The Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33–30 on August 6, 2026, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, in the 2026 NFL preseason Hall of Fame Game. Haynes King scored on a five-yard run as time expired, completing Carolina’s final comeback.
For readers searching for Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers match player stats, this is the most recent completed meeting verified as of October 1, 2026. It was a preseason exhibition, and every statistic below belongs to that game.
Arizona rookie Carson Beck delivered an efficient debut, completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown. King supplied the decisive response for Carolina, throwing for 180 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 rushing yards and the winning score.
The result captured two different stories: Arizona found encouraging production from its quarterbacks, but Carolina executed the possession that decided the contest.
Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Neither team scored in the opening quarter. Both offenses then produced 17 points in the second, sending the game into halftime tied.
Arizona moved ahead in the third quarter, but Carolina scored 16 fourth-quarter points to finish the comeback.
| Team | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 17 | 0 | 16 | 33 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 17 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
The Panthers’ official scoring summary shows how frequently control changed late. Carolina led 24–20, Arizona closed the gap to 24–23, and the Panthers extended their advantage to 27–23.
Kedon Slovis then found Bryson Green for a one-yard touchdown, putting Arizona ahead 30–27 with 1:55 remaining.
That left King one possession to answer. He took Carolina downfield and finished the game himself, reaching the end zone on the final play. With no time remaining, the Panthers did not need an extra point to secure the three-point victory.
Quarterback Stats: Beck’s Efficiency and King’s Decisive Finish
The quarterback comparison explains why this game remained competitive. Arizona received accurate passing from both Beck and Slovis, while Carolina’s production shifted from Kenny Pickett’s opening stint to King’s longer appearance.
| Quarterback | Team | Completions–attempts | Passing yards | Passing TDs | Interceptions | Completion rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Beck | Cardinals | 15–19 | 188 | 1 | 0 | 78.9% |
| Kedon Slovis | Cardinals | 9–10 | 106 | 1 | 0 | 90.0% |
| Kenny Pickett | Panthers | 8–11 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 72.7% |
| Haynes King | Panthers | 21–34 | 180 | 2 | 0 | 61.8% |
Completion rates are calculated from the listed completions and attempts.
Together, Arizona’s quarterbacks completed 24 of 29 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns, without an interception. Carolina’s pair finished 29 of 45 for 242 yards and two touchdowns, also without an interception.
Those are individual passing totals. They should not be confused with team net passing yardage, which accounts for yards lost on sacks.
Carson Beck made Arizona’s strongest early impression
Beck’s performance combined accuracy with downfield production. His 9.9 yards per attempt, calculated from 188 yards on 19 throws, shows that his high completion rate was supported by meaningful gains.
The Cardinals’ official report highlighted his deep connections with Jalen Brooks, including a 49-yard completion, and his touchdown pass to Simi Fehoko.
Beck also helped lead a touchdown possession that began at Arizona’s own four-yard line. Moving an offense out of that field position requires more than one explosive play: it demands enough successful decisions to sustain the drive.
The interpretation is encouraging but limited. Beck showed he could operate Arizona’s offense effectively in this appearance. A preseason game against reserve-heavy personnel does not establish how he would perform against a regular-season starting defense.
Haynes King’s rushing changed the outcome
King completed a smaller percentage of his passes than Beck, but his overall contribution extended beyond the passing table.
According to the NFL report carried by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, King recorded 39 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, in addition to his two passing scores.
His mobility mattered most at the finish. Arizona had taken the lead with less than two minutes remaining, and Carolina needed a touchdown. King’s five-yard scramble delivered it as the clock expired.
That is the central difference between the quarterbacks’ nights. Beck produced the stronger early passing display; King made the play that converted Carolina’s final opportunity into a win.
Slovis kept the Cardinals productive
Slovis completed nine of 10 passes for 106 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.
His late scoring pass to Green gave Arizona a lead it could reasonably expect its defense to protect. The Cardinals’ defeat therefore should not obscure the quality of their reserve quarterback’s contribution.
For Arizona, the offensive evaluation and the final result point in different directions. Its quarterbacks moved the ball efficiently, but the team still surrendered the winning touchdown on Carolina’s last possession.
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Rushing and Receiving Standouts
The most useful individual skill-position figures came from Arizona’s explosive receiving plays, its running-back rotation and Carolina’s touchdown contributors.
The following table lists selected verified performances rather than a complete receiving or rushing ledger.
| Player | Team | Verified contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brooks | Cardinals | 3 receptions, 99 receiving yards |
| Zonovan “Bam” Knight | Cardinals | 12 carries, 60 rushing yards |
| Corey Kiner | Cardinals | 1-yard rushing touchdown |
| Simi Fehoko | Cardinals | 5-yard touchdown reception |
| Bryson Green | Cardinals | 1-yard touchdown reception |
| Haynes King | Panthers | 39 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown |
| Ja’seem Reed | Panthers | 2 receptions, 30 receiving yards, 1 touchdown |
| Jimmy Horn Jr. | Panthers | 4 receptions, 44 receiving yards |
| AJ Dillon | Panthers | 1-yard rushing touchdown |
Jalen Brooks supplied Arizona’s biggest receiving gains
Brooks gained 99 yards on three catches, averaging 33 yards per reception.
That average reflects the value of his explosive plays. His 49-yard catch accounted for almost half his receiving total, while another substantial connection helped Arizona stretch Carolina’s coverage.
For a receiver competing for opportunities, those plays provide useful evidence of downfield ability. They also helped explain Beck’s productive passing line: Arizona was gaining substantial yardage when the quarterback and receiver connected.
Brooks’ performance was particularly notable because he approached 100 receiving yards on only three receptions. He did not need a high-volume workload to make an impact.
Knight contributed efficient rushing production
Knight carried 12 times for 60 yards, a five-yard average.
His contribution gave Arizona another way to advance the ball alongside its passing game. Consistent rushing gains can help an offense avoid repeatedly asking its quarterback to solve long-yardage situations.
Kiner supplied Arizona’s opening touchdown with a one-yard run. That score completed a 13-play, 96-yard drive, according to the Panthers’ official scoring summary.
The possession demonstrated that Arizona could sustain a long march as well as generate quick gains through the air.
Carolina spread its scoring contributions
Dillon scored Carolina’s first touchdown on a one-yard run. Reed later caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from King and finished with two receptions for 30 yards.
Anthony Tyus III also caught a touchdown pass from King in the fourth quarter, helping Carolina take a 24–20 lead.
Those contributions show why the Panthers’ comeback cannot be reduced to the final scramble alone. King delivered the winning play, but several teammates helped keep Carolina within reach before that last possession.
Kicking Stats Kept Both Teams in Contention
The kickers converted every field-goal attempt listed in the official scoring summary.
| Kicker | Team | Field goals made–attempted | Successful distances | Extra points made–attempted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Ryland | Cardinals | 3–3 | 35, 43 and 35 yards | 3–3 |
| Ryan Fitzgerald | Panthers | 2–2 | 33 and 37 yards | 3–3 |
Ryland supplied 12 points through three field goals and three extra points. Fitzgerald contributed nine points through two field goals and three extra points.
The scoring totals are consistent with the final result. Arizona scored three touchdowns for 18 points, then added Ryland’s 12 to reach 30. Carolina scored four touchdowns for 24 points, then added Fitzgerald’s nine to reach 33.
Ryland’s third-quarter field goal was the only scoring play of that period. Fitzgerald’s fourth-quarter field goal subsequently gave Carolina its 27–23 advantage before Arizona answered with the Slovis-to-Green touchdown.
Both kickers helped preserve their teams’ chances. The decisive separation came from Carolina’s fourth touchdown.
Where the Contest Changed
The final possession was decisive, but the fourth quarter contained several moments that shaped the outcome.
Carolina first moved ahead when King found Tyus for a touchdown. Arizona responded with a field goal, and Fitzgerald then restored the Panthers’ four-point advantage.
Slovis’ touchdown pass changed the requirement for Carolina. A field goal could have tied the game, but a touchdown would win it. King’s final drive delivered the more valuable outcome.
According to the Panthers’ official scoring summary, that possession covered 65 yards in 13 plays over 1:55.
The drive’s significance lies in its timing and completion. Carolina had to move efficiently while preserving enough opportunity to reach the end zone. King ultimately settled the game with his legs rather than another touchdown pass.
For Arizona, the offensive response had been sufficient to regain the lead. Its defense could not complete the job.
The Cardinals also committed seven penalties for 78 yards, compared with Carolina’s five for 20 yards. The penalty-yard difference was substantial, although it would be an overstatement to attribute the entire result to discipline without tracing each flag’s effect.
What These Player Stats Mean
The strongest Arizona takeaway was quarterback execution. Beck and Slovis combined for a high completion rate, two touchdown passes and no interceptions. Brooks added explosive receiving production, while Knight contributed efficient rushing.
Carolina’s strongest takeaway was King’s ability to create offense in more than one way. His two passing touchdowns kept the Panthers competitive, and his rushing touchdown supplied the finish.
The game also requires appropriate preseason context. Carolina’s official report confirmed that most of its starters were held out. The contest offered opportunities to evaluate reserves, rookies and players competing for roles.
These statistics therefore describe performances against the personnel used that evening. They should not be presented as regular-season results or treated as proof of either team’s full-strength quality.
The final score nevertheless has a clear explanation: Arizona’s quarterbacks produced efficient passing, but Carolina scored four touchdowns and completed the final winning drive. Beck made an encouraging debut; King left with the decisive play and a 33–30 victory.
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