Six Turnovers Hurt Arizona In 34-21 Loss To Carolina

NFL News - November 2nd, 2009 - Written by Scott

The Carolina Panthers were struggling with the decision all week to keep Jake Delhomme as their starting quarterback against Arizona on Sunday. After throwing three interceptions last week, he was mistake free on Sunday as the Panthers got by Arizona 34-21. Delhomme was injured in the game late in the third quarter and was taken out for precautionary reasons after playing in their next offensive series. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 90 yards and one touchdowns. The difference in the game was the running attack of the Panthers as they rushed for 270 yards, including 158 from DeAngleo Williams, against the league's best rushing defense. Arizona was also hindered by the play of quarterback Kurt Warner who threw 5 interceptions and lost 1 fumble.

"It just seemed like every time the ball was bouncing somewhere, it went into their hands," Warner said. "It's to their credit. They were hustling. They were running all over the football field."

Both teams scored on their opening possessions of the first quarter. Carolina struck first on a 6 yard touchdown run by Jonathan Stewart, but the Arizona Cardinals responded with a 14 yard touchdown pass from Warner to LaRod Stephens-Howling. However, the second quarter would belong to the Panthers. Stewart got his second touchdown run of the game and Steve Smith hauled in a 50 yard touchdown pass from Delhomme to give Carolina a 21-7 lead. Julius Peppers would also add to the scoring with a 13 yard interception return for a touchdown that sent the Panthers into halftime leading 28-7.

Arizona would produce the only points in the third as Warner found Ben Patrick on a 1 yard touchdown pass to bring the Cardinals within 14. Carolina kicker John Kasay would add two field goals in the fourth quarter and Tim Hightower would score on a 1 yard touchdown run for Arizona and the game ended with Carolina on top 34-21. Arizona is not playing well at home and has now lost more games in their stadium than it did all of last season.

"It's very disappointing that we aren't playing better at home right now," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We have the same record that we were at this time last year. I still feel like we're a better football team. We just didn't play that way today."

Arizona (4-3) defied the NFL betting odds and lost to Carolina, despite being favored by 8 coming into the game. They still remain first in the NFC West thanks to a loss by San Francisco to Indianapolis and will play at Chicago on Sunday. Carolina is now 3-4 and have won three of four after starting 0-3. They will play at New Orleans. This is the fifth straight game that Arizona has been held under 100 yards rushing.

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