Most Panthers fans I spoke to last week hoped for the upcoming matchup this weekend with the Arizona Cardinals. A week ago, most Atlanta Falcons fans were pleased about facing that same team.The NFL taught us again this past weekend that there are no certainties in the playoffs. Hot teams get chilly. Underdogs buck up. Favorites fall.
This morning, Carolina is a 9.5-point favorite over Arizona - the biggest spread of the second-round games. But which Cardinals will you get Saturday night - the ones that lost the line of scrimmage (and their will) in a snowy 40-point loss in New England three weeks ago, or the one that controlled Atlanta on the ground at home on Saturday?
We'll break down Arizona more fully today and as the week goes on, and we'll be offering you the latest news on this game and the NFL from Charlotte and across the country. For the lastest on the home team, keep in constant contact with the Observer's Inside the Panthers blog.
But first, a quick reintroduction to Saturday's big underdog:
Arizona lost 27-23 in Charlotte in Week 8, but it took one of Jake Delhomme's most solid games this season, plus big plays by Steve Smith and a 108 yards from D'Angelo Williams, for Carolina to overcome a 14-point, second-half deficit. And that happened thanks to a muffed Arizona pass that turned into a fourth quarter interception near the Panthers end zone. (To refresh your memory - here are the video highlights.)
The Cardinals offense - you know about that. A calm, Super Bowl winner at quarterback, with elite receivers that stretch defenses and find space underneath. It's the kind of offense that has given the Panthers some difficulties this season.
The Cardinals defense - not great, but not as bad as you think. Arizona gave up only one third of a yard more per game in 2008 than the Panthers. The Cardinalis are usually disciplined defensively - despite big plays given up to Carolina earlier this year, they give up fewer plays of 20-plus yards than most NFL teams, including the Panthers.
Still, that Arizona defense gave up the fifth most points per game in 2008 - 26.6 - in large part because that Super Bowl quarterback threw 15 interceptions and lost seven fumbles. And while Arizona slowed the Falcons by stacking the box on Saturday, they face a more explosive running back and more dangerous receiver in Carolina this week.
Plus, they've traveled to the Eastern Time Zone this season five times this season - and traveled back with five losses. Don't expect that trend to change Saturday.
But don't expect it to be easy.
Tell us what you think.
Your Morning Buzz:
ESPN's Jeffri Chahida says the Cards will come back down to earth Sunday.
The Cardinals have a chance, says the Arizona Republic's Dan Bickley, who focuses on the positive this Monday morning.
That loss in Charlotte? It's been a source of encouragement for the Cardinals the second half of the season, writes the Tuscon Sun's Kent Somers.
The ground game provides the key matchups for both teams, says NFL.com's Steve Wyche.
Not much separated winners from losers the last time around in this weekend's NFC matchups, says Vinny Iyer of the Sporting News.
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What is the latest injury report from Arizona? If Boldin can't play, that gives the Panthers a huge advantage. Either way, a win will be tougher than everyone thinks. That spread is ridiculous and I'd expect it to shrink as we get closer to game time...
ReplyDeleteI was wanting to face the Vikings because they beat us earlier this year. I wanted to have a shot at them again. That won't happen this year but Arizona back here again. I was at that game and they are better then their record has shown. Warner is more poised then I've seen him. Carolina should win but "should" is a big word in the NFL these days. I am worried about the Cardinals, Warner is no Drew Brees but he isn't far from...
ReplyDeleteAgreed, this will be a tough match-up for the Panthers.....especially the secondary.
ReplyDeleteAny word if Panther Fans will "Black Out" the game (wear all black)?
Go Cards! Beat the Panthers.
ReplyDeleteUntil Fox and other realize that Carolina isn't a city, I don't want the Panthers to win. And it would be nice for Arizona to be known nationally for something other than John McCain.
Panthers are gonna MESS up the Cards,
ReplyDeleteThe Panthers are too big for a city or even a state for that matter...get out of the way NFC, the Cats are back!
ReplyDeleteWhen we played the Cards earlier this season we did not have Otah or Kalil in that game. They make a big difference in our run game. They should blow big holes open for Double Trouble to run.
ReplyDeleteI thought Atlanta was going to mess them up too. Be aware, Arizona isn't the push over it was in the general election. LOL
ReplyDeleteAnonymous...
ReplyDeleteyou say "Go Cards" and that "carolina isn't a city".
Um..I hate to break it to you, but last time I checked a map, Arizona isn't a city either.
Panthers are an unstoppable Force and are definalty gonna steam roll the Cards on their way to superbowl 43!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe article asked the question about "which Cardinals team would show up Saturday?" As all Panther fans know, the REAL question is which PANTHER team will show up? The one that could handily win the Super Bowl, or the one that would lose to Independence High on any given day? Let's hope for the former. GO PANTHERS!!
ReplyDeleteSome (Anonymous) idiot wrote "Until Fox and other realize that Carolina isn't a city, I don't want the Panthers to win." Huh? So ahhh, let me see...ah, I guess you're saying that you want the city of Arizona to win!
ReplyDeleteSome idiot says, "Until Fox and other realize that Carolina isn't a city, I don't want the Panthers to win." Well, last time I checked, Arizona wasn't a city neither! Arizona (state) will ALWAYS be known for it's deserts and rattlesnakes; and NEVER for football. When (the proven) Kurt Warner leaves after this season, you guys are back to concentrating on killing rattlesnakes in your homes (in January) as opposed to sharing that task with watching your Cardinals in the postseason!
ReplyDeleteIt has not gone so well for teams out West when visting the East coast.
ReplyDeleteRed is beautiful. Red will be the fans in the stands cheering their winning team. Red will be the eyes of the Carolina fans when their dreams have been dashed on Saturday night. Red will be the scrapes on the Carolina offense as they are stopped play after play. That's okay. Maybe y'all will have enough courage to organize a team for next year. Arizona 42 - Carolina 16.
ReplyDeleteOr red might be the color of the bloodletting the Panthers inflict upon the Cardinals. Who knows? Lace'em up and let's play the game.
ReplyDeleteBeing a Panther fan forever...I have to say that we don't match up so well with the aerial attack of the Cards. Our ground attack may not match up to AZ's passing yards.
ReplyDelete