The Cardinals missed Budda Baker on Sunday, but the way the defense played, it probably would have needed to clone him a few times to stop the Panthers.
With the Pro Bowl safety sidelined with a thumb injury – and starters Devon Kennard, Jalen Thompson and Chris Banjo shelved, too -- the group had easily its worst performance of the season in the 31-21 loss.
Teddy Bridgewater looked like a star quarterback, the Cardinals didn't register a sack and the mostly-anonymous running back duo of Mike Davis and Reggie Bonnafon combined to average 5.3 yards per carry in Carolina's easy win.
"I'm a firm believer that if you play your leverage and you execute – just do your job, simple as that – the defense will be successful," linebacker Jordan Hicks said. "It will work, or you'll at least compete. There were guys wide open. They ran the ball. They were able to keep us on our heels. At the end of the day, it's all execution. It's basics."
Bridgewater finished the contest 26-of-37 passing for 276 yards and two touchdowns, with his lone slip-up an overthrown pass that was intercepted by Patrick Peterson.
The Cardinals entered the game No. 1 in the NFL in third down defense, but the Panthers converted on 7-of-11 attempts and were successful on their lone fourth down attempt.
Carolina converted a crucial third-and-12 on the first play of the fourth quarter to kickstart a long field goal drive that clinched the win.
"I've got to give them credit, but we have to be better," coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "We have to get off the field on those third-and-long situations."
The Cardinals used Deionte Thompson, Curtis Riley and Charles Washington at safety, but seemingly did not use Isaiah Simmons in the role. The No. 8 overall pick in April has played sparingly this season and was not used much against the Panthers despite the absence of three safeties and Kennard.
"We're still trying to work him in," Kingsbury said. "We want to put him in positions to be successful, to understand our scheme. It's a work in progress still. No offseason. No preseason. We knew it would take some time. We're a month in now, and we think he is progressing. We're going to continue to try and find ways where he can have success."
Kingsbury said this week the Cardinals are hoping to have Baker back "sooner rather than later," and that seems to have more importance after the performance against the Panthers.
"Obviously he's one of the best safeties in the league, and brings lot of intensity and playmaking to that side of the ball, but it's no excuse," Kingsbury said. "We knew what we had going in. We had to make plays, and we weren't able to make plays and get them off the field on third down."
DRAKE, PUGH LEAVE GAME WITH INJURIES
Running back Kenyan Drake was hit hard on the Cardinals' final drive and went to the locker room for further examination. He finished the game with 13 carries for only 35 yards, an average of 2.7 yards per attempt.
Guard Justin Pugh was injured later on the drive, pointing to his right leg when being examined by trainers on the field. Max Garcia took his place in the lineup.
"I don't believe it was anything major (for either player), but we'll see," Kingsbury said.
KIRK SCORES TOUCHDOWN IN RETURN
Wide receiver Christian Kirk returned to the field after a one-game absence. He only caught three passes for 19 yards, but did have a touchdown reception and drew a pass interference to set up another.
Kirk missed last week's loss to the Lions with a groin injury and was a game-day decision to be active in this one.
"I attacked it like I was going to play against Detroit, and it helped speed up the recovery," Kirk said. "It felt good to get back out there and help contribute."
Images from the Week 4 matchup in Carolina
TE Jordan Thomas catches a touchdown pass.
QB Kyler Murray throws a pass.
Panthers return man Pharoh Cooper is brought down.
OLB Haason Reddick
RB Kenyan Drake carries the ball.
QB Kyler Murray looks to pass.
WR Larry Fitzgerald before the game.
CB Patrick Peterson
Coach Kliff Kingsbury before the game.
LB Isaiah Simmons
CB Byron Murphy before the game.
Bank of America Stadium before the game.
Panthers WR D.J. Moore pushes Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson.
QB Kyler Murray is tackled by Panthers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos.
DT Jordan Phillips before the game.
QB Kyler Murray passes under pressure during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater runs between Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (left) and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs past Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore runs pass Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield plays against the Carolina Panthers.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Rasul Douglas during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passes under pressure during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds is tackled by Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson plays against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers safety Juston Burris (31) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13).
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a pass over Carolina Panthers cornerback Rasul Douglas during the first half.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) is upended by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and safety Deionte Thompson (22).
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jeremy Chinn during the first half.
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Davis (28) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks (58).
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Davis (28) runs through the tackle attempt of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks (58).
The Carolina Panthers kick an extra point against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. A limited number of fans are spread out in the stands.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds is tackled by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson during the first half.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater passes while Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones applies pressure during the first half.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins plays against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) looks to avoid the tackle attempt of Arizona Cardinals safety Deionte Thompson (22).
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson plays against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Davis runs past Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Jordan Phillips plays against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule yells during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore pushes way Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C.
The Cardinals defense lines up against the Panthers.
Running back Chase Edmonds carries the ball.
Quarterback Kyler Murray
Running back Kenyan Drake finds the seam.
Quarterback Kyler Murray scrambles for a first down.
Wide receiver Christian Kirk
Quarterback Kyler Murray unloads a pass.
Chandler Jones (left) and De'Vondre Campbell (right) combine for the tackle.
Tight end Dan Arnold secures the catch.
Quarterback Kyler Murray looks to pass.
