Saints 12–9 Panthers: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 15, 2018

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

C. McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.55 total EPA on Passing plays. across 1 snaps. Their top snap (+6.55 EPA): (4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Quick answer

Winner: New Orleans Saints
Final score: New Orleans Saints 12–9 Carolina Panthers
Halftime: New Orleans Saints 6–7 Carolina Panthers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Christian McCaffrey
Top passer: D. Brees
Biggest EPA play: (4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhert…
Game date: 2018-12-17

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 12–9 on 2018-12-17, overcoming Carolina Panthers's 7–6 halftime lead. Christian McCaffrey posted a game-high +6.55 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q4	—	—	T
New Orleans Saints	3	3	6	0	0	12
Carolina Panthers	7	0	2	0	0	9

Scoring Map

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

NONew Orleans Saints

NO 50

+1NO 15

+3CAR 28

+3CAR 6

CAR 16

+2CAR 2

CARCarolina Panthers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

6 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 4:12TD
Chris Manhertz
Points+6
Yard line
NO 50
Score
0-6
(4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 4:02XP
CCC. Catanzaro
Points+1
Yard line
NO 15
Score
0-7
4-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q1 2:20FG
Wil Lutz
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 28
Score
3-7
(2:20) 3-W.Lutz 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 10:00FG
Wil Lutz
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 6
Score
6-7
(10:00) 3-W.Lutz 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 12:18TD
Alvin Kamara
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 16
Score
12-7
(12:18) 41-A.Kamara right tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 12:12Safety
DBD. Brees
Points+2
Yard line
CAR 2
Score
12-9
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Brees pass to 13-M.Thomas is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. DEFENSIVE TWO-POINT ATTEMPT. 26-D.Jackson intercepted the try attempt. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Christian McCaffrey · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +6.55 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.55 EPA/play
2Keith Kirkwood · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +5.27 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.63 EPA/play
3Chris Manhertz · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.88 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.44 EPA/play
4Alvin Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +2.82 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
5Curtis Samuel · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.38 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
6Trysten Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.88 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.88 EPA/play
7Blake Watson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +0.90 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
8Jacardia Wright · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +0.89 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.22 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

Christian McCaffrey — CAR · Passing

Christian McCaffrey posted the highest total EPA (+6.55) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 1 counted snaps, they averaged +6.55 EPA per play.

Christian McCaffrey's top snap (+6.55 EPA): (4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints) · 42 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · -1.4% CPOE · -0.18 EPA/play · -7.45 total EPA
C. Newton (Carolina Panthers) · 34 dropbacks · 47.1% completion · -14.5% CPOE · -0.38 EPA/play · -12.89 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	New Orleans Saints	Carolina Panthers
Offensive EPA/play	-0.053	-0.167
Offensive success rate	44.8%	32.9%
Pass EPA/play	-0.177	-0.181
Rush EPA/play	-0.048	-0.152
Defensive EPA/play	+0.167	+0.053
Defensive success rate	67.1%	55.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.05 vs -0.17), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

New Orleans Saints: -0.05 EPA/play (39th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
Carolina Panthers: -0.17 EPA/play (15th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)

Carolina Panthers: 10 drives, -11.70 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, -4.63 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Carolina Panthers — Chris Manhertz (Christian McCaffrey pass) (Q1 4:12)
New Orleans Saints — Alvin Kamara (Q4 12:18)

Field goals

New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz (Q1 2:20)
New Orleans Saints — Wil Lutz (Q2 10:00)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 50 (Q1 4:12) — (4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 4:02) — 4-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 28 (Q1 2:20) — (2:20) 3-W.Lutz 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 6 (Q2 10:00) — (10:00) 3-W.Lutz 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–2. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 16 (Q4 12:18) — (12:18) 41-A.Kamara right tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers registered a safety from the CAR 2 (Q4 12:12).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

New Orleans Saints (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 85-D.Arnold INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Bradberry (58-T.Davis) at CAR 29. 24-J.Bradberry to NO 42 for 29 yards (10-T.Smith). [WPA -19.9% · EPA -4.29]
Carolina Panthers (Q1 4:12) — (4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +6.55]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 0:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right intended for 17-D.Funchess INTERCEPTED by 25-E.Apple at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -3.53]
New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) 11-T.Lewis right end to CAR 1 for 4 yards (24-J.Bradberry). FUMBLES (24-J.Bradberry), ball out of bounds in End Zone, Touchback. Penalty on NO-13-M.Thomas, Offensive Holding, declined. The Repl [WPA -18.6% · EPA -4.25]
New Orleans Saints (Q4 12:12) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Brees pass to 13-M.Thomas is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. DEFENSIVE TWO-POINT ATTEMPT. 26-D.Jackson intercepted the try attempt. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. [WPA -14.3% · EPA -2.95]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Carolina Panthers (Q1 4:12) — (4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.1% · EPA +6.55]
New Orleans Saints (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees pass deep left intended for 85-D.Arnold INTERCEPTED by 24-J.Bradberry (58-T.Davis) at CAR 29. 24-J.Bradberry to NO 42 for 29 yards (10-T.Smith). [WPA -19.9% · EPA -4.29]
New Orleans Saints (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) 11-T.Lewis right end to CAR 1 for 4 yards (24-J.Bradberry). FUMBLES (24-J.Bradberry), ball out of bounds in End Zone, Touchback. Penalty on NO-13-M.Thomas, Offensive Holding, declined. The Repl [WPA -18.6% · EPA -4.25]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 0:18) — (:18) (Shotgun) 1-C.Newton pass short right intended for 17-D.Funchess INTERCEPTED by 25-E.Apple at NO 0. Touchback. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -3.53]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 4:12 · NO 50 · Score 0-6
(4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 4:02 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
4-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-5-M.Palardy.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 2:20 · CAR 28 · Score 3-7
(2:20) 3-W.Lutz 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 10:00 · CAR 6 · Score 6-7
(10:00) 3-W.Lutz 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-6-T.Morstead.
New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 12:18 · CAR 16 · Score 12-7
(12:18) 41-A.Kamara right tackle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers Safety (+2) — Q4 12:12 · CAR 2 · Score 12-9
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-D.Brees pass to 13-M.Thomas is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. DEFENSIVE TWO-POINT ATTEMPT. 26-D.Jackson intercepted the try attempt. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

Key takeaways

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

New Orleans Saints earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
C. Newton (CAR) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers on 2018-12-17?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 12-9 in Week 15, 2018.

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

Q1: New Orleans Saints 3, Carolina Panthers 7; Q2: New Orleans Saints 3, Carolina Panthers 0; Q4: New Orleans Saints 6, Carolina Panthers 2; Final: New Orleans Saints 12, Carolina Panthers 9.

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

Carolina Panthers touchdown — C. Manhertz (C. McCaffrey pass) (Q1 4:12) New Orleans Saints touchdown — A. Kamara (Q4 12:18) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q1 2:20, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — W. Lutz (Q2 10:00, 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?

D. Brees (New Orleans Saints), 54.8% completion, -1.4% CPOE, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -7.45 total passing EPA. C. Newton (Carolina Panthers), 47.1% completion, -14.5% CPOE, -0.38 EPA per dropback, -12.89 total passing EPA.

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

Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.55 total EPA on Passing plays. across 1 snaps. Their top snap (+6.55 EPA): (4:12) 74-C.Clark reported in as eligible. 22-C.McCaffrey pass short right to 82-C.Manhertz for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. New Orleans Saints won 12-9 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 11-2 Now 12-2 W

Carolina Panthers

Entered 6-7 Now 6-8 L

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: 2018 Week 15 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Saints

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

Quick answer

Game summary