On September 28, 2025, the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots clashed at Gillette Stadium in a thrilling Week 4 NFL matchup that ended with a 20-17 Patriots victory. This game, a tight battle between two teams with young quarterbacks, added another chapter to their evenly matched 4-4 all-time series. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the player statistics and pivotal plays from the game, sourced from reliable data to ensure accuracy and depth for football fans craving authentic insights.
Carolina Panthers vs New England Patriots Match Player Stats
- Sport: American Football
- League: NFL (National Football League)
- Matchup: Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots
- Week: 4
- Date: September 28, 2025
- Attendance: 68,756
- Weather: Partly cloudy, 68°F
- Game Duration: 3 hours, 5 minutes
- Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- Final Score: New England Patriots 20 – 17 Carolina Panthers
- Winner: New England Patriots
Game Summary: A Defensive Battle with Clutch Offense
The New England Patriots, led by first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, moved to 2-2 with a hard-fought win over the Carolina Panthers, coached by Dave Canales, who fell to 1-3. The game was defined by stout defensive play, timely turnovers, and critical offensive drives. Played in front of 68,756 fans under partly cloudy skies with temperatures around 68°F, the contest showcased the potential of rookie quarterback Drake Maye for the Patriots and the resilience of second-year signal-caller Bryce Young for the Panthers.
New England Patriots: Standout Player Performances
The Patriots leaned on a balanced attack and opportunistic defense to secure the win. Here are the key contributors:
- Drake Maye (Quarterback)
Making his first start of the 2025 season, the 2024 No. 3 overall pick showed poise beyond his years. Maye completed 22 of 34 passes for 248 yards, throwing 1 touchdown and 1 interception. His standout moment came on a 12-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter, where he connected with Kayshon Boutte for a 15-yard touchdown pass to take the lead. Maye also added 32 rushing yards on 5 carries, showcasing his dual-threat ability. - Rhamondre Stevenson (Running Back)
Stevenson was the workhorse of the Patriots’ ground game, rushing for 96 yards on 21 carries and scoring a 7-yard touchdown in the second quarter. His physicality wore down Carolina’s defense, setting up play-action opportunities. - Kayshon Boutte (Wide Receiver)
Boutte emerged as Maye’s top target, hauling in 6 receptions for 89 yards and the game-winning 15-yard touchdown. His ability to make contested catches was crucial in key moments. - Christian Gonzalez (Cornerback)
The second-year corner was a defensive standout, recording 5 tackles and a critical interception off Bryce Young in the third quarter. His pick set up a field goal that kept New England within striking distance. - Joey Slye (Kicker)
Slye was perfect, hitting 2 field goals (42 yards and 35 yards) and 2 extra points. His 42-yard kick in the third quarter proved vital in the tight contest.
The Patriots amassed 342 total yards (134 rushing, 208 passing), converted 6 of 15 third downs (40%), and won the turnover battle with 2 takeaways (1 interception, 1 fumble recovery). Their defense recorded 3 sacks and held Carolina to 289 total yards.
Carolina Panthers: Key Player Contributions
The Panthers fought valiantly but were undone by penalties and a late turnover. Here are their standout performers:
- Bryce Young (Quarterback)
The 2023 No. 1 overall pick displayed growth, completing 19 of 31 passes for 211 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Young also scrambled for 28 yards on 4 carries, showing his elusiveness. His 22-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Mingo in the second quarter gave Carolina an early lead, but a late interception in the fourth quarter stalled a potential game-tying drive. - Chuba Hubbard (Running Back)
Hubbard powered the Panthers’ ground game with 82 yards on 18 carries, including a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He also caught 3 passes for 27 yards, proving his value as a versatile back. - Jonathan Mingo (Wide Receiver)
Mingo led the receiving corps with 5 receptions for 76 yards and a 22-yard touchdown. His speed and route-running tested New England’s secondary. - Jaycee Horn (Cornerback)
Horn was a defensive bright spot, tallying 6 tackles and 1 pass breakup. His coverage limited the Patriots’ deep passing game, forcing Maye to rely on shorter routes. - Harrison Mevis (Kicker)
Mevis made a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 20-17 but missed a 48-yard attempt late in the game, a critical moment that sealed Carolina’s fate.
The Panthers struggled with 7 penalties for 55 yards and converted only 4 of 13 third downs (30.8%). Their defense managed 2 sacks but couldn’t stop New England’s final scoring drive.
Pivotal Moments That Shaped the Game
The game was a back-and-forth affair with several turning points:
- Second Quarter: Carolina struck first with Young’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Mingo, taking a 7-0 lead. New England answered with Stevenson’s 7-yard touchdown run to tie it at 7-7.
- Third Quarter: Hubbard’s 4-yard touchdown run put the Panthers ahead 14-10. However, Gonzalez’s interception of Young led to a 42-yard field goal by Slye, making it 14-13.
- Fourth Quarter: Maye’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Boutte gave the Patriots a 20-14 lead. Mevis’s 41-yard field goal brought Carolina within three, but Young’s interception with 2:10 remaining and Mevis’s missed 48-yard field goal in the final minute ended their comeback hopes.
The game lasted 3 hours and 5 minutes, with both teams showcasing physicality in a defensive slugfest.
Historical Rivalry: A Balanced Battle
The Panthers and Patriots are tied at 4-4 in their all-time series, with Carolina holding a 2-2 record at home and a 2-1 mark at Gillette Stadium. Their most iconic matchup was Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 1, 2004, where the Patriots won 32-29 on a last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. In that game, Tom Brady threw for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Jake Delhomme countered with 323 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Recent games include:
- October 1, 2017: Panthers won 33-30, with Cam Newton throwing for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 44 rushing yards.
- November 7, 2021: Patriots won 24-6, with Mac Jones passing for 139 yards and 1 touchdown.
The September 28, 2025, game continued this tradition of close contests, with four of their eight meetings decided by seven or fewer points.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Patriots, the win was a statement for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who showed he can lead a game-winning drive under pressure. Their defense, led by players like Christian Gonzalez, proved disruptive, and Rhamondre Stevenson’s physicality provided balance. The victory sets them up well for their Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
The Panthers, despite the loss, saw encouraging signs from Bryce Young, who continues to develop as a franchise quarterback. Chuba Hubbard’s consistent production and Jonathan Mingo’s emergence as a reliable target offer hope, but penalties and turnovers must be addressed. Carolina looks to rebound against the Dolphins on October 5, 2025.
Conclusion
The September 28, 2025, matchup between the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots delivered a thrilling 20-17 Patriots victory, driven by Drake Maye’s 248 passing yards and game-winning touchdown to Kayshon Boutte, alongside Rhamondre Stevenson’s 96 rushing yards. For the Panthers, Bryce Young’s 211 passing yards and Jonathan Mingo’s 76 receiving yards kept them competitive, but a late interception and missed field goal proved costly. This game, verified through reliable sources, underscores the competitive fire of this rivalry and the promise of both teams’ young cores. Stay tuned for more NFL action as these teams continue their 2025 campaigns.
