CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Coming into Sunday's game, the Arizona Cardinals defense had not allowed a touchdown in 11 quarters.
Then Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart scored two in the first half of a 30-20 victory that, for the moment, salvaged the Panthers' playoff hopes.
After struggling to create turnovers all season, the Panthers got one early from Carson Palmer, whose fumble on a sack by Star Lotulelei was scooped up by Thomas Davis and returned 46 yards for his first career touchdown in 12 NFL seasons.
Stewart's 2-yard touchdown run, which completed a nine-play, 75-yard drive, made it 14-0.
His 1-yard run with 11:05 to play in the second quarter made it 21-0.
The Panthers were never seriously threatened from there. Arizona cut the Carolina lead to 30-20 with 5:01 to play, but a two-point conversion pass attempt was batted away.
The Panthers held on behind a defense that got to Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer eight times _ a season high for the Panthers defense and the most Palmer has ever been sacked in a game.
The increased pressure came from more than just the defensive line.
"It was by design," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "The bye ... they came back rejuvenated."
The Panthers improved to 2-5, and dropped the Cardinals to 3-4-1. No team that started 1-6 has rallied to make the playoffs.
"It's huge because it's one of those things you can build off of," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "Today we played to our abilities.
"We've done some good things, but you are what your record says. We've got to keep rolling."
