Cardinals avoid collapse over Panthers thanks to D-Line in 27-22 home opener win

Syndication: Arizona Republic

GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals sure know how to make it exciting for its fans. After being behind by 24 points in the second half, the Carolina Panthers scored 19 unanswered points to bring the deficit to a single possession. Carolina had its first successful onside kick in 89 games to get the ball back with under two minutes to go down five points.

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Arizona had lost control, showcased by three separate defensive penalties on the final drive. The hope from fans inside State Farm Stadium was flatlining, but the 39-year-old Calais Campbell acted as the defibrator. On a 4th-and-15 play, Campbell swooped in for his second sack of the game and to secure the Cardinals its first 2-0 start since 2021.

Murray and the offense didn’t find the endzone till penultimate play of the first half, and it didn’t matter early on thanks to the defense fast start. Arizona combined for 302 yards of offense, led by tight Trey McBride leading Cardinals receivers with 78 yards.

The Panthers 19 unanswered points was on the backs of stellar play by Bryce Young, who threw for 328 passing yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Tetairoa McMillan for 100 receiving yards and found Hunter Renfrow in the end zone twice for a touchdown.

Similar to its season opener, Arizona’s home opener was ugly and filled with penalties. The Cardinals had 12 penalties for 96 yards, but the injuries to the defense led to backups stepping up the role and leading to mistakes because of the lack of experience.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon is going to want to flush this game away and learn from the many, many mistakes the team survived from in Sunday’s game.

Cardinals defense come out the game hot:

After a lackluster debut in Week 1, the defense came out in the home opener with some vengeance. Big free agent signing Josh Sweat only recorded one tackle in his first game as a Cardinal, and within the first three plays, the Pro Bowler outshined that performance.

On opening drive, Bryce Young dropped back on third down and Sweat read him all the way to get from behind and get the stripped sack that squirted the ball backwards right in front of the end zone. Zaven Collins was able to recover the ball and spin on the ground into the endzone for the defensive touchdown.

Sweat looking to be worth his $77 million contract and then some to give Arizona the 7-0 lead. The momentum stayed with Cardinals, as the very next drive a Mack Wilson Jr. QB Hit forced the ball to sail in the air for Baron Browning to swoop in the first interception at midfield.

The offense eyed to copy the defense’s high-octane plays, but struggled out of the gate. After a Mike Jackson penalty brought Arizona inside the Carolina’s five-yard line, the team couldn’t find the endzone as a holding penalty took away a touchdown and forced them to kick a field goal.

Despite having the 10-0 lead, the Cardinals seemed to give back some life to the Panthers. As Young found Tetairoa McMillan on a 40-yard pass to bring his first quarter total to 53 receiving yards. Carolina only got a field goal out of the drive, but it was enough to bring it back into the game.

Arizona’s offense struggled early:

Through the Cardinals first two offensive drives, they only had 24 yards of offense. Kyler Murray remained uncomfortable in the pocket, while the run game could generate any holes for running back James Conner.

However, the defense remained an astute force. Despite allowing some big chunk plays, Arizona shut down Carolina once it made it passed midfield. Young had 111 passing yards midway through the second quarter but was just 4-for-9 passing in Cardinals territory.

The answer for offense was a usual suspect Conner. On the team’s third offensive drive, the 30-year-old started the drive by recording 30 all-purpose yards to drive his team down the field. The big half back was overpowering Carolina’s defensive line, which then opened the door for Murray to find Trey McBride for a massive 32-yard pass to get into opposing territory.

Arizona’s offensive prowess wouldn’t last long, as penalties would soon kill the drive, with holding and face masking flags. The Cardinals had four penalties for 40 yards, all having terrible timing. They would be forced to settle for a field goal.

Carolina would have the ball with a minute left and looked primed to get another score before halftime, but the Arizona defense wouldn’t left that happen. The Cardinals would force a quick three-and-out, giving the ball back to Murray and the offense, who looked motivated to find the endzone before the end of the half.

Murray was surgical down the field throwing for 35 yards between McBride and Trey Benson, before finding Wilson for an 11-yard touchdown via a absolute dot by the Pro Bowler.

Defense conversative approach allowing Panthers to climb back:

Arizona opened the second half with a sensational 9-play 71-yard drive, that was filled with backup tight end Elijah Higgins. The 24-year-old got a bigger role this week due to Tip Reiman being ruled out for the game and he took advantage on the first offensive drive after half time.

Higgins caught two balls for 45 yards, including a high speed 27-yard reception that showed off the former wide receiver speed. Arizona was moving quickly in Carolina territory and eventually led to a James Conner three-yard run touchdown to bring the score to 27-3.

Carolina offense would respond with its first touchdown of the game, but it was like pulling teeth. The Panthers went a 14 play drive that lasted nearly seven minutes. They converted on two third downs and a fourth-and-one at midfield to eventually lead to a Hunter Renfrow four-yard touchdown.

The Cardinals defense was not letting anything down the field, forcing the Panthers to take a bunch of underneath routes. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis clearly trying to maintain the lead, allowing only one play 11+ yards on that defensive drive.

After a Murray interception, the Panthers would again go on another long touchdown drive. 14 plays in five minutes and a half minutes, Carolina was able to convert on 4th and one inside Arizona’s five-yard line to get a Chuba Hubbard touchdown, cutting the deficit 27-15.

Despite allowing back-to-back touchdown drives, the defense seemed in control. Rallis was clearly not allowing any deep passing conception to develop by bringing pressure and leaving the underneath open. The Cardinals had multiple injuries to key defensive starters, like Max Melton and L.J. Collier, and seemingly were trying to leave the home opener without anymore injuries.

That approach led to another 10+ play touchdown drive for Carolina. Young records his second career ever 300+ passing yard game, capped off by a high-speed ball to Renfrow for his second touchdown of the game and Young’s third of the game. The lead has fallen to a single possession with under two minutes.

It seemed like the story had already been written for a Panthers comeback, after the team recovered an onside kick for the first time in nearly five years. However, the defensive line didn’t quick, getting to Young multiple times, including on Campbell’s game-winning sack to secure the Cardinals the win.

Cardinals look to extend Panthers historic losing streak in Week 2

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports