The Biggest Reason the Carolina Panthers Are Poised for a Bounce-Back Performance in Week 2 Against the Arizona Cardinals

By Mitch Greenberg

Bryce Young loses possession of the ball in Week 1 matchup at Jacksonville Photo: Kevin Tolbert, ADSN

After a disappointing 26–10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, the Carolina Panthers head into their Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals with a chip on their shoulder and a clear opportunity to reset the narrative. Despite the Cardinals entering the game as 6.5-point favorites, there are compelling reasons to believe Carolina can find success on both sides of the ball. Let’s break down three offensive and three defensive factors that favor the Panthers, analyze Arizona’s rushing attack, and explore why Bryce Young is primed for a rebound.

Bryce Young’s Anticipated Improvement

Bryce Young’s Week 1 performance was marred by hesitation, erratic footwork, and poor decision-making under pressure. He finished 18-of-35 for 154 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and a lost fumble. His footwork looked out of sync, especially on intermediate throws. It was if he was operating about a second slower than the plays were developing.

But there’s reason for optimism. Young showed flashes of chemistry with rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan (5 catches, 68 yards on 9 targets), and his struggles were reminiscent of early 2024 rather than the confident stretch he closed last season with. With a full week to recalibrate under Dave Canales’ system, expect Young to play with more rhythm, better platform mechanics, and quicker reads. Arizona’s defense, which allowed 13 points to New Orleans but struggled to generate consistent pressure, could be the perfect matchup for Young to regain his poise. The jury is still out on Ickey Ekwonu, but even without him, the confidence of McMillan should help tremendously with being an even stronger target for Young this week.

2. McMillan’s Emergence as a True X Receiver

McMillan’s debut was one of the few bright spots in Week 1. His ability to win on the boundary and create separation against zone coverage gives Carolina a legitimate WR1 threat. Arizona’s secondary, still a work in progress, lacks a true shutdown corner and could struggle to contain McMillan in single coverage. Even with Budda Baker patrolling, McMillan’s early progress shows he will be illusive in all areas. If Young can deliver with better timing, McMillan could be the focal point of a more dynamic passing attack.

3. Chuba Hubbard’s Bounce-Back Potential

Hubbard was bottled up against Jacksonville, but Arizona’s run defense—while improved—is not impenetrable. The Cardinals retained most of a blocking unit that ranked 14th in run-blocking grade last season, but they allowed 4.6 yards per carry in Week 1 and are vulnerable to zone runs. Hubbard’s vision and burst in outside zone concepts could exploit Arizona’s linebacker group, which remains the weakest unit on their defense. Expect Carolina to lean on the run early to settle Young and control tempo.

Defensive Success: Why Carolina Can Contain Arizona

1. Run Defense Adjustments After Jacksonville

The Panthers were gashed for 200 rushing yards by Jacksonville, including 143 from Travis Etienne. Arizona presents a similar challenge: a multi-pronged rushing attack led by James Conner (90.6 rushing grade in 2024, sixth in NFL), Trey Benson, who led the Cardinals rushing attack in Week 1 with 69 rush yards, and Kyler Murray (7.3 yards per carry, second among QBs). However, Carolina will benefit from the defensive tweeks by Ejiro Evero to a line solidified by Derrick Brown. With Brown anchoring the interior and improved gap discipline, the Panthers are better equipped to contain Arizona’s ground game than they were against Jacksonville. “Once you give it up one week, they are going to simulate it the next week. I’m sure they are watching the Jacksonville tape just like we’re watching their tape against the Saints. So we want to execute and put it on tape,” Brown said this week.

The only other concern is Tershawn Wharton, who was a DNP in practice on Thursday, dealing with a Hamstring injury.

2. Edge Pressure from D.J. Wonnum and Tershawn Wharton

While Carolina failed to generate consistent pressure in Week 1, D.J. Wonnum led the team with four pressures and Wharton showed flashes before exiting with a hamstring injury. Arizona’s offensive line is solid but not elite, and Kyler Murray’s tendency to extend plays can lead to sack opportunities. If Carolina’s edge rushers can collapse the pocket and force Murray into hurried throws, they can disrupt Arizona’s rhythm and limit explosive plays. But they’ll have to be cautious of Murray’s ability to get loose outside the pocket.

3. Jaycee Horn’s Matchup Advantage

Horn was stellar in Week 1, allowing just one catch for seven yards and recording a highlight-reel interception. He’ll likely draw Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona’s top receiving threat. While Harrison is a generational talent, Horn’s physicality and ball skills give Carolina a fighting chance to neutralize him. So if Horn holds to his commitment to tighten up, he’ll see success. “We gave up a couple of chunk plays. I gave up one (a chunk play) Those situation, we gotta get off the field and save points—being more physical and also mentally staying with it,” Horn said after last week’s 26-10 loss.

If Horn can hold his own, Arizona’s passing game becomes far more predictable, allowing Carolina’s safeties to focus on run support and intermediate zones.

Jacksonville’s success on the ground in Week 1 stemmed from a combination of power runs and zone concepts that exploited Carolina’s poor linebacker fits and missed tackles. Arizona’s rushing attack is similarly diverse, built around Conner’s downhill style and Murray’s mobility. However, there are key differences:

Feature	Jaguars (Week 1)	Cardinals (2025)
Lead Back	Travis Etienne Jr.	James Conner
QB Rushing Threat	Minimal (Lawrence)	Significant (Murray)
Scheme	Zone-heavy	Multiple TE sets, power mix
Week 1 Rush Yards	202	~120 (vs. Saints)

Arizona’s use of multiple tight ends and designed QB runs adds complexity, but Carolina now has tape and experience against a similarly aggressive ground game. With Brown back this season, and improved linebacker play, the Panthers should fare better in Week 2.

Young’s Week 1 struggles were not just mechanical—they were psychological. He looked apprehensive, hesitant to pull the trigger, and unsure of his reads. But this isn’t new territory. In early 2024, Young faced similar issues before rebounding with a strong finish to the season. The difference now is continuity. He’s had a full offseason in Canales’ system, and the rapport with McMillan is real.

Expect Young to:

• Set his base more consistently, reducing off-platform throws he had in Week 1

• Use play-action to manipulate linebackers and open intermediate windows.

• Trust his reads and release the ball quicker, especially on first down.

Arizona’s defense, while improved, lacks elite pass rushers and has a vulnerable second level. If Young can play with confidence and rhythm, Carolina’s offense will look markedly different than it did in Jacksonville.

The Panthers may have looked disjointed in Week 1, but the matchup against Arizona presents a real opportunity for redemption. With Bryce Young poised to rebound, McMillan emerging as a star, and defensive adjustments, Carolina has the tools to compete—and potentially upset—a Cardinals team that’s still finding its identity.

If Carolina can control the clock, limit turnovers, and contain Arizona’s rushing attack, they’ll not only cover the spread—they might just leave the desert with a win.