Panthers vs. Cardinals Odds and Picks
Raj J - January 8th, 2009 .Two teams with styles that couldn’t be more different square off in Saturday’s NFC divisional matchup. The Arizona Cardinals travel across the country to take on the 2nd seeded Carolina Panthers at 8:15 p.m. Carolina is heavily favored at -10 with the total at 48.5.
With a trip to the NFC title game at stake there is little doubt that the team that can impose its will and dictate the tempo by doing what it does best is the team that will ultimately advance. For Carolina (12-4, 9-6-1 ATS) that means administering a heavy dose of the run. With two 1,000-yard rushers in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers pounded teams time and time again. Williams was particularly impressive racking up 1,515 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season.
Arizona (9-7, 9-7 ATS) might be the most one-dimensional team offensively in the league and while that may ultimately lead to its demise, it’s sure to be entertaining until the end. Armed with possibly the most talented wide receiver corps in the NFL, Kurt Warner has taken to the air more than any team. As a result the Cardinals finished second in the league in passing yards per game and third in points scored and helped them win their first division title since moving to the land of the sun. Arizona made a concerted effort to run the ball in its opening-round win over Atlanta but Warner and Co. must have a huge game for the Cardinals to have any shot of springing the upset on the road.
The deciding factors in this game are going to be the performance of the defenses and Carolina’s balance when they have the ball. Both clubs can put up points but unlike their counterparts the Panthers can actually stop teams on a regular basis. Expect Julius Peppers to harass Warner all game, helping the secondary slow down the Cardinals’ explosive aerial attack. On the flip side Arizona is going to find it very difficult keeping Carolina from lighting up the scoreboard. The defense did an admirable job slowing down Michael Turner and Matt Ryan last weekend but doing it on the road in a hostile environment against a team with far more playoff experience is a difference story. And as dominant as they are on the ground the Panthers can also beat you through the air. Steve Smith is one of the NFL’s true game breakers, and the Cardinals simply don’t have a player or even two players who can contain him. And between him and the running game Arizona won’t have an answer for Carolina’s offensive scheme.
There is also the questionable health of Anquan Boldin who left the wild card game with a leg injury. He’s been hobbled this week and while he expects to play, his effectiveness could be vastly limited.
The Cardinals were a nice story this season but January is when the pretenders are exposed and that is exactly what’s going to happen on Saturday night.
Pick: Carolina
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I’m a Panther fan and I think it will be a lot tougher than most people seem to think. In our last meeting, I felt lucky to come away with the win, and the Cards didn’t have the kind of defense and running game that they showed last week.
I’m hoping our defense shows up this week, and maybe gets us a couple of turnovers to help us win this one.