The Carolina Panthers nearly staged a comeback against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale after a key defensive play shifted momentum late in the game. Trailing 27-9 in the fourth quarter, the Panthers were under pressure as Arizona advanced to their 12-yard line.
On third-and-3, Kyler Murray was pressured by Bobby Brown III and then chased toward the sideline by Patrick Jones II. As Jones closed in, he hit Murray while he released the ball, causing it to float into the air.
“I had a bonus hook,” explained D.J. Wonnum. “and I saw Pat, my dog, my countermate, get pressure on the quarterback. He just threw it up. I’m like, ‘Oh, let me go get this.'”
Wonnum intercepted the pass after waiting for it to come down.
“Took me back to my tight end days when I catch a lot of footballs,” laughed Wonnum. “I went and got it.”
Defensive teammates described how pressure on Murray led to what they called an “affected throw.” Princely Umanmielen recounted: “He got the tip, I mean, or what was it,” before Nic Scourton clarified: “Affected throws…Yeah, he got the affected throw, you know, Pat affected the quarterback and (D.J.) was right there and able to get the interception.”
Although Wonnum did not gain yardage on his return, his interception stopped an Arizona drive that could have put them out of reach. The Panthers then drove downfield for a touchdown to narrow the gap to 27-15.
After forcing a three-and-out from Arizona on their next possession, Bryce Young connected with Hunter Renfrow for another touchdown reception—their second of the day—bringing Carolina within five points at 27-22 as time wound down.
Head coach Dave Canales emphasized how important turnovers are for his team’s chances each week.
“I know there’s more to it than just going turnover for turnover to kind of even out the game, but that is how things balance out, and that was such a great play by him,” praised Canales.
“A great rush to force the quarterback to throw off his back foot, you know, and really securing that ball right there, which did give us a chance.”
For Wonnum personally, recording an interception helped offset missed opportunities earlier in the game when tackles behind the line were not credited as sacks because Murray was already considered a rusher.
“It’s early,” Wonnum said about missing those sacks. “We’re going to keep going. I’ve been a part of a season where I ain’t get no sacks till three or four games in and end up with eight so I’m not worried about the sacks. They’re going to come with me.”
Derrick Brown highlighted how teamwork made plays like this possible: “All week we worked on trying to keep Kyler away from being able to run…Pat closed quickly; balls in the air; D.J. there—I mean that just shows you…how we work in unison…everybody does their job…good things happen on the back end.”
