(Updated, 12:35 p.m.) Happy game day, Panther fans.
Your team is a 9.5-point home favorite against Arizona tonight.
Game time weather in Charlotte is likely to be rain, possibly dampening the potent Cardinals passing game.
The only person you know who's picking against the Panthers is ESPN analyst and possibly embittered Keyshawn Johnson.
All in all, a good start to your day.
Let's go into detail:
The weather: Forecast calls for likely showers at game time, probably developing into rain by 9 p.m. Temperature: 52 degrees. Historically, rain hampers passing games, but it needs to fall at a decent rate to impact a game.
The hamstring watch: (UPDATE) NFL.com's Scott Hanson reports that two Cardinals sources say that Anquan Boldin will be active tonight and will attempt to play. Boldin injured his hamstring in last weekend's win over Atlanta. He was limited in practice Friday after not practicing all week.
The picks: The more prominent predictions have rolled in at week's end. For early and midweek picks, click here and here. Also, click on available links below to see how experts picked the weekend's other games.
Peter King, Sports Illustrated: Carolina 26, Arizona 17. Go back to draft day. Remember the deal Panthers GM Marty Hurney made in the middle of round one? He dealt second- and fourth-round picks in the 2008 draft, and a first-rounder in 2009, for the Eagles' first-round choice (19th overall). Was right tackle Jeff Otah really worth that kind of quarterback-ish ransom? Apparently he was because the Panthers rushed for 30 touchdowns this year. Thirty! John Fox wanted an offense that was more slug-it-out than throw-it-deep. Luckily for him, the Panthers are blessed with the ability to do both, and I don't trust Arizona's running game to be as good this week as it was last week against Atlanta, when Edgerrin James swam in the Ponce de Leon pool. I think Carolina controls the clock and the game.
Sporting News football staff:
Vinnie Iyer - Carolina , 30-27
Arnie Spanier - Carolina, 31-20
Dennis Dillon - Carolina, 21-16
Greg Cosell - Carolina, 27-20
Clifton Brown - Carolina, 27-18
Albert Breer - Carolina, 31-13
Real Scouts - Carolina, 27-24
Brian Baldinger - Carolina, 24-23
ESPN football staff: Carolina wins - Seth Wickersham, David Fleming, Merrill Hoge, Ron Jaworski, Mark Schlereth, Marcus Allen, Chris Mortensen, Mike Golic, Mike Ditka, Cris Carter, Tom Jackson. Arizona wins - Keyshawn Johnson.
Madden NFL 09 Simulation: Carolina 23, Arizona 13.
Finally, some NFL odds:
Odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl XLIII:
New York Giants 13/4
Carolina Panthers 4/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 17/4
Tennessee Titans 6/1
Philadelphia Eagles 6/1
Baltimore Ravens 15/2
San Diego Chargers 9/1
Arizona Cardinals 20/1
Odds to win the 2009 NFC Championship
New York Giants 7/5
Carolina Panthers 3/2
Philadelphia Eagles 8/3
Arizona Cardinals 10/1
Odds to win the 2009 AFC Championship
Pittsburgh Steelers 8/5
Tennessee Titans 9/4
Baltimore Ravens 10/3
San Diego Chargers 7/2
Which team will score the most points this weekend?
Carolina Panthers 5/2
New York Giants 4/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 4/1
Arizona Cardinals 5/1
Philadelphia Eagles 5/1
Tennessee Titans 5/1
Baltimore Ravens 6/1
San Diego Chargers 6/1
source: bodoglife.com via NFLGridironGab
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8 years ago
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I do believe they got it right. Wouldn't bet against them, that's for sure..
ReplyDeleteI hate that everyone under the sun is picking us to win. It makes me nervous. This team has always been better at sneaking up on people rather than playing the favorite. I can't wait though, I'll be out there yelling no matter what the weather. GOOOOOOOOOOOO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCards have no shot there lucky they play in the weakest div in football history. There players are old and dried up. They can't tacle or cover on the east coast. They will be crying to there mommy come game time. We win with ease.
ReplyDeleteYes, they played in a weak division. But they just whacked the Falcons, who, last time I checked, played in the Panthers division. Regular season doesn't mean a damn thing right now.
ReplyDeleteWeakest division in football? That's alot to say, did you forget about the AFC West? At least the Cardinals had a winnin record, unlike the Chargers. Let's go Cards!
ReplyDeleteLets hope the players aren't as cocky as some of the fans! I also believe we will pull this off, but I think it will be a fairly close game. Let the rain pour down!
ReplyDeleteGo Panthers!! It's just another game. Go Panthers!!
ReplyDeleteJust another game for the local loser's. Charlotte has never had nor will they have a winning team in any pro sport.
ReplyDeleteCardinals 37 Carolina 13
When heavily favored the Panthers often find a way to disappoint. The fans and a few timely calls are needed to pull this on out.
ReplyDeletepanthers put this one away with ease please...
ReplyDeleteFans are SUPPOSED to be cocky. The Cards are better than most give them credit for, and I think it will be tight. However, the cats will have bird on the menu come about midnight!
ReplyDeleteLet's give Mr. Richardson a break and win by 4 touchdowns....how about it fellas? I mean...c'mon...he needs a heart....let's not put any more stress on the one he has now!
ReplyDeleteThe big bad bully carolina is gonna be back steppin when the cards sock'em in the nose HARD, when they were expecting an easy game. Our jerseys are RED, but it's not a red carpet for the panthers.
ReplyDeleteWe will earn your respect, either by a win or by a tough match today.
Like i said before, show some respect for your STATE BIRD.... "THE CARDINALS" !!!
Maybe to keep things even, we'll keep boldin on the sidelines. And we'll give your defense a hint "we're going to pass the ball".
ReplyDeleteHow's that?
Yeah I don't get the one-sided picks. The Cards have my respect already and the last game was tight, even without the defense and run game they showed last week.
ReplyDeleteTo the hint-giver, as long as you are feeling generous, I would also like a couple of Warner picks and a fumble. And a missed kick. Sorry for being so greedy.
Everyone is picking the panthers to beat the cards easily.... We are overmatched and one dimetional they say.... We say you are the best team in football and are going to the superbowl just by the predictions of broadcasters.... Why so we actually play the game? Beacause predictions mean nothing... the regular season means nothing... it the playoff! keep thinking how good you are panthers come kickoff time we will see.
ReplyDeleteWhats my predictions you ask....? Panthers fall on face.. cards 17 panthers 10. Edge is the hero 105 yards rushing and a td. Warner throws for 250 and td no picks. Jake throws 3 picks setting up edge for his td. her we go its game time.......
What is "one dimetional"? Is it possible that the schools in Phoenix are even worse than the ones here in Charlotte?
ReplyDeletekeyshawn has got a lot of nerve, now that he thinks he's some brilliant sports announcer,, sit up there all high and mighty putting players down, when he use to go off on coaches all the time,, i dont watch espn on sundays anymore because of him mainly,, and the others are not that good either.....
ReplyDeleteRain can HELP passing teams, harder for DB's to cover. Rain could also hurt DeAngelo's cut back ability. This will be a close game.
ReplyDeleteNice work on the post! Thanks for all the facts, fun way of looking at things!
ReplyDeleteCards not only cover...they win! Mark it, the Panthers are the biggest tease. Perfect team to go along with all you fair weather fans.
ReplyDelete"Go Panthers!! It's just another game. Go Panthers!!"
ReplyDeleteHow you lovin our cardinals now? We just gotta keep it goin, in the 2nd half, and keep the clock runnin.
Told ya to respect your STATE BIRD !!!!!!
hee hee hee
ReplyDeleteSI cover jinx?
ReplyDeleteGreat Season Panthers! I'm sure we will see you in the playoffs next year. Peace AZ
ReplyDelete