The Panthers (0-2) head west to face the Cardinals (0-1-1) on Sunday afternoon. Carolina is coming off a 20-14 home loss vs. division rival Tampa Bay, while Arizona fell, 23-17, in Baltimore. The Panthers lead the all-time series 11-5 and have won the last three matchups.
Panthers vs. Cardinals
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 22
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
As each day passes, it’s looking more and more evident that the Panthers will be without starting quarterback Cam Newton when they square-off against the Cardinals in Week 3. Newton threw for 333 yards and no touchdowns in a 20-14 loss to the Buccaneers and was sacked three times in the game by Shaq Barrett. The signal caller has not practiced this week and been confined to a walking boot after re-aggravating a left foot sprain he suffered in the preseason. If Newton can’t go, Kyle Allen would get the start. The Panthers will also need better production out of running back Christian McCaffrey, who had over 200 yards of total offense in Week 1, but was held to 55 total yards in Week 2. Tight end Greg Olsen led all Panther receivers with six catches for 110 yards.
Without Newton on offense, the defense becomes even more important. Not only does the defense have to worry about quarterback Kyler Murray as a passer in Arizona’s spread offense, but it must account for him running the ball. Luke Kuechly has been an absolute beast from his linebacker spot with 18 tackles last week against Tampa Bay. Shaq Thompson has 17 tackles in two games and is also a presence in the middle.
The Arizona Cardinals have yet to win a game, but the fact that they had numerous chances to pull out a victory in the first two weeks is encouraging. Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray has over 300 yards passing in each game. The Cardinals trailed, 20-9, in the fourth quarter against the Ravens. Murray orchestrated a four-play, 79-yard drive and a two-point conversion, putting the team within two, but it wasn’t enough, as it fell 23-17. Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald both had 100+ yards receiving yards. It was Fitzgerald’s second straight game with that feat.
The Cardinals defense gave up nearly 400 yards of total offense to Lamar Jackson alone. Linebacker Chandler Jones had two tackles, but was relatively silent on the day with zero sacks, zero quarterback hits and zero tackles for loss. Jordan Hicks and Budda Baker led the team with eleven tackles on the day.
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