This Sunday afternoon, two NFC teams are set to clash. The Arizona Cardinals, holding a record of 7-7 and a 9-5-0 mark against the spread, will face off against the Carolina Panthers, who sit at 3-11 with a 6-8-0 record against the spread. The game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. EST at Bank of America Stadium. In their last meeting two years ago, the Cardinals secured a 26-16 win in Charlotte. Will history repeat itself?
Who will emerge victorious in this NFC battle? Continue reading for insights and predictions on the Cardinals vs. Panthers matchup.
Arizona’s Quest for Consistency
After a decisive 30-17 victory over the New England Patriots, the Cardinals find themselves just one game behind in the competitive NFC West. This week’s challenge lies in overcoming their 2-4 record on the road. Arizona’s defense, allowing 21.9 points per game, ranks 10th in the league. With 36 sacks (13th), they compensate for allowing 5.6 yards per play (22nd). The Cardinals give up 4.5 yards per carry (20th) and 7.4 yards per pass attempt (26th), while boasting 14 takeaways this season. Can they limit Carolina’s scoring opportunities?
On the offensive side, the Cardinals average 351.4 yards per game (11th) and score 22.4 points per game (15th). Their rushing duo, James Conner and Kyler Murray, is among the best, ranking third in yards per carry. Murray stands at 18th among qualified passers in yards per pass attempt. Overall, this offense ranks seventh in yards per play. The offensive line has allowed only 23 sacks (5th), but Arizona also enters with 16 giveaways. How will they build upon their strong performance from last week?
Key Injuries – Paris Johnson Jr. (out); Evan Brown (questionable); Roy Lopez (questionable); Mack Wilson Jr. (out); Sean Murphy-Bunting (questionable); Trey Benson (out)
Carolina’s Struggles Continue
The Panthers are in a tough spot, coming off their fourth straight loss, a 30-14 defeat against the Dallas Cowboys. This losing streak positions them for a potential top-five draft pick, which could be beneficial for rebuilding. A key problem lies with their defense, which ranks 31st in total yards allowed and dead last in scoring. They have the worst run defense in the league, along with a 25th ranking in yards per pass attempt and 29th in sacks. This puts them in a challenging position against the Cardinals, who also have 14 takeaways. How will Carolina prevent Arizona from reaching the end zone?
Recently, the Panthers have shown signs of improvement offensively, scoring over 15 points in five of their last seven games. Despite this, they rank 28th in scoring and last in total yards. Quarterback Bryce Young is struggling, sitting at 32nd in yards per pass attempt and 33rd in passer rating among 34 qualified passers. On a brighter note, Carolina ranks 16th in yards per carry. The offensive line has given up the eighth-fewest sacks, but they are also 27th in turnovers. Can they pose a threat to their opponents?
Key Injuries – Xavier Legette (out); Jalen Coker (questionable); Ikem Ekwonu (questionable); Robert Hunt (questionable); A’Shawn Robinson (questionable); Jadeveon Clowney (questionable)
