NFL 2008 Playoffs: Cards Came Close Last Time

NFL Playoffs Divisional Weekend: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

It's a rematch of an NFL 2008 Week 8 suspense thriller when the Carolina Panthers host the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Divisional game Saturday night in Charlotte. The two teams met in October as the Panthers survived 381 yards passing by Kurt Warner to win a come-from-behind 27-23 victory.

The Cardinals - Panthers rematch is the result of Arizona's 30-24 victory in the Wild Card game over Atlanta last week in which the Cardinals used a balanced offense (32 pass attempts, 28 rushing), their potent passing game, a rejuvenated running attack and a smothering defense that limited Michael Turner to 42 yards on 18 attempts. Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower provided the balance, combining for 96 yards on 22 carries.

The Panthers rely on an offense with on a proven balanced attack that features Steve Smith in the passing game and the running of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the ground game.

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers - Saturday, FOX 8:15PM ET

Given the choice, the Cardinals would rather throw the ball. "We've been successful throwing the football all over the field this year," says Arizona QB Kurt Warner, leader of the NFL's second-best passing attack.

However, in last week's 30-24 Wild Card win over the Atlanta Falcons it was their defense and running attack which advanced the Cardinals to the next round.

The Panthers love running the ball. And they've been successful doing that, ranking third in the NFL. "I love that we're able to run the football," says Carolina QB Jake Delhomme, who is 5-2 in the playoffs.

De Angelo Williams is coming off a record setting season in which he set team records for rushing yards (1,515), touchdowns (20), rushing touchdowns (18), average per carry (5.5), and 100-yard rushing games (eight). His rushing total was fourth best in the NFL. He and Jonathon Stewart combined for 2,351 yards rushing. Stewart rushed for 836 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry.

How will it all play out, especially in Carolina where the Panthers are undefeated this season? Well, the last time the teams met (October 26), Carolina RB De Angelo Williams ran for 108 yards, but Delhomme had to rally the Panthers from a 17-3 deficit while throwing for 248 yards and two TDs with the winner coming on a 65-yarder to WR Steve Smith.

The Panthers did it through the air.

On Saturday, who knows? One thing to look for, though. The "pass-first" Cards also have been utilizing their ground game to good effect recently in the person of veteran Edgerrin James who has 173 yards in the last two games.

The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers boast 2008's top two NFC receiving-yardage leaders in the Cardinals LARRY FITZGERALD (1,431) and Panthers STEVE SMITH (1,421). Fitzgerald and ANQUAN BOLDIN and Smith and MUHSIN MUHAMMAD combine for 4,813 yards, the fifth most in an NFL playoff matchup by the top two receivers of each team.

Steve Smith finished third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,421 averaging 18.2 yards per catch despite missing the first two games of the season. Complementing Smith is Muhsin Muhammad, who had 65 catches for 923 yards. His 14.2 yards per catch average was nearly a yard better than his career mark.

Last week, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin caught the 2 longest TD passes in Cardinals playoff history. Kurt Warner connected on a 42-yard yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald in the first quarter. Anquan Boldin's 71-yard TD reception from Kurt Warner came in the second quarter

Pro Bowl selection Larry Fitzgerald finished the regular season with 96 receptions for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite missing four games due to injury during the 2008 regular season, Anquan Boldin earned his third Pro Bowl nod after recording 89 receptions for 1,038 yards and a career-high 11 TD receptions. His 11 TD receptions were tied for the third-most in the NFL during the regular season.

Series: Carolina has a Commanding 6-2 Lead & Winners of the Last 5

Saturday night's rematch will be the ninth meeting between the Panthers and Cardinals and the first in the postseason. Carolina and Arizona have met four times in Charlotte, including a 27-23 Panthers victory earlier this season. Carolina leads the all-time series 6-2 and has won the last five times the two teams have met.

Carolina Panthers 27, Arizona Cardinals 23

 

Arizona faced a formidable test at Carolina against a 5-2 Panther team that was 4-0 at home and boasted the NFL's 5th-ranked defense (#2 vs. the pass).

Thanks mostly to a potent passing attack led by Kurt Warner and bolstered by the return of WR Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals led by 14 early in the 3rd quarter. However a pair of turnovers and two Panther TDs within a minute in the 3rd quarter enabled the Panthers to emerge with the win.

The Cardinals record fell to 4-3 but maintained a 2-game division lead when the 49ers & Rams both lost.

Boldin caught 9 passes for 63 yards a 2 TDs in his first action since suffering a head injury on a vicious hit at the Jets that caused him to miss 2 games. Fellow WR Larry Fitzgerald had 115 yards on 7 catches and Steve Breaston was 9-91 receiving in the loss.

On Arizona's first drive of the game, a 30-yard Boldin run on a reverse set up a 21-yard Neil Rackers FG. Early in the 2nd, LB Karlos Dansby set the offense up at the CAR 5 when he sacked Jake Delhomme, forcing a fumble that Dansby recovered. On the next play, Warner hit Boldin with a 5-yard TD pass. After punting on its first 3 series (including two 3-and-outs) Carolina proceeded to move downfield on the fourth. On 1st-and-goal at the 4, WR Muhsin Muhammad dropped a sure TD pass and the Panthers instead settled for a John Kasay FG. Late in the 2nd quarter

The Cardinals looked poised to add more points when Rackers lined up for a FG on 4th-and-15 at the CAR 21. Instead the Cards tried a fake FG but holder Dirk Johnson's completion to TE Jerame Tuman gained just 10 yards.

The Cardinals opened the 2nd half by moving 64 yards in 8 plays and capped the drive with a 2-yard Tim Hightower TD run that put the Cards up 17-3. Carolina responded with its own long drive that ended with a 15-yard TD run by Williams. On the 2nd play of the next drive Edgerrin James fumbled, turning it over at the AZ18. The Panthers capitalized on the next play when Jake Delhomme hit Steve Smith on an 18-yard TD pass that knotted the score at 17.

Arizona re-took the lead late in the 3rd when Boldin's 2nd TD reception of the day (2 yards) capped an 11-play, 78-yard drive that made it 23-17 after the PAT snap was mishandled.

Carolina struck quickly again when Delhomme threw a short pass to Smith that he took 65 yards down the left sideline. Smith appeared to step out of bounds near midfield and the Cards challenged but referee Walt Coleman did not overturn the original call. Now down 1, Arizona moved to the Carolina 15 but Warner's 2nd-and-3 pass bounced off J.J. Arrington's hands and was picked off by LB Jon Beason. He returned the INT to the Carolina 49 and that set up a 50-yard Kasay FG that gave the Panthers a 4-point lead.

Arizona's next drive stalled near midfield and resulted in a punt. Taking over at their own 20 with 5:57 to play, the Panthers converted three 3rd downs enabling the Panthers to run out the clock.

 

 

 

RUSHING
Cardinals: Boldin 1-30; James 7-17; Hightower 6-3, TD.
Panthers: Williams 17-108, TD; Stewart 8-10; Hoover 1-3; Delhomme 2-(-2); Smith 1-(-6).

PASSING
Cardinals: Warner 35-49, 381 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT; D. Johnson 1-1, 10 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT; Arrington 0-1, 0 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT.
Panthers: Delhomme 20-28, 248 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT.

RECEIVING
Cardinals: Breaston 9-91; Boldin 9-63, 2 TD; Fitzgerald 7-115; Urban 4-51; Tuman 3-41; Hightower 2-18; Arrington 1-7; Doucet 1-5.
Panthers: Smith 5-117, 2 TD; Muhammad 5-38; King 3-41; Jarrett 2-25; Williams 2-15; Hoover 2-12; Stewart 1-0.

Arizona Cardinals Game Notes

• - Last week, the Arizona Cardinals won their 1st home playoff game since 1947 when team was in Chicago & won NFL Championship.
• - Cardinals 30 points last week were most in franchise history for playoff game.
• - Won 1st division title since 1975 when team was in St. Louis & clinched NFC East
• - Club scored 427 points, most in franchise history (423, 1984). Including last week, the Cardinals have scored 30-plus points in 13 of past 25 games under head coach KEN WHISENHUNT.
• - 5 Cardinals selected to this year's Pro Bowl: WRs ANQUAN BOLDIN (3rd) & LARRY FITZGERALD (3rd), ST SEAN MOREY (1st), QB KURT WARNER (4th) & S ADRIAN WILSON (2nd)
• - QB Kurt Warner has passed for 365-plus yards in 4 postseason games, most in NFL history.
• - Warner Holds record for most passing yards in single postseason when he passed for 1,063 yards in 1999 with the Saint Louis Cardinals.
• - WarnerIn starts with 15-plus attempts & 100.0-plus rating (including playoffs), his teams are 36-3 (.923). Has 6-2 (.750) postseason record.
• - Warner threw 2 longest TD passes in Cardinals franchise postseason history last week: 71 yards to Boldin & 42 yards to Fitzgerald.
• - Warner has 3 postseason TD passes of 70-plus yards, tied for most in NFL history with Hall of Famers TERRY BRADSHAW & JOHN ELWAY & BRETT FAVRE.
• - Warner Passed for 381 yards versus Panthers in NFL 2008 Week 8
• - RB TIM HIGHTOWER tied for lead among NFL rookies with 10 rush touchdowns & set club rookie record. Rushed for TD last week in 1st career playoff game. Had TD in Week 8 versus Panthers.
• - RB EDGERRIN JAMES rushed for team-high 73 yards last week. James has 5 rush touchdowns in past 6 playoff games
• - Fitzgerald (12), Boldin (11) & Hightower (10) became the 7th trio since 1970 to each score 10-plus touchdowns in season.
• - Fitzgerald (96), Boldin (89) & STEVE BREASTON (77) became 2nd WR trio in NFL history to record 75-plus receptions in season (1989 Washington). Cardinals led NFL with 13 100-yard receiving games -- Fitzgerald (7), Boldin (3) & Breaston (3). Fitzgerald had 101 yards & 1 TD last week.
• - In Week 8 versus Panthers, Fitzgerald had 7 catches for 115 yards & Boldin scored 2 touchdowns.
• - The Cardinals became the 5th team in NFL history with 3 1,000-yard receivers in season -- Fitzgerald (1,431), Boldin (1,038) & Breaston (1,006)
• - Rookie CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE had interception in 1st playoff game last week & has 5 interceptions in past 8 games, including 99-yard INT-TD, tied for longest INT-TD in franchise history.
• - S ANTREL ROLLE had a 27-yard fumble recovery for a TD last week, 1st defensive TD in franchise postseason history. In career, has scored 5 touchdowns on 9 takeaways (8 interceptions, 1 FR).
• - DE ANTONIO SMITH had sack & safety last week.
• - LB KARLOS DANSBY led team with career-high 126 tackles, his 3rd straight 100-tackle season. Had sack in last meeting.
• - S Wilson is 1 of 3 active safeties with 18-plus interceptions (18) & 18-plus sacks (18.5). Had interception (27 yards) in 11/21/04 game at Carolina.
• - CB RALPH BROWN has interception in 2 of past 3 playoff games
• - ST Morey has played in 12 playoff games, most on team.

Carolina Panthers Game Notes

• - Panthers are 6-3 (.667) in postseason, best mark in NFL and are undefeated (3-0) in Divisional Playoff games. Head coach JOHN FOX is 5-2 (.714) in postseason.
• - The Panthers were perfect at home this season (8-0)
• - Panthers had 4 players selected to Pro Bowl: LB JON BEASON (1st), T JORDAN GROSS (1st), DE JULIUS PEPPERS (4th) & WR STEVE SMITH (4th)
• - QB JAKE DELHOMME averages 8.55 yards per attempt (1,642 yards, 192 attempts) in postseason career, highest mark in NFL history (min. 150 attempts). In playoffs, Delhomme has completed 113 of 192 (58.9 pct.) for 1,642 yards with 11 touchdowns vs. 5 interceptions for 95.0 passer rating, 3rd best mark all-time (min. 150 attempts). This year at home, Delhomme completed 121 of 187 (64.7 pct.) for 1,629 with 11 touchdowns vs. 5 interceptions for 100.8 rating. Had 4 games at home this year with 110.0-plus rating. In career as starter (including playoffs), when Delhomme has 110.0-plus rating, team is 17-1 (.944).
• - Delhomme has never lost to the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) and compiled a 122.3 rating in NFL 2008 Week 8 in win against Cardinals
• - RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS had team record 1,515 rush yards, 20 touchdowns, 18 rush touchdowns, 8 100-yard games & 8 straight games with TD. Had 6 TD runs of 30-plus yards, tied for 2nd most in NFL history with Hall of Famer JIM BROWN. In final 9 games, Williams had 7 100-yard games & rushed for 1,101 yards (122.3 per game) & 16 touchdowns. Averages 8.5 yards per carry vs. Cardinals & has 229 yards (114.5 per game) & 2 touchdowns in 2 meetings. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Cards with 100-plus yards & TD. The Panthers are 13-2 (.867) when Williams rushes for 80-plus yards.
• - RB JONATHAN STEWART tied for NFL rookie lead with 10 rush touchdowns, including 8 touchdowns at home.
• - Williams (18) & Stewart (10) became 4th set of teammates with 10-plus rush touchdowns each in season. Williams (1,515) & Stewart (836) also combined for 2,351 rush yards, 8th best total for teammates in a season
• - WR Smith has 8 total touchdowns (6 receiving, 1 rush, 1 PR) in 7 career playoff games. In 2005 playoffs, Smith set the record for most receptions (27) & became 1st player with receiving, rush & PR TD in same postseason. Had 404 receiving yards in 2003 playoffs, 2nd most in NFL history (409, JERRY RICE, 1988). Has 739 yards in 7 playoff games for 105.6 yards per game avg., best mark in NFL history (min. 5 games). Has 32 catches for 471 yards (117.8 per game) & 5 touchdowns in past 4 vs. the Cardinals. Aims for 3rd meeting in row with 100-plus yards & 1-plus TD. Had 117 yards & 2 touchdowns in Week 8.
• - WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD had 352 yards in 2003 playoffs & combined with Smith (404) for most yards by teammates in postseason (756)
• - DE Peppers is 1st in team history with 70.5 sacks & 25 FFs. Has 14.5 sacks in past 14. Has 4.5 sacks & 5 FFs in 6 meetings. LB Beason led team in tackles for 2nd straight season. Had 3 interceptions, tied for most among LBs in NFC. Had interception (44 yards) in Week 8. CB KEN LUCAS has interception in 2 of past 3 playoff games. DE CHARLES JOHNSON had career-high 2.0 sacks in Week 8. Panthers are 14-4 (.778) when CB CHRIS GAMBLE has interception.

Cardinals & Panther in 2008 Regular Season STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

The 2008 regular season averages and NFL rankings for Carolina and Arizona in some key statistical categories:

 

PREDICTION: Arizona Cardinals 28, Carolina Panthers 24

The Cardinals defeating a quality team on the road? No less one that's undefeated at home all season? Don't be ridiculous.

Let's see ... it even gets crazier.

On top of the Panthers' perfect 8-0 home record, Carolina is undefeated in Divisional Playoff games (3-0), Jake Delhomme has never lost to the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) and Delhomme was the better quarterback compiling a 122.3 rating in their win against the Cardinals earlier this season. Plus the Panthers are in the Strong NFC South while the Cardinals are in the Anemic NFC West.

Besides aren't the Panthers the overwhelmingly better team? Well, not exactly.

Yes, the Panthers have the better record against better competition.

However, Kurt Warner has the edge at quarterback come playoff time and his receiving trio holds the edge even though Steve Smith can carry the Panthers on his own. The Panthers have the better running game, but Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower are more than capable and after last week appear to have hit their stride.

Yes, the Panthers have the better record against better competition.

However, at times, there's been questions as to how good they really are and, if indeed the Panthers are as good as their record.

Aside, from their back-to-back home wins against the reeling Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W 38-23 12/8/2008) and the fade-away-into-the-night Denver Broncos, who have the Panthers really beat convincingly? The Bears (W 20-17) and Lions (W 31-22) at home?

Logic and common sense dictate that the Panthers win this game easily. But, if there is a team this weekend that can be caught by surprise and the law of averages, the Panthers are prime candidate.

Anticipate the Cardinals defense to build on their performance from last week and play beyond their capabilities, while Kurt Warner and his new found balanced-attack / ball-control offense grinds out yards, chews up time and catches the Panthers secondary by surprise a few times.

It's a long shot, but the Cardinals played NFL playoff football last week. And they'll do it again this week.

 

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