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NFL · Week 3 · September 27, 2015 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: 2015 Week 3 Recap

Panthers defeat Saints 27–22 in Week 3

C.Newton led Fantasy Impact as Panthers prevailed in a 22–27 Week 3 finish.

New Orleans Saints 22 0–3
Final 22–27
Carolina Panthers 27 3–0 Winner
Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
22–27
Halftime
Tied 10–10 at halftime
Top passer
L. McCown
FantasyHQ MVP
C.Newton
Game date
September 27, 2015

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • L.McCown 31/45 · 310 YDS +8.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Willie Snead
    Willie Snead 5 REC · 44 YDS +3.3 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Spiller 2 REC · 22 YDS +2.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • C.Newton 20/36 · 321 YDS · 3 TD +14.1 Fantasy Impact
  • G.Olsen 8 REC · 134 YDS · 2 TD +9.0 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Ginn 4 REC · 93 YDS +5.1 Fantasy Impact
View Saints vs Panthers box score View all 2015 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
Carolina Panthers 27–22 New Orleans Saints
Halftime
Tied 10–10 at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
C. Newton
Top passer
L. McCown
Biggest EPA play
(12:52) 8-B.Nortman punts 55 yards to NO 26, Center-44-J.Jansen. 23-M.Murphy for 74 yards,…
Game date
2015-09-27

Game summary

The Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 27–22 on 2015-09-27. C. Newton posted a game-high +14.06 total EPA in the passing.

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

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
New Orleans Saints3766022
Carolina Panthers010107027

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints
CARCarolina Panthers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 9:03FG
    ZHZ. Hocker

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 13
    Score
    3-0

    (9:03) 2-Z.Hocker 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.

  2. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 11:50TD
    Melvin Ingram

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 5
    Score
    9-0

    (11:50) 22-M.Ingram right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 11:44XP
    ZHZ. Hocker

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 15
    Score
    10-0

    2-Z.Hocker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.

  4. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q2 5:20TD
    GOG. Olsen

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 11
    Score
    10-6

    (5:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  5. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q2 5:14XP
    Graham Gano

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    10-7

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

  6. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q2 0:04FG
    Graham Gano

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    10-10

    (:04) 9-G.Gano 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 12:52TD
    Myles Murphy

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 81
    Score
    16-10

    (12:52) 8-B.Nortman punts 55 yards to NO 26, Center-44-J.Jansen. 23-M.Murphy for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  8. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 8:48TD
    GOG. Olsen

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 11
    Score
    16-16

    (8:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 88-G.Olsen for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 8:43XP
    Graham Gano

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    16-17

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

  10. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 1:36FG
    Graham Gano

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 29
    Score
    16-20

    (1:36) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.

  11. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 9:39TD
    CNC. Newton

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 13
    Score
    16-26

    (9:39) 1-C.Newton left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 9:32XP
    Graham Gano

    Points+1

    Yard line
    NO 15
    Score
    16-27

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

  13. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 4:55TD
    Keilan Robinson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    22-27

    (4:55) 29-K.Robinson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +14.06 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
  2. 2G. Olsen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +9.02 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
  3. 3L. McCown · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +8.80 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
  4. 4T. Ginn · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +5.08 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
  5. 5Willie SneadWillie Snead · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.27 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
  6. 6C. Newton · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +3.05 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
  7. 7C. Spiller · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.63 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
  8. 8Austin JohnsonAustin Johnson · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.81 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.90 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

C. Newton — CAR · Passing

C. Newton posted the highest total EPA (+14.06) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.39 EPA per play.

C. Newton's top snap (+3.91 EPA): (10:57) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 19-T.Ginn to NO 25 for 55 yards (39-B.Browner).

Biggest single play (-4.98 EPA): B. Nortman — (12:52) 8-B.Nortman punts 55 yards to NO 26, Center-44-J.Jansen. 23-M.Murphy for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

  • L. McCown (New Orleans Saints) · 45 dropbacks · 68.9% completion · +14.6% CPOE · +0.20 EPA/play · +8.80 total EPA
  • C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 36 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +5.4% CPOE · +0.39 EPA/play · +14.06 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsCarolina Panthers
Offensive EPA/play+0.093+0.136
Offensive success rate45.3%42.7%
Pass EPA/play+0.196+0.391
Rush EPA/play+0.025+0.090
Defensive EPA/play-0.136-0.093
Defensive success rate57.3%54.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints +0.09, Carolina Panthers +0.14) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: +0.09 EPA/play (77th percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: +0.14 EPA/play (85th percentile vs. 2015 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: 9 drives, +11.13 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +8.04 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Melvin IngramNew Orleans Saints — Melvin Ingram (Q2 11:50)
  • Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q2 5:20)
  • Myles MurphyNew Orleans Saints — Myles Murphy (Q3 12:52)
  • Carolina Panthers — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q3 8:48)
  • Carolina Panthers — C. Newton (Q4 9:39)
  • Keilan RobinsonNew Orleans Saints — Keilan Robinson (Q4 4:55)

Field goals

  • New Orleans Saints — Z. Hocker (Q1 9:03)
  • Graham GanoCarolina Panthers — Graham Gano (Q2 0:04)
  • Graham GanoCarolina Panthers — Graham Gano (Q3 1:36)
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 13 (Q1 9:03) — (9:03) 2-Z.Hocker 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 5 (Q2 11:50) — (11:50) 22-M.Ingram right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 11:44) — 2-Z.Hocker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 11 (Q2 5:20) — (5:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 5:14) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 2 (Q2 0:04) — (:04) 9-G.Gano 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–6. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the NO 81 (Q3 12:52) — (12:52) 8-B.Nortman punts 55 yards to NO 26, Center-44-J.Jansen. 23-M.Murphy for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 11 (Q3 8:48) — (8:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 88-G.Olsen for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 8:43) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 29 (Q3 1:36) — (1:36) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–6. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 13 (Q4 9:39) — (9:39) 1-C.Newton left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q4 9:32) — 9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q4 4:55) — (4:55) 29-K.Robinson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:17) — (1:17) (Shotgun) 7-L.McCown pass deep right intended for 10-B.Cooks INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Norman at CAR -5. Touchback. [WPA -36.6% · EPA -2.85]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 12:52) — (12:52) 8-B.Nortman punts 55 yards to NO 26, Center-44-J.Jansen. 23-M.Murphy for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.8% · EPA -4.98]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 7-L.McCown pass short left to 22-M.Ingram to CAR 22 for 23 yards (20-K.Coleman; 97-M.Addison). [WPA -17.1% · EPA -0.52]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 10:57) — (10:57) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 19-T.Ginn to NO 25 for 55 yards (39-B.Browner). [WPA +14.3% · EPA +3.91]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 7-L.McCown pass short middle to 82-B.Watson to CAR 47 for 8 yards (58-T.Davis). FUMBLES (58-T.Davis), RECOVERED by CAR-41-R.Harper at CAR 41. 41-R.Harper to CAR 42 for 1 yard (83-W.Sn [WPA -13.4% · EPA -3.93]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 12:52) — (12:52) 8-B.Nortman punts 55 yards to NO 26, Center-44-J.Jansen. 23-M.Murphy for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -17.8% · EPA -4.98]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 4:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 7-L.McCown pass short middle to 82-B.Watson to CAR 47 for 8 yards (58-T.Davis). FUMBLES (58-T.Davis), RECOVERED by CAR-41-R.Harper at CAR 41. 41-R.Harper to CAR 42 for 1 yard (83-W.Sn [WPA -13.4% · EPA -3.93]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q3 10:57) — (10:57) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 19-T.Ginn to NO 25 for 55 yards (39-B.Browner). [WPA +14.3% · EPA +3.91]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) (Shotgun) 7-L.McCown pass short left to 28-C.Spiller pushed ob at CAR 2 for 19 yards (20-K.Coleman). [WPA +3.9% · EPA +2.96]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 9:03 · CAR 13 · Score 3-0
    (9:03) 2-Z.Hocker 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
  2. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 11:50 · CAR 5 · Score 9-0
    (11:50) 22-M.Ingram right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 11:44 · CAR 15 · Score 10-0
    2-Z.Hocker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Drescher, Holder-7-L.McCown.
  4. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 5:20 · NO 11 · Score 10-6
    (5:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  5. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 5:14 · NO 15 · Score 10-7
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  6. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 0:04 · NO 2 · Score 10-10
    (:04) 9-G.Gano 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  7. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 12:52 · NO 81 · Score 16-10
    (12:52) 8-B.Nortman punts 55 yards to NO 26, Center-44-J.Jansen. 23-M.Murphy for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  8. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 8:48 · NO 11 · Score 16-16
    (8:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short middle to 88-G.Olsen for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 8:43 · NO 15 · Score 16-17
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  10. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 1:36 · NO 29 · Score 16-20
    (1:36) 9-G.Gano 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 9:39 · NO 13 · Score 16-26
    (9:39) 1-C.Newton left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 9:32 · NO 15 · Score 16-27
    9-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-8-B.Nortman.
  13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 4:55 · CAR 2 · Score 22-27
    (4:55) 29-K.Robinson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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.
  • C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • L. McCown (NO) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers on 2015-09-27?

The Carolina Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 27-22 in Week 3, 2015.

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

Q1: New Orleans Saints 3, Carolina Panthers 0; Q2: New Orleans Saints 7, Carolina Panthers 10; Q3: New Orleans Saints 6, Carolina Panthers 10; Q4: New Orleans Saints 6, Carolina Panthers 7; Final: New Orleans Saints 22, Carolina Panthers 27.

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

New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Ingram (Q2 11:50) Carolina Panthers touchdown — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q2 5:20) New Orleans Saints touchdown — M. Murphy (Q3 12:52) Carolina Panthers touchdown — G. Olsen (C. Newton pass) (Q3 8:48) Carolina Panthers touchdown — C. Newton (Q4 9:39) New Orleans Saints touchdown — K. Robinson (Q4 4:55) New Orleans Saints field goal — Z. Hocker (Q1 9:03, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q2 0:04, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — G. Gano (Q3 1:36, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

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

L. McCown (New Orleans Saints), 68.9% completion, +14.6% CPOE, +0.20 EPA per dropback, +8.80 total passing EPA. C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 55.6% completion, +5.4% CPOE, +0.39 EPA per dropback, +14.06 total passing EPA.

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

C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.06 total EPA on Passing plays. across 36 snaps. Their top snap (+3.91 EPA): (10:57) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass deep left to 19-T.Ginn to NO 25 for 55 yards (39-B.Browner)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 5 points. Carolina Panthers won 27-22 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 0-2 Now 0-3 L

Carolina Panthers

Entered 2-0 Now 3-0 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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