Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers ~ NFC Championship Game
Sunday, January 24, 4:40 PM on FOX
This Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals will square off with the Carolina Panthers in the National Football Conference’s Championship game. It’s the match up everybody wanted to see. It’s the NFL’s number one overall offense against the NFL’s number one scoring offense. It’s the showdown between two surging quarterbacks, both of whom are in the discussion for the 2015 MVP honors.
These two teams had the best records in the League, combining for 28 regular season victories. These teams haven’t faced one another this year. It’s the NFC’s number one seed vs the NFC’s number two seed.. it’s just as it should be.
While I apologize for the Flavor Flav-esque hype job, I must also be forthcoming with the admission, that I am indeed a huge Arizona Cardinals fan. So as biased and as excited as I may be, I will do my best at not being a complete homer for Arizona while discussing this match up.. I won’t even bring up the field/turf problems in Carolina.
- Carolina Panthers 2015
First off, Cam Newton, and secondly, Cam Newton. The Panthers hit the powerball in the 2011 draft when they picked numero uno. Newton can do it all. He can run, he can pass, but most importantly he keeps his team performing at a high level. Newton has become the type of leader in which NFL teams would be more than happy to spend the first pick on.
Cam’s combined talents have brought the Carolina Panthers 4,473 yards of total offense in 2015, 45 TDs and a mere 10 interceptions. Newton accomplished these feats even after losing his star 1,000 yard wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (ACL) back in training camp.
Instead of feeling bad for himself, Newton came up with a couple of plans. (WR) Ted Ginn Jr , (TE) Greg Olsen, and a relentless running game anchored by Jonathan Stewart have been those plans.
Carolina ranked 2nd overall in the NFL’s rushing department. Carolina’s (RB) Jonathan Stewart was just 11 yards shy of reaching the 1,000 yard mark, but only played in 13 games. The Panthers averaged over 142 yards per game on the ground and crossed the goal line 19 TDs.
But to be honest, 10 of those TDs were ran in by the dab-master himself. With Cam Newton at quarterback the Carolina Panthers became a triple threat offense, especially in the red zone. They can run it, they can pass it, or they can run it on every play.
Also impressive is the Carolina defense. The Panthers ranked 6th overall in 2015 and specialized in stopping the run. Their weakness would have to be against the pass, but that’s only if you consider being ranked 11th overall a weakness.
The Panthers led the NFL with 24 interceptions, and only gave up 308 points all year long (6th best) as a whole.
This is a complete team, obviously, because 15-1 does not happen by coincidence. They are well coached and stacked with talent. In fact, the Panthers had 10 players (franchise record) voted to the Pro Bowl including four of their defensive players.
(LB) Luke Kuechly, (LB) Thomas Davis, (CB) Josh Norman, and (DT) Kawann Short. This is why times are good in Carolina, and it’s also why head coach Ron Rivera is in the running for Coach of the Year.
- Arizona Cardinals 2015
The Arizona Cardinals started off the season with some rather simplistic yet complex goals in mind. One being the dethroning of the Seattle Seahawks as the NFC West Champions. Another one, which was probably what I should have led with, keeping Carson Palmer alive.
Over the last couple seasons, Arizona went to work on strengthening the offensive line. The additions of (LT) Jared Veldheer and (LG) Mike Iupati have payed some serious dividends as far as protection goes. Not only have the new additions worked out well, they have also helped revamp the Cardinals rushing attack. The run game makes it easier to protect Palmer plus it opens up the play action, which allows Palmer to take deep shots down field.
Rookie running back David Johnson has been very effective (13 TDs), as has Andre Ellington, who is expected to be healthy for this contest. The Cardinals will have Chris Johnson back on the roster (should they make it to the super bowl) but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Larry Fitzgerald is currently adding updates to his Hall Of Fame resume. Defenses are still having a hard time slowing down John (Smokey) Brown and an even tougher time bringing down Michael Floyd. Arizona is most definitely strapped when it comes to weaponry.
For the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, the injuries have been more prevalent on the defensive side of the ball, and most notably with Tyrann Mathieu (ACL). The defense has done a solid job under first year DC James Bettcher. The Cardinals hired Bettcher to take over after Todd Bowles left to become head coach in NY. Some were worried at first but this is still the same blitz happy, risk taking, bend but don’t break defense that fans have grown to love.
In 2015, Arizona ranked 6th against the run, 8th against the pass, and ranked 5th overall. The secondary did well with 19 interceptions, but the Cardinals had to call in the “sack specialist” known as Dwight Freeney to help out with some quality pressure on the quarterback.
The Cardinals are also an all around complete team, and just like Carolina they are also well coached and loaded with talent. Arizona and Seattle were the only teams to rank in the top 5 overall on both sides of the ball this season. Bruce Arians has already recently won “Coach of the Year” (twice) but he could be considered yet again.
- The Match Up
Cam Newton is a tough match up for any team, but if Jonathan Stewart gets it going on the ground, the Carolina Panthers become nearly impossible to stop. The Cardinals will most likely bring their best pressure off of the edges so they will have to be very aware of a Jonathan Stewart releasing out. And then comes the fun part… trying to stop Cam Newton from extending the drives with his mobile improvisations.
The Cardinals will also have to do their best in containing Greg Olsen. Tyrann Mathieu used to cover these types of assignments, but the club relies on a team effort these days. We could see some Deone Bucannon on Olsen but who knows. Also, as many have talking about this week, Aaron Rodgers went after (CB) Justin Bethel with some success. The Panthers may try to do the same this Sunday.
As for Arizona’s chances to score, their best match ups will once again be at the receiver position. Look for the Cardinals to try and exploit certain match ups with Larry Fitzgerald lining up all over, John Brown taking the top off the defense, and with Michael Floyd imposing his size and his will upon others.
Carson Palmer will have to have one of his stellar days, and will need to get the Cardinals off to a fast start as far. The offensive line will have to have one of their best games against Carolina. The Cardinals would also benefit greatly from a solid running campaign, as a successful ground attack could both help out on time of possession, and in keeping Cam Newton off the field.
- The Winner
If you read my stuff you know I don’t care much for doing predictions. Partly because I feel it’s just glorified guess work, and partly because I don’t want to jinx my team. Too many unpredictable and unforeseeable things can happen, especially with teams like these.
I will predict a closer first half than 31-0.
These two squads were the top two seeds for very good reason. Both are very well rounded when it comes to all facets of the game. Both teams can beat anybody including themselves. So get your popcorn ready, turn off your phones and lock you front doors. This could be a game for the ages.
