CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers’ defense has never played better than it did on Saturday in a 27-16 Wild Card playoff win over the Arizona Cardinals.

The Panthers set an array of franchise and NFL playoff records, holding the Cardinals to 78 yards in total offense, 27 net yards rushing, and just eight first downs.

Both Arizona touchdowns came after Panthers turnovers gave the Cardinals short fields, and then the Panthers took a meaningless safety in the final minute.

Cornerback Josh Norman was the most animated of all the Panthers, calling the defense “menacing ” and providing television crews with sound effects to go with the quote.

“One thing I’ll say, our defense is menacing, ” Norman said. “Our defense is stifling. Our defense is Grrrrrrrrrr. Golly, man. The line, they’re coming off the ball. The linebackers are playing downhill. The DBs are covering and breaking on the ball. I’ve got to say it, our defense is menacing, our defense is stifling. We’re out there with a Panther roar. We feel like we can play with anyone right now. “

Linebacker Thomas Davis had seven tackles.

“That performance was special, for us to go out and play the way we did, ” Davis said. “There was a point in the ballgame where we felt it didn’t matter where the ball was. No matter where it was we were going to go out and execute and get the job done. That’s what it boiled down to. We did a good job of executing and we came away with one of the most dominant performances in playoff history. “

Quarterback Cam Newton also thought the defensive performance was special.

“It was lights out, man, ” Newton said. “When those guys play like that, it makes it easier on us. Those guys did everything. They got turnovers, they stopped them. That’s championship football right there. “

Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart continued his recent roll by rushing for 123 yards on 24 yards, with a 13-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to put the Panthers ahead 10-0.

Stewart gave credit to the offensive line of center Ryan Kalil, guards Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell, and tackles Byron Bell and Mike Remmers.

“The offensive line just blocked their behinds off, ” Stewart said. “I mean, there were open lanes and all I had to do was run through them and do my part. It was just tailor-made. “

Stewart has rushed for more than 100 yards in four of his last five games during the current winning streak.

Panthers backup running back Fozzy Whittaker provided the biggest play of the game, taking a screen pass 39 yards for a touchdown to put the Panthers ahead 20-14 late in the third quarter.

Whittaker eluded at least four tacklers as he started out in the right flat and went all the way across the field, eventually racing down the left sideline.

“It was just a great opportunity, ” Whittaker said. “Coach always tells us to be ready to roll, and he was able to get me in to run the screen play. Honestly, the O-line did all the work, all I had to do was catch it and they did all the downfield blocking, and that made it easy for me. Honestly, it was set up perfectly. That’s the way we designed it, and that’s the way it played out. The linemen did a great job. “

Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was limited to only three catches for 31 yards, with a long of 14 yards. He was targeted eight times.

He gave all the credit to the Panthers defense, particularly singling out linebackers Luke Kuechly and Davis.

“You have to tip your hat to Carolina, ” Fitzgerald said. “Kuechly and Davis, those are two hellacious players. They made plays all day for them and they made it tough for us. We weren’t able to get the running game going the way we wanted to, and when you are one dimensional and you have to throw the football and you get behind, it’s tough to succeed in this league. “

Fitzgerald declined to discuss his future with the team.

“The taste of defeat is the only thing I can think about right now, ” he said. “That’s all that’s on my mind. I’m proud of the guys in this locker room. It has been a great season competing with these fellas and this coaching staff. I’m proud of the way guys conducted themselves and worked hard. “

Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley got thrown into the fire in the worst way the last three weeks because of injuries to Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton, and the offense never got going under Lindley.

He was 16 of 28 for just 82 yards, was sacked four times, and threw two interceptions.

Lindley was asked about the whirlwind in the past month, and he said his biggest emotion was “disappointment. “

“Regardless of the circumstances or the situation and where I was six weeks ago, you’re called upon to win football games, ” Lindley said. “We didn’t do that. I feel blessed and thankful to be put in this situation, because it’s going to make me stronger. The only tough part is that there are 52 other guys that we don’t get to play together anymore. “