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Fantasy Football ToolsContributed By: Joe Buccellato
Game Time
Sat Jan 10 8:15:00 p.m.
Weather
51°F, 40% chance of showers, wind from SSW at 11 mph
Line
Carolina (-9.5), 48 over/under
Records
Carolina: Season: 12-4, Home: 8-0
Arizona: Season: 10-7, Road: 3-5
Injuries
Player Injury Status Details
Carter, Jason CAR WR IR Put on official NFL IR list 08/25/2008
Connor, Dan CAR LB IR Put on official NFL IR list 09/22/2008
Kemoeatu, Ma’ake CAR DT Probable Ankle
Lewis, Damione CAR DT Probable Shoulder
Player Injury Status Details
Boldin, Anquan ARI WR Questionable Hamstring
Laboy, Travis ARI LB Questionable Ankle
Patrick, Ben ARI TE Questionable Knee
Pope, Leonard ARI TE Probable Knee
Analysis
Team Matchup
Points per Game: CAR 25.9, ARI 26.7
Passing Yards per Game: CAR 197.4, ARI 292.1
Rushing Yards per Game: CAR 152.3, ARI 73.6
Points Allowed per Game: CAR 20.6, ARI 26.6
Passing Yards Allowed per Game: CAR 211.7, ARI 221.2
Rushing Yards Allowed per Game: CAR 119.5, ARI 110.2
Arizona
Hey, they made playoffs… and actually won a game! However, their journey to the playoffs was relatively simple. The Cards were 6-0 in the weak NFC West. That makes them 3-7 vs everyone else. The only non-division wins were all home games against Miami, Buffalo, and Dallas. The Falcons were a tough opponent last week, but home field advantage was huge. This week, the Cards will be forced outdoors on the east coast in a potentially wet night game. If I recall correctly, the last time they were in this position, Pats destroyed them. Anquan Boldin is banged up, but reports say he will play. The Cards have a capable replacement in Steve Breaston when “Q” needs rest. Larry Fitzgerald makes the spectacular catches look routine. And of course, Kurt Warner can throw lasers… if he doesn’t have one of those human turnover machine games. I’ve seen them happen, and they are never pretty. Don’t get all gooey about Edgerrin James. He’s a nice player, but he will have a tough go at the Panther defense. The defense is healthy, and they do have players who can make a difference. The safety combo of Antrel Rolle and Adrian Wilson is solid, and chances are one will always be playing over the top of Steve Smith. It will be key for the front seven to keep the rushing game in check. Hopefully, Karlos Dansby can wreck this game with a few turnovers.
Panthers
A few short weeks ago, they had the Giants beat in the Meadowlands, but eventually lost the game in OT. That game proved this team is for real, and they will be looking for a chance at revenge (if the Giants advance). But let’s not look past the Cards just yet. Jake Delhomme is an average QB, but that’s all he needs to be with this rushing attack. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are a fantastic duo. I fully anticipate them to run often and hard all night. And when the Cards try to snuff out the run, they have Steve Smith. It’s really amazing to watch this little guy take over a game. On defense, they have a stud in the middle in Jon Beason. He racked up tackles all year long and added three picks. However, he only recovered one fumble and didn’t force one all season. Odd. The corners Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble also put up a bunch of tackles. For the Panthers sake, they hope it’s in run support, and not after the Cards’ receivers make first down catches. Julius Peppers has the playoffs to prove he is worth a franchise tag, or worth a long term commitment.
Prediction
Panthers start this game flying on offense, and harass Warner into two lost fumbles and a pick in the first half. When time runs out in the first half, Panthers 31-7. Warner has too many guts to punk out of this game, and carries the team on his back without a running game. They’ll pull within a TD (and two-point conversion) late in the fourth quarter, but it’ll just be window dressing.
Panthers 37, Cardinals 29