Mature cardinal/panther fans only!!!

[Kettle]

If Carolina comes out and plays Carolina Football, it's a win. They need to play to their level, not their opponents.

I believe that is what we have seen since the MNF game.

[panthers55]

We hosted Arizona during our worse playing stretch all year. We didn't gameplan initially for their 4 and 5 receiver sets (thought Boltin wouldn't play) and our offense started out very slow. We made significantly adjustments at halftime and rolled them in the second half.

I expect that we will come out faster, make quicker adjustments, and use more of a running ball control offense this time around. The Cardinals will make it a game for sure and are capable of scoring at any time. Still I think we are peaking at the right time. Arizona is on again off again and still haven't find that much rhythm. At home they are very tough but on the road not so much. I expect a close game due to weather conditions but in the second half we will wear down the Cards with our running game much like we did against Tampa. If the Cards stack the box like Denver does then Steve Smith and Moose will go nuts. I don't see James having a big game this week although he will get his yards as he tries to prove that he still has something left in the tank. Since we may be in a nickel defense much of the game he will get his yards but they won't necessarily be that meaningful or game deciding. Play action or not we will be playing Warner to throw all day. Jake is surely better than Ryan especially in the post season. And Williams is better than Turner as our offensive line should be opening big holes. In December Williams has averaged 7 yards per carry.

[Jangler]

Mature fans...

[Zcustom]

Cougars?

[JungleCat]

I think we will win the turnover battle.

I'm gonna say:

Panthers 38

Cardinals 24

[MadHatter]

I think we will win the turnover battle.

I'm gonna say:

Panthers 38

Cardinals 24

sounds about right

[photoguync]

Man, this is a FANTASTIC thread. I'd love to add something meaningful, but all the good points have been covered, so I'll just say, WELL DONE, Cards and Panthers fans.:thumbsup:

[pantherclaw]

Cards on the road.

The Cards offense will not be balanced against the Panthers. Their balance their last game was nice, but it won't be that way Saturday night. Edge isn't difficult to shut down. Their defense is playing better, but the Panthers offense is hot, and playing a whole lot better than when we last played. The Panthers o-line is healthy with the exception of Vincent, but we have good backups at the guard position. Our center and Otah is healthy, and will be playing. That will prove to be a difference many outsiders aren't even considering.

While the Panther defense hasn't been playing as well as expected the last month while playing with only half a d-line ~ the starting DT are back, healthy, and the extra week gave them time to work on fundamentals.

The Cards will be coming east, and I'm sure they will be playing hard...but I don't see it being enough to win the game.

[Peppers90 NC]

We are a much better team than we were in the first game, without question. We are the #2 scoring team in the past 7 weeks, not scoring less than 28 in any of those games. And I also believe the Cards have gone downhill since that game as well. I dont mind us giving up a big play or two in the passing game, BUT WE MUSH TOTALLY SHUT DOWN THE CARDS RUN GAME. Why does that make sense? Those draw plays from shot gun killed us vs the Giants and we cannot let that happen again. We make them one dimensional, and have zero threat of the run game. We are rested, as healthy as we are going to get, and as hot as any team left in the playoffs. Warner can throw for 300 all he wants, I dont think we lost a game we gave up 300 pass yards all season, but when we do, we had usually done well against the run. The Cards do have a chance, but it would take a collapse from the Panthers for them to get the win.

31-17

[goodoleboy]

Panthers have averaged 31 points at home this year.

Cardinals have averaged 24 points on the road this year.

31-24 Panthers

[CarolinaKid704]

Arizona Cardinals fans drink the best Kool-Aid in all the land!

[CarolinaHustla]

We will control the clock with smash- mouth football with 34&28, our defenseive line is healthy and thats all will need to stop the "infamous" Edge. If they put 8 in the box then Smith will have a great day. The only thing I worry about is Lucas. Lord knows if Pep gets pressure on Warner, I feel a few turnovers.

Carolina 34

Cards 17

[1BADAZCARDSFAN]

Panthers have averaged 31 points at home this year.

Cardinals have averaged 24 points on the road this year.

31-24 Panthers

NOT bad reasoning

[monstercat]

I've seen a lot of good points in this thread. I would just like to add that I don't think the weather will be as much of a factor as people think. The Panthers just being at home, hopefully with Jerry Richardson sitting in his box again, will matter much more than the weather. The atmosphere inside of BOA is gonna be off the charts.

This Panthers team is as hungry as any team in the league, and they want to bring that Lombardi trophy home to Mr. Richardson more than anything in the world.