GLENDALE, Ariz. — This Panthers team did not quit.

They just fell into too deep of a hole early to make it pay off.

The Panthers came this close to a legendary comeback in Arizona, but couldn't close the deal, losing 27-22 to the Cardinals in State Farm Stadium to fall to 0-2.

They also have injury questions, as starting right guard Robert Hunt (biceps) and center Austin Corbett (knee) weren't able to finish the game, replaced by Chandler Zavala and Cade Mays.

That dampened a second half in which they showed some resolve and Bryce Young drove them for three touchdowns, two of them to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, a defensive stand which wasn't expected by the early work, and even an onside kick recovery.

It's a Panthers-Cardinals game. We expect weird.

And the first half started — and ended — about as poorly as you could imagine.

The Cardinals opened the game committed to bringing more people than the Panthers could block, and they couldn't get the ball out quickly enough to take advantage.

On the third snap of the game, that led to a sack-fumble, which was recovered for an Arizona touchdown.

Young was then hit as he was throwing on the following possession for a floating interception, and the Panthers were down 10-0 off turnovers.

As the half progressed, they started to look steadier, with Young connecting with rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan (he had four catches for 75 yards in the first half).

But things unraveled just before halftime.

The Panthers had the ball late and appeared to have converted a third down. But tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders's reception was overturned, the Cardinals got a long punt return, and then used their timeouts to get into position to score.

But instead of settling for an easy three points, Kyler Murray found Michael Wilson for a touchdown just before the half, and a 20-3 lead.

The Cardinals opened the second half with a statement drive for a touchdown, but the Panthers showed some life when they got the ball.

With a fourth-down conversion by Chuba Hubbard, a key third-down conversion to Sanders, they got into position for Young to hit Hunter Renfrow for his first touchdown since Jan. 7, 2023 (the end of the 2022 season).

Unfortunately, their two-point conversion attempt to Rico Dowdle failed, leaving them down three scores.

They continued to show some fight, with D.J. Wonnum picking off Murray deep in their own territory, and another long touchdown drive (both were 14 plays), with Young finding Hubbard for the touchdown. That two-point conversion also failed.

It was a solid rally, which continued through Demani Richardson recovering the late onside kick. But on a final fourth down, Young was sacked by Calais Campbell, drawing another wild one to a close.