To quote Jon Gruden, "You gotta end somebody's dreams." The Carolina Panthers did just that against the Arizona Cardinals.
Coming into this matchup, the Cardinals were (previously) 7-7 and were one game behind the Seattle Seahawks, who had just lost control of the NFC West. The Cardinals needed to win-out while the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams needed to lose their last two games.
Despite being the better team on paper, the Panthers went the distance with the Cardinals. Panthers drew blood first with two touchdowns and a fumble recovery that led to another TD. Kyler Murray and James Connor willed the Cardinals back into the game, making it a 17-20 game at halftime.
The back-and-forth battle continued. The game needed to go to overtime after Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland drilled a 58-yard field goal to tie the game 30-30.
The Panthers had the ball first but the Cardinals' defense forced a three-and-out. The Cardinals started their drive deep on their side on the field. Somehow running back Michael Carter converted on fourth-and-two – which rubbed pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney the wrong way.
A two costly penalties and a sack forced the Cardinals to punt on fourth-and-28. After two big runs by Chuba Hubbard, the Panthers iced the game with a TD, 36-30.
After the big win, Clowney shared his blunt thoughts on the game.
"They leave when we leave," Clowney jeered.
The veteran pass rusher added that he did not know about the consequences of the Cardinals losing. At the end of the day, it was just a game to Clowney and the Panthers.
Clowney finished the game with four total tackles. As a whole, the Panthers' defense racked up three sacks and two turnovers. Second-year quarterback Bryce Young continues to display unreal growth after being benched earlier this season. Young finished the day going 17-for-26, 158 passing yards, 68 rushing yards, and three total TDS. Hubbard rushed for 152 yards on 22 carries and had two scores of his own. Veteran wideout Adam Thielen led the receiving corps with five catches, 43 yards and a TD.
The Panthers can continue to crush dreams, this time against their own division. They face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17 then the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. Both games will be on the road, but if they Panthers can keep pounding there's some stuff to look forward to next season.
