Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers Box Score on Oct 30, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Oct 30, 2016

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Running back Jonathan Stewart ran for a pair of touchdowns and the Carolina Panthers found a remedy for their recent struggles by holding off the Arizona Cardinals 30-20 on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.

A rematch of last season's NFC championship game nearly turned into another Carolina rout, sparked by linebacker Thomas Davis return of a fumble for a touchdown in the game's opening minutes.

The Panthers (2-5), coming off an open week, played energized in breaking a four-game losing streak even though they didn't score a second-half touchdown.

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer endured seven sacks, including five times in the first half. He completed 35 of 46 passes for 363 yards, throwing three touchdown passes (two to receiver J.J. Nelson) and one interception.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had an average day, completing 14 of 27 passes for 212 yards.

Stewart gained 95 rushing yards on 25 carries.

Carolina led 24-7 at the half -- the same halftime score between the teams in last season's NFC championship game.

Carolina's Graham Gano kicked three field goals, including a 52-yarder in the third quarter.

Palmer hit receiver John Brown for a 17-yard scoring play late in the third quarter as the Cardinals (3-4-1) closed within 30-14.

Arizona moved into Carolina territory early in the fourth quarter, but four penalties pushed the Cardinals back to their own 20-yard line and they faced second-and-44 before giving up possession with a punt.

On their next possession, the Cardinals converted a fourth down and then scored on Palmer's 4-yard pass to Nelson with 5:01 left. A two-point conversion pass failed.

The Cardinals entered the week having forced 14 turnovers -- the second most in NFL -- but they didn't have a takeaway Sunday until stripping Stewart for a fumble with 3:19 remaining at the Carolina 40.

On the next snap, defensive end Kony Ealy intercepted Palmer's pass.

The Panthers had a 7-0 lead when Arizona, which had the game's first possession, lost the ball on Palmer's fumble and Davis returned it 46 yards for a touchdown.

It was the 12th-year NFL player's first career touchdown.

The Panthers held a 14-0 edge after Stewart's 2-yard run later in the opening quarter as part of a nine-play, 75-yard drive.

Stewart bulled in from 1 yard out with 11:05 to go in the second quarter. Gano's 43-yard field goal made it 24-0 with 2:45 left before halftime.

The Cardinals didn't take a snap inside Carolina territory until less than two minutes remained in the opening half. That led to Palmer's 5-yard touchdown pass to Nelson with 20 seconds to play in the half.

NOTES: The Panthers lost linebacker Shaq Thompson (left knee) and center Ryan Kalil (right shoulder) to second-quarter injuries. Neither player returned. ... Arizona lost S Tyrann Mathieu to a shoulder injury and he didn't play in the second half. ... The Panthers were without CB James Bradberry, who has a toe injury, while CB Robert McClain, who missed the previous game because of a hamstring injury, took his place. ... Carolina activated CB Leonard Johnson, who made his Panthers debut, and placed CB Teddy Williams on injured reserve with a knee injury. ... Panthers OT Michael Oher missed his fourth game with a concussion. ... Carolina visits the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. ... The Cardinals are off next week before a Nov. 13 matchup against San Francisco for their only home game in November.