The Carolina Panthers have struggled in recent years, but always seem to have the Arizona Cardinals’ number, holding a 12-5 record all time. However, two teams on different trajectories met on Sunday in Bank of America Stadium. While the Panthers have been eliminated from the postseason, the Cardinals were still in the hunt. Carolina is fresh off a loss to the Dallas Cowboys; a game they were favored in for the first time in the previous 34 games. Prior to the Dallas debacle, the Panthers lost three very close games to Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia – all which will probably be playing beyond Week 18.
Trying to get back on track, Carolina came out hot, scoring on their first three possessions. They led by as many as 17 before the Cardinals stormed back to within 3 before halftime. Run defense has been an area of attrition for the Panthers and this game was no different as Cardinals running back James Connor rumbled for 111 yards before the half. The two teams traded field goals in the third quarter and traded touchdowns to start the fourth.
The Panthers found themselves in another close contest and appeared to seal the win when Demani Richardson intercepted Kyler Murray with a little over three minutes remaining in regulation. The game could have been sealed with a third down conversion, but Bryce Young’s pass intended for Dan Chisena fell incomplete, giving the ball back to Murray and co. with 1:47 left in the game. The Cardinals drove down to the 39-yard line and it appeared that time had expired. Apparently, Arizona got the timeout call in time and two seconds were put back on the clock. That was enough for Chad Ryland to kick a 58-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Carolina got the ball first but went three-and-out, punting the ball back to Arizona. Neither team could put the ball into the end zone, meaning a field goal would win it. However, it would not come down to the legs of the kickers as the Panthers put together a 49 yard drive, capped by a 21 yard scoring scamper by Chuba Hubbard to win the game. Carolina moves to 4-11 while Arizona is eliminated from playoff contention. Young finished the game with 158 passing yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-26 passing while adding 68 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. Hubbard rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers racked up 243 net rushing yards as a team; the most since the 320 yards put up against the Detroit Lions in 2022.
The Panthers head to Tampa Bay next week and will close out the season against two divisional foes.
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