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In a game that will offer a flashback to Amsterdam, October and autographs, the Carolina Panthers will host the Arizona Cardinals Saturday at 8:15 p.m. in the NFL playoffs.
The Panthers edged Arizona, 27-23, in October at Bank of America Stadium. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner blistered the Panther defense for 381 yards in that one. Warner played so well that quarterback Jake Delhomme said if he had seen Warner following the game: "I would have probably asked him for his autograph."But Carolina won after Jon Beason intercepted a pass while the Panthers clung to a 24-23 lead. Then the Panthers' offense secured the game by running out the final six minutes.
It's more than two months later, and here we go again. Here are five things to know – and an early prediction -- about the Cardinals. The winner of Arizona-Carolina will play the winner of the Philadelphia-N.Y. Giants game in the Jan.18 NFC Championship.
1 Arizona entertains: For those who like to watch balls in the air, the Cardinals provide an ideal opponent. Warner – who once started ahead of Delhomme for the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe – has three 1,000-yard receivers to choose from in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. Only four other NFL offenses have ever sported a 1,000-yard threesome.
But Boldin – who scored twice against Carolina in October -- hurt his left hamstring on a 71-yard TD against the Falcons. He's questionable.
2 Arizona has running issues: The Cardinals were dead last this season in running the ball. They were a mediocre 16th in defending it. That's where Carolina will try to attack the Cardinals first. DeAngelo Williams ran for 108 yards against them in October. However, Arizona stuffed Atlanta's Michael Turner Saturday (42 yards, 18 carries) and Edgerrin James ran for a respectable 73 yards in the Cardinals' 30-24 victory Saturday night, so Arizona has improved.
3 Blitzing Arizona is difficult: Warner used to work at a grocery store – the "rags" part of his rags-to-riches story -- but he's almost impossible to sack. On one play in October, Arizona accidentally left Julius Peppers totally unblocked. Peppers still couldn't get to Warner, who boasts the NFL's quickest release.
"It's real frustrating because it seems like you're never going to get there," Peppers said then.
4 Arizona has a "feast or famine" defense: The Cardinals' defense can make big plays on defense – as it did repeatedly against Atlanta. It can also give up tons of big plays. Steve Smith scored twice in October against the Cardinals. Arizona lost four of its last six regular-season games, including three blowout losses (47-7 against New England, 35-14 against Minnesota and 48-20 against Philadelphia).
5 Arizona wants this rematch: As Arizona Republic beat writer Kent Somers wrote Sunday before the Cardinals' foe was known: "The Cardinals aren't saying who they would like to play next, but it's the Panthers. They've been to Carolina this season and lost, 27-23, in a game they feel like they should have won."
Oh, really? They won't want it after this one's over.
My prediction: Carolina 34, Arizona 27.
