Cardinals’ James Conner about the only bright spot in Panthers loss
Dec 22, 2024, 12:01 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner continued to be the most consistent part of the offense in Sunday’s 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers.
His second straight 1,000-yard season, which he reached in the first quarter of Sunday’s game, says all you need to know.
With the accomplishment, Conner is now tied with former running back Edgerrin James for the most 1,000-yard season in franchise history. Both Conner and James sit three back from Ottis Anderson’s mark of five.
Looking to ignite the offense, the veteran surpassed 1K behind a 40-yard run that flipped the field for Arizona’s offense.
And good thing he did.
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Outside of Conner’s day of 117 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, Arizona looked out of sorts on both sides of the football.
Much like what was put on tape during Arizona’s three-game losing streak, the offense continued to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties.
In a little more than a quarter of play, Arizona as a whole had eight penalties. As head coach Jonathan Gannon would say, that is non-winning behavior.
The connection between quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. also looked off with added miscommunication. The rookie getting dinged for being offsides on the first play of scrimmage didn’t help, either.
Michael Carter’s fumble in the second quarter only added insult to injury. As did quarterback Kyler Murray’s costly fourth-quarter interception.
Defensively, Arizona had little answers for Carolina quarterback Bryce Young and Co., who put up 36 points for just the second time all year. Running back Chuba Hubbard also got his behind 152 yards and two scores on 25 carries.
