Panthers-Cardinals live updates: Cam Newton, Carolina smothers Arizona
Cam Newton won a national championship in this building. He made his NFL debut here. And today, he made his return to the field in his second go-round with the Carolina Panthers.
Newton, who the Panthers re-signed Thursday as a free agent to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million, is active for today’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, but he didn’t start. That job belonged to PJ Walker, who started at quarterback in place of Sam Darnold (placed on injured reserve Friday).
Newton’s first start will likely come next week against Washington.
The Charlotte Observer has four journalists in Glendale at today’s 4 p.m. kickoff between the Panthers and Cardinals, including beat reporters Jonathan M. Alexander and Ellis L. Williams. We’ll have live updates posted here throughout the day (refresh for the latest) and expanded coverage after on CharlotteObserver.com.
Live updates have concluded for this game. For results and instant analysis, click here.
Zane Gonzalez pads his stats
The Panthers kicker booted his fourth field goal to go with a pair of extra points and he’s accounted for 14 of the team’s 34 points today after a 27-yarder with just over 4 minutes to play. Carolina extends its lead to 34-10.
Cardinals find the end zone
In the “too little, too late” category, James Connor ripped a run off the left tackle for 11 yards and a score, cutting the Carolina advantage to three touchdowns at 31-10.
Chuba Hubbard, Chris Streveler trade fumbles
On what appeared to be a standard handoff, Chuba Hubbard lost the handle on the ball and put it on the ground, and the Cardinals recovered. Streveler lost the football three plays later and gave it back to the Panthers, though it was fourth down anyway.
Shaq Thompson sacks Colt McCoy
The Panthers defense was at it again, and this time it hurt more than a bump or bruise. Shaq Thompson crushed Colt McCoy for an eight-yard loss, but more importantly sent him into the blue medical tent for evaluation. The Cardinals turned to journeyman Chris Streveler, who promptly went four-and-out as the Cards went for it on fourth down near midfield. UPDATE HERE: McCoy left the blue tent and went to the locker room for evaluation. Could be seen grabbing at his shoulder area.
Cam Newton plays on first down; Panthers add a TD
On a first down from about midfield, the Panthers worked Cam Newton into the game in a “normal” scenario. He led them to two first downs, the second on a long pass to the left sideline that led to a pass interference call against the Cardinals. That set them up at the 20. Two plays later, with PJ Walker back in the game, Walker found McCaffrey to the 6, and then Chuba Hubbard ran the ball in around right end for a touchdown. The Panthers then went for 2, and Terrace Marshall hauled that in for another pair of points. The score after all this? 31-3, Carolina.
Points! Cardinals have points!
Matt Prater got the Cardinals on the board after a promising Arizona drive stalled at the 32. Prater booted a 47-yard FG from the right hash that snuck inside the right upright to give the Cards their first points of the contest. Call that a good bend-don’t-break moment for the Panthers ‘D.’
What’s a punt?
The Panthers, after starting the game with no punts through the first half, had to punt on their first possession in the second half. On the punt, officials threw the third flag of the first 2:13. The first two (one accepted) were against Carolina, the third against Arizona, which backed the Cards up to the 25.
Zane Gonzalez straight and true ... again
The Panthers closed out the half with another field goal, Zane Gonzalez’s third FG of the half. The touchdowns? Those both came courtesy Cam Newton, earlier in the half.
Stephon Gilmore shaken up, jogs off
After breaking up a third-down pass, recently acquired CB Stephon Gilmore stayed down on the field and gave the very injured Carolina defense a scare. He stayed down on the field for a beat, got up and jogged off, but will be checked out. Meanwhile, the Panthers got the ball back after forcing yet another Arizona punt.
First big hiccup for PJ Walker
On third down, after a near-interception earlier, this time PJ Walker isn’t so lucky. Jalen Thompson gets his hands on a ball that was way overthrown, and he returns it back to the original line to gain for the Cardinals. Arizona takes over at its own 32. The pass was intended for Terrace Marshall.
Panthers stout defense
Perhaps lost in the big lead and Cam Newton hoopla today has been the play of the Panthers’ defense. Arizona has 43 total yards in this one through a quarter and a half, including just nine yards rushing. The Panthers’ ‘D’ has also taken away an interception and a fumble, and held the Cardinals to just 7:19 of ball possession.
PJ Walker gets a pass; Gonzalez boots a FG
Jordan Hicks appeared to pick off a PJ Walker pass and return it deep into the Panthers territory, but a replay showed the ball hit the ground. That play was on third down, just the second non-converted third down of the day for the Panthers. On the ensuing play, Zane Gonzalez booted a 48-yard field goal just inside the right upright to extend the Carolina lead to 20-0.
Third-down proficiency
The Panthers have faced four third-down plays so far in this game, and have converted on three of them to this point. PJ Walker is 6-of-7 overall so far, as well. McCaffrey has been doing some heavy lifting, but he’s been tough to stop.
Panthers add a FG
No, Cam Newton didn’t score another TD on his third touch of the game. In fact, it was PJ Walker with the big completion on the ensuing drive after the interception. The Panthers stalled this time, though, and settled for a field goal to push the lead to 17-0.
Panthers intercept Colt McCoy
The Colt McCoy “era” in Arizona is off to a forgettable start for the veteran backup. With two drives stalling on their own side of the 50, the Cards finally had a few plays in the Carolina end, but McCoy made an ill-advised throw, passing left while running bootleg right. The ball wobbled through the air and landed in the arms of Panthers DB Donte Jackson, who collected the INT.
Cam Newton throws a TD
On his second play from scrimmage of the day (after scoring on a run play on his first), Cam Newton takes the snap from under center, rolls right and hits Robby Anderson for the touchdown. Two TDs on two plays for Newton, and the 8-1 Cardinals are ... stunned.
Christian McCaffrey near TD
The Panthers’ star running back takes a direct snap in a wildcat formation, and he tries to run it up the gut. Shades of Barry Sanders as he hesitates and bounces it outside left. As he dove for the pylon, he stepped out at the 2-yard line.
Defensive stand
The Cardinals, facing a 4th and 1 near midfield, tried to go with a quick count, and didn’t fool anyone. Instead, the Panthers’ D held strong at the line and turned the ball over. PJ Walker returns under center. Carolina’s second possession starts at the Arizona 41.
Cam Newton scores on his first touch
PJ Walker completed a first down over the middle to Christian McCaffrey, who fell forward to a first down at about the Cardinals 2-yard line. The next play, McCaffrey was shut down, but then... oh, then... Cam Newton entered the game at QB, bounced off the line and headed for the corner of the end zone. He dove across the plane for a TD on his first touch.
Follow that ball
Haason Reddick with the strip sack of Colt McCoy and the former Cardinal sets up the Panthers inside the Arizona 20 after a recovery by Morgan Fox. First and 10 from the 15 for the Panthers. Second career start for PJ Walker.
Coin toss
The Panthers won the coin toss and elected to defer; Arizona will receive. The Panthers will be going right to left across your screens in the first quarter.
Is Cam Newton playing today?
Cam Newton was not among the players the Panthers placed on their inactive list today, meaning he is available to play this afternoon against the Cardinals.
Kyler Murray won’t play today
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is listed as inactive today by Arizona. Colt McCoy will start in his place.
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is also inactive.
Who’s inactive in the Panthers-Cardinals game
PANTHERS: CB Rashaan Melvin, CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, DT Phil Hoskins, WR Shi Smith, S Kenny Robinson, TE Colin Thompson.
CARDINALS: QB Kyler Murray (ankle), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), WR Andy Isabella, RB Jonathan Ward, (concussion).
- S James Wiggins (knee)
- G Justin Pugh (calf)
- OL Max Garcia (Achilles)
What channel is the Panthers-Cardinals game on?
Sunday’s 4 p.m. kickoff between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., is being broadcast on FOX. If you’re watching in Charlotte, that means WJZY-Fox 46. The Panthers-Cardinals game can be streamed online with a subscription to YouTube TV or Hulu+ Live TV, so long as you are viewing from inside the broadcast footprint — a map of which can be found below via 506 Sports.
This story was originally published November 14, 2021 at 2:39 PM.
