Arizona Cardinals with chance to make history
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night at University of Phoenix Stadium
The Arizona Cardinals have a chance to make a nice run to the Super Bowl starting Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers. With only one Super Bowl appearance previously, they embark on a possible three-game journey to their first Super Bowl championship.
The last Super Bowl appearance ended in heartbreak, a 27-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. That is well documented by now and one game many Cardinals fans would like to forget. Now with quarterback Carson Palmer, the Cardinals have a chance to do something not even Kurt Warner accomplished in Arizona.
However let’s not put the eggs before the basket. The Cardinals need to get past the Packers. Not as easy a task many make it out to be this week.
The Cardinals are playing host for a divisional playoff game for the first time since moving to Arizona in 1988. They have that going for them. They have hosted an NFC Championship game but if the Carolina Panthers beat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, either the Cardinals or Packers would need to travel to Charlotte for that game next Sunday.
Green Bay will not come in and roll over like they did last time. Take it to the bank. The Cardinals are a little more banged up on defense and the Packers offensive line got a couple of guys back.
If the Cardinals win on Saturday, Palmer also makes personal history by winning his first playoff game of his career, if you can believe that. He is 0-2 in playoff games for his career to date. It won’t be easy but most expect Palmer to play well, although you have to think he will have his playoff record somewhat on his mind.
The Cardinals hopefully are ready to make this historic three-game run that culminates with a win in Santa Clara, California on February 7th. First thing is first though. Take care of the Packers. One game at a time.