Calais Campbell stepped off the field, sweaty and triumphant. He had just sacked Bryce Young, sealing a nail-biting 27-22 win for the Cardinals against the Panthers. It was Campbell’s first home game back in Arizona after eight years, and he was clearly fired up.
“I’m tired as hell,” the 39-year-old defensive lineman grinned, still riding the high of victory.
This win pushed the Cardinals to a surprising 2-0 start. But it wasn’t without its challenges. The team dominated early, building a 24-point lead, yet once again struggled to finish strong. Coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged this, stating, “I need to help our guys understand how to close out games.” He appreciated the win but knew they had much work ahead.
The Panthers, having lost their first two games, made things tense. After a Kyler Murray interception, the score tightened to 27-22. In a heart-stopping moment, the Panthers recovered an onside kick, just 51 yards from the end zone. Fans held their breath until Campbell made another critical sack, ending the suspense.
Campbell felt the energy from the crowd when he entered the field. “I was pumped. To make a game-winning play and hear that crowd roar—nothing compares.”
In the game’s final stretch, the Panthers managed a mere five yards over 13 plays. The game was chaotic, marked by six penalties and frantic moments. Murray didn’t hold back, calling it “a bit of a mess.”
While Campbell’s performance was a highlight, the mood in the locker room was more subdued. Tackle Paris Johnson Jr. put it simply: “We’re 2-0, but it doesn’t feel great.”
The Cardinals started strong; linebacker Josh Sweat made an early sack that led to a defensive touchdown just minutes into the game. It looked like the Cardinals were set for a dominating performance, but things quickly grew tense.
“We’ve got to finish with the ball in our hands,” Johnson stressed. He pointed out that the offense’s inability to keep the defense off the field caused unnecessary strain.
This pattern of struggling to secure a lead could be concerning. Murray noted, “We could easily be 0-2, but we’re lucky this hasn’t caught up with us yet. We have to do better with finishing games.”
Historical Context: Looking back, this isn’t the first time teams struggle to close out games. In the 2020 season, a survey by ESPN found that 67% of games with double-digit leads were lost, highlighting a recurring issue in football dynamics. The ability to not just start strong but finish strong can shape a team’s entire season.
In summary, while the Cardinals celebrate their win, both coaches and players recognize the need for improvement. It’s a balancing act of enjoying success while remaining vigilant for the challenges ahead.
Source link
Postgame,News,Featured Articles,Mega Feed,Darren Urban,Home Page – News Headlines,Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (2025-REG-2),Calais Campbell
