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Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers: Who Has the Edge?

In last week's segment, the New York Giants held the edge, 7-5 and that was rightfully so. Not many Cardinal fans expected them to go to New York and play the way they did. That's where predicting outcomes becomes difficult. This week, predicting who has the edge shouldn't be a challenge, but the Cardinals also shouldn't get ahead of themselves. The Panthers can be a dangerous team, and DeAngelo Williams is always a threat to break a long run. Let's take a look at who will hold the edge.

 

Pos.

Edge

Analysis

QB

Kwth8f1cfa2sch5xhjjfaof90_medium

This one should be a no-brainer.
Jake Delhomme has already thrown
13 interceptions while Kurt Warner has
put together another solid season. This
is the key to the game on Sunday.

RB

 

346_medium

Although the Panthers have had their 
problems this season, the one bright
spot would be the duo of DeAngelo
Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The
combo could give the Cardinals
problems on Sunday. Meanwhile,
the Cardinals are barely starting to
put together a rushing attack

WR

Kwth8f1cfa2sch5xhjjfaof90_medium

The Cardinals passing attack hasn't 
been as explosive as it was in the past,
but you can never underestimate Larry
Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve
Breaston. The Panthers have struggled
getting the ball to Steve Smith, something
they must do to be successful.

TE

346_medium

Jeff King and Dante Rosario have more
receptions, yards and touchdowns then
any one of the Cardinals tight ends
combined. Delhomme hasn't been
good but he has found these two in
the end zone.

OL

346_medium

Jeff Otah is a young tackle that Cardinal 
fans wish we could swap with Levi Brown.
The Cardinals offensive line has
improved the last two ames, but
Carolina's line can produce good
rushing lanes for their running backs.

Star-divide

Pos.

Edge

Analysis

DL

Kwth8f1cfa2sch5xhjjfaof90_medium

The Cardinals continue to remain the best
rushing defense in the league. Even with
Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, they
didn't allow over 100 yards. The Panthers
have faced injuries and inconsistency. Julius
Peppers remains a force on defense, as he has 6
sacks on the year.

LB

346_medium

The Panthers linebackers are one of the
bright spots on the defense. Jon Beason and
Thomas Davis lead the defense in tackles and
interceptions(1). Although the Cardinals
linebackers have blitzed more and have done
better in coverage, they'll need to more
consistent while doing so.

CB

---------------

The Panthers do have the top pass defense in
the league(150 YPG), while the Cardinals are
29th(258 YPG). However, opponents have thrown
the least amount of passes(151) in the league
at the Panthers. They also allow a 6.6 YPA(13th),
a 65.6% completion(27th), and a 91.3 QB rating(24th).
The Cardinals have had 226 passes thrown at
them(10th) with a 7.2 YPA avg(20th), a 57.5%
completion(9th), and an 82.1 QB rating(13th).
The Panthers 1st ranked pass defense can
be misleading, and the Cardinals stats are skewed
from the rough start. Split.

S

Kwth8f1cfa2sch5xhjjfaof90_medium

Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle proved last week that 
they are the best pair of safeties, at least in the NFC.
They confused Eli Manning and were at the end of 3

turnovers. As stated earlier, the Panthers pass
defense is good, but is not on the level of Wilson
and Rolle.

ST

Kwth8f1cfa2sch5xhjjfaof90_medium

This one was close, but the Cardinals have the Panthers
beat in almost every statistical category. They're also in
top 5 for opponent return yards allowed. So far this year,
the Panthers have done nothing that warrants them to
have the edge over the Cardinals on special teams.

Coach

Kwth8f1cfa2sch5xhjjfaof90_medium

John Fox's commitment to Jake Delhomme proved 
to be disastrous for the Panthers '09 season.
Meanwhile, Ken Whisenhunt has the Cardinals on
a three game win streak and in 1st place in the West
Edge Result Analysis

Kwth8f1cfa2sch5xhjjfaof90_medium

7-5

The Cardinals have the edge this week for obvious 
reasons. They're coming off a three game win streak
and a huge win in New York. They'll also be at home,
a place they haven't been in two weeks. The Panthers
decided to start Delhomme again this week, something
that may be costly after Sunday.

The Cardinals get to be on their home field this Sunday, another factor in the game. They hold the edge at most positions, but must have the edge in the mental game as well. Buying into their own hype or becoming too confident could cost the Cardinals the game. What are your thoughts? Are there any positions that you don't agree with?

0 recs  |  Comment 7 comments |

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LB

I think our middle LB are very solid but our outside backers are just converted end and do lack in coverage

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on Oct 29, 2009 4:27 PM MDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

I'd lean the CB comparison to the Cards

The numbers ARE misleading but you could also say the Panther CB’s have done nothing special too. I think one INT between them…the soft zones prevent big plays..both ways.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Oct 29, 2009 5:05 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Normally by personel alone I would lean to the Cardinals

But they got burned a few times early in the season. They’re just barely getting things together.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 29, 2009 5:32 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

te

When I watched the game again I noticed ben patrick had a few grabs and think he will be a bigger part of our short passing game

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on Oct 29, 2009 6:33 PM MDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Good call

Rosario is probably out for this game, but I really like Gary Barnidge out of Louisville. Even then, I agree that Patrick will get more involved and his blocking seems to have improved. I would call it a tie at TE.

Also, I’ll take Wells and Hightower against Williams and Stewart. I realize this is a homer pick, but for real I think if the Cardinals had the Panthers’ rushing lanes to run through, Hightower and Wells could produce at a higher level. I would also call this a tie IMO.

http://undrafteds.com/

by Undrafteds on Oct 30, 2009 12:13 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I disagree

Deangelo and Stewart are arguably the best 1-2 punch in the game. I like Wells and Hightower alright but they’re a ways from being a dependable duo or for either of them to do anything spectacular.

by Fitz Jizzle on Oct 30, 2009 2:26 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

re:disagree

its ok, I am usually in the minority in my thinking. I love me some DeAngelo, and Stewart is a great #2, but I think there are two things primarily keeping Wells and Hightower from showcasing their skills more: lesser run blocking, and many many less chances to run. They are last in the league in attempts, not just yards. Put Wells and Hightower on the Giants and people would be praising them over and over again.

http://undrafteds.com/

by Undrafteds on Oct 31, 2009 12:50 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

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