The Panthers scored 19 unanswered points in the second half at Arizona but it wasn't enough as Carolina lost, 27-22, to fall to 0-2 on the season. By Mike Kaye
The Carolina Panthers lost again Sunday, 27-22 to Arizona, but let’s at least give them some credit for their heartbreaking creativity.
This, at least, was not a rout like Week 1. Yes, the Panthers (0-2) did a whole lot of nothing through the beginning of the third quarter against Arizona (2-0), falling behind, 27-3.
Then they did a whole lot of something, scoring 19 unanswered points under the direction of quarterback Bryce Young. Then the special teams recovered an onside kick by punter Sam Martin to, quite remarkably, get the ball back, down only 27-22 with 1:55 and 51 yards left to snag the win. And one timeout, too.
After finishing three straight possessions with touchdowns, the Panthers would need to do it a fourth time to pull off what statistically would have been the largest comeback in franchise history.
But while there was no quit in this team Sunday, there was no comeback either, and nothing but nonsense in that last “march,” which ended 46 yards away from the goal line.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) and defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) celebrate Sunday’s win against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Carolina lost, 27-22, after blowing its last drive. Joe Camporeale Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Let’s go through a little of that final drive for the Panthers, shall we?
Young, who had played a horrible first quarter and then a terrific second half, reverted to first-quarter form. He was 0-for-6 on the drive. He only targeted Tetairoa McMillan, the rookie that is clearly the team’s best receiver, one time. When all else was failing, the option of throwing a jump ball to T-Mac — drafted No. 8 overall for exactly this sort of situation — should have been utilized. It wasn’t. Head coach Dave Canales suggested that the Cardinals started shifting their coverage toward McMillan.
Said the rookie afterward to reporters when asked what the Cardinals did to limit him on the last drive: “I’m not too sure. It looked like regular defense to me.
That last drive only lasted as long as it did because of three defensive penalties on Arizona, which kept Carolina in the game (defensive holding to negate what would have been a Young turnover; roughing the passer; offsides).
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) tackles Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during the first quarter Sunday. Young turned the ball over on each of Carolina’s first two possessions. Matt Kartozian Imagn Images
Now it is true that the Panthers’ offensive line was threadbare by then, with two starters out. This made the degree of difficulty harder for Young and everyone else. But the Cardinals defense was also banged up, as their defensive backs had been going down like dominoes.
So how do you solve Arizona’s suddenly fearsome pass rush? Screens. Quick hitters. Chuba Hubbard in the flat. Maybe even a shovel pass to a tight end. There was plenty of time — what there wasn’t was plenty of yardage, nor enough flexibility from Canales.
One of Young’s six incompletions was a pass to Xavier Legette, who to me at that point shouldn’t have been in the game. That pass went incomplete of course, because Legette — the Panthers’ first-round draft pick in 2024 — had what was undoubtedly the worst statistical lines in Carolina history.
Young targeted Legette eight times.
Eight! I have no idea why.
Legette caught one. One!
And it went for minus-2 yards, meaning Legette entered the game with 10 yards receiving this season and left it with eight.
Now to be fair, Young (35-55-328 yards, with three TDs) had gotten Carolina back into the thing. Hunter Renfrow had a breakout game at slot receiver, scoring twice. McMillan didn’t score, but had his first 100-yard receiving game. Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and wide receiver Brycen Tremayne were also very good.
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) tackles Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brycen Tremayne (87) during Sunday’s fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Tremayne had a nice day, with 48 yards receiving and the game’s best one-handed catch. Joe Camporeale Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
And the comeback happened after Young about lost the game for the Panthers in the first quarter, fumbling the ball away on a strip-sack that led directly to a return touchdown and then throwing an ill-advised pass under pressure that resulted in a wounded-duck interception and three more points.
Said Canales after the game about Young: “Sometimes it ain’t the worst thing, if you’re in that situation, to take a sack. I also know he makes some magical plays.”
We saw both on Sunday. Young held the ball too long sometimes, including on Carolina’s final offensive play (a fourth-down sack). He also made some magic, sometimes throwing between three guys at once, sometimes escaping a sack attempt and keeping his eyes downfield for a touchdown.
So there were some things that were better Sunday. Carolina only scored 10 points in Week 1; this time the Panthers had 22. The run defense improved. Young, after playing the first five quarters of the season as if he didn’t belong in the NFL, finally looked like he did again for those three consecutive TD marches.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. Young ended the day with 328 yards and three passing TDs. Matt Kartozian Imagn Images
But that final drive?!
Listen, Arizona was ripe to be beaten at that point. NFL onside kicks didn’t succeed about 94% of the time in 2024, yet this one did after a Cardinal misplayed it.
Arizona had lost 19 points of its 24-point lead at that point. The Panthers, who had never successfully come back from more than 17 points down before, were close to a signature win for both Canales and Young.
And then… total letdown.
Again, let’s emphasize, the clock was very little factor. Carolina didn’t have 15 seconds left to score; the Panthers had 115 seconds left. And a timeout. And only 51 yards to navigate.
Momentum was firmly on the Panthers’ side. These were the moments where Drew Brees killed the Panthers, time and again, when he played for New Orleans. Three-step drops. Eight yards here. Twelve yards there. Right down the field.
But for the Panthers, every play looked the same — Young on a deep drop. Scanning, scanning. The pocket breaking down. Then, either a heave, or some scurrying around and then a heave. Or a sack. All the blitz-killing plays that the Panthers have at their disposal — they didn’t run any of them, it seemed like, except a Hubbard run that netted 3 yards.
The Panthers’ best plays were Arizona penalties. Other than that, it all went south. Carolina couldn’t adjust to the Arizona adjustments. Needing a touchdown, the Panthers never got closer than the Arizona 33. And so that was that.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins (25) dives after Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) as he pitches the ball at State Farm Stadium on Sept 14, 2025. Joe Rondone/The Republic USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
At least there was some hope.
At least the game was exciting in the final two minutes.
But, as has happened so often in the past eight seasons, when it was winning time for Carolina, it turned into losing time.
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