THE STORY: CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jonathan Gannon sounded the warning, that the Carolina Panthers were playing better, and Kyler Murray emphasized it wasn't a trap game -- because the Cardinals hadn't won enough to ever think that.
Yet there was a palpable sting resonating in the visitors locker room Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, after the Cardinals unexpectedly and frustratingly lost to the Panthers, 36-30, in overtime to see their playoff hopes end. The Rams had already won in in New York against the Jets, a combination that killed off any postseason talk.
The Cardinals (7-8), even with the Rams win, could have forced a big game in Los Angeles Saturday with their own win. Battered by the time they reached the extra period, they couldn't get it done.
"It sucks," running back Michael Carter said quietly. "We hate losing. I don't really know what to say right now because the tape always tells the truth. But we played hard as hell.
"It just … it just sucks."
That Carter had to be as much of a factor as he was wasn't the plan. He finished with 48 yards on 10 touches, forced into an RB1 role after James Conner hurt his knee in the third quarter and didn't return.
That was a crushing turn of events, because Conner was a monster, piling up 166 scrimmage yards, including 117 on the ground. He was unstoppable, and the Panthers (4-11) in the end didn't have to try and stop him anymore.
So Carter came in and was key when Kyler Murray directed a field-goal drive on the final possession of regulation. Chad Ryland – who has been magnificent as an in-season signing – drilled a 58-yard field goal to send to overtime a game that had been once lead by Carolina, 20-3.
The Cardinals forced a punt in overtime, and even went for it on fourth down at their own 19 – with Carter gaining four yards on a run. But a penalty – one of 11 accepted on the day – and Murray getting sacked ended what turned out to be the team's last chance with the ball.
"I'm proud of their resiliency," coach Jonathan Gannon said.
With the playoffs no longer an option, Gannon called the situation "an external factor" – there was much talk about focusing on the Rams game regardless of what it does or doesn't mean – although he knew there had been an opportunity lost.
"I know they are down," Gannon said. "I know it's real. When you reflect on it, we didn't do enough."
The defense gave up 243 yards rushing, its highest total of the season, including 152 to Chuba Hubbard – the last 49 on back-to-back plays in overtime to end the game on a 21-yard TD run.
"We knew Chuba was a good player, we knew we had to keep him under 100 yards," defensive lineman L.J. Collier said. "That's one of the things we didn't get to today."
The injuries could be a problem. Conner could be down. Right tackle Jonah Williams left with a knee injury. There is already an unknown with left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who hurt his knee last week and missed the game – meaning both tackles could be out against the Rams.
Murray threw a short TD pass to DeeJay Dallas but he also had a bad interception on the Cardinals' penultimate regulation possession when the Cards were down three. His legs, though, saved the Cardinals a handful of times, and he finished with 63 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
"At the end of the day, we didn't get the job done," Murray said, emphasizing the Cardinals didn't take the Panthers lightly.
"Losing is not fun."
The Cardinals had 206 yards rushing, usually a recipe for success. They didn't force a turnover, however, and besides Murray's interception, a botched handoff between Murray and Carter early in the game led to a lost fumble and a short-field touchdown for the Panthers.
The Cardinals needed it, and couldn't get it. Now, they know they have just two games left this season.
"The leaders led, from the front," Carter said. "I'm grateful to be on a team like this, and I'm grateful to be in an organization like this. It's an amazing place to play. It's just, losing, man."
TURNING POINT: Once the Cardinals reached overtime, they were back to even. But their 11th penalty of the game, an illegal man downfield call on Victor Dimukeje on an excellent Michael Palardy punt, forced a re-punt that gave the Panthers 17 extra yards and a short field when all they needed was a field goal. They made that moot when Hubbard ran for a TD.
THE STANDOUTS: Conner was the star, and when he went down it was a crushing blow. Ryland's consistency also came to the forefront with his clutch field goal.
JONAH WILLIAMS DOWN: The Cardinals were already without starting left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who hurt his left knee against the Patriots last week. Then they lost right tackle Jonah Williams Sunday with a right knee injury. It is the same knee Williams hurt in Week 1, sending him to Injured Reserve. Williams left the locker room on crutches.
