CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tuba Hubbard scored a 21-yard touchdown in overtime and the Carolina Panthers won 36-30 on Sunday, eliminating the Arizona Cardinals from playoff contention.
Hubbard had 25 carries for 152 yards and two TDs. He rushed 49 yards on a decisive drive in OT.
Kyler Murray threw for 202 yards, including a touchdown and an interception, and his 20-yard TD run helped lead Arizona (7-8) from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to overtime. But it wasn’t enough for the Cardinals. The Cardinals took first place in the NFC West in early November, but have lost four of five games since then.
Bryce Young completed 17 of 26 for 158 yards and two touchdowns, running for a career-high 68 yards, including a 23-yard score, as the Panthers snapped a four-game skid. Adam Thielen and David Moore had TD catches for Carolina (4-11).
Arizona had James Conner rushing for 117 yards and a touchdown and catching four passes for 49 yards before leaving in the third quarter with a knee injury. Murray had 63 yards on the ground.
In overtime, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon tried to score from fourth out and second base at the Arizona 18, and Michael Carter got a first down on a 5-yard run. However, the Panthers sacked Murray on his own seventh and were forced to punt.
Hubbard took over from there.
He ran 28 yards on his first carry from the right side, then shook off two tacklers on his way to the end zone on a similar play.
The Panthers benefited from many of Arizona’s mistakes, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and building a 20-3 lead.
Carolina got two quarter downs on the opening possession and took advantage of a roughing the passer penalty against Arizona rookie linebacker Xavier Thomas on a third-and-eight play when Young was just trying to throw the ball away. . The Panthers took advantage of the first down, with Hubbard running for a 4-yard TD.
This misstep carried over to the Arizona offense as well. At the Carolina 21, center Hjalte Froholt was flagged for holding on a 4-and-1 play, forcing the Cardinals to settle for Chad Ryland’s 48-yard field goal.
Young ran for a touchdown on Carolina’s next possession, but the Cardinals gave the ball back on Murray’s botched snap, setting up an 8-yard touchdown pass from Young to Thielen.
Arizona turned to Conner to get back into the game. He gained 158 yards from scrimmage in the first half and scored on a 6-yard TD run. Murray threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Deejay Dallas with seven seconds left in the first half, bringing the Cardinals within 20-17.
With the Panthers leading 30-20 with 12 minutes left, Young threw a perfectly placed over-the-shoulder pass to Moore along the left sideline.
After Murray’s TD run brought the Cardinals within three points, he led a 35-yard drive in the final 1:47 that set up Ryland’s 58-yard field goal at the end of regulation.
injury
Cardinals: LT Paris Johnson (knee) did not play and RT Jonah Williams sat out with a knee injury in the third quarter. LB Baron Browning (neck) and safety Joey Blount (rib) left midway through the second half.
Panthers: C Cade Mays (illness) was a late scratch.
to the next
Cardinals: Visit the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.
Panthers: Visit Tampa Bay next Sunday.
