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NFL · Week 18 · January 3, 2015 · 12 min read

Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers: 2014 Week 18 Recap

Panthers defeat Cardinals 27–16 in Week 18

F.Whittaker led Fantasy Impact as Panthers prevailed in a 16–27 Week 18 finish.

Arizona Cardinals 16 11–6
Final 16–27
Carolina Panthers 27 8–8 Winner
Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
16–27
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 14–13 Carolina Panthers
Top passer
C. Newton
FantasyHQ MVP
F.Whittaker
Game date
January 3, 2015

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

  • M.Floyd 1 REC · 9 YDS +0.8 Fantasy Impact
  • M.Grice 1 CAR · 1 YDS · 1 TD +0.8 Fantasy Impact
  • D.Fells 1 REC · 1 YDS · 1 TD +0.7 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • F.Whittaker 1 REC · 39 YDS · 1 TD +3.4 Fantasy Impact
  • E.Dickson 1 REC · 34 YDS +1.4 Fantasy Impact
  • G.Olsen 3 REC · 37 YDS +0.5 Fantasy Impact
View Cardinals vs Panthers box score View all 2014 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
Carolina Panthers 27–16 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime
Arizona Cardinals 14–13 Carolina Panthers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
F. Whittaker
Top passer
C. Newton
Biggest EPA play
(5:05) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left intended for 82-J.Cotchery INTERCEPTED by 31-A…
Game date
2015-01-03

Game summary

The Carolina Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27–16 on 2015-01-03, overcoming Arizona Cardinals's 14–13 halftime lead. F. Whittaker posted a game-high +3.35 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Arizona Cardinals01402016
Carolina Panthers103140027

Scoring Map

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

ARIArizona Cardinals
CARCarolina Panthers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q1 11:31FG
    Graham Gano

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 29
    Score
    0-3

    (11:31) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  2. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q1 5:29TD
    Josaiah Stewart

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 13
    Score
    0-9

    (5:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q1 5:21XP
    Graham Gano

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    0-10

    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  4. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 15:00TD
    DFD. Fells

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 1
    Score
    6-10

    (15:00) 14-R.Lindley pass short middle to 85-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 14:56XP
    CCC. Catanzaro

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    7-10

    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

  6. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 2:50TD
    MGM. Grice

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 1
    Score
    13-10

    (2:50) 23-M.Grice up the middle to CAR 1 for no gain (99-K.Short). FUMBLES (99-K.Short), RECOVERED by CAR-41-R.Harper at CAR 1. The Replay Official challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 23-M.Grice up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q2 2:50XP
    CCC. Catanzaro

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 1
    Score
    14-10

    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.

  8. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q2 0:19FG
    Graham Gano

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ARI 21
    Score
    14-13

    (:19) 9-G.Gano 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  9. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 5:50TD
    FWF. Whittaker

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 39
    Score
    14-19

    (5:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 43-F.Whittaker for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 5:36XP
    Graham Gano

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    14-20

    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  11. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 4:04TD
    MTM. Tolbert

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ARI 1
    Score
    14-26

    (4:04) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 35-M.Tolbert for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 4:04XP
    Graham Gano

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ARI 2
    Score
    14-27

    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  13. ARIArizona Cardinals
    Q4 0:10Safety
    BNB. Nortman

    Points+2

    Yard line
    ARI 92
    Score
    16-27

    (:10) (Punt formation) 8-B.Nortman right end tackled in End Zone for -8 yards, SAFETY (28-J.Bethel). Penalty on CAR-53-B.Jacobs, Offensive Holding, declined.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1F. Whittaker · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.35 EPA/play
  2. 2E. Dickson · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.35 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
  3. 3M. Floyd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.80 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
  4. 4M. Grice · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +0.77 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
  5. 5D. Fells · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
  6. 6G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.54 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  7. 7J. Cotchery · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +0.42 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
  8. 8J. Carlson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.04 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.01 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

F. Whittaker — CAR · Receiving

F. Whittaker posted the highest total EPA (+3.35) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 1 counted snaps, they averaged +3.35 EPA per play.

F. Whittaker's top snap (+3.35 EPA): (5:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 43-F.Whittaker for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-6.52 EPA): C. Newton — (5:05) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left intended for 82-J.Cotchery INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Cromartie at ARI 33. 31-A.Cromartie pushed ob at CAR 17 for 50 yards (1-C.Newton).

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) · 40 dropbacks · 45.0% completion · -7.3% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -4.91 total EPA
  • R. Lindley (Arizona Cardinals) · 32 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -4.5% CPOE · -0.53 EPA/play · -16.84 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatArizona CardinalsCarolina Panthers
Offensive EPA/play-0.404-0.174
Offensive success rate32.8%40.2%
Pass EPA/play-0.526-0.123
Rush EPA/play-0.219-0.218
Defensive EPA/play+0.174+0.404
Defensive success rate59.8%67.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Carolina Panthers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.17 vs -0.40), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Arizona Cardinals: -0.40 EPA/play (1st percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: -0.17 EPA/play (17th percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Arizona Cardinals: 16 drives, -27.09 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Carolina Panthers: 14 drives, -17.72 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Josaiah StewartCarolina Panthers — Josaiah Stewart (Q1 5:29)
  • Arizona Cardinals — D. Fells (R. Lindley pass) (Q2 15:00)
  • Arizona Cardinals — M. Grice (Q2 2:50)
  • Carolina Panthers — F. Whittaker (C. Newton pass) (Q3 5:50)
  • Carolina Panthers — M. Tolbert (C. Newton pass) (Q3 4:04)

Field goals

  • Graham GanoCarolina Panthers — Graham Gano (Q1 11:31)
  • Graham GanoCarolina Panthers — Graham Gano (Q2 0:19)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–0. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ARI 29 (Q1 11:31) — (11:31) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 13 (Q1 5:29) — (5:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q1 5:21) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) 14-R.Lindley pass short middle to 85-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 2 (Q2 14:56) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q2 2:50); Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CAR 1 (Q2 2:50) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ARI 21 (Q2 0:19) — (:19) 9-G.Gano 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 14–0. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 39 (Q3 5:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 43-F.Whittaker for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 5:36) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q3 4:04) — (4:04) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 35-M.Tolbert for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q3 4:04) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 2–0. Arizona Cardinals registered a safety from the ARI 92 (Q4 0:10).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 5:05) — (5:05) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left intended for 82-J.Cotchery INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Cromartie at ARI 33. 31-A.Cromartie pushed ob at CAR 17 for 50 yards (1-C.Newton). [WPA -22.1% · EPA -6.52]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 5:36) — 9-G.Gano kicks 73 yards from CAR 35 to ARI -8. 19-T.Ginn to ARI 8 for 16 yards (23-M.White). FUMBLES (23-M.White), RECOVERED by CAR-52-K.Reddick at ARI 3. 52-K.Reddick to ARI 3 for no gain (56-G.Carso [WPA -13.6% · EPA -6.48]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 5:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 43-F.Whittaker for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.1% · EPA +3.35]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 11:53) — (11:53) 14-R.Lindley pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 59-L.Kuechly at CAR 4. 59-L.Kuechly to CAR 5 for 1 yard (11-L.Fitzgerald). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -5.23]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 11:57) — (11:57) 1-C.Newton sacked at CAR 20 for -9 yards (94-S.Acho). FUMBLES (94-S.Acho), RECOVERED by ARI-26-R.Johnson at CAR 38. 26-R.Johnson to CAR 8 for 30 yards (74-M.Remmers; 67-R.Kalil). The Replay Of [WPA -9.8% · EPA -6.43]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 5:05) — (5:05) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short left intended for 82-J.Cotchery INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Cromartie at ARI 33. 31-A.Cromartie pushed ob at CAR 17 for 50 yards (1-C.Newton). [WPA -22.1% · EPA -6.52]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q3 5:36) — 9-G.Gano kicks 73 yards from CAR 35 to ARI -8. 19-T.Ginn to ARI 8 for 16 yards (23-M.White). FUMBLES (23-M.White), RECOVERED by CAR-52-K.Reddick at ARI 3. 52-K.Reddick to ARI 3 for no gain (56-G.Carso [WPA -13.6% · EPA -6.48]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 11:57) — (11:57) 1-C.Newton sacked at CAR 20 for -9 yards (94-S.Acho). FUMBLES (94-S.Acho), RECOVERED by ARI-26-R.Johnson at CAR 38. 26-R.Johnson to CAR 8 for 30 yards (74-M.Remmers; 67-R.Kalil). The Replay Of [WPA -9.8% · EPA -6.43]
  • Arizona Cardinals (Q4 11:53) — (11:53) 14-R.Lindley pass short right intended for 11-L.Fitzgerald INTERCEPTED by 59-L.Kuechly at CAR 4. 59-L.Kuechly to CAR 5 for 1 yard (11-L.Fitzgerald). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -5.23]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 11:31 · ARI 29 · Score 0-3
    (11:31) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  2. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 5:29 · ARI 13 · Score 0-9
    (5:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-J.Stewart right tackle for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 5:21 · ARI 2 · Score 0-10
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  4. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 15:00 · CAR 1 · Score 6-10
    (15:00) 14-R.Lindley pass short middle to 85-D.Fells for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 14:56 · CAR 2 · Score 7-10
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
  6. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 2:50 · CAR 1 · Score 13-10
    (2:50) 23-M.Grice up the middle to CAR 1 for no gain (99-K.Short). FUMBLES (99-K.Short), RECOVERED by CAR-41-R.Harper at CAR 1. The Replay Official challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was REVER
  7. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 2:50 · CAR 1 · Score 14-10
    7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-2-D.Butler.
  8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 0:19 · ARI 21 · Score 14-13
    (:19) 9-G.Gano 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  9. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 5:50 · ARI 39 · Score 14-19
    (5:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 43-F.Whittaker for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 5:36 · ARI 2 · Score 14-20
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 4:04 · ARI 1 · Score 14-26
    (4:04) 1-C.Newton pass short left to 35-M.Tolbert for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 4:04 · ARI 2 · Score 14-27
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  13. Arizona Cardinals Safety (+2) — Q4 0:10 · ARI 92 · Score 16-27
    (:10) (Punt formation) 8-B.Nortman right end tackled in End Zone for -8 yards, SAFETY (28-J.Bethel). Penalty on CAR-53-B.Jacobs, Offensive Holding, declined.

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.
  • F. Whittaker (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • C. Newton (CAR) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
  • R. Lindley (ARI) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers on 2015-01-03?

The Carolina Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 in Week 18, 2014.

What was the score by quarter in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

Q1: Arizona Cardinals 0, Carolina Panthers 10; Q2: Arizona Cardinals 14, Carolina Panthers 3; Q3: Arizona Cardinals 0, Carolina Panthers 14; Q4: Arizona Cardinals 2, Carolina Panthers 0; Final: Arizona Cardinals 16, Carolina Panthers 27.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Stewart (Q1 5:29) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — D. Fells (R. Lindley pass) (Q2 15:00) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — M. Grice (Q2 2:50) Carolina Panthers touchdown — F. Whittaker (C. Newton pass) (Q3 5:50) Carolina Panthers touchdown — M. Tolbert (C. Newton pass) (Q3 4:04) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q1 11:31, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q2 0:19, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 45.0% completion, -7.3% CPOE, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -4.91 total passing EPA. R. Lindley (Arizona Cardinals), 50.0% completion, -4.5% CPOE, -0.53 EPA per dropback, -16.84 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers?

F. Whittaker (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +3.35 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 1 snaps. Their top snap (+3.35 EPA): (5:50) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 43-F.Whittaker for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 11-5 Now 11-6 L

Carolina Panthers

Entered 7-8 Now 8-8 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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