NFC Wild Card: (5) Arizona Cardinals (11-5) @ (4) Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)

[Jr.]

Saturday Jan. 3rd, 4:35 pm ET on ESPN

Carolina decimated the Falcons today to capture back to back NFC South titles. The defense is playing more like it did last season the last 3-4 weeks. While the offense is still struggling at times, the run game has been more productive, which is helping take some pressure off of Cam's arm.

The Cardinals are a different team without Carson Palmer. They're hopeful Drew Stanton is back for next weekend, but if not it'll be Ryan Lindley (I'm guessing) for the third consecutive week.

Expect a low-scoring, defensive battle, similar to last year's WC game in Carolina.

And even though very few of the players from the last time these teams met in the playoffs are on either team, hopefully some of the Panther vets can get revenge for that game.

[ProfessaPackMan]

I'm guessing this will probably be the Saturday game while DAL/DET go on Sunday.

Oh and I think I got Arizona pulling this out

[kehlis]

I assume this will be the early Saturday game.


Also expect the Panthers to win.

[SPTO]

If Stanton gets the nod I like the Cardinals in a low scoring defensive battle but if it's Lindley at the helm than I can very well see an upset in the making.

[bradtxmale]

I hope Drew Stanton will play. I'd hate to see this game decided by the play of Ryan Lindley.

[Jr.]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

If Stanton gets the nod I like the Cardinals in a low scoring defensive battle but if it's Lindley at the helm than I can very well see an upset in the making.

I wouldn't be all that surprised if Carolina was the favorite if Stanton can't play.

[areobee401]

I have to go with Carolina. For no other reason than to keep the "NFL Playoff system is broken" people upset.

[JG80]

Go NFC South.