Cardinals’ win over the Panthers: By the numbers

The Arizona Cardinals’ struggles on offense continued at University of Phoenix Stadium, but it didn’t seem to matter much Sunday. Behind a strong defensive performance, Arizona cruised to a 22-6 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

With the win, the Cardinals move to 3-2 as they get set to take on the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday.

Here’s a look back at their 16-point victory by the numbers:

0:

In all three of their wins this season, the Cardinals have shut out their opponent in the second half.

2:

The first of Calais Campbell’s two sacks on the day resulted in a two-point safety for Arizona in the third quarter. It was the team’s first safety since Oct. 2004 against the Seattle Seahawks.

3:

Quarterback Carson Palmer threw two or more picks for the third time this season with a trio of interceptions Sunday. As a member of the Oakland Raiders in 2012, the former Heisman Trophy winner only threw two or more INTs twice all season.

4:

Progress is progress, and the Cardinals certainly made a little headway in terms of their ability to convert on third down. After going 1-of-10 in Week 4, Arizona managed to go 4-of-12 Sunday, including 3-of-7 after halftime.

7:

Todd Bowles’ unit recorded a season-high seven sacks, including two apiece by Calais Campbell, Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington.

32:

In their three wins this season, the Cardinals have outscored the Buccaneers, Lions and Panthers by a combined 32-0 in the fourth quarter.

56 and 58:

Middle linebacker Daryl Washington returned from a four-game suspension Sunday, and he made his presence felt early and often. Washington recorded two sacks, had a red zone interception and a team-high nine total tackles. It marked Washington’s first game with a sack and an interception since Arizona’s win over Carolina in Week 1 of the 2011 season.

Fellow linebacker Karlos Dansby also had himself quite a day. Dansby had two sacks and a fourth quarter interception of Newton. Sunday marked the first time since Sept. 2007 that Dansby has had multiple sacks in a game.

61:

For the second consecutive week, wide receiver Michael Floyd served as Palmer’s favorite target. The Notre Dame standout caught a team-high five catches for 61 yards in Sunday’s victory.

90:

After rushing for just 18 yards in the first half, Andre Ellington and Rashard Mendenhall got into a groove over the final 30 minutes of play en route to a combined 77 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals’ 90 rushing yards were a season high.

93

Arizona allowed Carolina quarterback Cam Newton to throw for 215 yards in the first half, but after the break the former Heisman Trophy winner threw for just 93 yards. Newton has thrown for 730 yards in two games at University of Phoenix Stadium, but he was held out of the end zone — running or throwing — for the first time in 2013.

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