By Dalton Del Don
Looking back: During a Week 8 matchup, the Cardinals played the Panthers tough in Carolina, at one point leading 17-3. The Panthers ultimately prevailed 27-23, but it was their second smallest margin of victory at home all season. Again, that was ages ago in football terms.
Looking ahead: Just 3-5 on the road this year, Arizona travels to the NFL’s lone undefeated home team Saturday night. After a Gatorade bath followed last week’s Wild Card win, it seems as if even the Cardinals realize they’ve reached their ceiling. Carolina’s run defense is pedestrian (4.4 YPC), but that won’t matter against the league’s second worst rushing attack. Normally receivers and running backs are overrated, but the likely loss of Anquan Boldin (hamstring) this week will be huge. Carolina has a secondary that allowed just 6.5 YPA on the year, possesses the NFL’s best ground game, and Jake Delhomme, who got 8.7 YPA at home this season, faces an Arizona defense that yielded a league-high 36 passing scores. Expect the Panthers to win in a blowout.
What do you guys think?
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