Cardinals 22, Panthers 6: Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby each tallied two sacks and an interception and Arizona used a dominant defensive performance in the second half to rally past visiting Carolina.

Rashard Mendenhall gave the Cardinals (3-2) the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, helping Arizona overcome three interceptions by Carson Palmer. Dansby and Washington, who returned from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, led the defensive charge as Arizona sacked Cam Newton seven times and forced four turnovers.

Newton was 21-of-39 for 308 yards and three interceptions while also losing a fumble. The Panthers (1-3) managed 353 total yards - 103 more than the Cardinals - but had to settle for a pair of field goals by Graham Gano in the first half and were shut out after the break.

The Panthers outgained the Cardinals 259-118 in the first half but had only a 6-3 lead to show for it until Arizona went 85 yards on 10 plays, with Mendenhall punching it into the end zone with 5:48 left in the third for a 10-6 lead. A personal foul against Carolina's Jordan Senn on the ensuing kickoff backed up the Panthers to their own 10, and Calais Campbell sacked Newton in the end zone one play later.

With Arizona leading 15-6, Campbell hit Newton from behind and Antoine Cason plucked the ball out of the air and returned it to the Carolina 9, setting up Palmer's 7-yard touchdown strike to Jim Dray that sealed it.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Panthers WR Steve Smith has caught a pass in 95 consecutive games dating to 2006. … Dansby registered his first multi-sack performance since 2007 versus Baltimore. … The Cardinals' safety was their first in the regular season since a blocked punt in 2004.