Palmer completed 18 of 31 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns during Sunday's 40-7 win against the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

Palmer didn't strike until the Cardinals' third drive of the game, but after tossing a four-yard touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald at the start of the second quarter, the veteran quarterback really busted loose. In two drives comprising the final 3:06 of the second quarter, Palmer tossed a pair of touchdowns, including a one-yarder to Michael Floyd and a 51-yard bomb to Jaron Brown just before halftime to put the hosts up 24-0. Reaching the final score by the 12:11 mark of the final quarter, the lead allowed Palmer to sit for the rest of regulation. He'll look to keep up the pace next Sunday in Buffalo.

Palmer completed 24 of 37 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

As good of a job as the Patriots defense did early in the game, it was only a matter of time before Palmer and the powerful Arizona offense found their footing. Following consecutive touchdown drives in the second half, Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald put the Cardinals in range for a game-winning field goal, but Chandler Catanzaro was unable to convert. Palmer should heat up a bit quicker in Week 2, drawing a home matchup against Tampa Bay.

Palmer completed five of nine passes for 64 yards, with a pair of interceptions, in Sunday's preseason game against the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Palmer had a surprisingly poor preseason, completing 12 of 22 passes for 139 yards and three interceptions on five drives. He did lead the Cardinals on a eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on the second series in Saturday's game, but then a threw a pick-six on what ended up being his final snap of the evening. There's still minimal cause for concern, as Arizona returns all the key members of the first-rate supporting cast that helped Palmer to a career year last season.

Palmer completed four of eight passes for 37 yards and a pick-six during Friday's preseason loss at San Diego.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals' offense hasn't exactly been running on all cylinders through two exhibitions. Granted, John Brown has been absent for the bulk of camp due to a concussion, while Larry Fitzgerald missed this contest with a slight MCL sprain. With two of his top-3 wideouts on the pine for stretches, Palmer has combined for 75 yards and the pick on 7-of-13 passing in four preseason drives. If his safety net (Fitzgerald) carries the ailment into the regular season, the Cardinals likely have the WR depth to endure, but the chemistry between Palmer and the reserve wide receivers appears to be well behind that of the starting trio (also, Michael Floyd).

Palmer signed a one-year, $24.35 million contract extension with the Cardinals on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palmer's contract now extends through the 2018 season, with the next two seasons fully guaranteed. The 36-year-old is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, setting career highs with 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns in addition to leading the Cardinals to the NFC Championship game. The team signed both Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald to one-year extensions Friday, meaning the duo will continue to lead the offense for at least the next two seasons.

Palmer (hand) was a participant at the start of the Cardinals' offseason program Monday, the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

During the Cardinals' Week 15 walloping of the Eagles, Palmer emerged with a finger concern, which was eventually diagnosed as a dislocated right index finger. His practice status was impacted in the immediate aftermath, but the veteran signal-caller assured the media that the injury wouldn't affect his playoff performance at the conclusion of the regular season. After the Cardinals were eliminated in the NFC championship game, partly due to Palmer's six-turnover showing, the stats from Week 16 onward revealed a telling picture. Through the first 14 games, he boasted a 106.7 quarterback rating on the backs of 64.3 percent passing, 305.5 yards per game, and 32 touchdowns versus nine interceptions. However, his figures fell to 74.1, 58.6, 244.5, and 7:8, respectively, in the final four contests, including postseason. Upon withdrawing from the Pro Bowl, he noted a desire to allow his right hand to "heal up," which appears to be the case with his activity at voluntary workouts this week.

Palmer won't play in Sunday's Pro Bowl, citing his right hand, The Arizona Republic reports. On Monday, he said, "I'm going to let my hand heal up."

EDGE Analysis

Elected to the initial Pro Bowl roster after setting career highs with 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns, Palmer sputtered down the stretch, with a combined eight interceptions over the Cardinals' final four contests, including four in Sunday's NFC championship game defeat at Carolina. There was a belief that a dislocated right index finger suffered in Week 15 may have been the culprit, but the quarterback and head coach Bruce Arians repeatedly denied the ailment as the source of any perceived woes. With two seasons remaining on his current contract, Palmer will team with Arians to direct the Cardinals' aerial assault for the foreseeable future. However, it's difficult to predict how long the 36-year-old signal caller can keep up the pace.

Palmer completed 23 of 40 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions in Sunday's NFC championship game loss to Carolina. He fumbled twice during the contest.

EDGE Analysis

With Arizona trailing 24-7 late in the first half, Palmer lost a fumble on a sack, but his defense responded with an interception of Cam Newton, setting Arizona up in position to draw within two scores before halftime. Palmer promptly threw an end-zone interception. It was that kind of game for Palmer, who threw eight total picks over his last four games. For much of the season, Palmer was an extension of head coach Bruce Arians' gutsy, throw-it-deep style. It will be interesting to see if Palmer rebounds to become that same player after struggling when the lights got brightest this season.

Palmer (finger) completed 25 of 41 passes for 349 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in Saturday's 26-20 divisonal round overtime victory over the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old finally secured his first career playoff victory, and certainly accomplished the feat in memorable fashion. Although he threw an early fourth-quarter interception in the end zone with the Cardinals trailing 13-10, Palmer bounced back by leading a 14-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a nine-yard touchdown to Michael Floyd that was deflected into his hands off of Larry Fitzgerald. However, the 13-year veteran's crowning moment came in the third play of overtime, when he escaped pressure and threw across his body to Fitzgerald, who raced all the way down to the Packers five-yard line. Palmer subsequently completed a five-yard shovel pass to Fitzgerald to seal the victory, and send the Cardinals to the NFC Championship Game. Although he'll have his work cut out for him against either the Panthers or Seahawks defenses, Palmer and the Cardinals have demonstrated the ability to move the ball on virtually any opponent this season.

Palmer (finger) is active for Saturday's divisional round contest against the Packers, Mark Dalton of the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palmer landed on the injury report in advance of the Cardinals' postseason opener due to a dislocated right index finger that has lingered since Week 15. However, after a full slate of practice reps, he'll be under center in search of the first playoff win of his 12-year career.