Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has taken responsibility for his side's 22-6 defeat at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals at the weekend.

Smith initially slammed the performance of a particular match official during the game, labelling Dan Ferrell as "garbage" for his display.

However, the 34-year-old has also accepted some of the blame for the defeat himself, having dropped what would have been a touchdown pass on Carolina's opening series.

"My dropped pass cost us the game. I ran a slant; should have caught that. I didn't. I got a PI (pass interference) penalty, which was very interesting. I got leg humped and hugged a few times," Smith told reporters.

"Being a pretty good flag football player, I think I got my flag pulled on my jersey a few times. I would say pretty much I take that one on the chin and say, 'That's me.'"

The Panthers are now 1-3 for their season ahead of Sunday's trip to face the Minnesota Vikings.