The Arizona Cardinals will face the Carolina Panthers Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium. It is likely that it will be a battle of backup quarterbacks, featuring P.J. Walker for Carolina and Colt McCoy for the second week in a row for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals, even with McCoy expected to play, as heavy favorites.
However, in a simulation of the game on NFL Madden 22, the Panthers had their offense come alive and Walker threw four touchdown passes.
The Panthers rallied to beat the Cardinals 38-35 after trailing 28-14.
Walker was picked off three times but the Cardinals could not contain running back Christian McCaffrey or the Carolina receivers.
McCaffrey rushed for 112 yards on 23 attempts and also caught seven passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. Receivers Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore each had 116 receiving yards and Ian Thomas had two touchdown catches.
The Cardinals had only one turnover in the game to Carolina’s three, but they did not get a sack of Walker.
After the Cardinals took a 28-14 lead, the Panthers scored on three straight drives to take a 31-28 lead. The Cardinals answered with a 45-yard touchdown catch by Christian Kirk but then the Panthers scored with 2:17 left in the game to go ahead 38-35 and the Cardinals were unable to get a first down and turned the ball over on downs.
Walker finished 30-of-45 passing for 362 yards, four touchdowns and three picks. Byron Murphy picked him off twice and Jordan Hicks once.
McCoy wasn’t bad in the game. He completed 23-of-38 for 275 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cardinals struggled running the ball. James Conner had two touchdown runs but only had 24 yards on seven carries, while Eno Benjamin added 18 on five attempts.
Rondale Moore led the team with eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Kirk had five for 80 and a score.
If this happens in real life, it will be a shock. Carolina’s offense is struggling and the Cardinals’ defense has not this bad.
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