Probably the most forgotten game of the wild card round is the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. What do the NFL predictions say?
Subplots:
Bruce Arians may be out of magic without a QB
It really doesn’t seem fair. Bruce Arians somehow navigated the toughest division in pro football to make the playoffs despite a myriad of injuries to his most important position and now has to endure yet another insult by playing a road game against a team that doesn’t have a winning record. Worst of all he’s stuck with Ryan Lindley as his quarterback, which means unless he gets an outstanding game from his defense it will take a masterful game of play-calling from Arians to top a Panthers team that has been hot down the stretch.
Key Matchups:
Patrick Peterson vs. Kelvin Benjamin
Cam Newton has really enjoyed the addition of giant rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin to his arsenal. Together they have hooked up for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns. That connection is something the Cardinals will have to disrupt if they want to win the game, and it will be their best corner in Patrick Peterson who will have to do it. He is going to his fourth Pro Bowl so it’s a matchup he has to win.
Michael Floyd vs. Roman Harper
On the flip side, it’s clear Michael Floyd has emerged as the favorite target for Lindley. As Larry Fitzgerald draws attention, it will be on Floyd to make the big plays and the corner he’ll want to do it against is Roman Harper. Though he leads the Panthers in interceptions, that has covered up his struggles in coverage at times. Arizona must look for ways to get Floyd matched against the veteran corner and not be afraid to take their shots down the field.
Pick: ARI 19, CAR 25
Arians will have his team ready and put up a heck of a fight. Unfortunately, in the end having a healthy Cam Newton and home field will prove too much as the Panthers advance.