Quick answer
- Winner
- Carolina Panthers
- Final score
- Carolina Panthers 20–14 Detroit Lions
- Halftime
- Detroit Lions 0–17 Carolina Panthers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Shi Smith
- Top passer
- J. Delhomme
- Biggest EPA play
- (4:03) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster to DET 38 for 2 yards (32-D.Bly). FUMBLES (32-D.B…
- Game date
- 2003-12-21
Game summary
The Carolina Panthers beat the Detroit Lions 20–14 on 2003-12-21. Shi Smith posted a game-high +6.22 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Detroit Lions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
 Carolina Panthers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
DETDetroit Lions
(10:37) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
(8:10) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
(2:00) 4-J.Kasay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
(7:58) 4-J.Kasay 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
(12:22) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 51 yards to DET 11, Center-56-J.Kyle. 10-R.Swinton for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
(4:03) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster to DET 38 for 2 yards (32-D.Bly). FUMBLES (32-D.Bly), RECOVERED by DET-97-B.Bailey at DET 38. 97-B.Bailey for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by CAR at 03:44.)
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
CARCarolina PanthersFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 10:37TD Points+6
- Yard line
- DET 20
- Score
- 0-6
(10:37) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 10:30XP JKJ. KasayPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 0-7
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 8:10TD DFD. FosterPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 10
- Score
- 0-13
(8:10) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 8:03XP JKJ. KasayPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 2
- Score
- 0-14
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 2:00FG JKJ. KasayPoints+3
- Yard line
- DET 24
- Score
- 0-17
(2:00) 4-J.Kasay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q3 7:58FG JKJ. KasayPoints+3
- Yard line
- DET 26
- Score
- 0-20
(7:58) 4-J.Kasay 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q4 12:22TD RSR. SwintonPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 62
- Score
- 6-20
(12:22) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 51 yards to DET 11, Center-56-J.Kyle. 10-R.Swinton for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q4 12:02XP Points+1
- Yard line
- CAR 2
- Score
- 7-20
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q4 4:03TD DFD. FosterPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 40
- Score
- 13-20
(4:03) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster to DET 38 for 2 yards (32-D.Bly). FUMBLES (32-D.Bly), RECOVERED by DET-97-B.Bailey at DET 38. 97-B.Bailey for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and Upheld. (Timeout #1 by CAR at 03:44.)
- DETDetroit Lions
Q4 3:44XP Points+1
- Yard line
- CAR 2
- Score
- 14-20
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1Shi Smith · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +6.22 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 2Malik Muhammad · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.22 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
- 3Kenny Dyson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.12 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
- 4D. Kircus · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.72 EPA/play
- 5R. Swinton · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
- 6B. Schroeder · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.78 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 7A. Hakim · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 8A. Pinner · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.59 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.59 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
Shi Smith — CAR · Receiving
Shi Smith posted the highest total EPA (+6.22) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.24 EPA per play.
Shi Smith's top snap (+3.81 EPA): (9:58) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith pushed ob at DET 18 for 44 yards (42-T.Holt).
Biggest single play (-9.20 EPA): J. Delhomme — (4:03) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster to DET 38 for 2 yards (32-D.Bly). FUMBLES (32-D.Bly), RECOVERED by DET-97-B.Bailey at DET 38. 97-B.Bailey for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and U
Quarterback report card
J. Delhomme led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) · 37 dropbacks · 78.4% completion · -0.06 EPA/play · -2.08 total EPA
- M. McMahon (Detroit Lions) · 14 dropbacks · 28.6% completion · -0.36 EPA/play · -5.07 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.250 | -0.132 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.1% | 47.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.277 | -0.007 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.352 | -0.202 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.132 | +0.250 |
| Defensive success rate | 52.3% | 61.9% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Carolina Panthers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.13 vs -0.25), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Detroit Lions: -0.25 EPA/play (7th percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
- Carolina Panthers: -0.13 EPA/play (23rd percentile vs. 2003 team-game averages)
- Carolina Panthers: 12 drives, -11.36 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -15.72 total EPA, 0 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Carolina Panthers — Shi Smith (J. Delhomme pass)
- Carolina Panthers — D. Foster (J. Delhomme pass)
- Detroit Lions — R. Swinton
- Detroit Lions — D. Foster (J. Delhomme pass)
Field goals
- Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay
- Carolina Panthers — J. Kasay
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DET 20 (Q1 10:37) — (10:37) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 10:30) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..
The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the DET 10 (Q2 8:10) — (8:10) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 8:03) — 4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the DET 24 (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) 4-J.Kasay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..
The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 3–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the DET 26 (Q3 7:58) — (7:58) 4-J.Kasay 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 62 (Q4 12:22) — (12:22) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 51 yards to DET 11, Center-56-J.Kyle. 10-R.Swinton for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 12:02) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 40 (Q4 4:03); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q4 3:44) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 4:03) — (4:03) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster to DET 38 for 2 yards (32-D.Bly). FUMBLES (32-D.Bly), RECOVERED by DET-97-B.Bailey at DET 38. 97-B.Bailey for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and U
- Detroit Lions (Q2 4:14) — (4:14) 8-M.McMahon pass intended for 81-A.Hakim INTERCEPTED by 30-M.Minter at CAR 15. 30-M.Minter to CAR 44 for 29 yards (30-C.Schlesinger).
- Carolina Panthers (Q1 3:53) — (3:53) 17-J.Delhomme pass intended for 81-R.Proehl INTERCEPTED by 42-T.Holt at DET 24. 42-T.Holt to DET 24 for no gain (87-M.Muhammad).
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 9:58) — (9:58) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith pushed ob at DET 18 for 44 yards (42-T.Holt).
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 2:55) — (2:55) 32-R.Smart left end to CAR 36 for 2 yards (93-K.Pritchett).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 4:03) — (4:03) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster to DET 38 for 2 yards (32-D.Bly). FUMBLES (32-D.Bly), RECOVERED by DET-97-B.Bailey at DET 38. 97-B.Bailey for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and U
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 12:22) — (12:22) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 51 yards to DET 11, Center-56-J.Kyle. 10-R.Swinton for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 4:14) — (4:14) 8-M.McMahon pass intended for 81-A.Hakim INTERCEPTED by 30-M.Minter at CAR 15. 30-M.Minter to CAR 44 for 29 yards (30-C.Schlesinger).
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 9:58) — (9:58) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith pushed ob at DET 18 for 44 yards (42-T.Holt).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 10:37 · DET 20 · Score 0-6
(10:37) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 10:30 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 8:10 · DET 10 · Score 0-13
(8:10) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 8:03 · DET 2 · Score 0-14
4-J.Kasay extra point is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 2:00 · DET 24 · Score 0-17
(2:00) 4-J.Kasay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 7:58 · DET 26 · Score 0-20
(7:58) 4-J.Kasay 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-56-J.Kyle, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 12:22 · DET 62 · Score 6-20
(12:22) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 51 yards to DET 11, Center-56-J.Kyle. 10-R.Swinton for 89 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 12:02 · CAR 2 · Score 7-20
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:03 · DET 40 · Score 13-20
(4:03) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 20-D.Foster to DET 38 for 2 yards (32-D.Bly). FUMBLES (32-D.Bly), RECOVERED by DET-97-B.Bailey at DET 38. 97-B.Bailey for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by CAR and U - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 3:44 · CAR 2 · Score 14-20
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-57-J.Littleton, Holder-2-N.Harris.
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.
- Shi Smith (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers on 2003-12-21?
The Carolina Panthers beat the Detroit Lions 20-14 in Week 16, 2003.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers?
Q1: Detroit Lions 0, Carolina Panthers 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 0, Carolina Panthers 10; Q3: Detroit Lions 0, Carolina Panthers 3; Q4: Detroit Lions 14, Carolina Panthers 0; Final: Detroit Lions 14, Carolina Panthers 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — S. Smith (J. Delhomme pass) (Q1 10:37) Carolina Panthers touchdown — D. Foster (J. Delhomme pass) (Q2 8:10) Detroit Lions touchdown — R. Swinton (Q4 12:22) Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Foster (J. Delhomme pass) (Q4 4:03) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q2 2:00, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — J. Kasay (Q3 7:58, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers?
J. Delhomme (Carolina Panthers), 78.4% completion, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -2.08 total passing EPA. M. McMahon (Detroit Lions), 28.6% completion, -0.36 EPA per dropback, -5.07 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers?
Shi Smith (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.22 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps. Their top snap (+3.81 EPA): (9:58) 17-J.Delhomme pass to 89-S.Smith pushed ob at DET 18 for 44 yards (42-T.Holt)..
Was Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Carolina Panthers won 20-14 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 4-10 Now 4-11 L
Carolina Panthers
Entered 9-5 Now 10-5 W
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