Cardinals see playoff hopes end with loss at Carolina

THE STORY: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jonathan Gannon warned that the Carolina Panthers were playing better.

Kyler Murray emphasized that it wasn’t a trap game because the Cardinals hadn’t won enough to ever think about it.

Still, the Cardinals’ 36-30 overtime loss on a chilly day at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday was unexpected and frustrating. The result, combined with the Rams’ win in New York against the Jets, resulted in the Cardinals being officially eliminated from the postseason with two games left.

Running back James Conner was a monster, accumulating 166 scrimmage yards, including 117 on the ground, but left midway through the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return. The Cardinals (7-8) fought back at that point and fought back to a disappointing 20-3 hole.

But with the Cardinals down by three with the ball and five minutes remaining, the drive stalled when Kyler Murray tried to throw to Michael Wilson on the run on third down and the ball was underthrown and intercepted.

But Murray had another chance after a punt with 1:57 left, and the Cardinals moved just enough to set up a 58-yard field goal for Chad Ryland, who spent his career quietly practicing for the to force an extension.

In overtime, the Cardinals had possession, but after a first down, the drive stalled and the Panthers (4-11) scored a 21-yard touchdown from Chuba Hubbard to end the game.

Further information will follow on azcardinals.com.