The last result for the Arizona Cardinals against the Carolina Panthers is still fresh in their minds, as it came late last season.
So, the Cardinals have an idea of what to expect from the Panthers when the teams meet Sunday at Glendale, Ariz.
“I don’t live in the past, but if you look back on that game last year, we did not play our brand of ball,” Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon said. “We didn’t stop the run.”
That was mainly because running back Chuba Hubbard gained 152 rushing yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in the Week 16 matchup.
The Cardinals want to avoid another misstep after starting the season on a positive note by beating the New Orleans Saints 20-13 last week.
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray often burned the Saints when they blitzed and he got off passes, even though he was sacked five times. Murray rushed for 63 yards last December in Carolina’s overtime win.
The Cardinals will look to unleash receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride, who combined for 132 receiving yards last week. In the 2024 matchup with the Panthers, that duo totaled 59 receiving yards.
“It’s good to have that carryover, a late-season game against them to look at them,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “With that being said, they still do a lot of different things.”
The Panthers stumbled to a miserable 26-10 loss in their opener at Jacksonville.
“It’s always something different, whether it’s offense, defense or special teams,” Canales said of addressing shortcomings.
The Cardinals are wary of Carolina quarterback Bryce Young despite his inconsistencies. Young was 18 of 35 with two interceptions and a touchdown in the Jacksonville game.
Last season against Arizona, Young threw two TD passes and rushed for a career-high 68 yards.
“If you don’t rush him the right way, he makes you pay with his legs,” Gannon said.
Young said he has noticed that the Cardinals will alter their schemes.
“They do a great job of communicating. You can tell they’re comfortable in that system,” Young said. “It’s a great opportunity against a really good team.”
Canales said the Panthers will focus more on pushing the pace offensively to avoid the play clock running out.
“We just want to make sure we’re urgent getting into the huddle and getting out of the huddle,” Young said.
The Panthers need someone to step into the void caused by defensive end Tershawn Wharton’s absence with a hamstring injury.
“Now Jaden Crumedy has to play a bigger role,” Canales said.
Arizona will be without special teams ace Joey Blount, who Gannon said Wednesday will be out for the rest of the season due to a neck injury. The Cardinals don’t have any other notable injuries, Gannon said.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Carolina receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who the Cardinals are familiar with. He played collegiately for Arizona.
“I thought his tape was really good and he showed it in Week 1,” Gannon said of McMillan, who’s a rookie starter.
The Panthers lead the all-time series 15-6, including a pair of postseason victories. Carolina holds a 6-2 record at Arizona.
