Panthers vs. Cardinals Final Predictions: Two former Heisman winners collide as Bryce Young looks to outduel Kyler Murray in Week 2
See who our experts pick to win this matchup.
Week 1 of the 2025 season was a disappointing outing for the Carolina Panthers in a game where nothing seemed to go right against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
For the Arizona Cardinals, Week 1 proved to be more fruitful after holding off the New Orleans Saints to come away with a 20-13 win to open the regular season.
Looking ahead to the Week 2 slate on Sunday, the Panthers-Cardinals matchup is far from the sexiest game for fans to watch, but this matchup in particular always turns out to be better than anticipated.
When these two teams squared off in 2024, the game went into overtime with Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard calling game on a 21-yard rushing touchdown to win 36-30, a win that ended up eliminating Arizona from playoff contention. So, there could be some bad blood left from that game.
Here is what some of our staff believe will happen in what could end up being the most surprising game of the weekend.
Prediction #1: Panthers win 27-20
Arizona has always been a get-right game for the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals have lost five of the last six head-to-head games against Carolina and allowed 30+ points in each of those losses. I don’t see quarterback Bryce Young and the Panthers quite reaching that total, but I see this being a much stronger offensive outing for Dave Canales’ offense on the road in Week 2. The only thing that scares me in this game is the Cardinals’ run game after how the Panthers looked defending the run in Week 1. However, I believe Carolina’s defensive front and highly-paid defenders will step up after last week’s performance. If Carolina wants to win this game, Young and his young pass catchers will have to find a way to get on the same page and put some points on the board as well.
– Kole Noble
Prediction #2: Cardinals win 27-16
The Arizona Cardinals will host the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 with a chance to jump out to an early 2-0 start. I believe that they will. The Panthers and their highly-paid defense were ineffective in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking a frustrating continuation on run defense issues that plagued the Panthers last season. Few teams play big and run the ball as well as Drew Petzing’s offensive group in Arizona. And after a quiet Week 1, the Cardinals will surely be looking to get James Conner rolling. The Panthers offense saw an early career version of Bryce Young in Week 1 — the kind of development that could take the air out of this season if it persists too long. But the Cardinals have a diverse back seven that should challenge Young to play in rhythm. I’m not sure he will.
– Kyle Crabbs
Prediction #3: Cardinals win 24-14
The first game for the Panthers wasn’t quite what Dave Canales and co. were probably hoping for entering this year. Bryce Young struggled, and the defense’s major issues reared their ugly heads again. For Arizona, it wasn’t pretty at times, but they made enough plays on defense to stymie the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Kyler Murray and the offense took advantage of some miscues, and Trey McBride is still one of the top pass catchers in the league. Don’t love this matchup for Carolina against Murray’s mobility and strong inside run game with James Conner. Give me the Cardinals in a game where they dominate the clock and force Bryce Young to beat them vertically.
– Adam Holt
Prediction #4: Panthers win 20-17
Bryce Young came back from his benching in 2024 with a chip on his shoulder. He looked calm, confident, and at least requisite of a number one overall pick. That was not the case in Week 1. He threw for only 154 yards and two interceptions against a Jaguars defense that isn’t exactly stout. But I believe it was a blip on the radar. I think HC Dave Canales and Young will have the upper hand in Week 2. I know Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon comes from a defensive background, but I expect more from Tet McMillan and Xavier Legette. I think those two will overwhelm the Cardinals’ defensive backfield, propelling Carolina to a hard-fought victory.
– Rob Gregson
Prediction #5: Cardinals win 20-17
The Panthers and Cardinals is a matchup that intrigues me more than it probably should. Two teams with more talent than their records last year suggest but have too many players underperforming. The Cardinals got a Week 1 win but struggled throughout against an objectively bad New Orleans Saints roster. And the Panthers flat out looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL against the Jacksonville Jaguars. I think the Cardinals are the better team but I think this one ends up being a lot closer than some may predict. I think the Panthers force at least one turnover in this game and make the Cardinals sweat this out, but in the end Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. and co. do enough the start the year 2-0.
– Destin Adams
Prediction #6: Cardinals win 21-14
The line in this game feels pretty good. The Cardinals have a much better team on paper, and they may also have the better coaching staff. Most importantly, they have the better quarterback in Kyler Murray. The Cardinals have a dynamic rushing game with both James Connor and Trey Benson in the backfield. Then, add in what Murray can do with the ball in his hands and his decision making, and their offense could be pretty good. They have some weapons sprinkled out throughout the pass game, too with a decent offensive line blocking. The Panthers defense is decent, and could end up being good, but it does feel like this will come down to the Cardinals offense and defense, where the Panthers offense may not be able to do much at all.
– Justin Churchill
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