If we look at what happened in the Panthers’ Week 1 game, Cardinals fans will be pleased.
The Arizona Cardinals will face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in their home opener at State Farm Stadium. Kickoff is at 4:05 p.m. ET (1:05 p.m. in Arizona). The Cardinals are 1-0 and look for a 2-0 start.
The Panthers lost their season opener 26-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars and didn’t look good.
While the Cardinals themselves had an ugly win, there are some stats from the Panthers’ loss that should be encouraging for Cardinals fans as they prepare to cheer on their team.
The Panthers’ run defense
We know the Cardinals want to run the ball successfully. The Panthers offered little resistance to the Jacksonville rushing attack, allowing 200 total rushing yards. Travis Etienne had 143 yards on 16 carries.
The Cardinals rushed for 146 as a team in Week 1, and it felt like a struggle at times.
Bryce Young’s turnovers
Young turned the ball over three times, getting picked off twice and fumbling once. Turnovers are a critical stat. If the Cardinals can force one or two mistakes, it makes victory far more likely.
Little pressure
The Panthers had no sacks in Week 1. They had only one quarterback hit and a total of four pressures. If that is the case against the Cardinals, Kyler Murray will have a great game.
TE was leading receiver
Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange led the team in receiving with four catches for 59 yards. If a guy you probably haven’t heard of can do that, imagine what Trey McBride will do.
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