The Carolina Panthers secured their place in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs with a 27-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers took the lead on their first possession as Graham Gano fired a 47-yard field goal through the posts.
Ron Rivera's men scored their first touchdown of the match when Drew Butler's short punt presented the home side with good field position, and Cam Newton handed off to Jonathan Stewart to power through the line for a 13-yard score.
However, a mistake from Brenton Bersin allowed the Cardinals back into the game when he muffed a punt to hand the visitors back possession, which culminated in Ryan Lindley firing a one-yard touchdown pass to Darren Fells.
Arizona took the lead in the match as a result of an interception by Antonio Cromartie, as he picked off Newton and returned the ball inside the red zone. Lindley handed the ball off to Marion Brice, who found the endzone for a one-yard score.
The Panthers pulled within a point just before the break when Newton drove them downfield, where they were force to settle for a 39-yard field goal from Gano.
Carolina managed to retake the lead early in the third quarter through a great run from Fozzy Whittaker, as the back collected a short pass from Newton and reversed field to beat several tackle and run in for a 39-yard score.
Immediately from the kickoff, the Panthers were handed the chance to put the game beyond the reach of Bruce Arians' side as Ted Ginn fumbled and the home team recovered inside the five-yard line.
Newton and his offense were held out for two plays before a controversial penalty handed them another set of downs on the goalline. Newton then found Mike Tolbert on swing pass for a one-yard score to hand his team a 13-point advantage.
The Cardinals were given hope in the fourth quarter when Newton fumbled the ball and allowed Rashad Johnson to take it to the five-yard line. However, on the next play, Lindley threw an interception to Luke Kuechly.
Arizona were given one last chance to try to force a miracle comeback late in the game, but once again Lindley threw an interception as his pass into the endzone was deflected by Kuechly and picked off by Tre Boston.
Simon Sinclair
