Quick answer
- Winner
- New Orleans Saints
- Final score
- New Orleans Saints 20–17 Carolina Panthers
- Halftime
- Carolina Panthers 10–7 New Orleans Saints at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Tyler Shough
- Top passer
- Tyler Shough
- Biggest EPA play
- (11:00) 30-C.Hubbard up the middle to NO 35 for no gain (98-J.Bullard).
- Game date
- 2025-12-14
Game summary
The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 20–17 on 2025-12-14, overcoming Carolina Panthers's 10–7 halftime lead. Tyler Shough posted a game-high +12.09 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Carolina Panthers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
 New Orleans Saints | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 20 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
CARCarolina Panthers
(6:46) 5-R.Dowdle up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(3:38) 66-W.Sherman reported in as eligible. 24-D.Neal right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
(:25) 10-R.Fitzgerald 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(10:00) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(2:00) 39-C.Smyth 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
(2:33) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
(:06) 39-C.Smyth 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger. Penalty on CAR-26-C.Smith-Wade, Defensive Offside, declined.
39-C.Smyth kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback to the CAR 35.
NONew Orleans SaintsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 6:46TD Rico DowdlePoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 4
- Score
- 6-0
(6:46) 5-R.Dowdle up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q1 6:39XP Ryan FitzgeraldPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 15
- Score
- 7-0
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 3:38TD Devin NealPoints+6
- Yard line
- CAR 4
- Score
- 7-6
(3:38) 66-W.Sherman reported in as eligible. 24-D.Neal right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q2 3:32XP Charlie SmythPoints+1
- Yard line
- CAR 15
- Score
- 7-7
39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 0:25FG Ryan FitzgeraldPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 22
- Score
- 10-7
(:25) 10-R.Fitzgerald 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q3 10:00TD Jalen CokerPoints+6
- Yard line
- NO 32
- Score
- 16-7
(10:00) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- CARCarolina Panthers
Q3 9:54XP Ryan FitzgeraldPoints+1
- Yard line
- NO 15
- Score
- 17-7
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q3 2:00FG Charlie SmythPoints+3
- Yard line
- CAR 24
- Score
- 17-10
(2:00) 39-C.Smyth 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 2:33TD Chris OlavePoints+6
- Yard line
- CAR 12
- Score
- 17-16
(2:33) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 2:29XP Charlie SmythPoints+1
- Yard line
- CAR 15
- Score
- 17-17
39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 0:06FG Charlie SmythPoints+3
- Yard line
- CAR 29
- Score
- 17-20
(:06) 39-C.Smyth 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger. Penalty on CAR-26-C.Smith-Wade, Defensive Offside, declined.
- NONew Orleans Saints
Q4 0:02FG Charlie SmythPoints+3
- Yard line
- NO 35
- Score
- 17-20
39-C.Smyth kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback to the CAR 35.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
Tyler Shough · New Orleans Saints · Passing · +12.09 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play - 2
Byron Young · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +9.78 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play - 3
Devaughn Vele · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +9.00 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.50 EPA/play - 4Jalen Coker · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +6.75 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.69 EPA/play
- 5Chris Olave · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.92 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
- 6Tyler Shough · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +3.25 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 7
Josh Johnson · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play - 8
Xavier Legette · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +2.85 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.95 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
Tyler Shough — NO · Passing
Tyler Shough posted the highest total EPA (+12.09) in the game, the strongest overall impact for New Orleans Saints. Across 43 counted snaps, they averaged +0.28 EPA per play.
Tyler Shough's top snap (-4.08 EPA): (6:59) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough sacked at CAR 23 for 0 yards (56-C.Rozeboom). Penalty on NO-77-D.Radunz, Offensive Holding, declined.
Biggest single play (-4.14 EPA): Chris Hubbard — (11:00) 30-C.Hubbard up the middle to NO 35 for no gain (98-J.Bullard).
Quarterback report card
Tyler Shough led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints) · 43 dropbacks · 55.8% completion · +4.1% CPOE · +0.28 EPA/play · +12.09 total EPA
- Byron Young (Carolina Panthers) · 32 dropbacks · 46.9% completion · +7.1% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +9.78 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Carolina Panthers | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.088 | +0.099 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.7% | 51.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.306 | +0.277 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.181 | -0.179 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.099 | -0.088 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.2% | 58.3% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Carolina Panthers +0.09, New Orleans Saints +0.10) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Carolina Panthers: +0.09 EPA/play (66th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
- New Orleans Saints: +0.10 EPA/play (68th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
- Carolina Panthers: 8 drives, +6.31 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- New Orleans Saints: 9 drives, +8.24 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Carolina Panthers — Rico Dowdle
- New Orleans Saints — Devin Neal
- Carolina Panthers — Jalen Coker (Byron Young pass)
- New Orleans Saints — Chris Olave (Tyler Shough pass)
Field goals
- Carolina Panthers — Ryan Fitzgerald
- New Orleans Saints — Charlie Smyth
- New Orleans Saints — Charlie Smyth
- New Orleans Saints — Charlie Smyth
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 NO 4 (Q1 6:46) — (6:46) 5-R.Dowdle up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 6:39) — 10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The second quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 7–3. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 4 (Q2 3:38) — (3:38) 66-W.Sherman reported in as eligible. 24-D.Neal right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 3:32) — 39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the NO 22 (Q2 0:25) — (:25) 10-R.Fitzgerald 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The third quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the NO 32 (Q3 10:00) — (10:00) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q3 9:54) — 10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 24 (Q3 2:00) — (2:00) 39-C.Smyth 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger..
The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–0. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the CAR 12 (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q4 2:29) — 39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger.; New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the CAR 29 (Q4 0:06); New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q4 0:02) — 39-C.Smyth kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback to the CAR 35..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 2:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough up the middle to CAR 44 for 4 yards (22-L.Ransom). NO-6-T.Shough was injured during the play. PENALTY on CAR-22-L.Ransom, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 44
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 6:59) — (6:59) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough sacked at CAR 23 for 0 yards (56-C.Rozeboom). Penalty on NO-77-D.Radunz, Offensive Holding, declined.
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 10:00) — (10:00) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Carolina Panthers (Q2 1:18) — (1:18) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right to 4-T.McMillan to NO 21 for 21 yards (1-A.Taylor; 4-K.McKinstry).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Carolina Panthers (Q4 11:00) — (11:00) 30-C.Hubbard up the middle to NO 35 for no gain (98-J.Bullard).
- New Orleans Saints (Q4 6:59) — (6:59) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough sacked at CAR 23 for 0 yards (56-C.Rozeboom). Penalty on NO-77-D.Radunz, Offensive Holding, declined.
- Carolina Panthers (Q3 10:00) — (10:00) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New Orleans Saints (Q2 12:28) — (12:28) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough pass deep left to 14-D.Vele to NO 30 for 16 yards (26-C.Smith-Wade). PENALTY on CAR-94-A.Robinson, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at NO 30.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q1 6:46 · NO 4 · Score 6-0
(6:46) 5-R.Dowdle up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q1 6:39 · NO 15 · Score 7-0
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 3:38 · CAR 4 · Score 7-6
(3:38) 66-W.Sherman reported in as eligible. 24-D.Neal right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 3:32 · CAR 15 · Score 7-7
39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger. - Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 0:25 · NO 22 · Score 10-7
(:25) 10-R.Fitzgerald 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 10:00 · NO 32 · Score 16-7
(10:00) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 9:54 · NO 15 · Score 17-7
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 2:00 · CAR 24 · Score 17-10
(2:00) 39-C.Smyth 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger. - New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 2:33 · CAR 12 · Score 17-16
(2:33) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough pass short middle to 12-C.Olave for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q4 2:29 · CAR 15 · Score 17-17
39-C.Smyth extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:06 · CAR 29 · Score 17-20
(:06) 39-C.Smyth 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-32-K.Kroeger. Penalty on CAR-26-C.Smith-Wade, Defensive Offside, declined. - New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · NO 35 · Score 17-20
39-C.Smyth kicks 65 yards from NO 35 to end zone, Touchback to the CAR 35.
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.
- Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Tyler Shough (NO) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints on 2025-12-14?
The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 20-17 in Week 15, 2025.
What was the score by quarter in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
Q1: Carolina Panthers 7, New Orleans Saints 0; Q2: Carolina Panthers 3, New Orleans Saints 7; Q3: Carolina Panthers 7, New Orleans Saints 3; Q4: Carolina Panthers 0, New Orleans Saints 13; Final: Carolina Panthers 17, New Orleans Saints 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
Carolina Panthers touchdown — R. Dowdle (Q1 6:46) New Orleans Saints touchdown — D. Neal (Q2 3:38) Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Coker (B. Young pass) (Q3 10:00) New Orleans Saints touchdown — C. Olave (T. Shough pass) (Q4 2:33) Carolina Panthers field goal — R. Fitzgerald (Q2 0:25, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — C. Smyth (Q3 2:00, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — C. Smyth (Q4 0:06, 3 pts) New Orleans Saints field goal — C. Smyth (Q4 0:02, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints), 55.8% completion, +4.1% CPOE, +0.28 EPA per dropback, +12.09 total passing EPA. Byron Young (Carolina Panthers), 46.9% completion, +7.1% CPOE, +0.31 EPA per dropback, +9.78 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints?
Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.09 total EPA on Passing plays. across 43 snaps. Their top snap (-4.08 EPA): (6:59) (Shotgun) 6-T.Shough sacked at CAR 23 for 0 yards (56-C.Rozeboom). Penalty on NO-77-D.Radunz, Offensive Holding, declined..
Was Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints 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
Carolina Panthers
Entered 7-6 Now 7-7 L
New Orleans Saints
Entered 3-10 Now 4-10 W
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