• A light mist surrounded the field for pre, pregame. If you’ve ever been next to Niagara Falls, it felt like that.
• Many fans didn’t want to see RB DeAngelo Williams in the lineup today, but it’s hard not to like this picture of him warming up with his daughter.

• DE Frank Alexader was a surprise on the Panthers’ inactive list. He provided a good push last week, but he’s not yet an essential part of the lineup. He likely got lost in a numbers game so Carolina could make Williams active for the first time since Week 13. Not surprisingly, S Thomas DeCoud (hamstring) and LB A.J. Klein (ankle) were also inactive.
• When former Carolina WR/PR Ted Ginn ran out of the Arizona tunnel for pregame, he immediately said hello to Panthers WR/PR Brenton Bersin and gave a big huge to special teams coach Richard Rodgers.
• The Panthers lost the opening coin toss and had to kick off for the first time since Week 11. They wanted to get the ball first, but a quick three-and-out by Arizona was a nice consolation prize for Carolina.
• Crowd was really good during that first series. Stands nearly full, most folks standing and loud.
• Good opening drive for WR Kelvin Benjamin. Not a good opening drive for QB Cam Newton, who missed wide-open TE Ed Dickson and then nearly threw an interception on the next play.
• RB Fozzy Whittaker was the second running back to get a carry proving how overblown some of the Williams fretting was the last few weeks.
• Plenty of kudos on RB Jonathan Stewart’s first-quarter touchdown run: Great cut by Stewart, great blocks by TE Greg Olsen, RT Mike Remmers and pulling LG Andrew Norwell.
• With Panthers about to get ball back after another Cardinals short drive, a stunning mistake by Bersin, who for some reason, plays a punt return like a hockey goalie. Door opens for Arizona.
• Panthers had a chance to take a 13- or 17-point lead. Instead, Bersin’s botch opens door wide enough for an Arizona touchdown. And all of a sudden we’ve got a ballgame.
• Panthers get another gift, starting a drive at the Arizona 34. For some reason, they don’t give to Stewart on either first or second down, and Newton’s picked on third. A drive that started at the 34 ends at the Carolina 17. Carolina is doing everything it needs to do to lose this game.
• Miscommunication was to blame for the interception. For some reason, WR Jerricho Cotchery thought the ball was thrown behind him, and CB Antonio Cromartie was on his way.
• Great camera angle from ESPN on the Cardinals’ second touchdown. In 2015, at least one network finally has a camera on the goal line.
• Panthers lead in most key stats at the half, including … turnovers.

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