Cam Newton, Panthers Set Early Tone in Win Over Cardinals

After entering their bye week at a disappointing 1-5, the Carolina Panthers had a big test against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defense set the tone early, and Cam Newton and the Panthers offense took advantage of their chances in the 30-20 victory over the visiting Cardinals.

Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis scored his first career touchdown just three minutes into the game, giving the Panthers an early 7-0 lead, scooping up a Carson Palmer fumble and returning it 46 yards to the end zone. 

After a quick stop, Newton took the Panthers offense on a 75-yard drive, capped off by a Jonathan Stewart two-yard touchdown dash to make it 14-0 Panthers midway through the opening quarter. Stewart had another one-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, making it 21-0 Carolina.

Graham Gano extending the Panthers lead to 24-0 before the Cardinals scored just before halftime to cut it to 24-7 at the break.

The Panthers got two more field goals in the second half from Gano, and made key defensive plays in the fourth quarter to seal the 30-20 win. The Panthers defense sacked Palmer eight times.

Stewart finished with 95 yards rushing on 25 carries and two scores, Newton threw for 212 yards on 14-27 passing. 

The Panthers get a much needed win to move to 2-5 and will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams next week.