NFL Divisional Weekend - Panthers will Feast on Cardinals

I’ve always said that in the playoffs of any major sport, the one-trick pony gets led to the slaughter. No team personifies that better than the Arizona Cardinals, whose aerial assault is the only thing garnering them any respect at all. When you shake down to the eight-best teams in the NFL, the Cardinals are certainly at the bottom of that list.

Kurt Warner’s journey this season has been triumphant. He was considered for the MVP before Arizona had a meltdown late in the season. His team averaged 26.7 points per game and 292.1 passing yards, while he had the privilege to pass to two of the best wide outs in the game today.

But that is all going to come crashing down when Carolina and their secondary get to feast on the Red Birds. Carolina’s secondary allowed just 197.1 yards against per game this season, meaning that they were way more difficult to throw against than you think.

The Panthers, galvanized by the Steve Smith altercation in pre-season, has risen to the realm of respect. And getting an easy matchup against Arizona has to have the Panthers simply licking their lips heading in to the NFL Divisional Sports Betting Weekend.

NFL Betting Trends

-Arizona is 7-18 SU in their last 25 road games

-Arizona is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games against Carolina

-Carolina is 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games at home

-Carolina is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home.

I’ve never trusted Jake Delhomme. Everyone knows that. He’s too emotional, too hot headed and has the chance to lose big games. But he has never had the committee in the backfield like he does today, and that does a boat load to alleviate the pressure off of his shoulders. With DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart breaking off huge game busting touchdown runs, the Carolina Panthers are a safe choice this weekend.

Arizona Cardinals (9-7) vs. Carolina Panthers (12-4)

Saturday, January 10th --- Bank of America Stadium, Carolina --- 8:15pm EST

NFL Betting Line: Carolina -9.5 (48.5)

The OVER is a safe play in this game because Carolina will probably hit it by themselves. I’m serious. The Cardinals’ defense is the worst in the NFL playoffs by a mile. They give up huge yards through the air, can’t stop the run, give up first downs like they’re on a clearance sale and get gassed in the first quarter. As much as I dislike Jake, he’s the kind of vindictive bastard that will demoralize a pathetic defense like the Cardinals with ease.

NFL Betting Line: Carolina -9.5 (OVER)