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Week 6 Game Recap: Carolina Panthers 25, Arizona Cardinals 10
What you need to know
| Carolina Panthers |
The Carolina Panthers continued their second half dominance over their 2007 opponents by scoring 16 fourth quarter points to break open a tight defensively played game. Carolina had only 180 yards offense and no touchdowns in the first three quarters. But in the fourth, they scored on three of their next five possessions getting big plays from Steve Smith (65 yard touchdown catch) and DeAngelo Williams (75 yard run to the Arizona 14 yard line) in the fourth quarter.
Vinny Testaverde got the start for the Panthers and played mistake free football, which was pivotal in this game. After being signed on Tuesday of this week, Testaverde finished 20 of 33 for 206 yards and one touchdown pass to Steve Smith to put the Panthers up 15-10. Despite the touchdown pass, when Testaverde threw downfield, many of his passes were off target or behind the intended receivers.
Steve Smith was definitely the key to the game and showed why he is a fantasy stud. Smith caught ten balls for 136 yards and scored one touchdown, but also returned a punt, ran a reverse and even lined up at quarterback in the first quarter taking snap for an eight yard gain.
DeAngelo Williams was the game's leading rusher with 121 yards on ten carries including a 75 yard run late in the fourth quarter that sealed the game. Two plays later, Williams ran 13 yards to extend the Panthers' lead to 25-10.
| Arizona Cardinals |
The wind went out of the Cardinals' sails at the 7:31 mark of the first period when after fumbling while being sacked for a 12 yard loss, Kurt Warner tried to recover the ball just as the Panthers' Julius Peppers landed on his left elbow. Arizona was forced to put in Tim Rattay, who they picked up as a free agent on Tuesday of this week. Under Rattay, and the abbreviated playbook, Arizona leaned heavily on running back Edgerrin James and Larry Fitzgerald, but to no avail. With Rattay at the helm, the Cardinals' scored on only two of their 11 possessions. The defense held up for three quarters, but appeared to become tired in the fourth giving up two long plays, a 65 yard touchdown pass and a 75 yard run to allow the Panthers to extend its lead. Adding to the Cardinals' demise were the seven turnovers the team committed.
Tim Rattay finished the game 12 for 24 for 159 yards and three interceptions and two fumbles. His unfamiliarity with the playbook was evident, as he wasn't asked to do too much in the offense. Seven of the Cardinals' last 12 possessions ended either three and out or a turnover. Rattay fumbled twice and threw three interceptions.
Edgerrin James ran hard and ended the game with 22 carries for 80 yards for one touchdown. James was asked to carry the bulk of the Cardinals offense, but after Warner was hurt, the Panther's defense started to key on the run not fearing Rattay's passing abilities.
Larry Fitzgerald had six catches for 97 yards, but no touchdowns. Many of his catches were a result of Rattay throwing the ball up and Fitzgerald out leaping the opposing defenders.
What you ought to know
| QB Vinny Testaverde, Pass: 20 - 33 - 206 - 1 TD / 0 INT |
Despite only having a few days to prepare, Testaverde can credit his 21 NFL years of experience as a major reason why the Panthers won this game. Like a veteran quarterback should play, Testaverde was 20 for 33 for 206 yards and one touchdown. The biggest stat? No turnovers. Many of his throws were short ranged. When he did throw downfield, his rustiness showed as they were overthrown or thrown behind the receiver. He did hook up with Steve Smith for a 65 yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the Panthers ahead for good. He targeted seven players and often did just enough to move the team downfield. He showed surprising velocity on his passes and when he was forced from the pocket, he showed agility. In short, he did not make the mistakes that would have put the Panthers in a hole.
| QB David Carr |
Carr was in pads but did not play due to his lingering back problem.
| RB DeShaun Foster, Rush: 17 - 43 - 0, Rec: 2 - 6 - 0 (4 targets) |
Foster was the starting running back but found yardage difficult against the Cardinals' front seven. He finished with 17 rushes for 42 yards and no scores. He added two receptions out of the backfield for six more yards.
| RB DeAngelo Williams, Rush: 10 - 121 - 1 (1 targets) |
Williams was kept in check for most of the game, but did bust a 75 yard run down the left sidelines late in the fourth quarter. Two plays later, Williams went off the left end and scored on a 13 yard run. He ran with good determination and hit the holes with determination. Williams did return one kickoff for 21 yards as well.
| RB Alex Haynes, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0 |
Haynes carried the ball one time on a third and 14 late in the fourth quarter with Carolina comfortably in the lead.
| RB Brad Hoover, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets) |
Hoover was used mainly as a blocking back for both Williams and Foster. He was often kept in the backfield to add protection for Testaverde.
| WR Steve Smith, Rush: 2 - 15 - 0, Rec: 10 - 136 - 1 (13 targets) |
Smith by far was the biggest offensive star. The Panthers obviously were trying to get Smith the ball often as he lined up at receiver, quarterback and even returned a punt in the game as well. He finished the contest with 136 yards on ten receptions including a beautiful 65 yard touchdown catch when Testaverde hit him in stride down the right side line. Smith ran untouched past the Cardinals secondary to score. He rushed two times for 15 yards (once when he lined up at quarterback in the shot gun.)
| WR Keary Colbert, Rec: 3 - 29 - 0 (9 targets) |
Colbert finished the game with three receptions for 29 yards, with his longest being 15 yards. He was targeted nine times on the day and would have had more receptions in Testaverde was a little more accurate on his down field throws. He was instrumental in one of the Panthers' touchdown drives, when Testaverde targeted him down the right side line of the field, but he was interfered with by the Cardinals' Adrian Wilson. On the next play, Testaverde hit Smith on a 65 yard touchdown pass.
| WR Drew Carter, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (3 targets) |
Carter caught two of the three passes thrown to him, the longest being 15 yards.
| TE Jeff King, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (4 targets) |
King was thrown to four times and caught two short passes up the middle.
| PK John Kasay 4 - 5 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 13 points |
Kasay his on four of his five field goal attempts, and added one extra point. He connected on field goals of 33, 43, 24, and 45 yards. He missed a 45 yard field goal wide right.
| CAR Rush Defense |
The Panthers rush defense held the Cardinals to only 93 yards on 24 rushes. Edgerrin James had the only Cardinals touchdown, a 23 yard run in the second quarter. James finished the game with 80 yards on 23 carries. The front seven proved difficult to run on and forced the Cardinals to pass more than they wanted to in the game. They held the Cardinals offense to only three rushing first downs.
| CAR Pass Defense |
The Panthers pass defense was a beneficiary of Kurt Warner going out of the game with an injury and newly signed free agent Tim Rattay taking over the offense early in the first quarter. They pressured Rattay often and did not give up a receiving touchdown on the day. The sacked Rattay twice and had three interceptions on the night.
| QB Tim Rattay, Pass: 12 - 24 - 159 - 0 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 2 - 5 - 0 |
Rattay showed his rustiness when he was forced into action after signing with the Cardinals on Tuesday. With a limited playbook Rattay was intercepted three times and fumbled twice. He finished the night with 159 yards on 12 completions, and 24 attempts. He was sacked twice. Rattay targeted eight receivers, but many of his passes were off target. He did managed to lead the Cardinals on one 12 play, 80 yard drive that was capped off with a 23 yard Edgerrin James run. On that drive, Rattay completed four passes for 28 yards.
| QB Kurt Warner, Pass: 2 - 2 - 21 - 0 TD / 0 INT |
Warner left the game at the 7:31 mark of the first period when after fumbling while being sacked for a 12 yard loss, he tried to recover the ball just as the Panthers' Julius Peppers landed on his left elbow. He was 2-2 on the day and had his elbow wrapped in ice on the bench during the game. It was reported that he was doubtful to return.
| RB Edgerrin James, Rush: 22 - 80 - 1 (2 targets) |
James was the Cardinals' leading rusher with 80 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown, a 23 yard scamper. He was the focus on the Cardinals' offense, since the Panthers defense didn't fear the passing game. Despite facing seven and eight men fronts, James ran with determination. On his touchdown run, he broke two tackles to the end zone. He was targeted twice out of the backfield with passes, but the timing with Rattay was off.
| RB Terrelle Smith, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (3 targets) |
Smith carried one time for three yards and was targeted with short passes three times.
| RB J.J. Arrington |
Arrington had no rushes on the night, but did return two kickoffs, one for 56 yards. He ended the night with 76 return yards on the night.
| WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rec: 6 - 97 - 0 (8 targets) |
Fitzgerald had six receptions for 97 yards with a long on 36 yards from Rattay. On the game's second play, Warner hit Fitzgerald for 19 yards up the middle, but the ball cam loose as Fitzgerald was struggling for yardage. The Cardinals' challenged the fumble call, but it was upheld via replay. With Fitzgerald, many of his catches came as Rattay threw the passes high and had the receiver out leap the defenders for the catch. His longest grab was 36 yards.
| WR Bryant Johnson, Rec: 4 - 29 - 0 (6 targets) |
Johnson caught four balls for 29 yards, but suffered from the inconsistent play of the Cardinals quarterback.
| WR Jerheme Urban, Rec: 1 - 42 - 0 (6 targets) |
Urban was targeted six times and had his only reception of the night on the game's last play, when Rattay threw a hail Mary pass and Urban caught the pass between defenders.
| WR Steve Breaston, Rush: 1 - 10 - 0 (1 targets) |
Breaston was only targeted once in the game. He returned punts and kick offs for the Cardinals. His longest kick return was 33 yards.
| TE Leonard Pope, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (2 targets) |
Pope had once reception for three yards from Rattay.
| PK Neil Rackers 1 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points |
Rackers converted on his only field goal attempt a 50 yard effort in the third quarter and converted his only extra point attempt.
| ARI Rush Defense |
Take away the 75 yard run by DeAngelo Williams, and the Arizona rush defense played a respectable game holding Carolina to only 106 yards on 19 rushes. This game was a defensive struggle for both teams with the Cardinals giving up two plays that cost them the victory. In total the Cardinals gave up a total of 181 yards rushing with one score. They kept Foster to only 43 yards on 17 carries.
| ARI Pass Defense |
Much like the rush defense, take away one play, (the 65 yard touchdown catch to Steve Smith) and the Cardinals would have given up a total of 141 passing yards on the day. Two glaring stats do come forth, though, as the pass defense did not sack the 43 year old Testaverde, nor did they cause a turnover. Smith burned the Cardinals secondary late in the fourth quarter and ran untouched down the right side line for a 65 yard touchdown. Safety Adrian Wilson was flagged for two 15 yard penalties (unnecessary roughness and pass interference) that kept two Carolina scoring drives alive.
