M. Anthony Dennis
January 23, 2016
Troy, New York
The Arizona Cardinals travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers in a matchup of the top 2 seeds for the NFC Championship. Receiving top billing are the starting QBs’, both drafted no. 1: Carson Palmer in 2003 by the Cincinnati Bengals and Cam Newton in 2011 by the Carolina Panthers. This is the 1st time in postseason history that each team will start a Heisman Trophy winning signal caller; Palmer in 2002 at USC and Newton in 2010 at Auburn.
Bruce Arians, in his third season as head coach led Arizona to the NFC West Division title and the NFC’s no. 2 seed. Palmer leads an offense that finished 2nd overall in scoring per game and features a trio of WRs’ in Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown. Fitzgerald is their no. 1 receiver and has the ability to line up in the slot or on the outside. Floyd excels at YAC and Brown provides a deep threat. Palmer is one of the top candidates for the NFL’s MVP, establishing career highs in passing yards, touchdowns and rating. Rookie RB David Johnson scored a total of 13 TDs rushing, receiving and as a returner. The offensive line will have to open holes in the running game and protect Palmer on his downfield passing attempts.
Defensively, the Cardinals favor a blitzing attack. DE Calais Campbell is a stud upfront and CB Patrick Peterson locks down one side of the field in pass coverage. The X factor will be LB Deone Bucannon. Bucannon is a hybrid and was selected as a safety in the 1st round of the 2014 draft. His job will be to locate Panthers TE Greg Olsen in coverage and to corral Newton when he takes off as a runner.
Ron Rivera, in his fifth season, has led Carolina to three consecutive NFC South Division titles and the NFC’s no.1 seed. Newton is the odds on favorite to win the MVP is a dual threat, passing for 35 touchdowns and rushing for 10 more. The Panthers are a power rushing team behind RB Jonathan Stewart and Newton’s ability to find openings in their zone read attack. TE Greg Olsen is Newton’s no. 1 target effectively running seam routes. The WRs’ are led by Ted Ginn, Jr. who caught 10 touchdowns during the regular season. Veteran receiver Jerricho Cotchery is an asset as a 3rd down receiver, due to his hands and route running. Rookie WR Devin Funchess provides a large target in the red zone.
Defensively, the Panthers are led by DT Kawann Short, who provides a push in the middle of their defensive line, LBs’ Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, supply sideline to sideline speed in space and CB Josh Norman is a shutdown corner in their Cover 3 scheme. The Panthers depth will be tested, DE Jared Allen will miss the game with a broken foot and CBs’ Charles Tillman and Bene Benwikere are on season ending IR.
This is a rematch of last year’s NFC Wild Card game won by Carolina 27-16 in Charlotte. QB Palmer missed the game and the offense struggled without him.
The Cardinals must run the ball well enough to stay out of obvious passing situations on offense and defensively, must neutralize Newton as a running threat.
The Panthers need to maintain an advantage in time of possession, in order to keep the Cardinal pass catchers off the field. Defensively, the Panthers’ must pressure Palmer early and often.
Per scoresandodds.com, the Panthers are the favorite at -3.
The game will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EST and the will be broadcast by Fox.