TEMPE, Ariz. — The offense could never recover from losing its two top quarterbacks. That was never more evident than in the Arizona Cardinals’ 27-16 loss to the Panthers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

The Cardinals “gained” just 78 total yards, an NFL record-low. The unit’s demise could be traced to the loss of quarterback Carson Palmer against the Rams on Nov. 9.

The Cardinals were 8-1 at the time and got to 9-1 under backup Drew Stanton. Stanton played well, for a backup, but his knee injury on Dec. 11, forced the team to go to Ryan Lindley.

They lost all three of Lindley’s starts, and he showed little improvement over the past month. He also suffered because of a defensive slide that occurred over the last six weeks of the regular season.

“Regardless of the circumstance or the situation and where I was six weeks ago, or eight weeks ago, you’re called upon to win football games,” said Lindley, who re-signed with the Cardinals after Palmer’s injury in November. “We didn’t do that the last three weeks. I still … keep that positive attitude. It’s going to make me a better player and it’s going to make me a better person. The only tough part about that is that there are 52 other guys … we don’t get to play together anymore.”

In his day-after news conference, coach Bruce Arians refrained from looking at the 2014 season with regret.

“Normally, when a season comes to an end, I’m ready for a break,” he said. “But I can honestly say I can’t wait to start this next one knowing the quality of the people that we have in that room and the team that we can build around them is very excited.”

–Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald might have played his last game with the team, but he didn’t want to look back at his 11 years in Arizona Saturday night.

“The taste of defeat is still the only thing I can think about right now,” he said. “It has been a great season competing with these fellas and this coaching staff. That’s all I’m thinking about at this point.”

REPORT CARD VS. PANTHERS

–PASSING OFFENSE: F — Quarterback Ryan Lindley passed for only 82 yards and his two interceptions in the fourth quarter doomed a chance of a comeback. Both interceptions came deep in Panthers territory.

–RUSHING OFFENSE F — The Cardinals gained 27 yards on 15 carries. Six of the attempts either lost yards or went for zero yards.

–PASS DEFENSE: B — Cam Newton didn’t find many receivers open and the Cardinals applied decent pressure. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie’s interception set up a touchdown.

–RUSH DEFENSE: F — The Panthers pounded the Cardinals for 188 yards on 41 carries. The Cardinals’ tackling was sloppy. Jonathan Stewart gained 123 yards and had a 35-yard gain.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: F — Seven of Drew Butler’s nine punts went for less than 40 yards, including ones of 20, 28 and two of 31. Kick returner Ted Ginn Jr. lost a fumble at the Panthers’ 3-yard line.

–COACHING: C — Bruce Arians and his offensive staff couldn’t give Ryan Lindley a game plan that worked. Maybe that wasn’t possible. The defense continued its late-season slide, and the special teams were horrible.