Carolina Panthers (4-11) – Arizona Cardinals (7-8): 36-30 after overtime
Final update on the Cardinals season. So close and yet so far, the score does not reveal a meeting where the Panthers dominated to the extent necessary. In all sectors of the game, Dave Canales' men (HC, Panthers) emerged victorious from their duels by a small margin. Chuba Hubbard (RB) is the great architect of this victory.
Starting with Bryce Young (17/26, 158 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 races, 68 yards, 1 touchdown) who in a limited volume was decisive, more than his counterpart of less than 1 m 80, Kyler Murray (20 /32, 202 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 8 carries, 63 yards, 1 touchdown). Carolina can end its season with a smile and finally some certainties.
Eye-catching like James Conner (15 races, 117 yards, 1 touchdown) and this final kick to get an extension, the Cardinals nevertheless still have an obvious lack of talent.
Chuba Hubbard amid penalties
In a meeting where the Cardinals have no room for error, Arizona chose its time to achieve its worst performance of the season. Nothing can be saved from a first quarter where Jonathan Gannon's men are simply very bad. The indiscipline is chronic (11 fouls, 82 yards), and prevents any hope. The coaches cannot find solutions. And Michael Carter fumbled the ball to give the opponents a little more lead (20-17) at halftime.
The icing on the cake was that the referees produced a questionable performance which embarrassed only one of the two teams. Nevertheless, Carolina exploits all these delicacies and gaping openings perfectly. The first drive is completely in control with two conversions on fourth attempts which lead to the opening of the scoring by Chuba Hubbard (25 races, 152 yards, 2 touchdowns) author of a major match (7-0). The runner is also the executioner with a final race in overtime which finds the goal (36-30).
Duel of the little quarterbacks
Bryce Young is a majority actor. In the battle of the little quarterbacks, he first distinguished himself with crazy and long runs to increase the score (13-3). He reads the defensive errors perfectly for Adam Thielen alone to confirm the lead at the break. In the fourth quarter it becomes decisive again. His long passes find takers and even under pressure he allows himself to distil. David Moore (WR) catches a final pass to regain a lead (30-20).
Kyler Murray comes out of the match with a less honorable performance. He also knew how to use his legs to convert dangerous situations. He notably scores a running touchdown to give life to hope in the fourth quarter (30-27). Before that, he was able to find Deejay Dallas in the goal in the first period (20-17). But it is he who puts one more nail in his team's coffin with a final, almost lethal interception.
End of season for the Arizona Cardinals
James Conner personifies the Cardinals franchise. His first half is a tough, combative fight, like him. Moreover, he puts his people back in the direction of travel with his first touchdown (20-10). The second period… is a deep wound. James Conner injures his knee and will not return, he leaves an attack without a leader orphan.
The defeat of Arizona combined with the victory of the Rams unravels some strings in the race for the playoffs. The Cardinals return to school to prepare for the following season. In the same way as the Panthers, but in a completely different dynamic. Bryce Young definitely looks like the No. 1 option in North Carolina.
