Panthers 13–20 Falcons: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2015

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons?

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +20.22 total EPA on Passing plays. across 33 snaps. Their top snap (+6.70 EPA): (2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman]..

Quick answer

Winner: Atlanta Falcons
Final score: Atlanta Falcons 20–13 Carolina Panthers
Halftime: Tied 7–7 at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Matt Ryan
Top passer: C. Newton
Biggest EPA play: (2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillm…
Game date: 2015-12-27

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers 20–13 on 2015-12-27. Matt Ryan posted a game-high +20.22 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Carolina Panthers	7	0	3	3	0	13
Atlanta Falcons	0	7	7	6	0	20

Scoring Map

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

CARCarolina Panthers

ATL 8

+1ATL 15

CAR 4

+3ATL 15

CAR 70

+3ATL 29

+3CAR 36

ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 9:23TD
CNC. Newton
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 8
Score
6-0
(9:23) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 9:18XP
Graham Gano
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
7-0
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 15:00TD
DFD. Freeman
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 4
Score
7-6
(15:00) 24-D.Freeman left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 14:55XP
SGS. Graham
Points+1
Yard line
CAR 15
Score
7-7
6-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q3 5:29FG
Graham Gano
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
10-7
(5:29) 9-G.Gano 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q3 2:25TD
Justin Jones
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 70
Score
10-13
(2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman].
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q3 2:12XP
SGS. Graham
Points+1
Yard line
CAR 15
Score
10-14
6-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 8:04FG
Graham Gano
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 29
Score
13-14
(8:04) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 2:28FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 19
Score
13-17
(2:28) 6-S.Graham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 1:35FG
SGS. Graham
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 36
Score
13-20
(1:35) 6-S.Graham 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Matt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +20.22 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
2Justin Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +13.76 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
3Ricky White III · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.19 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
4C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.53 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
5J. Tamme · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.33 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
6D. Freeman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.27 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
7C. Artis-Payne · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
8F. Whittaker · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.89 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.38 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

Matt Ryan — ATL · Passing

Matt Ryan posted the highest total EPA (+20.22) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Atlanta Falcons. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.61 EPA per play.

Matt Ryan's top snap (+6.70 EPA): (2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman].

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) · 34 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -10.2% CPOE · -0.32 EPA/play · -11.01 total EPA
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 33 dropbacks · 69.7% completion · +8.9% CPOE · +0.61 EPA/play · +20.22 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Carolina Panthers	Atlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play	-0.042	+0.033
Offensive success rate	48.5%	40.8%
Pass EPA/play	-0.324	+0.613
Rush EPA/play	+0.453	-0.449
Defensive EPA/play	-0.033	+0.042
Defensive success rate	59.2%	51.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Carolina Panthers: -0.04 EPA/play (43rd percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
Atlanta Falcons: +0.03 EPA/play (65th percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)

Atlanta Falcons: 9 drives, +2.51 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Carolina Panthers: 8 drives, -2.76 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Carolina Panthers — C. Newton (Q1 9:23)
Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q2 15:00)
Atlanta Falcons — Justin Jones (Matt Ryan pass) (Q3 2:25)

Field goals

Carolina Panthers — Graham Gano (Q3 5:29)
Carolina Panthers — Graham Gano (Q4 8:04)
Atlanta Falcons — S. Graham (Q4 2:28)
Atlanta Falcons — S. Graham (Q4 1:35)

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 ATL 8 (Q1 9:23) — (9:23) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 9:18) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) 24-D.Freeman left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 14:55) — 6-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 15 (Q3 5:29) — (5:29) 9-G.Gano 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CAR 70 (Q3 2:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman].; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 2:12) — 6-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the ATL 29 (Q4 8:04) — (8:04) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CAR 19 (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) 6-S.Graham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CAR 36 (Q4 1:35) — (1:35) 6-S.Graham 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Atlanta Falcons (Q3 2:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman]. [WPA +33.6% · EPA +6.70]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 9:36) — (9:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan FUMBLES (Aborted) at CAR 42, RECOVERED by CAR-24-J.Norman at ATL 48. 24-J.Norman to ATL 36 for 12 yards (67-A.Levitre). [WPA -20.1% · EPA -6.18]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass incomplete short left to 88-G.Olsen. [WPA -13.2% · EPA -2.66]
Atlanta Falcons (Q2 9:36) — (9:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones to ATL 47 for 17 yards (59-L.Kuechly). PENALTY on CAR-59-L.Kuechly, Horse Collar Tackle, 15 yards, enforced at ATL 47. [WPA +12.4% · EPA +3.52]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 2:40) — (2:40) 1-C.Newton sacked at ATL 37 for -16 yards (sack split by 95-J.Babineaux and 71-K.Biermann). [WPA -9.6% · EPA -2.42]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Atlanta Falcons (Q3 2:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman]. [WPA +33.6% · EPA +6.70]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 9:36) — (9:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan FUMBLES (Aborted) at CAR 42, RECOVERED by CAR-24-J.Norman at ATL 48. 24-J.Norman to ATL 36 for 12 yards (67-A.Levitre). [WPA -20.1% · EPA -6.18]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:08) — (1:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton sacked at CAR 29 for -10 yards (44-V.Beasley). FUMBLES (44-V.Beasley), RECOVERED by ATL-99-A.Clayborn at CAR 26. 99-A.Clayborn to CAR 26 for no gain (1-C.Newton) [WPA -7.3% · EPA -3.85]
Atlanta Falcons (Q2 9:36) — (9:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones to ATL 47 for 17 yards (59-L.Kuechly). PENALTY on CAR-59-L.Kuechly, Horse Collar Tackle, 15 yards, enforced at ATL 47. [WPA +12.4% · EPA +3.52]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 9:23 · ATL 8 · Score 6-0
(9:23) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton left guard for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 9:18 · ATL 15 · Score 7-0
9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 15:00 · CAR 4 · Score 7-6
(15:00) 24-D.Freeman left end for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 14:55 · CAR 15 · Score 7-7
6-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 5:29 · ATL 15 · Score 10-7
(5:29) 9-G.Gano 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 2:25 · CAR 70 · Score 10-13
(2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman].
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 2:12 · CAR 15 · Score 10-14
6-S.Graham extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 8:04 · ATL 29 · Score 13-14
(8:04) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 2:28 · CAR 19 · Score 13-17
(2:28) 6-S.Graham 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 1:35 · CAR 36 · Score 13-20
(1:35) 6-S.Graham 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

Key takeaways

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

Atlanta Falcons earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
C. Newton (CAR) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on 2015-12-27?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers 20-13 in Week 16, 2015.

What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons?

Q1: Carolina Panthers 7, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q2: Carolina Panthers 0, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q3: Carolina Panthers 3, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q4: Carolina Panthers 3, Atlanta Falcons 6; Final: Carolina Panthers 13, Atlanta Falcons 20.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons?

Carolina Panthers touchdown — C. Newton (Q1 9:23) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — D. Freeman (Q2 15:00) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 2:25) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q3 5:29, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q4 8:04, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — S. Graham (Q4 2:28, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — S. Graham (Q4 1:35, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons?

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 50.0% completion, -10.2% CPOE, -0.32 EPA per dropback, -11.01 total passing EPA. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 69.7% completion, +8.9% CPOE, +0.61 EPA per dropback, +20.22 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +20.22 total EPA on Passing plays. across 33 snaps. Their top snap (+6.70 EPA): (2:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN [31-C.Tillman]..

Was Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Atlanta Falcons won 20-13 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Carolina Panthers

Entered 14-0 Now 14-1 L

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 7-7 Now 8-7 W

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2015 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

Quick answer

Game summary