yard line
NO 15
Score
6-3
(:57) 9-R.Peete pass to 45-B.Hoover for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, Run 0
CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 0:51XP
SGS. Graham
Points+1
Yard line
NO 2
Score
7-3
11-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 5:43FG
JCJ. Carney
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 20
Score
7-6
(5:43) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q3 2:48FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
NO 33
Score
10-6
(2:48) 11-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Malik Muhammad · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.32 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
2B. Hoover · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
3R. Smart · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.53 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play
4Shi Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.81 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
5R. Peete · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +0.58 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
6K. Mangum · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.36 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
7Shi Smith · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +0.31 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
8D. McAllister · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +0.08 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.04 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Malik Muhammad — CAR · Receiving

Malik Muhammad posted the highest total EPA (+5.32) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.66 EPA per play.

Malik Muhammad's top snap (-3.79 EPA): (6:17) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 41. 29-S.Knight to CAR 46 for 13 yards (87-M.Muhammad).

Biggest single play (-4.98 EPA): R. Peete — (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.Knight to NO 6 for no gain (84-J.Wiggins).

Quarterback report card

A. Brooks led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints) · 37 dropbacks · 32.4% completion · -0.59 EPA/play · -21.76 total EPA
R. Peete (Carolina Panthers) · 32 dropbacks · 59.4% completion · -0.22 EPA/play · -7.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Carolina Panthers	New Orleans Saints
Offensive EPA/play	-0.259	-0.320
Offensive success rate	36.4%	35.4%
Pass EPA/play	-0.287	-0.620
Rush EPA/play	-0.286	-0.072
Defensive EPA/play	+0.320	+0.259
Defensive success rate	64.6%	63.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Carolina Panthers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.26 vs -0.32), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Carolina Panthers: -0.26 EPA/play (7th percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)
New Orleans Saints: -0.32 EPA/play (3rd percentile vs. 2002 team-game averages)

Carolina Panthers: 14 drives, -19.98 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
New Orleans Saints: 14 drives, -26.23 total EPA, 2 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Carolina Panthers — B. Hoover (R. Peete pass) (Q2 0:57)

Field goals

New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q1 7:18)
New Orleans Saints — J. Carney (Q3 5:43)
Carolina Panthers — S. Graham (Q3 2:48)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 12 (Q1 7:18) — (7:18) 3-J.Carney 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 15 (Q2 0:57) — (:57) 9-R.Peete pass to 45-B.Hoover for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, Run 0; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 2 (Q2 0:51) — 11-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 20 (Q3 5:43) — (5:43) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 33 (Q3 2:48) — (2:48) 11-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 84-M.Lewis INTERCEPTED by 21-T.Cousin at CAR 33. 21-T.Cousin to CAR 33 for no gain (84-M.Lewis). Play Challenged by Replay Official and Upheld. [WPA -21.8% · EPA -1.48]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 42 yards to NO 10, Center-56-J.Kyle. 84-M.Lewis pushed ob at NO 40 for 30 yards (45-B.Hoover). [WPA -19.5% · EPA -0.74]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 6:12) — (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.Knight to NO 6 for no gain (84-J.Wiggins). [WPA -17.9% · EPA -4.98]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:17) — (6:17) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 41. 29-S.Knight to CAR 46 for 13 yards (87-M.Muhammad). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -3.79]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 7:41) — (7:41) 9-R.Peete pass to 89-S.Smith pushed ob at NO 38 for 29 yards (22-F.Thomas). Pass 24, Run 5 [WPA +13.3% · EPA +2.43]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Carolina Panthers (Q2 6:12) — (6:12) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 6. 29-S.Knight to NO 6 for no gain (84-J.Wiggins). [WPA -17.9% · EPA -4.98]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:17) — (6:17) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 41. 29-S.Knight to CAR 46 for 13 yards (87-M.Muhammad). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -3.79]
New Orleans Saints (Q2 12:53) — (12:53) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass to 86-Ja.Reed to CAR 11 for 16 yards (58-M.Fields). FUMBLES (58-M.Fields), RECOVERED by CAR-21-T.Cousin at CAR 11. 21-T.Cousin ran ob at CAR 30 for 19 yards (68-K.Tur [WPA -6.0% · EPA -3.56]
New Orleans Saints (Q2 9:02) — (9:02) (Shotgun) 2-A.Brooks pass intended for 83-D.Stallworth INTERCEPTED by 21-T.Cousin at CAR 22. 21-T.Cousin to CAR 26 for 4 yards (83-D.Stallworth). [WPA -6.6% · EPA -3.52]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 7:18 · CAR 12 · Score 0-3
(7:18) 3-J.Carney 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 0:57 · NO 15 · Score 6-3
(:57) 9-R.Peete pass to 45-B.Hoover for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass 15, Run 0
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 0:51 · NO 2 · Score 7-3
11-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 5:43 · CAR 20 · Score 7-6
(5:43) 3-J.Carney 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.Houser, Holder-4-T.Gowin.
Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 2:48 · NO 33 · Score 10-6
(2:48) 11-S.Graham 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Carolina Panthers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Malik Muhammad (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints on 2002-12-29?

The Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 10-6 in Week 17, 2002.

What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?

Q1: Carolina Panthers 0, New Orleans Saints 3; Q2: Carolina Panthers 7, New Orleans Saints 0; Q3: Carolina Panthers 3, New Orleans Saints 3; Final: Carolina Panthers 10, New Orleans Saints 6.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?

Carolina Panthers touchdown — B. Hoover (R. Peete pass) (Q2 0:57) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q1 7:18, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — J. Carney (Q3 5:43, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — S. Graham (Q3 2:48, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?

A. Brooks (New Orleans Saints), 32.4% completion, -0.59 EPA per dropback, -21.76 total passing EPA. R. Peete (Carolina Panthers), 59.4% completion, -0.22 EPA per dropback, -7.04 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?

Malik Muhammad (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.32 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (-3.79 EPA): (6:17) 9-R.Peete pass intended for 84-J.Wiggins INTERCEPTED by 29-S.Knight at NO 41. 29-S.Knight to CAR 46 for 13 yards (87-M.Muhammad)..

Was Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. Carolina Panthers won 10-6 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Carolina Panthers

Entered 6-9 Now 7-9 W

New Orleans Saints

Entered 9-6 Now 9-7 L

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints: 2002 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

Top fantasy performers · Saints

Quick answer

Game summary