The Carolina Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in the opening NFL preseason game of the 2026 season on Thursday. The deciding score comes on the final play, when Haynes King runs in a five-yard touchdown to give Carolina the lead and the win. Both teams play to a close margin throughout, with Arizona falling short by three points as the game ends without any further overtime periods. Since NFL preseason games do not have overtime, Carolina chooses to attempt to win on the last play instead of kicking a field goal that would have tied the game. The result leaves the Panthers with a narrow preseason victory and provides a late-game finish shaped by the final-play decision to go for the touchdown rather than settle for a tie.