The 2009 NFL Playoffs - NFC Divisional Weekend in HDTV on FOX
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
Live from Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
FOX HD 720p & DD5.1
8:15 PM ET

From foxsports.com
John Czarnecki

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Arizona QB Kurt Warner has been helped the past two games as his offense has shifted away from the passing game a bit. With RB Edgerrin James returning to the backfield, Warner has been productive with play-action. James has gained 173 yards on 30 carries in the past two games and he's looked fresh and quick. He even has broken tackles in the secondary, something he didn't do earlier this season.

WR Anquan Boldin (sore hamstring) will be active and will attempt to play as long as possible. Boldin didn't practice all week.

The Cardinals lost in Carolina during the regular season after having a 17-3 lead in the second half. You can expect the Cardinals to attack CB Ken Lucas as much as possible with Steve Breaston and Larry Fitzgerald. On the flip side, OT Mike Gandy will have to negate Carolina RDE Julius Peppers. Gandy has been playing well recently. He shut out the Falcons' John Abraham last Saturday and Peppers didn't have a sack against the Cardinals earlier this season, even though Warner passed 49 times.

The Panthers have won five straight against Arizona under coach John Fox, including a 27-23 win on Oct. 26. In that game, Steve Smith caught five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while DeAngelo Williams ran for 108 yards and one score. This is the first postseason meeting between the two teams.

Carolina's offensive line has been tough all season and one reason why the team was 8-0 at home during the regular season. For Arizona, ILB Karlos Dansby must duplicate his game against Atlanta's Michael Turner when dealing with Williams and his running partner, Jonathan Stewart. Dansby had one of his best games ever last week against the Falcons. He finished with eight tackles, including three for losses, and was a huge factor in limiting Turner to 42 yards, none of which came in the second half. The Panthers must get a blocker on Dansby, or he will be disruptive.

The Cardinals recovered 17 fumbles this season, the most in the league. However, Williams hasn't fumbled all season while scoring 20 touchdowns, 18 on the ground. Smith has five TDs in his last three games vs. Arizona. The whole key could be Carolina QB Jake Delhomme, who has had an uneven season. When he's hot, he's hot. When not, well, the Panthers tend to struggle.


http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9055546/Countdown:-Previewing-Saturday%27s-playoff-games

Bad audio issues on D* 398
Best part of it is I couldn't here Saragoofy.

Audio leading video slightly on the game on WSFX Wilmington via TWC. Studio was ok.

Sideline guy make me happy with Miss Kremer.

Go Panthers.

The panthers are going down, in a big way!!!!

Bad audio issues on D* 398
Best part of it is I couldn't here Saragoofy.

Can barely here the announcers. Definately a D* or WNYW issue.

Audio is good. Good field sounds. (That'll vanish when AZ gets the ball.) Good rears. Panther TD, also good.

The panthers are going down, in a big way!!!!Yeah, going down and scoring right off the bat.

Whoo Hoo!! Ground game is looking good!!

Watching on D* in Miami. PQ looks good and audio sounds fine.

Carolina will win tonight.

Fine here in Charlotte, Video ES pretty constant at 15.5 mb/s.

Looks ok, watching ota via WACH-DT, Columbia , SC.

WNYW-DT FiOS TV

I noticed one or two glitches in the pregame where the feed switched to 4:3 and the audio dropped out for a few seconds and then went back to 16:9.

Audio sounds fine here.

Wow ..we might actually get a good game here.

WNYW-DT NY OTA
Typical Fox, tons of swimming grass, very soft main cam, other cams look good.

Time warner an directv in San diego has the same soft camera. It reminds me of before fox went to hd and they had every game in 480p

Larry Fitzgerald has over 100 yards receiving with 8 minutes left in the 2nd quarter! :D

edit: add 17 more

WNYW-DT NY OTA
Typical Fox, tons of swimming grass, very soft main cam, other cams look good.

looks way worse than norma on the main. you'd think they'd get it right for playoffs.

disappointing.

Well Darryl Johnston looks like an idiot right now and Larry Fitzgerald is god.

Fitzgerald is just eating them alive. And someone needs to get records of recent deposits to Delhomme's bank account.

Something just isn't quite right with the picture. Seems like the usual soft main cameras except with detail enhancement cranked up a lot more than normal. Audio sounds pretty good here, with a lot more in the surrounds than the earlier CBS game, at least until the Cards stunned the crowd into silence. Good to see my Cards rolling and proving those who said they can't step up, wrong.

KDFW Dallas via FiOS.

Fitzgerald is just eating them alive. And someone needs to get records of recent deposits to Delhomme's bank account.
I had a funny feeling about this game when Carolina kicked it out of bounds after their TD.

There should be a cardinal rule against doing that ...pun intended. :D

Wow, I wouldn't have guessed this one. Can the Panthers come back?

This is like watching a train wreck from the engineer's cab. :eek:

Wow ..we might actually get a good game here.

Nope! :D

Having gone to the University of Northern Iowa and been an Iowa Barnstormers' season ticket holder, I am loving this game so far!

The usual FOX mish-mash.
On certain cams the Cards red is deep red on others it's washed out.
Full field cam is very soft.
And the FOX on-air personnel, as usual their brains are all soft.
Don't kick a field goal on 3rd and a foot in the 2nd quarter?
What an idiot.
I'm surprised they haven't worked in multiple close-up shots of Terrell Owens on the side-lines.

Local news during halftime on WNYW was 4:3 SD. And not the best PQ during the game, either.

Anyone else wonder why Fox only shows the highlights from CBS in 4:3? They've done that throughout the season as well. I have an idea but I don't want to think Fox would be that petty.

Several people asked me about this game and I didnt have the courage to say it. I just said "I don't know, I was very impressed with Arizona last week". I had a feeling they could win this game. I spoke to no one that felt the same though. Frankly I think Arizona can kick FG's the rest of the way and win.

I've had it with the redneck Dodge truck commercials!!! Is this what the bailout money is paying for???

..........great, another one is on now!

The difference seems to be the Cardinals defense.

The difference seems to be the Cardinals defense.
If Jake Delhomme plays for the Cardinals defense, then yes, completely agree.

It's gonna be a Lonnnnnnggggg local post game show...:(

And someone is going to have to talk CPanther95 off the ledge.

Can't watch any more.

If Jake Delhomme plays for the Cardinals defense, then yes, completely agree.

Well the one INT wasn't really his fault.

Ouch...

Ouch...

He's ok!

He's ok!

I'm watching "Machines of Malice" with the game paused to build a buffer to zip through the ugly parts.

The "ouch" was for me. ;)

I'm watching "Machines of Malice" with the game paused to build a buffer to zip through the ugly parts.

The "ouch" was for me. ;)

Let it buffer through tomorrow's Meet The Press. That should be enough time to get you through the bad parts when you watch.

^^^ Says the man with the front row view to the monitors inside the truck parked next to the Super Bowl stadium. ;)

I'll have to watch it before the Steeler game. If they let me down, I won't have a plasma without a size 14 shoe sticking out of it to view anything DVR'd.

Tony Siragusou is a total waste of space

How about that Toyota Venza commercial? It has a TON of bass

On the positive side, CP95, it won't take you long to watch the good parts.

Just watch the opening drive then head for the Steelrs game.

Between the inability of Carolina's offensive line to block and Delhomme's inability not to throw interceptions, any team should be kicking the Panthers' ass right now.
What a pathetic performance.
I've been watching Baa Baa Black Sheep reruns.

The panthers are going down, in a big way!!!!If you have any more predictions I'd love to hear them.;)

I called the Ravens game to within a field goal (16-10 Ravens).

I missed this one by about 60 points.

I'm actually a little more worried about Philly now. I was counting on Carolina to at least keep them out of the SB in case they beat the Giants. The Cardinals look for real though. Tonight anyway.

I've had it with the redneck Dodge truck commercials!!! Is this what the bailout money is paying for???

..........great, another one is on now!

Not to mention those trucks are crap.

I'll be rooting for Pitt/Philly, now.

Although, the media seems to have far more faith in the Steelers chances than I do. I thought the Panthers were far better equipped to take it all. Hopefully, the Steelers will have a whole new playbook of plays for the playoffs that don't require an offensive line.

Something just isn't quite right with the picture. Seems like the usual soft main cameras except with detail enhancement cranked up a lot more than normal. Audio sounds pretty good here, with a lot more in the surrounds than the earlier CBS game, at least until the Cards stunned the crowd into silence. Good to see my Cards rolling and proving those who said they can't step up, wrong.

KDFW Dallas via FiOS.


I'm so glad you posted that. I thought the same thing about the enhancemnent being a bit too much. I thoght I was going crazy. When it was on the main cam, it was almost dizzying, like there was too much going on with the whites, blacks etc, and he Cards helments wre TOO white, but at the same time everything was clear. It seemd a bit more toned down during the second half and looked really nice The close ups and other cam shots were fantastic.

WoW on the Cards win, good for Kurt Warner, it's a great story.

I'll be rooting for Pitt/Philly, now.
If that happens, it will be the first time I ever root for the Steelers.

Even after putting up great performances against 2 big teams, including a win in a timezone where they didn't win all season, Arizona still isn't getting any love. I know it's been a long time and they went to sleep at the end of the regular season, but cmon, their performance when it matters still has to count for something.

Fitzgerald for MVP!

It's gonna be a Lonnnnnnggggg local post game show...:(

Do you suppose you could arrange to "accidentally" trip over a key power cord in the studio and pull it out? You've still got a few minutes...

NBC must be quaking at the thought of a AZ-BAL or AZ-SDG, or even a AZ-PIT, superbowl.

NBC must be quaking at the thought of a AZ-BAL or AZ-SDG, or even a AZ-PIT, superbowl.Actually their chances for a big market NFC Super Bowl representative just got better.

At least FOX Charlotte isn't sugar-coating it. The first two captions in the local postgame show read "THE PANTHERS BLEW IT" and "PANTHERS SEASON THROWN AWAY".

Anyone else have their network affiliate bug pop up during their late, local news? It happened on WNYW-DT

sorry about your team cpanther

I saw the Panthers 3 times this season.
That was nowhere the team that showed up tonight.

I hope the Steelers look a lot better.

Yeah, going down and scoring right off the bat.

Like I said, going down in big way. Patiently waiting for your response....

looks way worse than norma on the main. you'd think they'd get it right for playoffs.

disappointing.

Are you kidding? Does anything satisfy some of you folks?

Fantastic picture quality, great game. I had a great time. Too bad you couldn't.

LETS GO GIANTS BABY..... The panthers let this team off to easy... beat philly first and then defend what is yours

sorry about your team cpanther

They're my backup team - my real team plays tomorrow (after the Eagles beat the Giants ;) )

Beat the Giants? And to think, I was feeling bad for Carolina.

At least FOX Charlotte isn't sugar-coating it. The first two captions in the local postgame show read "THE PANTHERS BLEW IT" and "PANTHERS SEASON THROWN AWAY".

The words in the halls here defininately weren't sugar coated..and the pouring rain didn't help the guys who had to stay on-site and do the 1 hour news/post game..:eek:

I can't believe Fox was allowed to have that big Siragusa monitor facing the field during the game.

Anyone else have their network affiliate bug pop up during their late, local news? It happened on WNYW-DT
Yep, saw it on KDFW before I switched away. Probably scripted to come up during MadTV, but since the postgame didn't end till :36, the news was in that slot.

Like I said, going down in big way. Patiently waiting for your response....Hey I agree it was a nice call.

But I was being serious ..who do you like in the Eagles game?

Hey I agree it was a nice call.

But I was being serious ..who do you like in the Eagles game?

I think it's going to be close, but I expect the Giants to win.

27-24 Eagles.

Panthers were way over rated. Geez they got to even play GreenBay, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City and Oakland this year. They simply were not tested during the season. And when they were they lost i.e, NYG, Tampa, Atlanta and Minn losses. All of their losses to teams that run the ball very well. Thats not a good sign.

NYG had better watch out today. Eagle defense will be overwhelming since the giants have no real recieving threat anymore. The have not been a good team without Burris.

They're my backup team - my real team plays tomorrow (after the Eagles beat the Giants ;) )

How can you have two teams?
You should change your screen name.
You have no credibilty regarding the NFL.
I'm a Panthers fan, no wait I'm a Eagles fan, no wait I'm a Steelers fan.
What a joke!

What's the deal with Ravens56706 being a GIANTS fan?

Wow, this was one of the worst looking plaoff games EVER. :mad:
WTXF(philly)
D*

I hope my Eagles game doesn't look like SD like this game did.



FOX.....your football game productions are AWEFUL! You obviously couldn't care less about quality in both your sports broadcasts and tv shows.
If karma is real your whole studio will go bankrupt in the next couple years.......here's to wishing!

Are you kidding? Does anything satisfy some of you folks?

Fantastic picture quality, great game. I had a great time. Too bad you couldn't.

I think you may need to learn how locals can massacre a broadcast that starts out great.
But, that game was never great looking. ;)

Fox 720P looked like CRAP.

Panthers played like it......

It didn't look like crap to me, it did however look very over edge-enhanced, but it was on par with most of what i've seen from Fox the last few games.

It was 2x as bad as the last two college games here in my area. :mad:
Better not be as bad today.....mine was so far from sharp that if there was EE it blended in to the "mess". :mad:

Wow, this was one of the worst looking plaoff games EVER. :mad:
WTXF(philly)
D*

I hope my Eagles game doesn't look like SD like this game did.



FOX.....your football game productions are AWEFUL! You obviously couldn't care less about quality in both your sports broadcasts and tv shows.
If karma is real your whole studio will go bankrupt in the next couple years.......here's to wishing!I'm WTXF via Comcast....and I thought if looked great....on par with the earlier Ravens/Titans CBS game.
Is Directv doing something????
Then again I was on my 42" plasma (Mommom and Poppop were over), not the 110" theater screen, where the difference is magnified.

I don't know, but the early game looked great(that was on CBS though).....this game looked like a muddled mess of SD.(on FOX)
I was actually watching on my newer 1080p panny plasma.
I thought for sure it was WTXF?
How would D* effect it is some markets and not others?(genuine question)

I didnt think the PQ was all that bad watching on D*.

Its a shame that I hate the Bidwell's too much to root for the Cardinals but this week should be fun if the eagles win (and they will if they can get to Manning).

Cardinals hosting the NFC championship game? I never thought i would see the day. LOL

edit: Sorry but these fan house headlines are just too much fun not to post:

'Delhomme Is Mittens, Mittens Is Delhomme!' as Cardinals Storm Back on Cats

Panthers' Game Plan: Don't Run the Ball or Bother Covering Larry Fitzgerald

Jake Delhomme Gets Booed, Must Really Want the Panthers to Draft QB in 2009

January 10th Is, Very Awkwardly, Jake Delhomme's Birthday. Ouch.

Keyshawn Johnson Will Probably Have Some Comments About Delhomme Tomorrow

Jake Delhomme's Performance Against Arizona, Montaged to Beck's 'Loser'

Panthers' Game Plan: Don't Run the Ball or Bother Covering Larry Fitzgerald

Ain't that the truth. Put only 6 men up in the box, and nobody is covering Fitzgerald ????

Good thing Boldin was out. They'd have a hard time squeezing all those DBs into zones while trying to leave two guys open. Guess they figured after getting double covered all year, having no coverage on him would screw with his head.

Fox HD PQ has always seem soft and filtered and this game was no exception. They still don't even have the Pre and Post games shows in HD. What a disgrace! In fact since NBC went MPEG-4 they have moved ahead in PQ leaving FOX in last where they rightfully belong!

I think it's going to be close, but I expect the Giants to win.Well your AVS prognosticator status has been revoked.