It was an ugly first half again for the Arizona Cardinals but this time their defense was up to the task. They failed to score in the first quarter and trailed 10-3 at halftime but found their offensive rhythm in the second half and took advantage of three Carolina turnovers to win the game 26-16 and even their record to 2-2.
Buy Cardinals TicketsKyler Murray threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another in the win and the defense sacked Baker Mayfield twice, intercepted him twice and batted down five passes at the line of scrimmage, holding Carolina to 220 yards of offense.
Carolina has not yet had 300 yards of offense in a game this season.
How did it all go down?
The recap of the game is below.
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Starting lineup on offense
The Cardinals lose the coin toss and begin on offense Here is the starting lineup:
- QB Kyler Murray
- RB James Conner
- WR Marquise Brown
- WR Rondale Moore
- TE Zach Ertz
- TE Trey McBride
- LT D.J. Humphries
- LG Justin Pugh
- C Rodney Hudson
- RG Will Hernandez
- RT Kelvin Beachum
Trey McBride's first career catch!
On the first play from scrimmage, second-round pick Trey McBride gets his first career catch. They go three-and-out on the first drive, though.
Fourth-down stop!
BRICK WALL 🧱 pic.twitter.com/z1U4LPxV9S
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 2, 2022
The Cardinals defense is strong on the first drive. On third-and-one, they stuff a QB sneak by Baker Mayfield and then get a turnover on downs stopping Christian McCaffrey on fourth down. The Cardinals take over in Carolina territory.
Cardinals stuffed on 4th down
The Cardinals come up empty. After move the ball into the red zone, they go for it on fourth-and-one, only to have Rondale Moore tackled for a loss.
For a team not scoring in the first quarter, getting three points and the lead probably would be the better call.
Jeremy Chinn injures hamstring
https://twitter.com/daringantt/status/1576670061829685248
Early in the game, safety Jeremy Chinn, who is arguably the most important player on the Carolina defense, exits with a hamstring injury. He is questionable to return.
Pick-6! Panthers 7, Cardinals 0
Luvu to the house‼️ pic.twitter.com/jRWwu5TYy1
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 2, 2022
Linebacker Frankie Luvu blows up a run play on second down and then, on third down, jumps in front of Hollywood brown to intercept the pass and returns it 33 yards for the touchdown, giving the Panthers the lead.
Panthers fumble!
we'll take that 😉 pic.twitter.com/gfsLgsKlnj
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 2, 2022
After failing to convert on another fourth down, the Cardinals get the ball back on a botched handoff. Ben Niemann recovers the fumble and the Cardinals take over at their own 35.
LG Justin Pugh injures elbow
Justin Pugh is questionable to return with an elbow injury.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) October 2, 2022
Pugh exits the game with an elbow injury, the same injury that caused him to miss snaps last week and practice time this week. Max Garcia takes over at left guard.
Panthers 7, Cardinals 3
HOLLYWOOOOOOD 🤩@Primetime_jet x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/ZteJB7GWLd
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 2, 2022
The Cardinals get points after the takeaway. Marquise Brown has a spectacular third-down catch but they stall in the red zone and get a 33-yard field goal from Matt Prater to get on the board.
Jalen Thompson INT!
https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/1576686725598003200
Baker Mayfield attempts a throw to D.J. Moore, who gets a hand on it and tips it. Thompson intercepts it and the Cardinals take over at their own 18.
Panthers 10, Cardinals 3
The Cardinals go three-and-out after the interception and then the Panthers execute the end of half perfectly. As time expires in the first half, they get a 54-yard field goal to go into the half with a seven-point lead. They receive the kickoff after halftime.
Zach Allen's 1st sack of the year
The Cardinals force a three-and-out to start the second half as Allen picks up a third-down, his first of the year and the first by anyone not named J.J. Watt.
Injury updates
Cardinals LB Nick Vigil, who had exited the game with an injury, is ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Panthers WR Laviska Shenault aggravated his hamstring injury and is questionable to return.
Safety Jeremy Chinn will not return from his hamstring injury.
Finally a TD! Cardinals 10, Panthers 10
Needed it. Got it. @ZERTZ_86 x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/hqF9msGr2Z
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 2, 2022
The Cardinals started deep in their territory after a penalty on the Panthers’ punt but finally get into the end zone after a nine-play, 89-yard drive. The biggest play is a 38-yard pass interference penalty that gets the Cardinals into goal-to-go.
On third-and-goal, Kyler Murray throws a two-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz and the score is tied.
Cardinals take lead! Cardinals 13, Panthers 10
The Cardinals get a 39-yard field goal to take their first lead of the year in regulation but it comes after a mess.
They run the ball on first-and-goal and Conner is stopped but Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu is flagged for throwing him to the ground after the whistles had blown the play dead.
That moves the ball inside the five and gives Arizona another first-and-goal. However, after Luvu’s tackle, there is a skirmish and Cardinals guard Will Hernandez bumps an official trying to get to Luvu and he is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct as well. He is ejected for hitting an official and the Cardinals are then backed up 15 yards.
Kind of a rough call. You be the judge.
Will Hernandez was ejected for this. Come on…pic.twitter.com/lJJLkd17VI
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) October 2, 2022
Conner is called for holding on a big run play by Murray and the Cardinals have to kick the field goal.
Dennis Gardeck INT!
https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/1576703817084817408
On the Panthers’ first play after the field goal, Baker Mayfield’s pass is tipped and linebacker Dennis Gardeck makes the interception and returns it to the five-yard line.
Cardinals 20, Panthers 10
https://twitter.com/blakemurphy7/status/1576704744352907265
The Cardinals take a 10-point lead two plays after the interception.
James Conner has a one-yard run and then leads the way on a Kyler Murray four-yard touchdown run.
Cardinals 26, Panthers 10
K1 with a DIME to Hollywood! pic.twitter.com/nAZnh0CbVD
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) October 2, 2022
It looks like this game is decided.
The Cardinals get a turnover on downs after Zach Allen bats down a fourth-down pass and then Kyler Murray connects with Marquise Brown on a 22-yard touchdown pass.
They fail on the two-point conversion but it is a 16-point lead with 7:37 to go.
Cardinals 26, Panthers 16
That's a CMC TD pic.twitter.com/ml4CIgptQl
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 2, 2022
The Panthers get a little life with a touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Christian McCaffrey. They fail on the two-point attempt and it is a 10-point game with 4:47 left.
