Cardinals vs. Panthers playoff preview: Stats, history, connections and milestones

The Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers on the road today at 4:35 PM Eastern/ 2:35 PM Arizona time. Let's take a look at the matchup in terms of stats, history, connections on the roster and also some potential milestones.

Stats:

Offense:

Points scored per game: Panthers 21.2 (19th), Cardinals 19.4 (24th)
Touchdowns: Panthers 36 (19th), Arizona 32 (26th)
Total yards per game: Panthers 346.7 (16th), Cardinals 319.8 (24th)
Rushing yards per game: Panthers 127.3 (7th), Cardinals 81.8 (31st)
Passing yards per game: Cardinals 238 (14th), Panthers 219.4 (19th)

Defense:

Points per game allowed: Cardinals 18.7 (5th), Panthers 23.4 (21st)
Touchdowns allowed: Cardinals 32 (5th), Panthers 44 (20th)
Total yards allowed per game: Panthers 339.8 (10th), Cardinals 368.2 (24th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: Cardinals 108.7 (13th), Panthers 112 (16th)
Passing yards allowed per game: Panthers 227.8 (11th), Cardinals 259.5 (29th)

History:

BigRedBilly wrote up a more complete history between the two teams. It is worth a read. Overall, Carolina leads the all-time series 8-5, but Arizona has a 1-0 postseason record against the Panthers. Arizona has one two straight over the Panthers and three of the last four meetings.

Connections:

Each team has two former players of the opposing team.

Carolina's Derek Anderson played for Arizona in 2010 at quarterback, starting nine games. Running back Fozzy Whitaker was on the Arizona practice squad in 2012 for the final two weeks of the season.

Arizona's Ted Ginn played for Carolina in 2013. Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander was on Carolina's practice squad in 2005, having entered the leagues as an undrafted rookie that season.

Milestones:

• If Arizona wins, it will be 4-0 lifetime in wild card games.
• If they win, they will have won five postseason games in the last seven seasons. Only Baltimore has more with nine over the same period.
• An Arizona win would make 12 on the season, which would tie the franchise record for wins in a season, including the postseason. Arizona won 12 when they lost in the Super Bowl after the 2008 season.
• If Larry Fitzgerald catches a touchdown pass, it will be the 10th of his postseason career. It will be the highest total for any player in his first seven postseason games.
• With 35 yards receiving, Fitz would also pass Steve Smith, a former Panthers receiver, for the most receiving yards in seven career postseason games.
• If an Arizona player rushes for at least 100 yards, he would be the second player in franchise history to do so and the second sine 1947, when Elmer Angsman rushed for 159 in the NFL Championship Game, which the Cardinals won.