How Cardinals' and Panthers' offenses graded in Week 1 per PFF

by Walter Mitchell



When one thinks of the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals' offenses, one may be apt to believe the Cardinals are deeper and more talented. 

That certainly was not the case last season in Week 16, when the then playoff contending Cardinals lost 36-30 in overtime to the then 3-11 Panthers, as the Panthers' offense outgained the Cardinals 392-382. 

That was then and this is now.

Week 1 Scores:

*JAC 26 CAR 10

* ARI 20 NO 13

Comparing the Panthers' and Cardinals' key offensive players with how they graded in their Week 1 games.

* QB: Bryce Young 71.1 --- Kyler Murray 65.5

* RB1: Chuba Hubbard 66.3 --- James Conner 64.5

* TE1: Ja-Tavion Sanders 51.2 --- Trey McBride 69.4

* WR1: Tetairoa McMillan 78.9 --- Marvin Harrison Jr. 72.3

* WR2: Xavier Legette 53.8 --- Michael Wilson 55.6

* LT: Yosh Nijman 56.8 --- Paris Johnson Jr. 71.2

* LG: Damien Lewis 63.3 --- Evan Brown 48.0

* C: Austin Corbett 62.7 --- Hjalte Froholdt 67.2

* RG: Robert Hunt 74.1 --- Isaiah Adams 41.6

* RT: Taylor Moton 65.4 --- Jonah Williams 53.8

* RB2: Trevor Etienne 57.7 --- Trey Benson 59.6

* TE2: Tommy Tremble 39.8 --- Tip Reiman 53.2

* SWR: Hunter Renfro 56.8 --- Zay Jones 52.5

Team Grades:

* Offense: CAR 62.3 --- ARI 62.1

* Passing: CAR 71.8 --- ARI 64.5

* Pass Blocking: CAR 51.2 --- ARI 73.0

* Receiving: CAR 58.8 --- ARI 65.6

* Rushing: CAR 62.3 --- ARI 67.2

* Run Blocking: CAR 61.0 --- ARI 40.7

Conclusion:

From the perspectives of talent and depth, the Panthers' and Cardinals' offenses are pretty much an even match.

Do you agree? Why or why not?



Comments

  1. TMAttySeptember 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM

    Can’t disagree with the overall conclusion, although a major difference between Week 1 and expected outcomes is an improvement in the Cardinals dismal run blocking grade. I expect the run game to improve dramatically, particularly in view of the Panthers’ bad run D last week vs. Jacksonville.

    Also hoping that Kyler is quicker in getting the ball out and avoiding the big-time sacks that were the worst part of his game last week, IMO.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RedrunSeptember 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM

    Carolina always seems to pose an issue for Cardinals... If I were a betting man, I would take Carolina & points on this game. A TD seems like a lot for these two teams.

    Offensively the numbers are much closer than what one would think. B Young has been on uptick and as long as Hubbard can stay healthy he is on par with Connor, will be interesting to see if their rookie WR can repeat his week 1 success.

    Would be interested in comparing Defense -v- Offense, since that is how game is played :) and where we can see matchups (good/bad)

    ReplyDelete
  3. JethroBodineSeptember 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM

    Cards offense is better than the Panthers IMO. In the Panthers opener, Young had 72 pass yards entering the fourth quarter and his only TD was with 4:47 left in the 4th. Kyler was 21/29 with 0 INTs and Young 18/35 with 2 INTs. Jags also ran for 200 yards on the Panthers D. Cards pass rush is going to blow up the Panthers offense on Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fitzfan11September 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM

      Seems like the last few years cards were favored to win against Carolina but inexplicably ended up losing. Hasson reddick game, last year, etc. Really really hope it doesn't happen on sunday

      Delete
    2. JethroBodineSeptember 11, 2025 at 7:47 PM

      Yeah but looking at all factors, I think the Cards have enough going for them and the Panthers have enough going against them to change recent history.

      Delete
  4. Cards Fan in SDSeptember 11, 2025 at 11:56 AM

    Walter, that QB rating for Young must be wrong (18/35 154 yds 1 TD 2 INT) - Murray (21/29 168 yds 2 TD 0 INT).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellSeptember 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM

      Hi CFSD, here are the PFF grades for Week 1

      * Bryce Young: OVER: 71.17 PASS 71.8 RUN 56.2
      (I think they felt Bryce's receivers were more of the problem than he was) The drops:
      --- Ja'Tavion Sanders had a drop on a 20-yard pass.
      --- Chuba Hubbard had a drop during the two-minute drill in the first half.
      --- Rico Dowdle had a drop in the fourth quarter, which resulted in an interception.

      * Kyler Murray: OVER: 65.6 PASS 64.5 RUN 62.7
      (I think the 5 sacks had an impact on Kyler's grades, especially seeing as they had pretty high grades on the Cardinals' pass pro which would indicate that, like the last sack Kyler took, it could have been avoided (on that play there was an accessible escape route over the right guard).

      Delete
    2. Cards Fan in SDSeptember 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM

      Thank you for the explanation. I expect (am hopeful) that the 2018 Heisman winner will outshine the 2023 Heisman winner this Sunday.

      Delete

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