Cardinals are where they need to be despite highs and lows vs. Panthers

Over the past decade, the Cardinals have bowed to an unlikely nemesis. Consider Sunday’s 27-22 victory over the Panthers as a ghost-busting exorcism.

Sort of.

When the dust finally settled at State Farm Stadium, the Cardinals had done just enough. They defeated Carolina for just the second time in their past nine meetings. They achieved their first order of business as a playoff contender in 2025, beating a pair of inferior opponents to begin the season.

But just like their road win in New Orleans in Week 1, the aesthetics and the lack of killer instinct were troublesome.

At times, the Cardinals were electric. Their defense scored a touchdown three plays into the game. They forced a pair of turnovers in the first two possessions. Their prized free agent (Josh Sweat) had his first big moment in Arizona. They set the tone and looked extremely dangerous for large swaths of the game.

A great defense can carry a football team deep into the NFL postseason. So can a great quarterback. At times on Sunday, it appeared like the Cardinals might have a little of both.

Kyler Murray produced touchdown drives before and after halftime, a ruthless display of efficiency; he produced a trademark highlight-reel scramble that even tickled his fancy; and he placed a touchdown pass to Michael Wilson while throwing off his back foot and peeling away from the pocket. Do not try that at home.

Alas, there remains an alarming lack of explosive plays in Drew Petzing’s offense. The passing game is too often anchored to short passes to Trey McBride and check-down tosses to Trey Benson. It can be quite boring and predictable and frustrating. But when Murray started to elevate on Sunday, you could feel the ceiling rise in Arizona.

At their Sunday apex, the Cardinals led 27-3. It is the kind of lopsided NFL score that rarely shows up on the scroll, the kind that makes you think your team might be special. And then the relapse occurred.

The Cardinals did everything they could to give the Panthers another chance at victory, from three defensive penalties on the final drive to allowing a rare and successful onside kick at their expense. It felt like the roof was caving in to another inevitable brutal inexplicable loss to the Panthers … until Calais Campbell came up with his first signature play of the season, a sack of Bryce Young to win the game.

“That was kind of a (bleep) show, to be honest,” Murray told reporters after the game. “Just glad we got the win.”

For all the warts and injuries to key performers, the Cardinals are 2-0 for the first time since 2021. And for all the late-game concerns, they are exactly where they need to be.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Related

Cardinals narrowly escape another Carolina catastropheRapid reactions: Cardinals off to 2-0 start after holding off Panthers' comebackCardinals CB Garrett Williams helped to locker room vs. PanthersCan Mike LaFleur duplicate Jordan Ott’s success in Year 1?Can Kenny Dillingham overcome challenges to keep momentum going at Arizona State?Has LeBron James set himself up to pass Michael Jordan with move to 76ers? Has he already?