| Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-0) |
| Game Details: Sunday, September 14, 4 p.m EST |
| Location: Glendale, AZ |
| Where to Watch: CBS |
The Carolina Panthers head to State Farm Stadium to take on the Arizona Cardinals. Both teams are looking to find their footing after a mixed bag of Week 1 results. The Panthers lost 26-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a reality check for a team with high hopes, and they now face a critical road test to avoid a 0-2 start.
On the other side, the Cardinals won, but there is more to the story. They managed to squeak out a win against the New Orleans Saints, nearly letting a late-game comeback spoil their road trip. While it is hard to win in the NFL, and fans should relax and be happy, you can’t help but have some questions unanswered about their ability to close out games and dominate opponents. They’ll be looking to make a more definitive statement against their second consecutive NFC South opponent and prove they are a legitimate threat in the conference.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | +6.5 (-105) | Over 44.5 | +260 |
| Arizona Cardinals | -6.5 (-115) | Under 44.5 | -320 |
** Odds Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Carolina Panthers | Team Stats | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Points Per Game | 20 |
| 142 | Passing Yards Per Game | 130 |
| 113 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 146 |
| 26 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 13 |
| 178 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 208 |
| 200 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 107 |
Key Details
Carolina Panthers
The pressure is squarely on the Carolina Panthers and their young quarterback, Bryce Young, to bounce back. Young’s performance in Week 1 was a major letdown. Completing just 18 of 35 passes for 154 yards, one touchdown, and two costly interceptions, he looked out of sync and struggled to find a rhythm.
Carolina’s struggles on the road are no secret; they have lost 16 of their last 18 games away from home. To overcome this hurdle, they need more than just a better game from Young. The offensive line must provide better protection, and the receiving corps needs to create separation and make plays.
Historically, the Panthers have had Arizona’s number, covering the spread in seven of their last eight meetings. If they can tap into that past success and clean up the mistakes that plagued them in Week 1, they have a real shot at keeping this game competitive.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals may be undefeated, but they can’t afford to be complacent.
The key for Arizona will be to capitalize on Carolina’s weaknesses. Their defense should be aggressive in pressuring Bryce Young, who has shown he can be rattled. If the Cardinals’ pass rush can get home and force turnovers, it could be a long day for the Panthers’ offense.
Offensively, Arizona needs to establish a more consistent attack and put the game away when they have the chance. Another nail-biter won’t instill confidence, but a decisive victory over a struggling conference opponent would send a clear message that the Cardinals are a team to be taken seriously this season.
Prediction
The Cardinals need to prove they are the better team. Last week, Josh Sweat was a non-factor. If Sweat can put some pressure on Young and display that he is worthy of his big contract signed in the off-season, it should be enough to lead to a big win. The points seem a little high, and it is tempting to pick the Panthers to cover, but the Cardinals can pour it on at home.
