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BwareDWare94
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
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Saturday, 4:35 ET, ESPN
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Why Arizona Will Win:
1. Defensive Splash Plays:
It's hard to say Arizona limped into the playoffs, because it had little to do with poor play as opposed to having a 3rd string quarterback who simply isn't capable of much more than a marginal drive, here and there. What it all comes down to, for the Cardinals, is their defense forcing turnovers, getting key stops, and holding Cam Newton and co. out of the endzone in any way imaginable.
2. The Weapons Around Lindley
Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown--there are plenty of reasons that Arizona could have moved on in the playoffs with even Drew Stanton at quarterback. At the same time, they may be completely neutralized by their own quarterback. Nevertheless, if Arizona's WRs can win some jump balls, run great routes and offer easy throws to Lindley, anything is possible.
Why Arizona Will Lose:
1. Ryan Lindley + The Absence of Andre Ellington
Ellington isn't a godsend at running back, but he's versatile and more than capable of producing a huge game at an opportune moment. His absence has been very obvious, and I don't trust that the Cardinals can move on without him. At the same time, Ryan Lindley will probably toss 3-5 picks on his way to the best late-career Jake Delhomme imitation we've ever seen.
2. Defensive Implosion
You can't tell me this team believes in Ryan Lindley, no matter how many times Bruce Arians says it in a presser. I doubt it happens, but do not be surprised if Arizona gets down early and calls it a season.
Why Carolina Will Win:
1. Ryan Lindley vs. Cam Newton:
I don't think I need to explain this.
2. Underrated Weapons vs. Overrated Secondary
We all know that Arizona's pass defense is garbage compared to the praise that they get from all the babbling heads on ESPN and other ill-informed networks that don't do their homework. What many people might not realize is that Carolina is much more than Kelvin Benjamin. Our dear friend Thanatos tried to tell all of us that Carolina had improved their aerial weapons, and we didn't believe him. Now, we have no choice but to agree. Benjamin, Olsen, Brown, Cotchery. Names that have mattered, and if I'm missing anybody, point it out in a reply.
Why Carolina Will Lose:
1. Not a Good Team
No matter how or why this team qualified for the playoffs, they simply are not a good team. They qualified for the playoffs because they just aren't as bad as their last 3 opponents: Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and Atlanta. Give credit where credit's due: Carolina's schedule. If Arizona shows up and can run the Panthers out of their own stadium, perhaps the best thing that could happen for Panthers fans will come to fruition: Ron Rivera's firing.
2. Bottom 10, Possibly Bottom 5 Coaching Staff
Mike Shula is a joke of an offensive coordinator. He's making Baltimore era Cam Cameron look like a genius, which I didn't think was possible. He simply does not make in-game adjustments and shows no indication that he even realizes that his offensive line is bad. He continually throws Cam Newton to the wolves, and that plays right into Arizona's defensive schematics. Sean McDermott is overrated as a defensive coordinator. Carolina has good pieces even without Greg Hardy, and yet their defense is a mere shell of what it was last year.
Prediction: Cardinals 19, Panthers 16
It'll come down to a defensive battle that only results in 2 total touchdowns underneath a pile of field goals. Arizona's defense will force a sack fumble and an interception, giving Lindley short fields to work with, though he'll only move the ball a marginal amount of yards into field goal range. The lone Arizona touchdown will come on a prayer bomb to John Brown, and the Cardinals defense will steal the show, setting up a rematch with the Seachickens in which Arizona will be doomed.
Collateral Damage From this Game:
1. One awful injury to a key player. One high profile player from this game isn't going to be ready for week 1 of the 2015-16 season
2. Panthers fans given no hope as Ron Rivera and his entire staff is retained by the Panthers organization
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Why Arizona Will Win:
1. Defensive Splash Plays:
It's hard to say Arizona limped into the playoffs, because it had little to do with poor play as opposed to having a 3rd string quarterback who simply isn't capable of much more than a marginal drive, here and there. What it all comes down to, for the Cardinals, is their defense forcing turnovers, getting key stops, and holding Cam Newton and co. out of the endzone in any way imaginable.
2. The Weapons Around Lindley
Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown--there are plenty of reasons that Arizona could have moved on in the playoffs with even Drew Stanton at quarterback. At the same time, they may be completely neutralized by their own quarterback. Nevertheless, if Arizona's WRs can win some jump balls, run great routes and offer easy throws to Lindley, anything is possible.
Why Arizona Will Lose:
1. Ryan Lindley + The Absence of Andre Ellington
Ellington isn't a godsend at running back, but he's versatile and more than capable of producing a huge game at an opportune moment. His absence has been very obvious, and I don't trust that the Cardinals can move on without him. At the same time, Ryan Lindley will probably toss 3-5 picks on his way to the best late-career Jake Delhomme imitation we've ever seen.
2. Defensive Implosion
You can't tell me this team believes in Ryan Lindley, no matter how many times Bruce Arians says it in a presser. I doubt it happens, but do not be surprised if Arizona gets down early and calls it a season.
Why Carolina Will Win:
1. Ryan Lindley vs. Cam Newton:
I don't think I need to explain this.
2. Underrated Weapons vs. Overrated Secondary
We all know that Arizona's pass defense is garbage compared to the praise that they get from all the babbling heads on ESPN and other ill-informed networks that don't do their homework. What many people might not realize is that Carolina is much more than Kelvin Benjamin. Our dear friend Thanatos tried to tell all of us that Carolina had improved their aerial weapons, and we didn't believe him. Now, we have no choice but to agree. Benjamin, Olsen, Brown, Cotchery. Names that have mattered, and if I'm missing anybody, point it out in a reply.
Why Carolina Will Lose:
1. Not a Good Team
No matter how or why this team qualified for the playoffs, they simply are not a good team. They qualified for the playoffs because they just aren't as bad as their last 3 opponents: Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and Atlanta. Give credit where credit's due: Carolina's schedule. If Arizona shows up and can run the Panthers out of their own stadium, perhaps the best thing that could happen for Panthers fans will come to fruition: Ron Rivera's firing.
2. Bottom 10, Possibly Bottom 5 Coaching Staff
Mike Shula is a joke of an offensive coordinator. He's making Baltimore era Cam Cameron look like a genius, which I didn't think was possible. He simply does not make in-game adjustments and shows no indication that he even realizes that his offensive line is bad. He continually throws Cam Newton to the wolves, and that plays right into Arizona's defensive schematics. Sean McDermott is overrated as a defensive coordinator. Carolina has good pieces even without Greg Hardy, and yet their defense is a mere shell of what it was last year.
Prediction: Cardinals 19, Panthers 16
It'll come down to a defensive battle that only results in 2 total touchdowns underneath a pile of field goals. Arizona's defense will force a sack fumble and an interception, giving Lindley short fields to work with, though he'll only move the ball a marginal amount of yards into field goal range. The lone Arizona touchdown will come on a prayer bomb to John Brown, and the Cardinals defense will steal the show, setting up a rematch with the Seachickens in which Arizona will be doomed.
Collateral Damage From this Game:
1. One awful injury to a key player. One high profile player from this game isn't going to be ready for week 1 of the 2015-16 season
2. Panthers fans given no hope as Ron Rivera and his entire staff is retained by the Panthers organization
