Panthers 33, Cardinals 30: Last-play TD caps Hall of Fame Game thriller to open the 2026 NFL preseason

Carolina edges Arizona 33–30 in Canton as NFL returns

CANTON, Ohio — The NFL’s 2026 preseason kicked off in style Thursday night as the Carolina Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 33–30 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, a nationally televised opener that began at 8 p.m. ET. (profootballhof.com )

Carolina sealed it with a quarterback draw on the final snap: rookie Haynes King plunged in from five yards to finish a frenetic fourth quarter and deliver the Panthers’ first Hall of Fame Game win since the franchise’s inaugural appearance in 1995. (azcardinals.com )

The headline: 33–30, and a last-play winner

Arizona’s night belonged to rookie quarterback Carson Beck, who was poised and explosive in his NFL debut. Beck completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, directing multiple scoring drives and showcasing deep-ball touch before giving way after halftime. But the Panthers had the final answer, with King authoring the game-winning run as time expired to cap Carolina’s 16-point fourth quarter. (azcardinals.com )

The 33–30 final is now on the books, with the NFL’s official schedule page listing the Hall of Fame Game as a Carolina victory. (nfl.com )

Why this matchup mattered beyond the score

This year’s Hall of Fame week centers on a five-man Class of 2026 featuring Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri, who will be enshrined on Saturday, August 8, back on the same field where the Panthers and Cardinals opened the festivities. Fitzgerald and Kuechly’s inductions gave the game added resonance for both franchises. (profootballhof.com )

It also marked the Panthers’ first Hall of Fame Game appearance since their 1995 debut opposite fellow expansion team Jacksonville — a full-circle return as Carolina celebrated Kuechly’s legacy in Canton. (panthers.com )

Quarterbacks set the tone

• Cardinals: Beck’s command stood out from the opening series. He led two first-half touchdown marches, hit receivers at every level, and looked comfortable operating Mike LaFleur’s offense in his first outing as Arizona’s head coach installed new concepts. Arizona emphasized Beck’s poise over the box score — and got both. (azcardinals.com )

• Panthers: Veteran Kenny Pickett drew the start and settled in with a first-half scoring drive, but it was King who lifted Carolina late, throwing two touchdowns and adding the walk-off keeper to win it. The finish should keep Carolina’s backup-QB battle lively behind starter Bryce Young as the preseason unfolds. (azcardinals.com )

Hall of Fame spotlight, then a fast turn to what’s next

Enshrinement ceremonies for the Class of 2026 headline the weekend in Canton on Saturday, August 8, with the Hall detailing a full schedule of events around the inductions. (profootballhof.com )

Both teams now pivot quickly to fuller preseason slates:

• Arizona: After Canton, the Cardinals travel to face the Raiders on August 13, host the Cowboys on August 22 at State Farm Stadium, and close at the Packers on August 28. (azcardinals.com )
• Carolina: The Panthers next host the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, August 15, before continuing their August run-up to Week 1. (panthers.com )

What we learned about each team

• Arizona’s new look has bite: With LaFleur calling it, the Cardinals got the vertical shots they’ve craved. Beck’s timing with Jalen Brooks popped, and the quick-rhythm, play-action elements looked cohesive even with veterans resting. The club’s own recap underscored that this night was about operation and decision-making — and Beck checked those boxes. (azcardinals.com )

• Carolina’s depth on offense flashed: King’s mobility and tempo lifted an attack that found red-zone answers late. That’s exactly what head coach Dave Canales needed to see from the middle of his depth chart in the extra preseason game. (azcardinals.com )

The rivalry in context

Carolina has long controlled this series in games that count, owning a 15–6 all-time advantage over Arizona, including a 2–1 edge in postseason meetings. The Panthers also won the most recent regular-season contest in December 2025, 36–30. The Hall of Fame Game doesn’t change those numbers, but Thursday’s thriller adds a fresh preseason chapter to a matchup that’s consistently delivered storylines. (panthers.com )

The bigger picture

• Health and evaluation over results: Both clubs protected front-line starters and used the extra game to spotlight rookies and roster-bubble contenders. The outcome won’t count in September standings, but the reps matter — especially for a rookie QB in a new system (Arizona) and a team sorting second-string roles behind a young starter (Carolina). (azcardinals.com )

• A fitting stage: The opener linked on-field promise to the Hall’s mission of honoring football’s greatest. As Fitzgerald and Kuechly get their gold jackets, their franchises left Canton with new tape and, in Carolina’s case, a dramatic win to launch the league’s 107th season. (profootballhof.com )

Key facts

• Date/venue: Thursday, August 6, 2026; Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio. (profootballhof.com )
• Final: Panthers 33, Cardinals 30. (nfl.com )
• Standout rookie: Arizona QB Carson Beck (15-of-19, 188 yards, 1 TD). (azcardinals.com )
• Decisive play: Panthers QB Haynes King, 5-yard TD run as time expired. (azcardinals.com )

The NFL is back — and if Week 0 was any indication, there’s already plenty to watch. (nfl.com )