Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers: Tale of the tape

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Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) celebrates with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) celebrates with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Receivers:

The Cardinals receiving core is one of the best in the NFL.  Between Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, J.J. Nelson, and Jaron Brown, not to mention backs David Johnson and Andre Ellington out of the backfield receiving balls, you can’t argue against the abilities.

With 288 yards in the air per game, you know the Cardinals will take their shots on Sunday.  The Packers game was an anomaly.  It all starts and ends with Fitz.  He caught eight passes for 176 yards and the game-winning touchdown last week.  Michael Floyd caught two touchdown passes.  Brown and Nelson are the speedsters who can blow by you before you can blink.

For the Panthers, Ted Ginn Jr. did have 10 touchdown receptions this season.  Don’t ask me how.  Their biggest threat is tight end Greg Olson.  I’m not sure the Cardinals are going to be able to slow him down?  I think the best the Cardinals defense can do is try to keep Olson in front of them.

Advantage: Cardinals

Defense:

If you ask me right now, the Panthers are the better defense overall.  When you look at the big picture in 2015, give me the Cardinals day and night.  The way the Panthers defense, especially with linebacker Luke Kuechly’s pick-six against the Seattle Seahawks last week, started the game, it certainly set the tone for the afternoon.

The Cardinals defense held the Packers to just 13 points until the Hail Mary at the end of regulation but they also did allow running back Eddie Lacy to run free several times last Saturday night.  The Panthers run defense was all over Marshawn Lynch last Sunday. They never let him get into a rhythm.

You have the two best corners in the game in 2015 playing tonight.  Josh Norman for the Panthers and Patrick Peterson for the Cardinals have both played very well this season.  It will be a matter of matchups.  Many want to see Norman shut down Fitz on Sunday evening, however you likely won’t see Norman on Fitz since Fitz is in the slot.

The Cardinals do have the ability to make big plays but so do the Panthers.  They will need to contain Olson and Newton.  Let them run around free all evening and the Cardinals are going to be coming back to Phoenix very disappointed Sunday evening.

The Panthers will have to take the Packers game plan as far as the running game goes.  They held the Cardinals to 40 yards rushing last week.  If the Panthers do that, it will be difficult for the Cardinals to win this game on the road.

Advantage: Panthers

Special Teams:

Want to talk about x-factors, this maybe is it?  Cardinals punter Drew Butler, although near the bottom of net yards in 2015, did place 22 of his 58 punts inside the 20.  For only punting 58 times which was amongst the league lowest, that is huge.

The kickers could be another adventure.  Panthers kicker Graham Gano missed three extra points this season.  Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro missed five.  Both kickers though can kick it far but accuracy should be more important.  Cat Man missed just three field goals, going 28-31 in 2015.  Gano went 30-36 for the Panthers.

Advantage: Even

Schedule