Panthers-Cardinals Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Panthers-Cardinals

SCOUTING REPORT

Panthers-Cardinals: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Panthers-Cardinals matchup. 1. Carolina needs its receivers to find the end zone: The Panthers have scored only four touchdowns through the air, all by their tight ends. With the likes of Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad at wide receiver, there is no reason that QB Jake Delhomme can't hit one of his explosive receivers for a long touchdown pass. The occasional deep throw to Smith had been a staple of the Panthers' offense and they need to find a way to get him into the end zone.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
CAR	4-6	193	239	2-3	2-3	2-2	4-4
ARI	7-3	250	197	2-3	5-0	3-1	5-2
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Carolina Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Delhom... 57.1 1885 8 14 Moore 50.0 63 0 1

Arizona Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Warner 67.5 2718 20 11 Leinar... 68.0 119 0 1

Carolina Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 181 982 5.4 7 Stewar... 110 509 4.6 6

Arizona Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Wells 100 469 4.7 4 Highto... 102 430 4.2 5

Carolina Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Smith 45 599 13.3 4 Muhamm... 33 337 10.2 0

Arizona Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Fitzge... 71 792 11.2 9 Boldin 51 612 12.0 2

Full Player Stats: Carolina | Arizona

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	CAR	336.0
	ARI	364.0
Yards Passing	CAR	177.3
	ARI	270.0
Yards Rushing	CAR	159.1
	ARI	94.1
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	CAR	315.7
	ARI	350.4
Pass Yds Allowed	CAR	185.0
	ARI	247.2
Rush Yds Allowed	CAR	130.7
	ARI	103.2

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Carolina leads 6-3
Jan 10, 2009	CAR 13, @ARI 33
Oct 26, 2008	CAR 27, @ARI 23
Oct 14, 2007	CAR 25, ARI 10
Oct 9, 2005	CAR 24, ARI 20
Nov 21, 2004	CAR 35, @ARI 10
Dec 14, 2003	CAR 20, ARI 17
Oct 6, 2002	CAR 13, @ARI 16
Dec 30, 2001	CAR 7, @ARI 30

When the Arizona Cardinals intercepted Jake Delhomme five times in the their divisional playoff upset of the Carolina Panthers in January, it wasn't just part of their rise to prominence in the NFC.

It may also have marked the beginning of the end for Delhomme as Carolina's starting quarterback.

The one-time Pro Bowler probably needs a good performance Sunday in Glendale, Ariz., to hang onto the job, but he and the struggling Panthers will be facing a Cardinals team that forced four turnovers in a statement road win over an NFC power last week.

Arizona's 33-13 postseason victory over the Panthers was only one step in the team's unlikely run to the Super Bowl last season, and after a slow start this fall, the Cardinals (4-2) have won three straight and established themselves as the team to beat in the NFC West.

Perhaps their most impressive victory was 24-17 over the New York Giants on Sunday night. The Cardinals intercepted Eli Manning three times, sealing the game when Antrel Rolle picked him off late in the fourth quarter.

"We have a good thing going with our defense as far as accountability and belief in each other," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "They are playing very fast and very physical and making plays."

Although Arizona was held to 288 yards by the NFL's top-ranked defense, it still scored at least three touchdowns for the third straight game and got a promising performance from rookie Beanie Wells, who rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

"Outside of the playoffs last year, we haven't had a lot of quality wins, wins against tough opponents, teams that are playing really well," quarterback Kurt Warner said. "Those are kind of statement games, where you gain confidence, and you feel like you can compete with anybody."

Even though Carolina was 8-0 at home in the 2008 regular season, the Cardinals obviously believed they could win a playoff game in Charlotte, a result they achieved in part due to Delhomme's dismal performance.

He threw five interceptions and also lost a fumble, helping Arizona cruise to a spot in the NFC title game. It hasn't gotten any easier for the veteran this season; his NFL-high 13 interceptions in six games are already three short of matching his career high, and he's thrown just four touchdown passes.

He racked up 325 passing yards against Buffalo on Sunday but didn't find the end zone and was picked off three times -- a big reason why the Panthers lost 20-9 despite outgaining the Bills 425-167.

Although Delhomme reached the Pro Bowl in 2005 and got a lucrative five-year extension in the offseason, coach John Fox contemplated benching him earlier this week. Fox, though, announced after practice Wednesday that he still thinks Delhomme gives the Panthers "the best chance to win."

Carolina (2-4) has already equaled its loss total from 2008 in part because of a league-worst 21 turnovers. The team had 19 all of last season.

"If he would have went that way, how could I blame him? I mean, let's be real here, how could I blame him?" Delhomme said. "But I was hoping it would be me. I'm going down swinging. I don't know any other way to put it."

Although DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart form the core of the NFL's eighth-ranked rushing offense, they combined for just 23 carries against the Bills while Delhomme attempted 44 passes.

The Cardinals would love more production from their league-worst running game, something they hope Wells can provide. While Tim Hightower is technically still the starting running back, he had just four carries against the Giants.

"When we feel like Beanie is ready that's when he will (start)," Whisenhunt said. "I think we have had great success doing that with our players. That will continue. We are not just going to put somebody in there. He is going to have to earn that."

Arizona is looking to earn a second straight win at University of Phoenix Stadium after starting 0-2 there, but it may have to play without one of its top defensive backs. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who's tied for the team lead with three interceptions, suffered an ankle injury against New York, leaving his status unclear.

The Cardinals have lost five straight to Carolina in the regular season since a 16-13 road win Oct. 6, 2002.

Source: Cards to work out Ks Nugent, Bryant

With Neil Rackers nursing a mildly strained groin, the Cardinals will spend part of their Thanksgiving working out kickers.

Cardinals QB Warner practices, expects to play

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner went through a full practice Wednesday and says he expects to play Sunday at Tennessee.

Outsiders: Week 12 previews

Football Outsiders analyzes Week 12 in the NFL. Ideas: Oakland isn't THAT bad; Reggie Bush is poised for a big game vs. New England; Pittsburgh needs to play better in the second half; David Garrard gets knocked around too much and a plan for Houston.

Clayton: Pressure falls on Pats in Monday night showdown

The Saints have the burden of protecting a perfect record, but the Patriots will be feeling the most pressure on Monday night, writes John Clayton.

Panthers become big losers - of excess weight

There's much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers' sideline these days.

Moore making most of shot with Panthers

The Panthers' Kenny Moore, shown with students at First Ward Elementary School on March 10, is among the candidates to enter the season as the team's No.

New fullback has Hoover a bit on edge

When it comes to locker room grief, Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover gives it as well as anyone.

Brown's focus is on technique

If the Carolina Panthers were truly worried about Everette Brown's size, they wouldn't be lining him up the way they are.

Hoover doesn't plan to go without a fight

Brad Hoover was walking off the practice field Monday shortly after beating most of his Carolina Panthers teammates in a series of sprints when he told a reporter he couldn't talk until later.

Sendlein played through pain in '08

It was surprising this off-season when the Cardinals opted not to try and upgrade their center position, given the occasional struggles of starter Lyle Sendlein in 2008.

Breaston blooms in Boldin's absence

Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston, seen here in action against the 49ers last season, is taking advantage of Anquan Boldin's absence in summer workouts.

The Risk Remains

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald breaks the huddle during 11-on-11 drills Monday after coming down awkwardly on a catch earlier in the workout.

Fitzgerald OK after awkward catch

For a minute or two, it looked as if the first day of June would bring gloom to the Cardinals.

Boldin hires Condon as agent

Receiver Anquan Boldin has hired Tom Condon as his agent, replacing Drew Rosenhaus, who was fired last week.