Game Thread: Wildcard Round: Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers 420 PM EST 1/3/15 ESPN

[bksballer89]

I think Arizona defense keeps them in it but the offense will not be good enough to put them over the top

Panthers 17
Cardinals 13

 

[geezer]

I could make some reasoned argument but don't want to think that hard. I am picking the Cardinals because I really don't have a clue. They have had a reputation over the years of stepping up when all seems lost.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Not making a prediction. Just gonna watch the game with plenty of booze to calm the nerves.

 

[JMR]

In games like this you go with the home team, especially if they have the better QB. Cards D is capable of overcoming all that, but I'm sticking with the Panthers. See you in Seattle, Cam.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

AZ has the better defense ... Cam has shown he can get rattled ... AZ's offense isn't gonna light the world up, but if they take a few chances, make a couple big plays, they have a good shot ... It's gonna be low scoring grind out .... Don't count AZ out, defense is big in the post season ...

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Not expecting to win this one at all. Hopefully they find a way to prove me wrong. Go Cards!

 

[darken65]

Gotta rep for the NFC West here. Go Cards!!!

 

[Jonas_steven]

Geaux red birds! I have no clue how this game is going to turn out but I am excited to be back in the playoffs! Let's get it done, boys!

 

[DJ]

Carolina wins imo, 21-13.

 

[DJ]

AZ has the better defense ... Cam has shown he can get rattled ... AZ's offense isn't gonna light the world up, but if they take a few chances, make a couple big plays, they have a good shot ... It's gonna be low scoring grind out .... Don't count AZ out, defense is big in the post season ...

I think most people wouldn't disagree with this at all, but doubt Lindley more.

 

[bksballer89]

In what world does Arizona has the better defense? Carolina was ranked 10th in total defense & zona was ranked 24th

 

[bksballer89]

The run defense is almost identical as one team allow 4.4 ypc & the other allow 4.5 ypc. Carolina has the better pass defense by far. Not only do they give much less passing ypg but they also give up significantly less passing yards per attempt

 

[JMR]

The run defense is almost identical as one team allow 4.4 ypc & the other allow 4.5 ypc. Carolina has the better pass defense by far. Not only do they give much less passing ypg but they also give up significantly less passing yards per attempt

Cards D has a slightly better passer rating against: 86 to 89.

 

[SonnyCID]

In what world does Arizona has the better defense? Carolina was ranked 10th in total defense & zona was ranked 24th

And Zona is ranked 5th in points, while Carolina is 21st.

 

[bksballer89]

And Zona is ranked 5th in points, while Carolina is 21st.

Nobody judge best total defense by scoring defense. They judge it by ypg allowed. A few weeks ago Detroit had the best scoring defense but nobody ever considered them the best overall defense because Seattle was #1 in total defense. Best overall offense/defense is different than having the best scoring offense/defense. Arizona defense does do somethings better than Carolina (turnovers, getting off the field on 3rd down, & etc) but when it comes to total yards, pass defense, & rush defense the panthers got the edge

 

[JMR]

YPG doesn't talk to efficiency though. You should consider as many relevant facts as possible. Yards per play, ypc, yards per pass tell me a lot more than total yards or total points allowed. I agree Carolina has a better overall D, statistically.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Nobody judge best total defense by scoring defense. They judge it by ypg allowed. A few weeks ago Detroit had the best scoring defense but nobody ever considered them the best overall defense because Seattle was #1 in total defense. Best overall offense/defense is different than having the best scoring offense/defense. Arizona defense does do somethings better than Carolina (turnovers, getting off the field on 3rd down, & etc) but when it comes to total yards, pass defense, & rush defense the panthers got the edge

Hmm, I don't know about that. They might blend the two and synthesize the data, but low scoring D's usually don't pop out of nowhere unless there's a bunch of turnovers which would not be a very repeatable skill.

 

[johnson]

This game is simple: Carolina has no excuse for losing. They get a home game and Ryan Lindley. If they lose, they truly didn't deserve to sniff the playoffs.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Who gives a shit about yards? It's all about total points.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Cam Newton has not performed that well against NFC West Defenses recently. The Seahawks have held him in check 3 straight years. Also he didnt play well against San Fran in 2 games last year or that game in Arizona. Whether that means anything today remains to be seen. I think thats the Wild Card in this game. We know the Cardinals probably wont have a lot of success moving the ball, but I look at the Carolina offense vs Arizona Defense to be the decider.