Panthers Triumph Over Cardinals in Hall of Fame Game

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CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The Carolina Panthers clinched a 33-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame game, marking the start of the NFL preseason. Rookie quarterback Haynes King scored the game-winning touchdown on the final play, running in from the 5-yard line.

King showed promise, completing 21 out of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 39 yards, including the decisive score. Panthers coach Dave Canales praised his team’s resilience, highlighting King’s ability to maintain momentum under pressure.

“Well, that was a lot of fun. Just the back and forth of it. Just a really good game,” Canales stated. “The guys were resilient and finish is what we preach as a team. We practice for these situations, end of half, end of game. … Haynes did a fantastic job, just keeping the play alive, doing whatever he had to do, run it, throw it. Really proud of the group.”

Carson Beck also demonstrated his skills for Arizona. After Beck’s departure, Kedon Slovis connected a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green, putting the Cardinals ahead 30-27 with 1:55 remaining. However, King led a comeback for the Panthers on a night when most starters sat out, and Bryce Young supported King from the sidelines.

King connected a 4-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Tyus III in the early fourth quarter, putting Carolina ahead 24-20. Another highlight included King’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Ja’seem Reed. A crucial 26-yard rush on third-and-14 sustained the final drive.

“These are things that he did throughout his career,” Canales noted about King. “The bottom line is move the chains.”

Both teams utilized the opportunity to showcase their backups and reserves. Beck, a third-round draft pick from Miami, completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown, maintaining composure under pressure.

“It was a cool environment and for him to just kind of, it’s just another game and that’s the way he took it and he’s been in big ones and that’s how his mindset works,” rookie Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur commented.

Slovis achieved 9 of 10 passes for 106 yards during his play time. As veteran Jacoby Brissett takes the lead for Arizona, Beck may emerge as a viable contender if he continues developing under LaFleur.

Canales expressed appreciation for Beck’s performance, emphasizing Beck’s professionalism and precise execution.

“He operated like a professional. He looked fantastic,” Canales acknowledged. “He was accurate. He was on time. Our rush was decent. He got the ball out, threw some really beautiful passes down the field, up the sideline on some double moves, over the middle, to keep the drive alive in some third-down situations, so tip my hat to him.”

King is slated as Carolina’s third quarterback behind Young and veteran Kenny Pickett. Carolina’s effort to advance from its previous NFC South win, ending at 8-9 and losing to the Rams in the wild-card round, seems promising. Pickett started the game completing 8 of 11 passes for 62 yards before King took over.

Beck displayed efficiency, completing all six passes on a 98-yard drive that included pivotal plays like a 35-yard pass to Jalen Brooks on third-and-7, followed by a perfect deep throw for a 49-yard gain. This drive concluded with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Simi Fehoko.

Despite missing out on playing, Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, the third overall draft pick, illustrated eagerness to persuade LaFleur for action.

Gold Jackets

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Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin joined NBC’s broadcast team as the lead studio analyst for “Football Night in America” after resigning from Pittsburgh following 19 seasons.

Brissett and McBride Honored

Brissett and All-Pro tight end Trey McBride viewed their jerseys in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum for setting records last season. McBride set an NFL record with 126 receptions in a season for a tight end. Brissett secured the record for 47 completions in a game against San Francisco last November.

Honoring Fitzgerald

Cardinals players donned red T-shirts with Larry Fitzgerald’s No. 11 during warmups and on the sidelines, expressing organizational support and admiration.