Cardinals to Play Panthers as Eagles Beat Vikings

by Jaxon on Jan 4, 2009 11:47 PM EST Comment 18 comments

The Eagles dispatched the Vikings earlier today setting up the preferred rematch for the Panthers with the Arizona Cardinals. You might remember the Panthers beat the Cardinals in Charlotte earlier this season. The Cardinals will still be a tough match-up as their offense is one of the best in the NFL and the defense put up an impressive performance against the Falcons. I was very surprised they were able to shut down the Falcons running game like they did.

In reviewing the Panthers first match-up with the Cardinals I was immediately reminded that the Cardinals were up by 14 points in the 3^rd quarter. It was two turnovers by the defense and a good Panther offense that rescued the Panther victory. One of the turnovers was a fumble caused by DT Maake Kemoeatu who will be questionable for this game.

We can only hope the Panthers don't get off to such a poor start this time. More analysis on this match-up to come so stay tuned.

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You guys might hate me for jinxing you here… but I don’t think this game will be tough at all for you. I think you’ll handle the Cards.

Of course I thought the Falcons would beat them too…

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 5, 2009 1:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

We had to make a major comeback to beat them the first time

They were up 14-0 early as we could not stop the passing game.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 5, 2009 8:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

our next win

I’m excited about this game. They can’t run, and we prefer not to pass. Some teams get that confused with thinking we can’t throw, and they play man to man on Smitty. I still beleieve we have too many weapons to lose again this year. Run defense has been our weak point, but the Cards can’t run, so we’ll be fine. Then it’s on to our rematch in NY.

I can’t wait to beat the Giants 38-24 in NY in two weeks.

by usana_gaines on Jan 5, 2009 4:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't overlook the Cardinals

Their defense played well but they were at home. We are tough to beat at home so it should be a good one.,

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 5, 2009 8:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't run?

Statistically they cannot run with the 32nd Rushing in the league but they did put up average numbers with rushing touchdowns and they can run the ball with their WRs. I hope that if we do get into a goal line situation that we can stop them on the run since I think that they will be prepared to run once they are inside the 5.

by GMallory on Jan 5, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Kurt Warner

This is my worst nightmare. Playing the cards again. There is nobody else that Kurt Warner would rather play than Carolina. He honestly felt jipped big time when he lost to us at home. He played a great game. In fact, the way carolina played, they should have won. We couldn’t do anything against them the first half.

Here is why i am afraid. Our secondary. We will play soft like always and we know Kurt Warner is going to throw the ball, therefore the Cardinals might come out trying to gain some first downs on a few running plays..James is running great right now. Also they did a great job of shutting down Michael Turner in Arizona.

Here is why i am pumped up. Double Trouble. They were not as explosive back then as they have been playing recently. Deangelo actually didn’t have a great game, it was Jonathan Stewart that did really well for us against Arizona. With Double Trouble playing great, i think we might run over the cards. Plus it will be great to have a somewhat health team back.

by jamieclayton on Jan 5, 2009 10:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

We're still awaiting anxiously the Wed injury report

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 5, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Panthers vs Cards

I have read some of the posts so far and I would like to share my thoughts and see what you all think.

I am not that worried about the Cards D stopping our running game like they did to ATL. The Falcons are a great running team, but only a good running team on the road. Plus in my opinion the biggest factor was the Cards D being in on the snap count since the crowd noise was so loud. ATL’s O-line could not get off the ball quick enough b/c they had to watch the ball instead of listen for the cadence. With the Cards D-line getting such a burst off the line they got penetration, pressure, sacks, and forced turnovers. Our O-line is bigger and much better than ATL. As long as we are healthy I am not worried about this area of the game.

The one area I am worried about and the only way we lose this game is if Warner and their passing game goes crazy early and our Offense cannot get going. If we get behind by > 14 early, we are in trouble. If we are up or it is a close game, I believe that our running game and Smitty will finish strong.

It would be nice to see a big time game from our D, especially our pass rush and secondary.

My prediction:
Panthers 26 Cards 20

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Jan 5, 2009 11:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

behind by 14

well we were behind early in the bears game, cards game, and i mean by around 10 – 14 going into halftime. I think we do okay coming out of the second half. I wont be too scared if we are down like that, just extremely nervous.

by jamieclayton on Jan 5, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Weather

I don’t know what the forecast is looking like for Saturday but I’m praying it is clear and sunny. Weather can kill our passing game faster then cancer.

We kept NYG’s run game under 100 as well, Portis under a 100 at Washington. But I do recall Stewart having a day our last meeting.

by badmatty53 on Jan 5, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

as of now, weather.com is saying 40% of rain on Saturday, with the high being 52 degrees.

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Jan 5, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I will be at the game...

Usually I hate nothing more than sitting there in cold, rainy weather. But considering the circumstances I am welcoming it! Arizona is a passing team, and it’s tough to pass well when it’s cold and wet! On the other hand John Fox is built for bad weather.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jan 5, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Still waiting to hear

I do have a chance at going still, but waiting to here if the tickets actually came through. Where do you sit?

by LittleKing on Jan 6, 2009 8:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

upper deck, 521 in the middle

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jan 6, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good points Will and welcome to the blog

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jan 9, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If...

the fellas in the trenches are healthy and good to go by game time, I have full confidence in the Panthers to win this game.

by Davejinxer on Jan 5, 2009 1:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Killer Instinct

The Panthers let both the Giants and Saints back in the game after getting big leads. They need to keep the foot on the gas pedal the whole time and quit playing the prevent defense. All that seems to do is prevent them from winning (I know they beat the Saints, but they had to come back to do that). For some reason they are better at coming back than from playing from in front and if they are to win the SB they need to figure this out.

I do think they are the most well rounded team in the play-offs and if they can develop the Killer Instinct they should win it all this year and maybe next.

by SouthernNorseman on Jan 5, 2009 1:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Minter's view

The first half of the season the Panther D was playing well against the run and pass. On WFNZ Mike Minter said he thinks they started with a lot of emotion and excitement, but wore down as the season progressed. Now that they have had a week to rest, and the excitement of the playoffs are among us, he predicts the D will be rejuvenated and look dominant again.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jan 5, 2009 10:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs