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
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
Live from Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
FOX HD 720p & DD5.1
8:15 PM ET
Quote:
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/9...-playoff-games
