Kyler Murray had the worst statistical performance of his three-game NFL career on Sunday, but the Cardinals rookie quarterback didn't quite look at it that way.
Although Murray finished the game just 30-of-43 passing for 173 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 38-20 loss to the Panthers, he didn't leave thinking anything was wrong with the offense.
"You saw what we did in the first half," Murray said. "Everything was all there, it was easy. Even though they were not letting us get behind them (for deep shots), we did whatever we wanted to, pretty much."
Murray has a point. He was 28-of-37 passing for 162 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and 69 rushing yards through three quarters.
The issue in the fourth?
"We got down," Murray said.
It was clear from early on that the Panthers had no interest in giving up a ton of deep passes, which had been in regular supply through the first two weeks. Murray and the offense adjusted, scoring 20 points through three quarters by dinking and dunking with some running mixed in.
"Carolina plays a very methodical style of defense," said wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who finished with five catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. "They're not going to let you go over the top. They're going to keep everything in front. They want to get you behind the chains. They don't believe you can go seven, eight, nine or 10 plays in a row without making a penalty, without dropping a ball or without doing something wrong to beat yourself. They play a bend-but-don't-break defense, and when you get behind, it makes it difficult because they really make you stress."
The Cardinals had two deep shots that could have changed the complexion of the game. Wideout Christian Kirk couldn't hold on to a beautifully thrown ball down the middle of the field that would have sent the Cardinals from inside their own territory into scoring position before the half.
"I just wasn't expecting Tre (Boston) to be there," Kirk said. "I wasn't expecting the contact, but I know that that's a catch that I have to make for Kyler."
In the third quarter, wideout Trent Sherfield dropped a pass that could have been a big gain or maybe even a touchdown because he was so wide open. The Cardinals scored a field goal on the drive, but the Panthers answered with a 76-yard rushing touchdown by Christian McCaffrey.
Murray made his only big mistake of the first three quarters when he was picked by cornerback Donte Jackson on an errant throw on the ensuing possession, and the Panthers scored another touchdown to take a 35-20 lead.
"We got a field goal, threw an interception, and then you look up and we're down 15," coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "Playing catchup once again, ended up trying to throw it a bunch to try and come back and we weren't very successful."
Murray was sacked eight times, five of which came in the final quarter as the Cardinals became one-dimensional.
"When they know it's pass and it's just 1-on-1 with you and the defender, it's difficult, for sure," guard Justin Pugh said. "But we've got a job to do. We've got to protect him better. We've got to give him the confidence that he can sit back there and throw the ball."
The Cardinals may have rallied from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit in the opener against the Lions, but it is not a spot they want to be in. The offense was much more potent when it kept Carolina off-balance with the threat of the run.
"I think we can move the ball regardless," Murray said. "It just got predictable in the end."
Images from the Week 3 contest at State Farm Stadium
WR Larry Fitzgerald dives for a touchdown.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones strips the ball from Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen, right, for the turnover during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
OLB Chandler Jones looks at the crowd after his strip-sack.
QB Kyler Murray runs with the ball.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive back Tre Boston (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (89) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Big Red in the tunnel prior to the game
Cardinals fans tailgate before the game.
Cardinals fans before the game.
A Cardinals fan watches prior to an NFL football game abasing the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Entertainment before the game.
A Cardinals fan on the Great Lawn.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) makes a catch prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury watches his team prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald makes a catch prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen (7) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald warms up prior to the game against the Panthers.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up prior to the game against the Panthers on Sunday.
Correctly calling the TD connection.
OLB Chandler Jones celebrates his strip-sack.
Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel (10) celebrates his touchdown catch with running back Christian McCaffrey (22) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen (7) celebrates his touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Panthers defensive back Tre Boston (33) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown as Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry defends during the first half.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones strips the ball from Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen, right, for the turnover during the first half.
Kyler Murray throws against the Carolina Panthers.
Panthers fullback Alex Armah (40) is hit by Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) during the first half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs as Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) and defensive end Bruce Irvin defend.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive back Ross Cockrell during the first half.
Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) can't make the catch against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half.
Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) dives in for the touchdown as Panthers strong safety Eric Reid (25) and outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) defends during the second half.
Kyler Murray makes a throw against the Panthers.
Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown as Panthers strong safety Eric Reid (25) and outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) defend during the second half.
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) is hit by Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58).
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Panthers during the game on Sunday.
Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson (19) makes the catch as Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) makes the tackle during the second half.
Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs as Cardinals free safety D.J. Swearinger (36) pursues during the second half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Miller (50).
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) tackles Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) after Jackson intercepted Murray's throw during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the second half at State Farm Stadium.
Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) pulls in a touchdown catch as Cardinals free safety D.J. Swearinger (36) looks on.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Panthers linebacker Mario Addison (97) during the second half on Sunday.
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) breaks free for a 76-yard touchdown run as Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) pursues during the second half.
Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs a play against the Carolina Panthers.
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen (7) throws as Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) pressures.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray lies on the turf after being sacked against the Carolina Panthers during the second half. The Panthers won 38-20.
Cardinals wide receiver Damiere Byrd (14) is hit by Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson during the second half.
Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) runs after intercepting the football again the Cardinals during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Panthers strong safety Eric Reid (25).
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is hit by Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson during the second half.
Panthers defensive end Efe Obada (94) runs a play against the Arizona Cardinals.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Mario Addison during the second half.
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen watches the clock during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray lies on the field after being sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Miller (50) during the second half.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera greets Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) after the game on Sunday. The Panthers won 38-20.
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen, left, exchanges jerseys with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk after the game.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) greets Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen (7) after the game. The Panthers won 38-20.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, right, greets Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury after the game. The Panthers won 38-20.
