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Arizona Cardinals game by game schedule predictions, quarter 2

By Scott Allen

Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 8: @Carolina Panthers 2:25 p.m. FOX

We all know how the last two matchups against the panthers have gone.  Do I even dare mention the blowout loss in the NFC Championship game only three months ago?  Then there was the debacle in the 2014 playoffs without Carson Palmer behind center for the Cardinals.

So, back to Carolina the Cardinals go to try and get their revenge on the Panthers.  I mean, they are due, right?

The good news: The pressure of the NFC Championship isn’t there.  The Panthers will likely be hard pressed to go 15-1 again but you never know.  The Cardinals offensive line will be different and they will have a better pass rush with Chandler Jones at defensive end.

The bad news: The Panthers, like the Cardinals, will likely be very much like they were last season.  Same personnel with the exception of several players. The Panthers still have Cam Newton and as long as they have him, they will always be dangerous.

Prediction: I think this is where the winning train gets a little derailed.  Like I said, not much will have changed for the most part.  Yes, the Cardinals will be better but the Panthers will overall be the same.  That still makes it hard to win.  Not impossible of course but difficult.

Panthers 28 Cardinals 20

The Cardinals will finish the first half of the season 7-1.  Not too bad if you ask me.  I’d take that any time.  Sure people will be upset if they lose to the Panthers again but any of these games can go either way.  If the Cardinals truly can finish 7-1 in the first eight games they will be well on their way to accomplishing their goal.  The second half of the season doesn’t appear as daunting as the first.

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