The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers both seek their first win of the season in a Week 3 showdown at State Farm Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Panthers are 0-2 and will have Kyle Allen starting at quarterback instead of Cam Newton, who is out with a foot injury.
The Cardinals are 0-1-1 and appear to be trending in the right direction with rookie head coach Kliff Kingsbury and rookie quarterback Kyler Murray.
How will this turn out? Panthers Wire managing editor Tim Weaver and I both make our picks and explain why.
Who will be closer to the truth when it is all said and done Sunday evening? We will find out.
Tim Weaver: Panthers 24, Cardinals 21 (OT)
On paper, I think Carolina is a better team, especially if Cam Newton is in the lineup. I have to believe they’ll find a way to win – they just have so much more to lose than Arizona does. All other things being equal, I’ll take the more desperate team every time. Panthers 24, Cardinals 21 on a long field goal by Joey Slye in overtime.
Jess Root: Cardinals 27, Panthers 17
I expect the Cardinals to take the next step. They were terrible in Week 1 for three quarters. They stayed in the game in Week 2. This week, against a struggling Panthers team, I think they break through. They will take advantage of Kyle Allen’s inexperience and also get going offensively earlier. That lets them take control of the game.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
