Cardinals' Bruce Arians on Palmer's struggles: 'Carson didn’t lose the damn game'
CHARLOTTE — Carson Palmer’s night started off poorly when he lost two fumbles and threw one interception in the first half of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
And then things only got worse.
As the Arizona Cardinals desperately fought to close the gap with the Carolina Panthers, Palmer threw three more interceptions in the second half of the 49-15 loss at Bank of America Stadium.
“I was definitely forcing it,” Palmer said. “I put us in that hole.”
In two playoff performances this season, he didn’t look like the same player who had led the Cardinals to the No. 2 seed and the NFC West crown. He threw two interceptions in the divisional-round victory over Green Bay and nearly threw a few more.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Palmer’s biggest issue was that he simply didn’t get enough opportunities against the Panthers while discounting any talk he was injured.
“Carson didn’t lose the damn game,” Arians said. “Nothing wrong with his damn finger. You can keep all them questions. We just didn’t play well enough.”
Palmer left thoroughly impressed with Carolina’s defense, which nullified star receiver Larry Fitzgerald (four receptions for 30 yards) in dominating the Cardinals in almost every facet.
“They can do it all,” Palmer said. “Their linebackers are as good a linebacker corps as you will see. The pass rush is really good. It is a very solid group.”
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PHOTOS: NFC Championship Game