Carolina’s offense remains out of sync as Bryce Young takes brutal hits on early downs, with a fumble on a blitz leading to a Cardinals TD and an ill-advised pass under pressure. The run game is stagnant, as Chuba Hubbard manages only five yards on four carries. Tetairoa McMillan provides the lone bright spot with a 40-yard catch-and-run and four receptions for 70 yards by the second quarter.

Legette and Ja'Tavion Sanders haven’t contributed, underscoring the need for another reliable weapon. If Carolina can shore up pass protection and diversify the attack, they could remain competitive at times despite an ugly 10-3 halftime deficit.

Arizona faces Carolina with a plan built around run-stopping discipline and explosive back-end play. Budda Baker must anchor coverage while also thriving as a run defender, and Calais Campbell provides the interior heft to slow Carolina’s power rushing attack. Marvin Harrison Jr. adds a versatile weapon to stress Jaycee Horn and the Panthers secondary, helping Arizona sustain drives and keep the Panthers from dictating the pace.

The micro matchup matters: if Baker and Campbell control the front, Harrison Jr can create the required space for the offense and tilt field position in Arizona’s favor. This one is a defensive chess match with fantasy implications for multiple Cardinals and Panthers players alike.

Panthers are 0-1 after a flat opener with Jacksonville; Cardinals are 1-0 after a win over New Orleans. The Week 2 clash in Glendale tests Carolina's young core and Arizona's fresh momentum, with Arizona favored by 6.5 and eager to push toward a 2-0 start.

Bryce Young must rebound and Carolina's defense must clamp down; Chuba Hubbard could push for more touches if Carolina trails, while Budda Baker's presence on defense and the Cardinals' late-game execution will be key fantasy pivots in this matchup.