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NFL : ATS Matchup
Saturday 1/3/2015Line$ LineOU LineScore
ARIZONA
 
CAROLINA
+5.5  

-5.5  
+180

-220

37.5
 
16
Final
27

ARIZONA (11 - 5) at CAROLINA (7 - 8 - 1)
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Week 18 Saturday, 1/3/2015 4:35 PM
NFC Wild Card Playoffs
Board OpenLatest
105ARIZONA3937.5
106CAROLINA-4.5-7
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
ARIZONA - Current Season Performance
 Straight UpAgainst SpreadTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsW-LO-UScoreHalfYardsYPPTOScoreHalfYardsYPPTO
All Games11-5+7.411-55-1019.49.6319.7(5.3)1.118.711.1368.2(6)1.6
Road Games4-4+0.85-32-518.410.9298.6(5.1)1.119.911.6357.9(5.8)1.4
Last 3 Games1-2-0.12-11-211.78.7295.7(4.7)1.320.310.0423.7(6.9)0.7
Grass Games1-2-12-11-220.314.7325.7(5.3)1.324.714.7394.3(6.5)0.7
ARIZONA - Current Season Statistics
 RushingPassingTotal
 PPGHalfFDTOPATT-YDSYPRCMP-ATTPCTYDSPYAATT-YDSYPPYPPT
Offense (All Games)19.49.618.929:4825-82(3.3)20-3556.3%238(6.7)60-320(5.3)(16.5)
Opponents Defensive Avg.221119.430:4426-105(4)22-3462.7%231(6.7)60-336(5.6)(15.3)
Offense Road Games18.410.918.229:0925-91(3.6)18-3355.9%208(6.3)58-299(5.1)(16.3)
Defense (All Games)18.711.118.730:1225-109(4.4)23-3663.0%259(7.2)61-368(6)(19.7)
Opponents Offensive Avg.22.711.919.831:3327-117(4.3)22-3463.4%233(6.9)61-350(5.7)(15.4)
Defense Road Games19.911.618.530:5127-108(4)22-3462.9%250(7.3)61-358(5.8)(18)
ARIZONA - Turnovers, Penalties and Special Teams Statistics
 Turnovers LostThird DownsFourth DownsKickoff ReturnsPunt ReturnsPenalties
 INTFLTODIFF#-MADEPCT#-MADEPCTKR-YDSYPKRPR-YDSYPPRPEN-YDS
Stats For (All Games)0.70.31.10.514-640.2%0-075.0%1-26(19)2-17(10.7)6-44
Opponents Avg. Stats Against0.90.61.51.713-539.8%1-041.5%3-59(23.6)18-2(9.5)7-55
Stats For (Road Games)1.00.11.10.213-537.1%0-00.0%1-20(15.8)2-25(14.1)5-41
Stats Against (All Games)1.10.41.6 13-537.5%1-038.5%2-60(26.1)2-18(9)8-74
Opponents Avg. Stats For0.80.71.5 13-540.5%1-044.9%2-59(23.8)20-2(9.3)7-61
Stats Against (Road Games)1.00.41.4 13-538.3%0-025.0%3-76(25.3)2-24(10.9)8-68

CAROLINA - Current Season Performance
 Straight UpAgainst SpreadTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsW-LO-UScoreHalfYardsYPPTOScoreHalfYardsYPPTO
All Games7-8+1.48-88-821.28.9346.5(5.4)1.423.412.3339.8(5.7)1.6
Home Games4-4-0.54-42-618.26.4333.1(5.5)1.719.78.2333.7(5.5)2.0
Last 3 Games3-0+3.31-20-323.314.3366.7(5.5)1.011.05.3267.7(5.1)2.3
Grass Games5-6-0.95-64-718.56.5331.5(5.3)1.823.211.4332.9(5.6)1.7
CAROLINA - Current Season Statistics
 RushingPassingTotal
 PPGHalfFDTOPATT-YDSYPRCMP-ATTPCTYDSPYAATT-YDSYPPYPPT
Offense (All Games)21.28.921.732:1730-127(4.3)20-3460.0%219(6.4)64-346(5.4)(16.4)
Opponents Defensive Avg.23.111.520.831:3427-112(4.1)22-3563.2%246(7)62-358(5.7)(15.5)
Offense Home Games18.26.421.430:0727-107(3.9)20-3359.0%226(6.8)61-333(5.5)(18.3)
Defense (All Games)23.412.319.328:3825-112(4.5)23-3564.8%228(6.5)60-340(5.7)(14.5)
Opponents Offensive Avg.23.211.320.630:4426-111(4.2)23-3663.4%249(7)62-359(5.8)(15.5)
Defense Home Games19.78.219.129:4926-120(4.6)22-3463.9%213(6.2)60-334(5.5)(16.9)
CAROLINA - Turnovers, Penalties and Special Teams Statistics
 Turnovers LostThird DownsFourth DownsKickoff ReturnsPunt ReturnsPenalties
 INTFLTODIFF#-MADEPCT#-MADEPCTKR-YDSYPKRPR-YDSYPPRPEN-YDS
Stats For (All Games)0.70.71.40.214-641.9%1-060.0%2-50(21.8)2-16(8.6)5-47
Opponents Avg. Stats Against0.90.61.51.813-541.3%1-053.0%2-57(23.5)14-2(7.8)6-55
Stats For (Home Games)0.71.01.70.213-536.3%0-066.7%3-56(21.3)2-19(10)4-44
Stats Against (All Games)0.90.71.6 13-642.4%1-045.5%1-36(32.4)2-27(15.5)6-48
Opponents Avg. Stats For0.90.61.5 13-541.4%1-046.8%2-56(23.6)17-2(9.8)7-54
Stats Against (Home Games)0.91.12.0 13-537.3%1-060.0%1-29(29.2)1-16(10.4)6-52
Average power rating of opponents played: ARIZONA 22.5,  CAROLINA 19.6
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
ARIZONA - Season Results
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateOpponentScoreSULineATSTot.O/URushingPassingTORushingPassingTO
11/9/2014ST LOUIS31-14W-7W43.5O22-2828-41-307122-7017-30-1743
11/16/2014DETROIT14-6W1W41.5U26-4621-32-306219-9818-30-1641
11/23/2014@ SEATTLE3-19L7L41.5U20-6414-26-140129-12417-22-1690
11/30/2014@ ATLANTA18-29L-1L45O11-3524-39-294334-14230-41-3581
12/7/2014KANSAS CITY17-14W3W41U33-14115-30-225017-12626-39-2642
12/11/2014@ ST LOUIS12-6W6W40.5U33-14316-30-131020-6920-39-2112
12/21/2014SEATTLE6-35L9L37O15-2918-45-187134-26721-32-3290
12/28/2014@ SAN FRANCISCO17-20L6W38U25-9823-40-299333-20615-26-1890
1/3/2015@ CAROLINA            

CAROLINA - Season Results
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateOpponentScoreSULineATSTot.O/URushingPassingTORushingPassingTO
11/10/2014@ PHILADELPHIA21-45L7.5L48.5O32-10225-40-215523-3720-38-3280
11/16/2014ATLANTA17-19L2.5W46.5U25-10623-37-285227-8631-45-2601
11/30/2014@ MINNESOTA13-31L2.5L41.5O33-17818-35-170124-9215-21-1180
12/7/2014@ NEW ORLEANS41-10W9W50O40-27121-33-226017-9229-49-2182
12/14/2014TAMPA BAY19-17W-3.5L41U32-12125-40-269123-15113-28-1363
12/21/2014CLEVELAND17-13W-6L40U45-20918-31-195222-8410-21-1441
12/28/2014@ ATLANTA34-3W3W48U35-19410-16-112016-6329-47-2253
1/3/2015ARIZONA            
KEY GAME INFORMATION
ARIZONA: Despite their Pittsburgh Steelers background, both head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin have installed more of a finesse running game in Arizona, featuring more zone-blocking than classic power. It fits the skill set of undersized feature back Andre Ellington, who will get as much work as he can handle this year. They'll use him on a lot of stretch plays on the perimeter. Stepfan Taylor and Jonathan Dwyer will battle for the No. 2 job. Both can provide more of an inside, physical presence. The Cards were very run-heavy near the end zone last year, and those touches are up for grabs with Rashard Mendenhall retiring.
Arians installed more of an aggressive, downfield passing game. Larry Fitzgerald is still the centerpiece, moving around formations and often running more possession-type routes. Michael Floyd works downfield and started to see more targets as opposing defenses focused on Fitzgerald. Field stretcher Ted Ginn will rotate in as a No. 3 receiver, likely pushing Fitzgerald to the slot when he's on the field. Ellington will be used frequently in the screen game in an attempt to get him out in space. They'll use two tight ends more frequently this year, especially after the addition of second-round pick Troy Niklas. Fitzgerald remains a heavy favorite when they throw in the red zone.
Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was a magician with the Cards in 2013, putting his team among the top-7 NFL defenses in points, yards and turnovers. The addition of shutdown cornerback Antonio Cromartie adds to a talented group that includes DE Calais Campbell and CB Patrick Peterson, but the losses of LBs Karlos Dansby to free agency and Daryl Washington to suspension could end up hurting this unit significantly.
CAROLINA: The Panthers will remain one of the NFL's most run-heavy teams, employing a diverse number of looks in their ground attack. They still utilize a lot of zone-read plays featuring Cam Newton, who will likely lead all quarterbacks in rushing attempts again despite offseason ankle surgery. They run a lot of two-back looks with DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert on the field, giving them three running options between the tackles. Williams will likely hold off the injury-prone Jonathan Stewart for another year, with Kenjon Barner and rookie Tyler Gaffney battling for a roster spot.
Newton and offensive coordinator Mike Shula have their work cut out for them in the passing game after losing their top three receivers. The Carolina passing game works off of the running game, utilizing a lot of deep crossing patterns off play-action. They'll use a two- tight end base, with Ed Dickson playing in-line and Greg Olsen flexed out as their top receiving threat. Jerricho Cotchery provides another middle-of-the-field threat. Rookie Kelvin Benjamin takes over as the primary deep threat and can count on seeing the ball any time he's in single coverage. When they throw in the red zone, Olsen has always been Newton's favorite red-zone target, but Benjamin will surely take on a big role near the goal line, as he did at Florida State. Third receiver Jason Avant is better as a perimeter blocking presence than a pass-catcher at this point. This defense became elite last year, finishing second in the NFL in both scoring defense and total defense, thanks to a league-best 60 sacks. The Panthers upgraded the secondary with CB Antoine Cason, SS Roman Harper and FS Thomas DeCoud.
PREVIEW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (ARIZONA-CAROLINA) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(UPDATES with Lindley being named starter)

*Cardinals-Panthers Preview* ============================

The Carolina Panthers may have a losing record, but they are one of the NFL's hotter teams entering the playoffs.

Their young, new-look secondary will probably be relishing a matchup against third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley.

The Panthers, the first team to earn back-to-back NFC South titles, will host Lindley and the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday in a wild-card playoff game.

Carolina (7-8-1) is the second team with a losing record to reach the postseason. The 2010 Seattle Seahawks captured the West despite going 7-9 and won a home playoff game over New Orleans.

"It tells you that no matter what you do during the regular season, it just doesn't matter," running back Jonathan Stewart said. "Things amp up to a whole different notch in the playoffs."

There are many other comparisons to the 2014 Seahawks the Panthers are looking at instead. One is that Carolina has won four straight, with Seattle the only team with a longer win streak at six.

Though many factors have contributed to this run by the Panthers, a key one has been the emergence of a secondary that has limited opposing quarterbacks to a 64.6 passer rating in the last four weeks - second only to Seattle in the NFC - and a conference-best 5.62 yards per attempt.

Carolina has yielded 43 points over the last four weeks, with only Seattle giving up fewer (33).

These games are the first four in which safety Tre Boston and cornerback Bene Benwikere - rookies drafted in the fourth and fifth round, respectively - have started together.

"We were trying to find answers as a coaching staff, the right combination of guys - and we found it," coach Ron Rivera said.

Normally a coach may be wary of using a rookie-laden secondary in the playoffs but that may not be the case with Lindley starting for Arizona (11-5), which has dropped four of six.

Lindley is 1-5 as a starter and ended an NFL-record 229 pass attempts without a touchdown by throwing a 20-yarder to Michael Floyd on a flea-flicker the Cardinals' opening possession in Sunday's 20-17 loss in San Francisco.

"It was good to get the monkey off my back a little bit," he said, "but I'm glad I got it out of the way in the beginning and just finished up the game and let it roll."

Lindley finished with two TDs, three interceptions and a career-best 316 yards. The effort came one game after he produced a 47.2 rating in a 35-6 loss to Seattle, which caused coach Bruce Arians to temporarily name rookie Logan Thomas his starter before he turned back to Lindley.

With Carson Palmer out for the year with a knee injury, Drew Stanton would normally be the starter. Stanton has missed the last two games with a sprained knee, and the Cardinals waited until Friday to officially rule him out. Stanton won't be in uniform, leaving Thomas as the backup.

Arians said Lindley is not overwhelmed by the situation.

"That's one thing that's got everybody excited," Arians said. "It's not been too big for him. He's as calm as you could be out there, and they all know he knows what he's doing. That's the confidence factor everybody has."

Cam Newton failed to play all 16 games for the first time and produced career lows in passer rating (82.1), touchdown passes (18) and touchdown runs (five).

The fourth-year quarterback has started the last two games after missing one due to two lower back fractures suffered in a vehicle accident. He has rushed for one TD each of the last two weeks.

Arians said Newton is a tougher matchup than Seattle's Russell Wilson and San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick - who have combined for 151 rushing yards the last two weeks against his defense.

"He presents different problems than Colin and Russell," Arians said. "He's more of a combination of both those guys. He can really throw the football extremely well from the pocket. It presents a multitude of problems for us."

The coach said inside linebacker Larry Foote will be back after the 13-year NFL veteran missed Sunday's game with a sore knee.

Newton only needed to produce a season-low 114 passing yards in Sunday's 34-3 rout at Atlanta that clinched the division. Carolina's defense dominated with six sacks while Boston returned his first career interception 84 yards for a score.

The quarterback is 0-2 against the Cardinals, finishing with no touchdowns and three interceptions in a 22-6 loss Oct. 6, 2013.

"One thing that I remember is that we had somewhat of a lackluster performance, whether you wanna call it those guys doing their job better than we did ours, what have you," Newton said. "We lost and that's pretty much it."

The Panthers are still smarting from last season's 23-10 playoff defeat to the 49ers. Some of them also remember the only postseason meeting between these teams when the Cardinals routed the Panthers 33-13 in a 2008 divisional matchup in which Larry Fitzgerald had eight catches for 166 yards and a score.

There are six Carolina players left from that game.

"It's been six years but I'm still mad about this game (and motivated by it)," running back DeAngelo Williams tweeted this week, posting a highlight video of the game with a picture of the score.

Game Notes:


Last Updated: 3/28/2024 10:37:25 AM EST.


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