Rainy forecast, sunny outlook for Panthers

(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

How the Panthers got a Saturday game

Uptown bars, restaurants and hotels may be pumped about the Panthers playing Saturday night, but it's not like the team had a choice.

Remember a few weeks ago when the road game against the New York Giants was moved from 1 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Sunday? That was a decision by NFL, which used its “flexible scheduling” in the season's final weeks to shift big matchups to primetime.

With the Panthers again slated for a night game, we wondered if the NFL liked what they saw in that Giants game and made sure that Carolina again took the field after dark. Nope, said Mark Washburn, the Observer's resident media expert.

The NFL schedules its playoff games well in advance, he said, slotting certain seeds at certain times. This year, that means the AFC No. 1 (Titans) Saturday afternoon, the NFC No. 2 (Panthers) Saturday night, the NFC No. 1 (Giants) early Sunday afternoon and the AFC No. 2 (Steelers) late Sunday afternoon. So if the Panthers had beaten the Giants in that Dec. 21 game, they'd be playing this Sunday, not Saturday.

After locking the seeds and times in place, Washburn said, the NFL doesn't look at moving games around based on who's playing. The Cowboys and Redskins could be adding another chapter to their blood feud, he said, and the league wouldn't try to shift that game to the best time slot.

But what is the best time slot? We know that local tourism and hospitality folks love the Saturday night game. Fans will pre-party in bars and eat in restaurants before the game, they say, while others will stay in hotels afterward.

What about the rest of you fans -- either going to the game or watching at home? Is Saturday night the best of the four time slots available this weekend? Or were you hoping for a Sunday game, and if so, early or late?

Skyline to light up Saturday

Doing it for Monday Night Football was easy. After all, almost everyone was at work just a few hours before the game. But how big a pain will it be to turn on all those lights in all those skyscrapers in uptown Charlotte on Saturday night?

Not much, as it turns out.

"Most of these buildings have security guards who can go through and make sure the lights are on," said Moira Quinn of Charlotte Center City Partners, which is helping coordinate the effort. "Also, most of them have computers, and they computerize the lighting."

Yes, the uptown crowd plans to light up the skyline once again for the latest primetime Panthers game. Besides giving fans headed to the stadium a reason to oooh and ahhh, glittering towers play well on TV, they say.

Center City Partners has spent the past few days reminding companies and building owners to leave lights on Saturday, especially in windows facing west, toward the stadium. Most plan to do it, Quinn said, and those who can also will light the tops of towers in Panther blue.

"It should not be a problem," she said. "Everybody has jumped right in."

Fan of the Week: Pantless Panther-watching mom?

We've had the opportunity to meet many, um, passionate fans in our years covering sports. Folks with shrines to their teams. Folks who paint their faces and bodies, not necessarily on game days. One fan I met was a short order cook outside Fenway Park in Boston, and if a customer dared wear Yankees garb on the weekend the teams were playing next door, well, he'd be smart to check his eggs twice.

Then there is Julie Maloney of Fort Mill.










Julie writes on MomsCharlotte today about a superstition she has regarding the Carolina Panthers. It began when she was watching football with her husband-to-be. We'll let her explain.

In the beginning, we’d get beer, chips and salsa and start off the afternoon. The staples of a football game in our house. Without getting into too much detail, one thing led to another. And then we started to notice that the days I was without pants, Carolina would win. That year, we went to the Superbowl. The night of the big game I wore jeans because my friend watched the game with us. Carolina lost.

Now, Julie does her best not to wear pants for Panthers games. It's not always easy. For the details, go to her story here.


To answer the two questions we know you have:


1) Yes, we think this is real. (Would you confess to it if it weren't true?)


2) No, there aren't more pictures.


Tell us about your Panthers superstition - or offer up your candidate for Panthers Fan of the Week.

Morning Buzz: Special ties to the Panthers' home

More than 70,000 people are expected to pack Bank of America Stadium on Saturday when the Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals. Hundreds of thousands more have filled the stands for Panthers games in the stadium's 13 years.


Then there are Panthers fans who have never seen their team play in person. This recent story featured some, but others also haven't been to game yet still have a special connection to the monolith on Mint Street.


People like Johnnie Hill of Charlotte, who spent hundreds of hours in the winter chill and summer heat helping build what was first named Ericsson Stadium.


In the 1990s, Hill was a supervisor at the company that provided much of the concrete for the $187 million stadium -- the big black and gray panels, seat panels and the stair-like sections that support the seats. A Vietnam veteran, Hill managed the crew that repaired damage to panels, ensuring the concrete would be flawless for the stadium's first game Sept. 22, 1996.


Now 66, Hill said recently that he retired in May and passes by the stadium a few times a week but has never been inside to see the Panthers play.


Neither has Joe Young of Lenoir, who previously lived in Charlotte and worked for the company that set up the four-day Billy Graham crusade at the stadium in 1996. Still, Young can brag about something most other fans haven't done.


"In the middle of the night, I walked out to the midfield area where the NFL logo is now," he said. "There was not a person in the stadium except a few more (set-up) guys somewhere."


Sandra Miller of Charlotte enjoyed a similar experience before the stadium opened. She was a receptionist for the irrigation company that worked on the stadium's turf, she said, and had a few chances to visit while the venue was empty -- sitting one time on the 50-yard line, and another time in the very top row on a beautiful summer day.


Miller also admitted that she checked out the private suites, opening a window and imagining what it would be like to watch a game from there. Another amenity also didn't escape notice.
"I even used the toilet," she said, "just so I can say I did."


Does anyone else have a special link to Bank of America Stadium or a unique experience to share? Post your stadium connections below.


Your Morning Buzz:


The Rock Hill Herald's Darin Gantt writes that the Panthers may not have Super Bowl rings, but they have significant playoff experience.


Faith, not football, defines Kurt Warner, writes the Arizona Republic's Paola Boivin.


The Arizona Republic's game prediction (and breakdown) : Panthers 27, Cardinals 24.


ESPN.com's Mike Sando says the nation is learning what Arizona opponents already know about Cards WR Larry Fitzgerald's talent.


The Sporting News writer Greg Cosell says the remaining playoff teams, including the Panthers, are utilizing a potent defensive weapon, the zone blitz.

I knew Kurt Warner way back when

With the Cardinals and their star quarterback coming to town this weekend, there's been a lot of talk about Kurt Warner's ties to Panthers QB Jake Delhomme and their time as teammates in NFL Europe. Warner talked about it Tuesday, and our own Scott Fowler blogged about it today and will have more Friday.

But another chapter in The Amazing Kurt Warner Story -- supermarket bagger-turned-Super Bowl hero -- hasn't gotten as much ink (or bytes, I guess). Before Warner and Delhomme battled for the starting spot in Amsterdam, Warner cut his teeth on another pro team: the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League.

I know, because I was there.

Before Warner won NFL MVP awards in 1999 and 2001, and before he was even named to All-Arena first teams in 1996 and 1997, he was a rookie quarterback for the 1995 Barnstormers -- a team otherwise known for their distinctive helmets. Seriously, how can you not like the aviator goggles painted above the facemask?

As opposed to the media horde Warner faced at Super Bowls, his first Arena League playoff game -- on the road against the Arizona Rattlers -- featured a handful of local reporters, including a lowly newspaper intern. That intern was me.

Yes, this game was so big that The Phoenix Gazette dispatched a 22-year-old kid fresh out of college to cover it. And thanks to a very helpful person at The Arizona Republic, we now offer this look back at Warner's first-ever pro playoff victory on Aug. 13, 1995, complete with rearview mirror comments from the reporter.

The Rattlers had Sherdrick Bonner, the quarterback who orchestrated last year's drive to the ArenaBowl. They also had Hunkie Cooper, the Rattlers' ''Mr. Everything,'' who rushed for two touchdowns and caught one more Sunday night.

(Yes, not only did Warner face a team with a player named "Hunkie," but that guy was a stud.)

But in the end it was a huge performance by rookie quarterback Kurt Warner that sealed the win for the Iowa Barnstormers over the Rattlers ...

Warner ... threw for a career-record 428 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions as the Barnstormers defeated the defending champion Rattlers 56-52.

(Ahhhh, those were the days. I remember sitting in the press box in the final minutes and switching my story angle every time a team scored -- which was every 45 seconds. I'm not lying.)

... Warner had to deal Sunday with deafening noise, an Iowa rushing game that netted negative yardage and a late Rattlers comeback.

''It's just the adversity you have to deal with on the road,'' an excited Warner said after the game. ''That's kind of how the ball bounces in this league.''

(And he really was excited. I barely had to ask any questions, he was just rambling on and on. Still, note his Bull Durham-esque use of nothing phrases. Is that really how the ball bounces, Kurt?)

... When it counted, the rookie came through with a scrambling, 36-yard bomb to wide receiver Tony Young with just two seconds left.

''We were just trying to get in field-goal range,'' Warner said. After he saw Young behind two Rattlers defenders, he decided to go for the win. ''I just tried to put as much on it as I could.''

("With just two seconds left." I'm telling you, no lead was safe in these games. No lead.)

... Warner may not have been rock solid all the time, but he showed a maturity beyond his years. When a fight broke out after the last Iowa score, Warner tried to soothe the battling players and even congratulated the Rattlers on their season.

''There's no part for (fighting) in this game,'' Warner said. ''I don't know who started it and who finished it, but I'm out here to play and have fun.''

(By most accounts, Warner's a good guy, and was back then. And yes, I actually wrote "maturity beyond his years." Ouch.)

... For Warner, who said he has had his ups and downs in his first season, the victory followed the regular-season pattern: If he played well, the Barnstormers usually won.

''The team goes as I go,'' he said. ''A lot is riding on my shoulders, and I'm happy to take all the blame.''

(Happy to take all the blame? I know some Panthers fans who hope he feels that way Saturday.)

PSL owners banking on Panthers' success

The logic is simple: More wins equals more buyers, and hopefully more money.

That's why some Carolina Panthers fans – despite their team winning 12 games and hosting a playoff tilt Saturday – are willing to give up their chance to see every home game next season.

After two years of mediocrity, the Panthers' success this season has some permanent seat license (PSL) owners trying to sell their rights to buy season tickets, and in some cases asking premium prices. Despite the sour economy, sellers hope Panthers pride will prevail, netting them a profit on what they paid for seats.

“People tend to buy – and at a higher price – when the team is doing well,” said Steven Youngblood of Cornelius, who paid $6,000 for two lower-level PSLs several years ago and is now asking $12,000. That's $3,000 less than what the Panthers would charge – if those seats weren't sold out.

“I don't need to sell them and don't really want to sell them,” said Youngblood, 35, a support technician at a public utility. “I just wanted to test the market, and if I can get a couple thousand less than what the Panthers would sell them for, I would probably do it.”

Unlike previous winning seasons, though, PSL sellers face a troubled economy in which many consumers have clamped down on optional spending, including sporting events.

Still, one ticket broker has seen an increase in people trying to sell PSLs. Greg Carl of PanthersPSLs.com said the company is still selling more seats than buying, but that the number of people trying to sell seats is at least double that of each of the last two seasons, when the Panthers didn't have winning records.

“We buy more seats during mediocre seasons,” when prices are lower, Carl said. “Right now we're seeing lots of people wanting to sell their seats, and they want to sell at a premium.”

We'll have more on this story later on charlotteobserver.com and in the print edition. Meanwhile, what are you seeing when it comes to the Panthers success this season and people selling PSLs?

Do Panthers fans provide a home field advantage?

Some numbers say maybe not. At least the numbers gathered by Observer reporter Steve Harrison, who wondered which NFL crowds were loud enough to rattle opposing teams into false start penalties on offense.

Where did Bank of America Stadium rank from 2006-2008? Dead last.

Of course, home field advantage is about more than false starts, and false starts are caused by more than home field advantage. But the numbers offer a fun quantifier of an abstract source of pride.

Steve's story will be appearing in the Observer and on CharlotteObserver.com this week. We caught up with him today for a quick preview of what he found.

Panther Tracks: The Panthers were unbeaten at home this year. What did you find regarding a correlation between a team's record and the false start home field advantage?

Harrison: There are a lot of factors that go into a team having false starts. A team's offensive line might be bad, for instance. The Bank of America crowd against Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football was very loud, but the Bucs didn't commit any false starts. In Week 2, the Bears had three, and the crowd was psyched for that game. In 2008, Carolina opponents had 7 false start penalties at Bank of America stadium. That's near the bottom of the league. In general, there isn't a strong correlation between a team's won-loss record and how many false starts opponents get. Look at the teams that have drawn the least false starts at home since 2006 - the Bengals, Browns, Jets, Jaguars, Colts, and Panthers. The Colts have been great. The Bengals and Browns have stunk. The Jaguars, Jets and Panthers have been in the middle.

Panther Tracks: It would makes sense that dome crowds prompt more false start penalties. Did a dome stadium lead the league in false starts? Any domes do poorly?

Harrison: Qwest Field in Seattle had the most false starts by visiting teams for the last three years. It's not a dome, but it was designed to trap noise. But there are a lot of domes near the top of the list. The Metrodome has the second-most false starts, and several Panthers said it is the loudest stadium they have played in. The Cardinals, Lions, Rams and Falcons all play in domes or retractable roof stadiums, and they are all near the top. Surprisingly, the Colts are near the bottom. They have had good teams in the last three years, and the old RCA Dome was known as a tough place to play.

Panther Tracks: Any other surprises/interesting findings?

Harrison: Miami was near the top of the list. Dolphins Stadium is outdoors, and Miami fans aren't known as particularly raucous. Miami's opponents have had 43 false start penalties in Miami since 2006 - and 19 of them were in 2008. Miami this season went 11-5 and won the AFC East, a year after going 1-15. Their fans were jacked.

Panthers: Pick up your tickets early

If you're one of the lucky few who got tickets through Ticketmaster when they went on sale New Year's Day and asked for the tickets to be held at Will Call, the Panthers are encouraging you to pick up the tickets before Saturday's game. So says Observer editor Steve Gunn, who got a call from the Panthers last night.

You can pick tickets up between 8:30 and 5:30 Thursday and Friday at Bank of America Stadium. You have to show a photo ID.

Says Steve: "Officials are worried there may be a long line Saturday."

We've left a message with Panthers officials to confirm.

Playoff predictions rolling in

The Panthers are 10-point favorites this morning for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against Arizona. They're also getting love from experts and other football pundits.

As promised, here's your update on the latest picks. See earlier picks here and click on available links below to see what experts picked on the weekend's other games.

Tell us your prediction, too.

AccuScore: Computer sports forecaster has run more than 10,000 simulations, with the Panthers winning 80 percent of the time, up slightly from earlier this week. Average score: Carolina 29.2, Arizona 18.5.

Scouts, Inc: Carolina 27, Arizona 24: Arizona blew a halftime lead and could not put the game away in the second half of its first meeting versus the Panthers because of the Cardinals' inability to run the ball. This gave the Panthers' offense way too many possessions in the second half of the game. Arizona has a newfound run game with the re-emergence of RB Edgerrin James. His success over the past two weeks has given the Cardinals offensive balance.

The Cardinals did a great job against (Atlanta RB Michael) Turner last week, and it will take the same effort versus the Panthers' one-two punch. The difference this week will be that even if Arizona handles the Panthers' dynamic duo, Steve Smith will be left in too many one-on-one situations for the Cardinals to contend with. While we do give the Cardinals a chance to win this game, the Panthers are 8-0 at home and you just can't pick against that stat. We like the Panthers in another close win over the Cardinals.

USA Today weekly staff picks: Carolina wins - Jarrett Bell, Nate Davis, Sean Leahy, Tom Pedulla, Larry Weisman, Skip Wood, Jeff Zillgitt. Arizona wins - Jim Corbett.

Harmon Forecast, CBS Sportsline: Carolina 30, Arizona 20. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner faces a Panthers defense that allowed 178 first downs through the air and 19 passing touchdowns. In the first meeting, Warner threw for 381 passing yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Panthers finished the season averaging 152.3 yards per game on the ground and had a league-high 29 touchdowns on the ground. Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in the previous game.

CBS football experts (picks made against 9.5-point spread):

Pete Prisco - CBSSports.com Senior writer:- Arizona.
Clark Judge - CBSSports.com Senior writer: Arizona.
SPiN dog - Click here for other SPiN picks: Carolina.
Peter Madden - CBSSports.com Fantasy Sports Managing Editor: Arizona
Dave Richard - CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy writer: Carolina.

Darin Gantt/Kent Somers, Sporting News: Panthers 31, Cardinals 24. The Cardinals were considered suspect by many before their Wild Card win over Atlanta, but they emerged victorious by playing physical defense and distracting QB Matt Ryan with disruptive pressure up front and new blitzes. (QB Jake) Delhomme's seen it all, however, and tends to look his best in the postseason.

If the Panthers can get any kind of pressure on (QB Kurt) Warner (and that's hard), it will help a back seven which has given up a lot of yards lately. That'll allow the Panthers to play the kind of ball-control offense they like. The Panthers have been getting a huge lift at home, and that might make it tough for anyone to win here.

NFL.com's senior writer Steve Wyche: Carolina and its well-rounded offense has "the edge."

Morning Buzz: What didn't you expect in 2008?

What's been the biggest surprise of the Carolina Panthers season?

In Phoenix, the Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman writes today about a Cardinals 2008 shocker: The offensive line, he says, "didn't get Kurt Warner killed."

Not exactly goosebump material, but still...

The Panthers, certainly, haven't lacked for surprises in 2008, including the resurgence of Julius Peppers and the smooth comeback of Jake Delhomme. The team could have come apart, but didn't, after Steve Smith slugged Ken Lucas in training camp. Carolina's offense line, too, has exceeded expectations.

Our vote, however, goes to running back DeAngelo Williams, whose rookie season was enough of a struggle that the Panthers may have been prompted to draft a running back, Jonathan Stewart, in the first round last spring. Few expected Williams to improve this dramatically, into the kind of willful, explosive back he's become this season.

What's been the most pleasant - or disappointing surprise - for you? (Cardinal fans, you can play, too.)

Your Morning Buzz:


A request: You may have seen the Charlotte Checkers rescheduled their Saturday night game, moving it to early afternoon to avoid competing with the Panthers. Do you know of other businesses or organizations that have changed their Saturday plans? Looking for groups who are closing up shop and getting out of the way of the playoff game or moving things around so their customers or employees won't miss the Panthers. If you know of anything, e-mail Jefferson George at jgeorge@charlotteobserver.com.


Also, make sure you visit CharlotteObsever.com on Saturday night for real-time continual game updates from Observer staffers via twitter. You won't want to miss it.


The Republic's Paolo Bolvin says injured Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin faces a choice many NFL players do - go with common sense or your will to play?


ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas writes about four subtle moves that helped the Panthers get to where they are today.


USA Today's Nate Davis says special teams play is the difference maker in the playoffs.


SI.com's Don Banks announces his All-Disappointment Team of 2008 (with no Panthers or Cardinals.)

Panthers ticket prices: Lower, but not low ... yet

Apparently, even the NFL isn't recession proof. 

Tickets for this weekend's four divisional playoff games are selling at lower prices than last year, according to online ticket broker StubHub. You'll still have to pay a pretty price for any of the games, including an average of $248 a ticket at Bank of America Stadium, where prices for Saturday's Panthers-Cardinals game range from $97 to $975. 

Online broker TicketsNow has a similar spread - seats range from $83 to $1,200 this afternoon. 

Those prices are at the lower end of the divisional games this weekend. Average prices for the Giants-Eagles at the Meadowlands is $330 on StubHub, with the Chargers-Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh going for $268 and the Ravens-Titans at Nashville's LP Field at $192. (A glut of tickets has lowered prices in Nashville.)

Prices already are lower than last year's divisional matchups, says StubHub spokeswoman Joellen Ferrer, and tickets historically come down more as game time approaches. The drop this year is a trend across all sports, says Ferrer; tickets for tomorrow's BCS title game are selling for about $800 - half the price of last year's game.  

"With this economy, people are finding sports tickets at more reasonable prices," Ferrer said. "People want to sell, and they're putting tickets up at lower prices." 

As for Saturday night, tickets in Bank of America Stadium's upper section are running between $85 and $200 at ticket brokers, as well as online bidding site eBay. Prices go up as you move closer to the field. 

Ferrer says the comparatively low prices for the Panthers game are due in part to the opponent's fans largely facing long distance travel to see their team. For those hoping to pay even less, she recommends waiting until the end of the week, when prices should drop more.

"Take a risk," she says. In this economy, it'll likely be a smart move. 

Cards' star may be out

Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin isn't sure he'll play Saturday night, the Associated Press is reporting. 

Boldin watched practice today with his red No. 81 jersey draped over his shoulder. He told the AP that he was undergoing treatment and didn't plan to test the hamstring until just before game time Saturday. Even if he passes that test, the injury could flare up during the intensity of game performance.

"Still tight," Boldin said today. "I'm not sure at this point. I'm just taking it a day at a time, trying to do what I can to get it better." 

"I'm just trying to lay off it right now," he added. "Just rest it. Do enough to get me going but not to aggravate it. 

Bolding hurt the hamstring during a 71-yard touchdown catch last Saturday in Arizona's 30-24 victory over Atlanta. He caught a career high 11 touchdown passes in the regular season and was named to his third Pro Bowl team. 

As we noted earlier in the week, the Cardinals have done well in his absence this season, using a combination of Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban in his place. That lineup, along with top receiver Larry Fitzgerald, helped Arizona to victories against Buffalo, Dallas and Seattle. The Cardinals also lost to New England without Boldin in the lineup. 

"Anquan's a special player, and if we don't have Anquan that certainly hurts us to some degree," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "But the thing that we do have going for us is that we've played without Anquan a couple of games this year, and more importantly we were successful against some good football teams with that."

Panthers prominent in NFL's Plays of the Year

The NFL has released its Plays of the Year video for 2008. As you might expect, it's a high energy, well-produced 4 minutes, 32 seconds - with the requisite great catches, brutal hits and bloodied faces. Kudos to the league for not avoiding storylines such as the Plaxico Burress arrest and Detroit Lions' 0-16 season.



Your Carolina Panthers are prominently featured in the video, from Dante Rosario's season-opening, game-winning catch (1:26) to Jonathan Stewart breaking out (1:40) to Steve Smith spinning and avoiding Falcons' tacklers (1:53). There are others, good and not-so-good, including a quick Panthers-Giants montage.

And yes, Cardinals fans, your team is well-represented, too.

Tell us which play you thought the league missed. Or, your favorite play of the year? (The Observer's Scott Fowler gave us his Top 10 plays of 2008 this morning.)

H/T to NFL Fanhouse for the YouTube link. For a higher-quality version, go here.

Panthers fans beyond the Carolinas

After highlighting on Tuesday the different degrees of devotion among fans in the Carolinas, today we see how far and wide the Panthers' influence is in other states and countries.

There's no question the biggest concentration of the faithful is in the Piedmont, but as the Panthers prepare for Saturday's showdown against the Cardinals, we've heard from many others who live and work nowhere near Bank of America Stadium.

Maybe it's no surprise to find followers down the road in Atlanta, where economic development consultant Matthew Tarleton and technical instructor Scott Gross profess their devotion despite living in Falconland. Heck, Gross even works in Flowery Branch, home of the Falcons headquarters.

Beyond the Southeast, though, Panthers fans are in every time zone. There's the school crowd, from high school student Barron Christopher in Kokomo, Ind., to Alex Baxter, a law student at the University of California Berkeley who moved from Charlotte to the Golden State after the 1996 season but is planning to be at Saturday's game.

Other West Coast Panther fans include Raul Carrillo in the Los Angeles area, Andy Sims in San Francisco and Aaron Jacobson in Fresno, who explains his devotion this way:

"My dad tried to raise me a Bears fan, but I rebelled and chose the Raiders because he hated them so much. But I never really watched football. I didn’t know many rules or anything.

Then during the '94 season I started really paying attention and heard about some new expansion teams that were coming out. So I figured hey, I’m starting to really get into this, let’s start fresh. I picked the Panthers over the Jaguars because of the coaching staff and some of the players they were picking up. Since then I’ve been a die-hard fan.

I have a fantasy vacation where one day, I’ll travel to the East Coast see a game, the stadium, the city and then travel to Talladega to watch Dale Earnhardt Jr. race my favorite track. It’ll be a costly trip, but one I can’t wait to take."

In Albuquerque, N.M., Jason Gallegos said that when he was a kid his parents gave him a poster with every NFL team helment on it. "When I first laid eyes on the Panthers helmet," he said, "I was an instant fan."

Then there's the military. This story has more, and we've also heard from Trace McBride of the U.S. Air Force in Crestview, Fla. and Brian Fjeld, an Air Force meteorologist in Mountain Home, Idaho. While they may have a hard time seeing Panthers games, it's nothing compared to what Jerry Senatore went through while in Iraq with the U.S. government in 2005 and 2007.

"I remember staying up late to catch many football games. Baghdad was eight hours ahead, so the 1 p.m. games were easy. The 4 p.m. games were challenging. I ended up catching reruns of the Monday night games."

The recent story on fans in the military also reminded Senatore of this impressive photo.




So clearly Panthers Nation extends across the country. Can anyone out there top the West Coast or soldiers stationed overseas? Where else are Panthers fans lurking and waiting for Saturday's big game?

Morning Buzz: Who will be the gamebreaker?

Which player will deliver the moment Saturday that has you chirping or grumbling Monday morning?

Vinny Iyer of the Sporting News lists the five gamebreakers he thinks are most likely to be featured in The Highlight of their NFL playoff game's highlights this weekend.

At the top of the list: Steve Smith of the Panthers.

No. 2: Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals.

We're not so sure. Yes, Smith makes sense, and he's got the history. But the Cardinals are acutely aware of his explosiveness after he burned them for a 65-yard, somewhat controversial score in the Panthers 27-23 in Week 8. (The controversy: Arizona coaches thought Smith stepped out-of-bounds during his sprint down the sidelines. Replay officials thought otherwise. Said Cards coach Ken Whisenhunt on Tuesday: "I just hope he had a rag to wipe that white paint off his shoes.")

Our gamebreaker guess: DeAngelo Williams, breaking arm tackles of undersized Arizona lineman for a score. Say, third quarter, 35 yards. (Larry Fitzgerald is a fine No. 2, however.)

Who do you think will provide the offensive or defensive moment of the game? Tell us what you think the play will look like.

Your Morning Buzz:

ESPN.com writers Pat Yasinskas (formerly with the Observer) and Mike Sando debate the week's big questions, including this: Who's the best WR on the field Saturday, Steve Smith or Larry Fitzgerald?

Ken Whisenhunt may have been shut out of Coach of the Year voting, but Cards fans should be happy with him, writes Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic.

Edgerrin James was ready to quit over his benching, reports the Republic's Bob McManaman.

Over on SI.com, Peter King and Don Banks (and readers) are having an interesting debate about the NFL's overtime rules. (King wants a new system - with no coin flip.)

Warner: I wanted Jake to make mistakes

Eleven years ago, Kurt Warner and Jake Delhomme battled for the starting quarterback job for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.

This afternoon, in a conference call with reporters, the Arizona QB remembered wanting his new friend to fail ... just enough.

"All I was hoping, no offense to Jake, was that he would make a few more mistakes than me so that the coaches would give me a chance..." Warner said. "I just knew at that point in time that was my last chance. He was a young kid and he was going to get another opportunity, but I was never going to get that opportunity."

Warner, now 37, won the Admirals job, prospered in Europe, and eventually won an NFL opportunity that led to a Super Bowl title with St. Louis. Delhomme, who turns 34 this week, rode the bench that year in Amsterdam, got a shot with the New Orleans Saints practice squad - and eventually landed in Carolina.

Did Warner know Delhomme was NFL material?

"I don’t know if you are ever sure," he said. "There is so much to this position as opposed to just throwing the ball or having the velocity or doing this or doing that. What I did see was an amazing competitor.

"I remember thinking to myself that this guy definitely has a chance."

The two now share an agent and keep in touch. "That’s the great thing because we were competitive for a position while over there, but at the same time we grew really close," Warner said. "He’s just a tremendous individual. He’s one of those guys that you love being around."

Charlotte vs. Phoenix: The tale of the tape

When you think about it, Charlotte and Phoenix have a few things in common. Both are Sun Belt boom towns that hold some of the nation's fastest-growing areas. Some say Phoenix is Los Angeles Lite, and Charlotte has been called a junior version of Atlanta. (Calm down. We've all heard it.)

I've lived in Charlotte for more than four years, but Saturday's game against the Cardinals got me thinking of my time in Phoenix -- a summer back in the '90s, and several visits since then. Seems like a good time to run down how the two cities compare in certain areas. Pay attention. This is very serious stuff.

Population (metro)
Phoenix: 4.17 million
Charlotte: 1.65 million

Edge: Even. Bigger isn't necessarily better. Sure, Phoenix has more pro teams, but that metro area goes on forever and ever and ever. And if you think our rush hour traffic is bad ...

Weather - average January high
Phoenix: 67 degrees
Charlotte: 51 degrees

Edge: Phoenix. Hey, there's a reason everyone goes golfing there at the end of winter.

Weather - average July high
Phoenix: 107
Charlotte: 90

Edge: Charlotte. It's a dry heat? So is an oven.

Fortune 500 companies
Phoenix: 6
Charlotte: 8 1/2

Edge: Charlotte. We may be smaller, but even with Wachovia -- the 1/2 -- being absorbed into Wells Fargo, Charlotte still has more bigtime companies. They're higher on the list, too.

Major university
Phoenix: Arizona State University
Charlotte: UNC Charlotte

Edge: Phoenix. UNC Charlotte is growing like crazy, but "the other ASU" is a bonafide big conference school. Throw in the great weather during the academic year, and it's a hard scene to beat.

Local burger chain
Phoenix: In-N-Out
Charlotte: Showmars

Edge: Even. Too close to call here. I swear by In-N-Out -- actually based in California -- and eat there every time I'm out west. But while the burger is a little better and the fries are homemade, In-N-Out doesn't give you the pita option, nor do they offer gyros and filet of flounder. Also, no onion rings!

Local hike
Phoenix: Camelback Mountain
Charlotte: Crowders Mountain

Edge: Charlotte, barely. Arizona's geography is kind of cool, and this mountain juts up impressively from the desert. But you can knock out Camelback in a half-day, while Crowder's -- with the Pinnacle Trail -- can keep you busy for a weekend. And it's nice to have shade when you've worked up a sweat.

Housing
Phoenix: Average housing prices have lost 32.7 of their value in 12 months ending last October.
Charlotte: Prices have lost 4.4 percent of value.

Edge: Charlotte. We're hurting a bit, but those guys are positively reeling, with Phoenix the weakest of 20 major urban housing markets.

Famous movies set or filmed there
Phoenix: Psycho, Gunfight at the OK Corral, Jerry Maguire, Little Miss Sunshine and, of course, Raising Arizona
Charlotte: The Color Purple, Leatherheads, Talladega Nights, Shallow Hal and ... um, Hellraiser III? Juwanna Mann? The Rage: Carrie 2?

Edge: Phoenix, if only for "Raising Arizona," the funniest movie I've ever seen. Makes up for Phoenix playing a part in the Sly Stallone stinker "Over the Top." Bonus question: What movie was shot in both Phoenix AND Charlotte? "Days of Thunder," baby!

Score
It looks like Charlotte wins, 4-3, with 2 ties. Of course, this rundown -- while highly scientific -- is far from comprehensive. Now it's your turn. Where else does Charlotte trump Phoenix, or vice versa?

Early predictions? Think black and blue

Most, but not all, football writers (and computers) see good things for the Panthers on Saturday against Arizona.

We'll be keeping track of predictions all week. Most experts are staying away from picking winners and scores this early, choosing instead the comfort of X's and O's. Some, however, are taking the leap.

Your early-week prognostications:

AccuScore: Computer sports forecaster has run more than 10,000 simulations, with the Panthers winning 79 percent of the time. Average score: Carolina 29.5, Arizona 19.

Peter King - Sports Illustrated: Earlier this season, Oct. 26, at Charlotte: Carolina 27, Arizona 23. This is the one Arizona loss this season that still has the Cards apoplectic. They led 23-17 with 16 minutes to go and Steve Smith burned them with a 65-yard touchdown catch to take the lead. Then Kurt Warner led a drive to the Panthers 15 and got picked by Jon Beason on a short throw over the middle. They drove to midfield later in the fourth quarter but stalled. Arizona's a bad road team, but this one was anyone's game.

If the Cards play the run this weekend nearly as well as they played it Saturday against Atlanta, when they throttled Michael Turner, this will be a game.

Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports: Carolina. The Panthers will do what Atlanta couldn't -- run the football and dominate tempo. Kurt Warner and Arizona will put up points, but Steve Smith's big-play ability and Carolina's offensive balance will be the difference.

Michael Silver, Yahoo Sports: Arizona. Arizona came close to winning at Carolina in October. Maybe, like the Chargers, the Cardinals will shake off those regular season disappointments and get their signature victory when it matters most.

Jason Cole, Yahoo Sports: Arizona. The Panthers couldn't get to Arizona QB Kurt Warner in Week 8. Another week of solid protection and some better decision-making should cause the home team major headaches.

James C. Black, Yahoo Sports: Carolina. Arizona contained the Falcons' rushing attack, but that won't occur again vs. the two-headed attack of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. And if the backs struggle, watch out for Steve Smith.

Andy Benoit - NFL Gridiron Gab: Arizona Cardinals, key vs. Carolina will be… Stopping one of the league’s best rushing attacks. Don’t expect the Cardinals to do it. As well as the front four played Saturday, it’s doubtful they can reenact the performance against an oversized and aggressive Carolina offensive line. A lot of responsibility will fall on the linebackers. Arizona will need Karlos Dansby to be in his brilliant mode (a tossup given the way Dansby’s week-to-week output fluctuates).

Stopping the run is the first key for the Cardinals, but it might not be enough anyway. It remains to be seen whether Antrel Rolle is a good enough safety to help the corners contain Steve Smith.

Ross Tucker - Sports Illustrated: The Cardinals have to pick up where they left off Saturday against another NFC South foe. The Cardinals played their best game up front in a very long time on both sides of the ball, running the ball effectively while shutting down John Abraham on offense and bottling up Michael Turner while consistently pressuring Matt Ryan on defense. This time, however, they will be on the road and are unlikely to have the same snap count advantage they had in round one.

It all starts and ends from a pass protection standpoint for the Cardinals by identifying where Carolina star Julius Peppers lines up. The Panthers will not just line him up at right end all game against the Cards' Mike Gandy because they know full well Arizona will consistently give Gandy help. That means Peppers will take turns testing each and every one of the Cardinals linemen. Arizona needs to give that lineman help or hope he can hold up against the cat-like quickness of Peppers. The good news for Arizona is none of the other Panthers defensive linemen are elite pass rushers. The health of Maake Kemoeatu will make a big difference in the Cards ability to run the football against a Carolina defense that has been susceptible on the ground at times this season.

The Panthers have had amazing success on offense considering none of the starters on the offensive line are playing the same position they did a year ago. On defense, Gabe Watson and Darnell Dockett had big days for the Cards on Saturday but they will get tested again by a powerful line that loves to open holes for the hottest running back in the NFL in DeAngelo Williams. The Cardinals defensive line was jumpy on Saturday, which led to a couple of offsides penalties, but a plethora of big plays in return. It is unlikely they will have the same key on Jake Delhomme's cadence this week.

Morning Buzz: What kind of Panthers fan are you?

Watched some playoff football last weekend with three neighbor friends. All are long-time NFL fans. None are from Charlotte. But in that room, you'd likely have found at least one fan you recognize.

The Observer's Amy Baldwin writes today about three transplants to Charlotte who are Arizona Cardinals fans. Their football loyalties have been tested, split and, yes, changed by their new home. If you've been here any length of time, you know the phenomenon. 

At our gathering last weekend, we had a lifelong Giants fan from upstate New York. Moved to Charlotte about a decade ago. Became interested in the Panthers, oddly, at their lowest point - the 1-15 season in 2001. Now he's a Panthers fan first, fully converted to a new football faith. 

Next to him was a Steelers fan from Baltimore. He likes the Panthers, too, now that he's in Charlotte, but it's a tiered arrangement. Team 1 and Team 1A. If the Panthers play the Steelers, there's no question that new loyalty steps aside for old. 

Behind him was a Packers fan from Wisconsin. He doesn't care much about the Panthers. Don't imagine he ever will. 

We know you have deep questions about this. If the Giants fan could leave the Giants, was he really a true Giants fan? (He was, he says.) Is a Team 1/Team 1A arrangement really possible, or is a 1A loyalty actually more of a just-friends thing? We'd like your thoughts. 

And - our question of the day: What kind of Panthers fan are you? Native, converted, Team 1/Team 1A, or not at all? Tell us which, and tell us how it came to be. 

Your Morning Buzz:

The Cardinals are talking up the Panthers - and embracing the role of underdog, writes Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. 

Former Observer writer Pat Yasinskas, now with ESPN.com, offers his five keys to the game for Carolina. 

From USA Today: Matt Millen - worst front office man in the NFL, best football broadcaster on TV?

SI's Ross Tucker looks at the battles on the line in the four games this weekend. 

The Associated Press looks at the "two" Arizona defenses. 

All right, fans ... it's time to rhyme

In case you're not excited enough about Saturday's playoff game, here's a collection of various Panthers anthems, raps, fight songs, what have you. All of these should be suitable for family listening -- we're talking about bad words, not song quality -- but let us know if if we missed something.

We start with something from that magical 2003 season in which the Panthers fell just short in the Super Bowl.



Another rap, and I get the feeling these guys would like to see some pain brought.



A more recent release, unveiled before the start of this season.



And for those of you feeling more old school. You know it. You love it. The official fight song.

Some (sort of) good news for the Cardinals

Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin didn't get the worst news on his injured hamstring, but he still might not play Saturday in Carolina.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters this afternoon that Boldin had a strained hamstring. His status is uncertain for the NFC divisional playoff game, the AP is reporting. A torn hamstring would have finished Boldin's season. 

"We'll see how it goes this week," Whisenhunt said. 

Boldin was hurt Saturday on a 71-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of Arizona's 30-24 win over Atlanta. 

"When you're dealing with hamstrings, you never know," Whisenhunt said. "I've seen guys that have come back and played a couple of days later. I've seen guys who are out three or four weeks."

Steve Breaston will likely replace Boldin as a starter if he can't go, with Jerheme Urban as the No. 3 receiver. As we reported earlier, that lineup has worked well this season for the Cardinals.

Boldin impressed teammates and fans earlier this season by missing only two games with facial fractures after a brutal collision against the Jets. Cardinals defensive end Bertrand Berry, a guest on the Dan Patrick radio show this morning, told the host that Boldin would be "probable" Saturday if he had an amputated leg.   

A different kind of aerial battle

Among the Carolina-Arizona connections that we'll explore this week, one of the most obvious is US Airways, which is based near Phoenix and is Charlotte's dominant carrier. Tomorrow's print edition will have more on the US Airways link, but here's another aspect that could result in some fun -- or tension, depending on the growing trash talk.

Going back to its America West days, US Airways has a habit of painting planes with the logos and colors of pro teams in its hub cities. With the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals were the first team honored, and in 2007 the airline unveiled a Carolina Panthers plane decked out in blue, black and silver at the Charlotte airport.

Here's the thing, though: Neither plane is tethered to the team's hometown airport. Each Airbus -- which carries about 120 passengers -- flies as part of US Airways' regular domestic fleet. As an airline spokesman said when the Panthers plane was being done, "It goes wherever it needs to go."

So you're just as likely to see the Cardinals plane sitting at the Charlotte airport as the Panthers plane. I know I have, and I'll be curious to see if the Cards jet touches down anytime this week before Saturday's big game.

US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr said she's checking if the Panthers and Cardinals planes will be re-routed to take advantage of Saturday's game. In general, she said, "we certainly try to route them into cities. "

And get this: The fun could continue next week if the Panthers win. US Airways also has planes painted with the logos and colors of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers -- both of which are still alive in the playoffs.

"Coincidence?" Mohr said. "I think not."

Double Trouble in real trouble?

While waiting to hear about a key part of the Cardinals offense, here's a closer look at the defense the Panthers face Saturday.

We mentioned the Cards D this morning, and consider this nugget: Arizona held Atlanta to only 60 yards on the ground. Led by Michael Turner, the Falcons were the NFL's second-best rushing team during the regular season, averaging 152.7 yards a game. Against Arizona, they managed 2.5 yards a carry on 24 carries.

Of course, DeAngelo Williams ran for 108 yards when the Panthers beat the Cardinals 27-23 earlier this season, and he's even hotter now. Plus, the Panthers didn't have offensive tackle Jeff Otah and center Ryan Kalil for that game. Maybe a healthy line and a dominant D-lo -- plus that Panthers' home magic -- will do what the Falcons couldn't last weekend.

Even so, Fox and Co. can't ignore the Cards' clampdown on Turner. And if the Panthers take to the air, they face a D that delivered three sacks and two interceptions last week. No question Carolina will remain a heavy favorite, but the Cardinals already surprised one NFC South team this month.

UPDATE from St. Onge, 2:38 p.m.:  A clue to the Cards' success on D? Defensive end Betrand Berry told Dan Patrick on his radio show today that Atlanta QB Matt Ryan didn't change his snap count all game Saturday. The Cards were able to time the snaps and get a great jump off the line, Berry said.

Not the kind of thing your coach wants you telling the nation (and your next opponent). 

The injury everyone's watching

It's Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who grabbed at his hamstring Saturday at the end of his 71-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Boldin, who missed the second half of the Cardinals win over Atlanta, wasn't available to the media Sunday, but there will likely be an update after the Cardinals practice this afternoon.

An absent Boldin clearly would hurt Arizona in Charlotte this Saturday. He is among the league's most dangerous possession receivers, and as he showed Saturday, he has long been capable of significant yards after the catch.

"He can run the ball and do so many different things," Offensive coordinator Todd Haley told the Arizona Republic. "Now a large chunk of your game plan is gone."

Yet, Arizona has managed well without Boldin this year. The wide receiver missed two games with a facial fracture after a brutal helmet-to-helmet collision against the New York Jets in Week 5. Arizona won both - against Buffalo and Dallas -thanks to in large part to receiver Steve Breaston, who had 15 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown in starting those two games.

Boldin also sat out the final two games of the season with a shoulder injury - a 47-7 loss at New England and 34-21 win in Seattle. Breaston had five catches for 91 yards and a score in the win.

Breaston is more of a burner than Boldin, but with top receiver Larry Fitzgerald and reserve Jerheme Urban, the Cardinals still would have a potent and diverse passing attack Saturday.

We'll bring news as we get it.

Morning Buzz: Beware the Cardinals?

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.