[Kyler Murray was “numb” at the end](https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-storm-out-hang-on-to-take-down-panthers-in-home-opener). And frankly, that's probably how a lot of Cardinals fans were too before their team held on against the Panthers on Sunday. Two weeks in a row hoping the defense can hold on to a game that seemed to be in control, that's going to take something out of you.
Before the game, a fast start by the defense against a young quarterback on the road should've been everything. You get a strip-sack TD from your high-profile edge signee, that's how you pray it's gonna play out.
"Shoot. It was blackboard," linebacker Josh Sweat said afterward. "I didn't think it was going to be that clean. I just had to get my arm around and get it."
"They were depending on me to make it, and it was meant for me to make it," he added.
Truth. Sure, the Baron Browning interception only turned into three points, and the Cardinals have to get those last five yards to make it seven, but let's be honest, once it got to be 27-3, that missed opportunity meant nothing.
"It was the start we wanted to have as a defense," Browning said.
That will be needed every game, at least until the Cardinals' offense begins clicking much more. That likely gets harder depending on the status of the top three cornerbacks getting hurt – "Our job is solutions, so we'll figure out the solution," Jonathan Gannon said – but it's where the Cardinals are at the moment.
\-- Calais Campbell tied Larry Fitzgerald on the all-time games played list at 263 and did it with a flourish thanks to his two sacks. He also is up to 30½ sacks all-time in the building, surpassing Chandler Jones and his 29.
"I was pretty gassed at the end of the (Saints) game, but I gave everything I had," Campbell said. "You can train all you want to, but playing football is the only way to really get in shape. Today, I was much better. I felt much better. … I had to tell myself, 'Pace yourself. Pace yourself.' That's a little bit of a humbling experience as an older player."
\-- Calais is on track for 17 sacks. Not sayin' just sayin'.
\-- What the heck is it about Cardinals-Panthers? This felt right at home with a series that has featured Tim Rattay-Vinny Testaverde, Ryan Lindley in the playoffs, Jake Delhomme six turnovers, Carson Palmer six turnovers, Pat P punt returns, Cam Newton going off as a rookie, etc., etc.
\-- Kyler Murray was asked about his interception, and he feigned ignorance that it even happened, saying "what pick?" when the question was asked. "I don't remember that."
"I'm just going to act like it didn't happen," Murray said with a slight smile. He did say he was trying to throw it away when he was hit.
\-- Right before the interception, Murray did one of his Kyler specials, avoiding linebacker Christian Rozeboom as he came up the middle untouched and weaving his way out of trouble somehow en route to an improbable 31-yard gain that Next Gen Stats said covered 67.49 yards of actual running.