Cardinals eliminated from playoff contention with ugly loss to Panthers

In a got-to-have-it game, the Arizona Cardinals failed to put their best foot forward in a 36-30 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Because of that, they’ll be watching the postseason play out from their couches.

Coupled with the Cardinals’ ugly loss in Carolina, the Los Angeles Rams’ 19-9 win over the New York Jets has officially shut the door on any lingering playoff hopes for Arizona.

And it was definitely one way to go out.

Reverting back to their issues across their three-game losing streak, the Cardinals failed to instill much confidence behind a sputtering offense led by quarterback Kyler Murray.

Among the biggest issues were the penalties. Totaling nine for 73 yards as a team, Arizona consistently shot itself in the foot through Sunday’s game.

Quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. again looked off with their connection, while tight end Trey McBride was held to just two catches for nine yards.

Being down as many as 17 midway through the second quarter didn’t help. Neither did quarterback Kyler Murray’s fourth-quarter interception on Arizona’s penultimate drive of the game.

About the only positive from Arizona’s offense on Sunday was running back James Conner, who racked up 117 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in three quarters of work.

But even he has his issues, going down with a knee injury in the three quarter. He did not return to action.

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