In a tightly contested Week 2 game of the 2025 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals edged out the Carolina Panthers with a 27‑22 victory at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona took an early lead and held off a strong second‑half comeback attempt by Carolina to secure the win. The Cardinals led 27‑3 before the Panthers rallied late.
Final Score — Scoring by Quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 10 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
| Panthers | 3 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 22 |
Arizona capitalized early, but Carolina’s offense rallied with multiple touchdowns late in the game, narrowing the gap.
Passing Stats
Carolina Panthers Passing Leaders
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Quarterback — Bryce Young: 35/55, 328 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Young delivered a career‑high passing performance that fueled Carolina’s second‑half comeback effort.
Arizona Cardinals Passing Leaders
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Quarterback — Kyler Murray: 17/25, 220 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Murray led the Cardinals’ efficient passing attack and also contributed on the ground despite throwing one interception.
Rushing Stats
Carolina Panthers Rushing Leaders
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Chuba Hubbard: 10 carries, 38 rushing yards
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Bryce Young: 2 carries, 2 rushing yards
Carolina’s ground game was limited, but Young’s passing kept the offense moving.
Arizona Cardinals Rushing Leaders
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Cardinals totaled 82 rushing yards on 22 attempts. The ground attack helped Arizona manage the clock and support the passing game
Receiving Leaders
A few standout receivers from both teams include:
Panthers Receivers
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Tetairoa McMillan:
Led Carolina with 6 catches for 100 yards, becoming Young’s primary deep‑threat target after halftime.
Cardinals Receivers
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Trey McBride: 6 receptions, 78 yards
McBride was a reliable target for Murray throughout the game.
Team Offensive Comparison
| Stat | Panthers | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 352 | 293 |
| Passing Yards | 303 | 211 |
| Rushing Yards | 49 | 82 |
| First Downs | 26 | 16 |
| Time of Possession | 33:15 | 26:45 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Despite being outgained in rushing yards and having more possession time, Carolina’s turnovers and early scoring deficit proved costly.
Defensive Highlights & Key Plays
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Calais Campbell (Cardinals) recorded a crucial sack with 26 seconds left, sealing the victory for Arizona.
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Arizona’s defense capitalized on Carolina turnovers early and forced Carolina into playing from behind.
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Panthers’ defense held the Cardinals scoreless in the final quarter, giving Carolina a chance to fight back late.
Game Impact
This matchup highlighted the significance of early momentum and turnovers in NFL games. The Cardinals built a strong lead, forcing Carolina into passing situations that eventually resulted in a comeback attempt too late to overturn the deficit.
Arizona improved to 2‑0 on the season with this result, while Carolina, despite a solid passing performance, remained winless early in their campaign.
Final Thoughts
The Panthers vs Cardinals Week 2 showdown was a thrilling, high‑offense contest that showcased strong individual performances, especially from quarterbacks Bryce Young and Kyler Murray. While Young’s career‑high passing stats drove Carolina’s late surge, Arizona’s balanced attack and key defensive stop in the final minute secured the 27‑22 win.