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NFL · Week 2 · September 18, 2023 · 12 min read

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: 2023 Week 2 Recap

Saints defeat Panthers 20–17 in Week 2

Trysten Hill led Fantasy Impact as Saints prevailed in a 20–17 Week 2 finish.

New Orleans Saints 20 2–0 Winner
Final 20–17
Carolina Panthers 17 0–2
Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
20–17
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 9–3 Carolina Panthers
Top passer
Derek Carr
FantasyHQ MVP
Trysten Hill
Game date
September 18, 2023

Top fantasy performers · Saints

  • Trysten Hill
    Trysten Hill 9 CAR · 75 YDS +4.6 Fantasy Impact
  • Rashid Shaheed
    Rashid Shaheed 4 REC · 63 YDS +3.9 Fantasy Impact
  • Michael Thomas
    Michael Thomas 7 REC · 55 YDS +2.7 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • Adam Thielen
    Adam Thielen 7 REC · 54 YDS · 1 TD +3.2 Fantasy Impact
  • Chris Hubbard
    Chris Hubbard 2 CAR · 16 YDS +2.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Hayden Hurst
    Hayden Hurst 3 REC · 20 YDS +1.1 Fantasy Impact
View Saints vs Panthers box score View all 2023 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
New Orleans Saints
Final score
New Orleans Saints 20–17 Carolina Panthers
Halftime
New Orleans Saints 9–3 Carolina Panthers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Trysten Hill
Top passer
Derek Carr
Biggest EPA play
(1:52) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young sacked at NO 23 for -5 yards (96-C.Granderson). FUMBLES (96-C.G…
Game date
2023-09-18

Game summary

The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 20–17 on 2023-09-18. Trysten Hill posted a game-high +4.56 total EPA in the rushing.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
New Orleans Saints6377020
Carolina Panthers30317017

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

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q1 7:10FG
    Eddy Pineiro

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 34
    Score
    0-3

    (7:10) 4-E.Pineiro 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.

  2. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 0:39FG
    Blake Grupe

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 10
    Score
    3-3

    (:39) 19-B.Grupe 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.

  3. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q1 0:36FG
    Blake Grupe

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 35
    Score
    3-3

    19-B.Grupe kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback.

  4. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q2 9:55FG
    Blake Grupe

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 5
    Score
    6-3

    (9:55) 19-B.Grupe 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.

  5. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 9:15FG
    Eddy Pineiro

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 36
    Score
    6-6

    (9:15) 4-E.Pineiro 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.

  6. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 3:03TD
    Truman Jones

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    12-6

    (3:03) 34-T.Jones right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q3 2:56XP
    Blake Grupe

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 15
    Score
    13-6

    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.

  8. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 5:34FG
    Eddy Pineiro

    Points+3

    Yard line
    NO 18
    Score
    13-9

    (5:34) 4-E.Pineiro 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.

  9. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 3:18TD
    Truman Jones

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 2
    Score
    19-9

    (3:18) 34-T.Jones up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  10. NONew Orleans Saints
    Q4 3:14XP
    Blake Grupe

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 15
    Score
    20-9

    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.

  11. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 1:21TD
    Adam Thielen

    Points+6

    Yard line
    NO 3
    Score
    20-15

    (1:21) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 1:16TD
    Adam Thielen

    Points+8

    Yard line
    NO 2
    Score
    20-17

    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-B.Young pass to 19-A.Thielen is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Trysten HillTrysten Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +4.56 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
  2. 2Rashid ShaheedRashid Shaheed · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
  3. 3Adam ThielenAdam Thielen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +3.23 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
  4. 4Michael ThomasMichael Thomas · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
  5. 5Chris OlaveChris Olave · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
  6. 6Chris HubbardChris Hubbard · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +2.06 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
  7. 7Foster MoreauFoster Moreau · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.76 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
  8. 8Hayden HurstHayden Hurst · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.07 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Trysten Hill

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Trysten Hill — NO · Rushing

Trysten Hill posted the highest total EPA (+4.56) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +0.51 EPA per play.

Trysten Hill's top snap (+0.58 EPA): (13:00) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill up the middle to CAR 36 for 9 yards (54-K.Grugier-Hill).

Biggest single play (-4.77 EPA): Byron Young — (1:52) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young sacked at NO 23 for -5 yards (96-C.Granderson). FUMBLES (96-C.Granderson) [96-C.Granderson], touched at NO 21, RECOVERED by NO-29-P.Adebo at NO 41.

Quarterback report card

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

  • Derek CarrDerek Carr (New Orleans Saints) · 42 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -2.0% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.11 total EPA
  • Byron YoungByron Young (Carolina Panthers) · 42 dropbacks · 52.4% completion · +3.4% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -5.09 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatNew Orleans SaintsCarolina Panthers
Offensive EPA/play+0.010-0.051
Offensive success rate46.2%44.7%
Pass EPA/play+0.016-0.121
Rush EPA/play+0.105-0.069
Defensive EPA/play+0.051-0.010
Defensive success rate55.3%53.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, New Orleans Saints generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • New Orleans Saints: +0.01 EPA/play (57th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: -0.05 EPA/play (45th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: 11 drives, -3.89 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
  • New Orleans Saints: 11 drives, +0.96 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Truman JonesNew Orleans Saints — Truman Jones (Q3 3:03)
  • Truman JonesNew Orleans Saints — Truman Jones (Q4 3:18)
  • Adam ThielenCarolina Panthers — Adam Thielen (Byron Young pass) (Q4 1:21)

Field goals

  • Eddy PineiroCarolina Panthers — Eddy Pineiro (Q1 7:10)
  • Blake GrupeNew Orleans Saints — Blake Grupe (Q1 0:39)
  • Blake GrupeNew Orleans Saints — Blake Grupe (Q1 0:36)
  • Blake GrupeNew Orleans Saints — Blake Grupe (Q2 9:55)
  • Eddy PineiroCarolina Panthers — Eddy Pineiro (Q3 9:15)
  • Eddy PineiroCarolina Panthers — Eddy Pineiro (Q4 5:34)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 6–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 34 (Q1 7:10) — (7:10) 4-E.Pineiro 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 10 (Q1 0:39) — (:39) 19-B.Grupe 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q1 0:36) — 19-B.Grupe kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback..

The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 3–0. New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 5 (Q2 9:55) — (9:55) 19-B.Grupe 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley..

The third quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 36 (Q3 9:15) — (9:15) 4-E.Pineiro 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q3 3:03) — (3:03) 34-T.Jones right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 2:56) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 17–7. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 18 (Q4 5:34) — (5:34) 4-E.Pineiro 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 2 (Q4 3:18) — (3:18) 34-T.Jones up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 3:14) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 3 (Q4 1:21) — (1:21) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 2 (Q4 1:16) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-B.Young pass to 19-A.Thielen is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 1:52) — (1:52) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young sacked at NO 23 for -5 yards (96-C.Granderson). FUMBLES (96-C.Granderson) [96-C.Granderson], touched at NO 21, RECOVERED by NO-29-P.Adebo at NO 41. [WPA -16.6% · EPA -4.77]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 7:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep left to 12-C.Olave to CAR 30 for 42 yards (23-C.Henderson). [WPA +15.7% · EPA +4.13]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 3:16) — (3:16) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right intended for 12-C.Olave INTERCEPTED by 24-V.Bell at NO 48. 24-V.Bell to NO 37 for 11 yards (34-T.Jones). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -3.22]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:52) — (4:52) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 22-R.Shaheed to CAR 35 for 45 yards (26-D.Jackson). [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.31]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 6:20) — (6:20) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young sacked at NO 18 for -5 yards (56-D.Davis). [WPA -12.1% · EPA -1.48]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 1:52) — (1:52) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young sacked at NO 23 for -5 yards (96-C.Granderson). FUMBLES (96-C.Granderson) [96-C.Granderson], touched at NO 21, RECOVERED by NO-29-P.Adebo at NO 41. [WPA -16.6% · EPA -4.77]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q3 7:22) — (7:22) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep left to 12-C.Olave to CAR 30 for 42 yards (23-C.Henderson). [WPA +15.7% · EPA +4.13]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q4 4:52) — (4:52) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right to 22-R.Shaheed to CAR 35 for 45 yards (26-D.Jackson). [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.31]
  • New Orleans Saints (Q2 3:16) — (3:16) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass deep right intended for 12-C.Olave INTERCEPTED by 24-V.Bell at NO 48. 24-V.Bell to NO 37 for 11 yards (34-T.Jones). [WPA -14.3% · EPA -3.22]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 7:10 · NO 34 · Score 0-3
    (7:10) 4-E.Pineiro 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
  2. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 0:39 · CAR 10 · Score 3-3
    (:39) 19-B.Grupe 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
  3. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q1 0:36 · NO 35 · Score 3-3
    19-B.Grupe kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback.
  4. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q2 9:55 · CAR 5 · Score 6-3
    (9:55) 19-B.Grupe 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
  5. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q3 9:15 · NO 36 · Score 6-6
    (9:15) 4-E.Pineiro 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
  6. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q3 3:03 · CAR 2 · Score 12-6
    (3:03) 34-T.Jones right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q3 2:56 · CAR 15 · Score 13-6
    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
  8. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 5:34 · NO 18 · Score 13-9
    (5:34) 4-E.Pineiro 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
  9. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 3:18 · CAR 2 · Score 19-9
    (3:18) 34-T.Jones up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  10. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 3:14 · CAR 15 · Score 20-9
    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-39-L.Hedley.
  11. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 1:21 · NO 3 · Score 20-15
    (1:21) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 19-A.Thielen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Carolina Panthers TD (+8) — Q4 1:16 · NO 2 · Score 20-17
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 9-B.Young pass to 19-A.Thielen is complete. 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.
  • Trysten Hill (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Byron Young (CAR) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers on 2023-09-18?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 20-17 in Week 2, 2023.

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

Q1: New Orleans Saints 6, Carolina Panthers 3; Q2: New Orleans Saints 3, Carolina Panthers 0; Q3: New Orleans Saints 7, Carolina Panthers 3; Q4: New Orleans Saints 7, Carolina Panthers 17; Final: New Orleans Saints 20, Carolina Panthers 17.

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

New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Jones (Q3 3:03) New Orleans Saints touchdown — T. Jones (Q4 3:18) Carolina Panthers touchdown — A. Thielen (B. Young pass) (Q4 1:21) Carolina Panthers field goal — E. Pineiro (Q1 7:10, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — B. Grupe (Q1 0:39, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — B. Grupe (Q1 0:36, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — B. Grupe (Q2 9:55, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — E. Pineiro (Q3 9:15, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — E. Pineiro (Q4 5:34, 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?

Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints), 50.0% completion, -2.0% CPOE, +0.00 EPA per dropback, +0.11 total passing EPA. Byron Young (Carolina Panthers), 52.4% completion, +3.4% CPOE, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -5.09 total passing EPA.

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

Trysten Hill (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.56 total EPA on Rushing plays. across 9 snaps. Their top snap (+0.58 EPA): (13:00) (Shotgun) 7-T.Hill up the middle to CAR 36 for 9 yards (54-K.Grugier-Hill)..

Was New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. New Orleans Saints won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

New Orleans Saints

Entered 1-0 Now 2-0 W

Carolina Panthers

Entered 0-1 Now 0-2 L

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