Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats: Inside the 36-30 OT Upset

The Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers match player stats tell the story of one of 2024’s most exciting NFL upsets.

When these teams clashed at Bank of America Stadium on December 22nd, nobody expected what unfolded.

I watched every snap of this Week 16 battle that ended with Carolina shocking Arizona 36-30 in overtime.

Let me take you through the numbers that mattered and how they shaped each crucial moment.

The Unexpected Panthers Victory: Game Stats Overview

68,804 fans witnessed history at Bank of America Stadium as the home team pulled off a stunning upset.

The Panthers entered this NFL contest as 5.5-point underdogs against an Arizona team fighting for playoff life.

Category	Cardinals	Panthers
Total Yards	382	392
Passing Yards	176	149
Rushing Yards	206	243
First Downs	23	22
3rd Down %	46.2% (6/13)	42.9% (6/14)
4th Down %	100% (1/1)	100% (2/2)
Yards Per Play	6.0	6.0
Time of Possession	33:24	33:18
Turnovers	2	0

What jumped off the stat sheet? Turnovers: Cardinals 2, Panthers 0.

This turnover margin proved decisive in a game where almost every other metric showed remarkable balance.

Game Flow: How The Stats Translated To Action

The contest unfolded as a back-and-forth affair from the opening whistle:

First Quarter: Chuba Hubbard started the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run, capping a 9-play, 73-yard drive where Carolina converted a crucial 4th-and-1 near midfield.

Second Quarter: Both quarterbacks showed their mobility. Young scrambled for a 23-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-7, though Piñeiro missed the extra point. Conner answered with a 6-yard score for Arizona, keeping it close at halftime with Carolina leading 20-17.

Third Quarter: The battle continued as field position and the run game dominated. Carolina’s defense stiffened, forcing two Arizona punts on drives that started promisingly.

Fourth Quarter: The game reached its peak intensity. Murray broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run on 3rd-and-3 with 7:42 remaining to tie the game. Then came the pivotal moment – Richardson intercepted Murray at the Carolina 42-yard line with 3:16 left, setting up Moore’s 18-yard touchdown reception on the ensuing drive. The drama continued as Ryland nailed his 58-yard field goal as regulation expired.

Overtime: Carolina won the toss, and Hubbard needed just four carries to seal it, breaking multiple tackles on his game-winning 21-yard burst.

Running Wild: Rushing Stats That Defined The Game

The NFL Week 16 cardinals panthers clash became a showcase for elite ground games, similar to what we’ve seen in other big NFC matchups this season.

Chuba Hubbard delivered a career day for Carolina:

152 rushing yards on 25 carries (6.1 average)
2 touchdown runs including the 21-yard overtime winner
165 total yards from scrimmage
91% above his season average of 79.7 yards per game

Panthers coaching staff built their gameplan around Hubbard, who repeatedly gashed Arizona’s front seven with decisive one-cut runs.

For Arizona, James Conner was equally brilliant:

117 rushing yards on 15 carries (7.8 average)
1 touchdown run in the second quarter
49 receiving yards on 4 catches
166 total scrimmage yards
71% above his season average of 68.4 rushing yards per game

Both teams finished with eye-popping rushing totals: Panthers 243 yards, Cardinals 206 yards. The ground success came despite both defenses knowing what was coming, showcasing superior execution in the trenches.

Young vs Murray: Quarterback Stats Comparison

The quarterback battle featured two former #1 overall draft picks with contrasting styles, reminiscent of other high-profile NFL quarterback duels.

Bryce Young played his most efficient game for Carolina:

Passing: 17 completions on 26 attempts (65.4%)
158 passing yards with 2 touchdowns
0 interceptions (significant improvement over his 0.6 per game average)
68 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 5 carries
107.5 passer rating
4 third-down conversions with his arm

Young’s biggest throw came with 2:57 left in the fourth quarter – a perfectly placed 18-yard touchdown to David Moore on 2nd-and-7 that put Carolina ahead 30-23.

Kyler Murray showed his dual-threat capability for Arizona:

Passing: 20 completions on 32 attempts (62.5%)
202 passing yards with 1 touchdown
1 critical interception in the fourth quarter
63 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 8 carries
77.9 passer rating
Completed passes to 8 different receivers

Murray’s 20-yard touchdown run with 7:42 left in regulation momentarily shifted momentum Arizona’s way before his crucial interception three minutes later.

Pass Catchers: Receiving Stats Breakdown

The cardinals panthers receiving stats reveal a game where tight coverage limited big plays downfield.

Arizona’s receivers:

Marvin Harrison Jr: 4 catches for 39 yards on 8 targets

The rookie sensation was held below his 52.1 yards per game average
His longest reception went for just 14 yards

James Conner: 4 catches for 49 yards

Led all Cardinals receivers in yardage
Critical 22-yard reception on 3rd-and-6 in the fourth quarter

Michael Carter: 5 catches for 30 yards

Most receptions among Cardinals players
Primarily used on check-down routes (6.0 yards per catch)

Michael Wilson: 2 catches for 44 yards

Highest yards per catch average (22.0)
27-yard reception set up Ryland’s game-tying field goal

Carolina’s receiving corps:

Adam Thielen: 5 catches for 43 yards and 1 touchdown

8-yard TD reception in second quarter
3 catches resulted in first downs

David Moore: 2 catches for 39 yards and 1 touchdown

Game-changing 18-yard TD with 2:57 left in fourth quarter
Added 21-yard reception earlier in the game

Tommy Tremble: 3 catches for 32 yards

Tight end created mismatches in the middle of the field
Converted key 3rd-and-7 in the third quarter

Neither team saw a receiver top 50 yards, highlighting the run-focused approach of both offensive coordinators.

Defensive Standouts: Stats That Changed The Game

The defensive player stats from the cardinals panthers matchup proved vital, especially at crucial moments:

Demani Richardson made the play of the game for Carolina:

6 total tackles (3 solo, 3 assisted)
1 interception of Murray in the fourth quarter with 3:16 remaining
1 pass defended
First interception of his NFL career

This was the rookie safety’s only interception of the entire 2024 season, coming at the perfect moment when Arizona was driving for a potential go-ahead score.

A’Shawn Robinson anchored the Panthers defensive line:

7 total tackles (3 solo, 4 assisted)
1.0 sack on a crucial 3rd down in the third quarter
2 tackles for loss

Jacoby Windmon provided pressure from the edge:

4 tackles (all solo)
1.0 sack
2 quarterback hits

For the Cardinals defense:

Kyzir White led all defenders:

8 total tackles (5 solo, 3 assisted)
1.0 sack on a blitz that forced a Panthers punt
2 tackles for loss

Jalen Thompson added solid support:

7 total tackles (3 solo, 4 assisted)
1 pass defended
Consistent presence against the run

Both defenses made their presence felt in key situations, though Carolina’s takeaway proved the difference-maker in a game where points were precious.

Special Teams Impact: Kicking and Return Stats

The kicking game featured clutch moments and one costly miss, similar to other high-stakes NFL contests:

Chad Ryland (Arizona):

Perfect 3 for 3 on field goals (48, 30, and 58 yards)
Connected on a massive 58-yard attempt as time expired to force overtime
3 for 3 on extra points
4 touchbacks on 6 kickoffs

Ryland’s 58-yarder to force overtime came after a 6-play, 34-yard drive that started with just 38 seconds remaining in regulation.

Eddy Piñeiro (Carolina):

1 for 1 on field goals (29 yards)
3 for 4 on extra points (missed after Young’s second-quarter rushing TD)
That miss temporarily altered the scoring dynamics

In the return game:

Raheem Blackshear gave Carolina solid field position:

3 kick returns for 86 yards (28.7 average)
Long return of 36 yards set up a third-quarter scoring drive
Added 13 rushing yards on 3 carries

Greg Dortch handled return duties for Arizona:

1 kick return for 26 yards
1 punt return for 13 yards
Also contributed in the passing game (1 catch, 19 yards)

The Panthers also benefited from veteran punter Johnny Hekker:

5 punts averaging 44.6 yards
2 punts inside the 20-yard line
No touchbacks

Statistical Keys to Victory: Why Carolina Won

Looking at the complete Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers match player stats, three factors stand out:

Ball security: Zero Panthers turnovers compared to two Cardinals giveaways
- Richardson’s interception of Murray came with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter
- Cardinals also lost a fumble on their opening possession
Ground game dominance: 243 rushing yards powered the Panthers offense
- 6.8 yards per carry as a team
- 67.6% of total offensive production came on the ground
- All three Panther rushing touchdowns came in crucial situations
Situational execution: Carolina delivered in key moments
- 2-for-2 on fourth down conversions
- 3 touchdowns in 4 red zone trips (75%)
- Young’s zero turnovers versus Murray’s critical interception

The Panthers coaching staff created a perfect gameplan centered around Hubbard’s running and minimizing mistakes, exemplifying how underdogs can overcome the odds with disciplined football.

Game Impact: Beyond The Numbers

The stats from this cardinals panthers clash had serious implications for both franchises.

For Arizona:

Dropped to 7-8 record
Officially eliminated from playoff contention
Wasted exceptional performances from Conner and Murray
Raised questions about defensive coordinator adjustments

For Carolina:

Signature win for head coach Dave Canales
Showcased Hubbard as a legitimate feature back
Provided hope for Young’s development as franchise quarterback
Demonstrated resilience after a challenging season

Player Stats vs Season Averages: The Outliers

Several players performed well above their 2024 season averages:

Chuba Hubbard:

Game: 152 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Season average: 79.7 yards per game, 0.7 TDs per game
Performance: 91% above rushing average, 186% above TD average

James Conner:

Game: 117 rushing yards, 49 receiving yards
Season average: 68.4 rushing yards, 25.9 receiving yards per game
Performance: 71% above rushing average, 89% above receiving average

Kyler Murray rushing:

Game: 63 rushing yards, 1 TD
Season average: 33.6 yards per game, 0.3 TDs per game
Performance: 87% above rushing average, 233% above TD average

Bryce Young efficiency:

Game: 0 interceptions, 107.5 passer rating
Season average: 0.6 interceptions per game, 79.2 passer rating
Performance: Significantly better in ball security and efficiency

These statistical anomalies converged to create the perfect storm for Carolina’s upset victory.

FAQs: Cardinals Panthers Match Stats

Who scored the winning touchdown in the Cardinals Panthers game?

Chuba Hubbard scored the game-winning 21-yard touchdown run in overtime, capping his career-best 152-yard rushing performance.

What was the final score of the Cardinals Panthers Week 16 game?

The final score was Carolina Panthers 36, Arizona Cardinals 30 in overtime on December 22, 2024.

How many turnovers did each team commit in the Cardinals Panthers matchup?

The Arizona Cardinals committed 2 turnovers (1 interception, 1 fumble), while the Carolina Panthers had 0 turnovers.

How many rushing yards did Chuba Hubbard have against the Cardinals?

Chuba Hubbard rushed for 152 yards on 25 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt with 2 touchdowns.

Which player had the game-changing interception in the Panthers Cardinals game?

Panthers rookie safety Demani Richardson intercepted Kyler Murray in the fourth quarter with 3:16 remaining, his only interception of the 2024 season.

How many yards per play did each team average in the Cardinals Panthers contest?

Both teams averaged exactly 6.0 yards per play (Cardinals 382 yards on 64 plays, Panthers 392 yards on 65 plays).

The Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers match player stats reveal how an upset happens in the NFL: ball security, running game dominance, and timely defensive plays turned the tables for Carolina.