:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20874249/20131006_jla_bs6_548.0.jpg)
The Arizona Cardinals and a few individual players had some noteworthy accomplishments in the 22-6 win over the Carolina Panthers. Here is what they are, per the team.
KEEPING PACE IN THE WEST
With the win over Carolina on Sunday, combined with Seattle's loss at Indianapolis, Arizona is just one game back in the NFC West heading into a key matchup at San Francisco in Week 6.
2013 NFC West Standings
Team W/L PF PA Hm Road Div
Seattle 4-1 137 81 2-0 2-1 1-0
San Francisco 3-2 113 98 2-1 1-1 1-1
Arizona 3-2 91 95 2-0 1-2 0-1
St. Louis 2-3 103 141 2-1 0-2 1-1
ARIANS WINS HIS THIRD
Head coach Bruce Arians earned his third victory and improved to 2-0 at home with the Cardinals 22-6 win over the Panthers on Sunday. Arians joined Cleveland's Rob Chudzinski and Philadelphia's Chip Kelly as the three rookie head coaches to earn victories in Week 5
Arians is now tied with Chicago's Marc Trestman and Cleveland's Rob Chudzinski for most wins among 1st year head coaches this season.
Record of 1st Year NFL Head Coaches
Coach (Team) W-L
Bruce Arians (Arizona) 3-2
Marc Trestman (Chicago) 3-2
Rob Chudzinski (Cleveland) 3-2
Doug Marrone (Buffalo) 2-3
Chip Kelly (Philadelphia) 2-3
Mike McCoy (San Diego) 2-3
Gus Bradley (Jacksonville) 0-5
ANOTHER HISTORIC DAY FOR THE DEFENSE
The Cardinals defense recorded 7.0 sacks and 3 INTs of Carolina QB Cam Newton in Sunday's win. The 7.0 sacks were the most for the team in a single game since recording 8.0 vs. Dallas on 9/13/87-the Cardinals final season in St. Louis. It also marked just the second time the Cardinals defense has recorded 7.0+ sacks and 3+ INTs in a game since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. The only other time came on 12/83/83 vs. Philadelphia (11 sacks, 4 INTs).
LBs Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby, along with DE Calais Campbell, all recorded 2.0 sacks against the Panthers on Sunday. Prior to Sunday's game, the last time the Cardinals had at least three players with at least 2.0 sacks in a game was 12/7/86 at Philadelphia when four players (Al Baker, Freddie Joe Nunn, Leonard Smith and Antony Bell) accomplished the feat.
AN INSIDE JOB
The Cardinals two inside LBs combined for a very productive outing in Sunday's game. Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby combined for 17 tackles, 4.0 sacks, two INTs, five tackles for loss, four QB hits and two passes defensed against the Panthers.
Prior to Sunday's game, only three players in Cardinals history had recorded 2.0 sacks and an INT in a single game. Against the Panthers, LBs Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby both accomplished the feat.
Franchise History - Players with 2.0 Sacks and INT in a Game
Player Sacks-INTs Opponent
Daryl Washington 2.0-1 10/6/13 vs. Carolina
Karlos Dansby 2.0-1 10/6/13 vs. Carolina
Adrian Wilson 2.0-1 9/17/06 @ Seattle
Rod Saddler 2.0-1 11/22/87 @ Philadelphia
Al Baker 2.0-1 12/11/83 @ LA Rams
WASHINGTON MAKES A SPLASH IN '13 DEBUT
Playing in his first game of the 2013 season, LB Daryl Washington picked up right where he left off during his Pro Bowl campaign in 2012. Against the Panthers on Sunday, Washington posted a team-high nine tackles, 2.0 sacks, three tackles for loss, two QB hits, an INT and a pass defensed.
It marked Washington's third career multi-sack outing and it was just the second time in his career that he has recorded both an INT and a sack in the same game. The last time he did so was also the last time he faced the Panthers in the 2011 season opener.
DANSBY CONTINUES TO SHINE IN HIS RETURN
LB Karlos Dansby continued his productive season with a career performance against the Panthers. The 10th year backer - who returned to Arizona after spending three seasons with the Dolphins - totaled eight tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, an INT and a pass defensedon Sunday.
Dansby had played 140 career games entering Sunday's contest, and yesterday's game marked the first time in his career he recorded 2.0 sacks and an INT in the same game. It also marked his sixth career outing with at least 2.0 sacks, and first since 9/23/07 at Baltimore.
During his three seasons in Miami (2010-12), Dansby averaged 110 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 5.6 passes defensed per season, with one total INT. At his current pace, he is on track to record 156 tackles, 22 passes defensed, 6.0 sacks and three INTs in 2013. With seven passes defensed in five games, Dansby is just two away from tying his career high for a single season (9, 2012).
Dansby's Production in Return
Statistic 2013 2010-12
Games 5 46
Interceptions 1 1
Sacks 2.0 6.0
Pass Defensed 7 17
10+ Tackles 3x 9x
CARDS AGAIN DOMINATE IN THE END
Trailing the Panthers 6-3 to begin the third quarter, the Cardinals scored 19 unanswered points in the second half to earn the 22-6 victory, including 10 points in the fourth quarter. Arizona has now outscored its opponents 32-0 in the fourth quarter of its three wins this season, including 23-0 in the last two games.
After shutting down the Panthers in the second half on Sunday, the Cardinals have not allowed a second half point in either of the last two games. In their three wins this season, the Cardinals have allowed just seven total points in the second half.
Over the past two games - both Cardinals comeback victories spurred on by outstanding play by the team's defense - Arizona has shut down opposing offenses in the second half.
Opposing Offense By Half (Games 4-5)
Stat 1st Half 2nd Half
Points 16 0
1st Downs 28 13
3rd Down Eff. 8-17 (47%) 4-13 (30%)
Total Net Yards 403 203
Net Passing Yards 289 142
Yards Per Play 4.9 3.3
Pass Atts./Completions 29/45 (64.4) 16/37 (43.2)
Turnovers 1 7
Below is a look at what opposing offenses have done in the second half against the Cards in the last two games.
13 Opponent 2nd Half Possessions
- 6 Punts
- 4 Interceptions
- 2 Fumbles
- Safety
On those 13 drives, opposing offenses ran a total of 61 plays for 201 yards, an average of 4.6 plays and 15.4 yards per drive.
Of the 12 drives that began inside their own territory, opponents reached Arizona territory on just three drives, with just one of those reaching inside the Arizona 20-yard line.
DEFENDING THE END ZONE
After holding the Panthers out of the end zone on Sunday, the Cardinals defense has now gone over seven quarters without allowing a TD. Arizona has not allowed a TD in the last 113 minutes and 43 seconds of game action, with the last TD allowed coming with 6:17 remaining in the first quarter of the Week 4 matchup in Tampa Bay.
In their previous game, the Panthers scored 5 TDs in a 38-0 win over the NY Giants. Against the Cardinals yesterday, Carolina was held out of the end zone and posted just six points.
Below is a breakdown of the 24 possessions for opposing offenses since the Cardinals defense last gave up a TD:
24 Opponent Possessions
- 11 Punts
- 5 Interceptions
- 3 Field goals
- 2 Fumbles
- 1 Safety
- 1 Possession ended on downs
- 1 Possession ended with the half
On three trips inside the red zone yesterday, Carolina's offense came away with just three points (FG, Downs, INT). After giving up three TDs in five opponent possessions inside the red zone in the first two games, the Cardinals have given up just three TDs on nine red zone possessions in the past three games.
Sunday's game marked the first time since Week 3 of the 2012 season (9/23/12 vs. Philadelphia) that the Cardinals did not allow a TD.
DEFENSE WINS BATTLE ON THE GROUND
The Cardinals defense entered last week's game with the NFL's second-ranked rush defense while the Panthers featured the league's third-ranked rushing attack, averaging 151.0 yards per game. Arizona held Carolina to 95 yards rushing on the day, 61 yards below its average.
Through five games, the Cardinals feature the NFL's second-ranked run defense, allowing just 79.0 yards per game. Only Denver (69.6) is allowing fewer rushing yards per game than the Cardinals.
NFL Leaders - Run Defense
YPG Team
69.0 Denver
79.0 Arizona
79.3 NY Jets
82.8 Dallas
86.0 Green Bay
One of the biggest keys for stopping the run this season has been getting to the runner before they hit the line of scrimmage. Arizona's defense leads the NFL this season with 22 rushes for negative yards (non-kneel downs).
NFL Leaders - Opp. Rushes for Negative Yards
Rush Team
22 Arizona
18 NY Jets
16 Denver
16 Houston
15 St. Louis
Opposing teams have 95 rushing attempts against the Cardinals this season (not including kneel downs), with 23.2% of those attempts going for negative yards, easily outpacing the Jets and Broncos, who are tied for second with 17.6% of opponent rushing attempts going for negative yards.
The Cardinals held Carolina without a rushing TD in yesterday's game. For the season, Arizona has allowed just one rushing TD - a 5-yard run by Saints QB Drew Brees. The Cards are one of just four NFL teams that have allowed one rushing TD or fewer so far in 2013.
NFL Leaders - Fewest Rushing TDs Allowed
TDs Team
0 Tampa Bay
1 Arizona
1 Baltimore
1 NY Jets
2 9 teams tied
A UNIQUE OUTCOME
The final score the Cardinals win over Carolina on Sunday (22-6) is one that has occurred just five times in NFL history. Prior to yesterday, it hadn't happened since Chicago defeated Dallas 22-6 on 9/2/96 on Monday Night Football. The first time it occurred was nearly 80 years prior to Sunday, when the Chicago Bears defeated the Chicago Cardinals 22-6 during the 1933 season.
All-Time NFL Games with Final Score of 22-6
Date Final
10/6/13 Cardinals (22) vs. Panthers (6)
9/2/96 Bears (22) vs. Cowboys (6)
9/10/95 Browns (22) vs. Buccaneers (6)
10/31/65 Boston Patriots (22) at San Diego Chargers (6)
11/30/33 Chicago Bears (22) at Chicago Cardinals (6)
CARDS PILE UP THE TAKEAWAYS
After forcing four takeaways against the Panthers on Sunday, the Cardinals defense has now forced 11 takeaways through the first five games this season. Only Kansas City (15), Seattle (15), Chicago (14) and Minnesota (12) have recorded more takeaways so far this season.
Arizona's seven INTs on the year are tied for the third-best total in the NFL (Buffalo-9; Detroit-8) and second-best total in the NFC.
FEELY'S CLUTCH KICK FROM LONG RANGE
After posting his 10th career game-winning FG last week in Tampa Bay, K Jay Feely connected on his longest FG of the season at a crucial time in Sunday's game. With under four minutes to play and the Cardinals holding a 12-6 lead, Feely made a 50-yard FG to cap off an 11-play drive and give Arizona a two-score lead (15-6). Had Feely not connected on the 50-yarder, the Panthers would have taken over at their own 40-yard line, trailing by only six points with 3:30 remaining and two timeouts.
After hitting FGs of 42 and 50 yards on Sunday, Feely has now connected on eight consecutive FGAs this season and 23 his last 24 attempts dating back to 2012.
PETERSON GETS #3
CB Patrick Peterson recorded his third INT of the season - and third in a span of three quarters - when he intercepted a Cam Newton pass intended for WR Steve Smith in the second quarter on Sunday. The previous week against the Buccaneers, Peterson recorded two INTs in the fourth quarter.
After tying for third in the NFL with seven INTs in 2012, Peterson is now back in the top five with three INTs so far this season.
NFL Leaders in 2013 - Interceptions
INTs Player (Team)
4 Aqib Talib (New England)
4 Kiko Alonso (Buffalo)
4 Alterraun Verner (Tennessee)
3 Patrick Peterson (Arizona)
2 27 players tied
Dating back to the 2012 season, Peterson's 10 INTs are tied with Chicago's Tim Jennings and Seattle's Richard Sherman for the most in the NFL.
NFL Leaders (2012-13) - Interceptions
INTs Player (Team)
10 Patrick Peterson (Arizona)
10 Richard Sherman (Seattle)
10 Tim Jennings (Chicago)
8 Stevie Brown (Chicago)
6 7 players tied
ALL-AROUND ELLINGTON
Through his first five games in the NFL, rookie RB Andre Ellington, the Cardinals second pick in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Clemson, has shown his ability as a triple-threat out of the backfield-as a blocker, a receiver and a runner. That held true againon Sunday with Ellington, posting his most productive game of the season against Carolina. For the day, Ellington totaled 83 yards of offense, including 52 yards rushing on seven carries (7.4 avg.) and 31 yards receiving on four catches (7.8 avg.).
For the season, Ellington now has 285 all-purpose yards (120 rushing, 144 receiving, 21 KOR) on 32 touches and is averaging 8.9 yards per touch so far in 2013.
Ellington's 264 yards from scrimmage this season rank sixth in the NFL among rookies. Ellington and Cincinnati's Giovani Bernard are the only RBs on the list.
NFL Rookie Leaders - Scrimmage Yards
Yds Player (Team) Rush Rec.
338 RB Giovani Bernard (Cin) 209 129
293 WR DeAndre Hopkins (Hou) 0 293
281 WR Terrance Williams (Dal) -1 282
281 WR Robert Woods (Buf) 16 265
273 WR Kenbrell Thompkins (NE) 0 273
264 RB Andre Ellington (Ari) 120 144
Of Ellington's 31 offensive touches this season, 15 have gone for first downs. His 15 first downs are second in the NFL among rookies this season.
NFL Rookie Leaders - 1st Downs
1st Player (Team)
16 WR DeAndre Hopkins (Hou)
15 RB Andre Ellington (Ari)
12 WR Robert Woods (Buf)
12 RB Giovani Bernard (Cin)
11 WR Kenbrell Thompkins (NE)
11 WR Terrance Williams (Dal)
Ellington's 26-yard run in the third quarter on Sunday was the longest run of his career and it was the longest for a Cardinals RB so far this season. Combined with his 25-yard run last week in Tampa Bay, Ellington now has the Cardinals two longest runs of the season.
ZASTUDIL TAKES THE LEAD
After establishing an NFL single-season record with 46 punts landing inside the 20-yard line in 2012, P Dave Zastudil has landed 16 punts inside the 20-yard line through five games this season, including two in Sunday's win over the Panthers. Following his performance on Sunday, Zastudil has now taken the NFL lead for punts inside the 20, passing Kansas City's Dustin Colquitt.
NFL Leaders - Punts Inside the 20-Yard Line
In20 Player Team
16 Dave Zastudil Arizona
15 Dustin Colquitt Kansas City
14 Shane Lechler Houston
11 Brett Kern Tennessee
11 Ryan Allen New England
Yesterday's game was Zastudil's 10th straight with multiple punts landed inside the 20-yard line, which represents the longest streak of his career.
Zastudil punted four times for 199 yards on Sunday, posting an average of 49.8 yards per punt and a net average of 48.3 yards. The net represents the second-best total of his career for a single game, trailing only his 52.8 net average vs. Pittsburgh on 9/14/08. It also represents the fifth-best single game net total in the NFL this season.
NFL Leaders - Net Punting Average (Single Game)
Net Player (Team) Opponent Punts Yds Rt Yds
52.0 Matt Bosher (Atl) 9/15 vs. St. Louis 6 318 6
52.0 Andy Lee (SF) 9/26 vs. St. Louis 7 383 19
50.2 Sam Martin (Det) 9/15 vs. Arizona 5 261 10
49.0 Johnny Hekker (StL) 9/15 vs. Atlanta 6 298 4
48.3 Dave Zastudil (Ari) 10/6 vs. Carolina 4 199 6
- Zastudil's performance this season is a major reason that Cardinals opponents have started an NFL-high 22 drives inside their own 20-yard line.
NFL Leaders - Opp. Drives Started Inside Own 20
In20 Team
22 Arizona
19 Buffalo
19 Cleveland
19 Kansas City
18 Tennessee
For the year, opponents have started their average drive at their own 22.8 yard line, the third-best mark in the NFL behind only New England (22.3) and Kansas City (22.4).
CAMPBELL MAKES IT FIVE IN A ROW
DECalais Campbellhad his best outing of the seasonon Sundayagainst the Panthers, totaling four tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Campbell now has at least one sack in five consecutive home games, tying the longest streak in franchise history.
Franchise Record - Consecutive Home Games w/Sack
Gms Player Year(s)
5 Calais Campbell 2012-13
5 David Galloway 1983
5 Curtis Greer 1982-83
Making Them Count
Campbell's first sack of the day came in the third quarter when he took down Newton in the end zone for a safety, extending the Cardinals lead to 12-6. It was the Cardinals first safety in nearly nine years, dating back to 10/24/04 vs. Seattle.
On his second sack, Campbell forced a fumble when he took down Newton in the fourth quarter. The ball was picked up by CB Antoine Cason and returned 43 yards to the Carolina 9-yard line. Three plays later, Carson Palmer hit Jim Dray for a 7-yard TD to give the Cards a 22-6 lead. For Campbell, it was his first forced fumble since 12/24/11 at Cincinnati - and it was the fifth forced fumble of his career.
MATHIEU ADDS TO HIS ROOKIE RESUME
S Tyrann Mathieu has had an impressive season so far in 2013 and making his third career start - and second in a row - the rookie totaled five tackles and notched his first career sack, taking down Cam Newton in the second quarter. Mathieu took down Newton at the Carolina 12-yard line on 3rddown, forcing a punt. On the ensuing drive -which started inside Panthers territory, the Cards scored their first points on a FG that tied the game at 3.
Sunday's game was the continuation of a standout season for Mathieu, who has now totaled 29 tackles, a sack, an INT, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss, four passes defensed and four QB pressures.
Mathieu is one of just seven NFL players with a sack, a forced fumble and an INT this season, and he joins Buffalo LB Kiko Alonso as the only rookies to do so.
NFL Players with Sack, FF, INT in 2013
Player (Team) Sack FF INT
S Tyrann Mathieu (Ari) 1.0 1 1
LB Kiko Alonso (Buf) 1.0 1 4
LB Brian Cushing (Hou) 1.5 1 1
LB Tamba Hali (KC) 4.0 2 1
S Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 1.0 2 1
LB Mason Foster (TB) 2.0 2 1
DE Osi Umenyiora (Atl) 2.0 1 1
FIRST TD FOR DRAY
Fourth-year TE Jim Dray entered Sunday's game with 15 career receptions, none of which went for a TD. On the Cardinals final offensive series of the game yesterday, Dray hauled in a 7-yard TD reception from Carson Palmer - his second catch of the day - for his first career TD.
During his first three NFL seasons, Dray totaled seven receptions for 87 yards in 39 career games (3 starts). In five games this season (4 starts), the Stanford alum has hauled in 10 receptions for 75 yards and a TD. Dray had one multi-catch game in his first three years, catching two passes on 11/611 vs. St. Louis. Following Sunday's game, he now has multiple catches in three of five games this season, including a career-high five receptions in Week 2 vs. Detroit.
For Dray, it was his first TD since 11/7/09 when he caught an 8-yarder from Andrew Luck in Stanford's 51-42 win over #8 Oregon.
More from Revenge of the Birds:
- Arizona Cardinals: What we learned week 5
- Steve Smith complains about officials and lack of calls on Arizona Cardinals secondary
- NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Bengals Rising, Lions Falling
- Panthers vs. Cardinals: Vote for the Week 5 play of the game
- Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers: The Bonehead Award