Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers: Is it the forgotten final?
Tuesday 2 February 2016 11:53, UK
As the Brady-Manning showdown gets all the hype, the Panthers and Cardinals quietly get ready to battle for the other Super Bowl berth.
As soon as the Denver Broncos stepped off the field, having defeated an under strength Pittsburgh Steelers side, all attention turned to their next game; Tom Brady's New England Patriots. Brady v Manning is a classic sporting rivalry and will be remembered long after both join the Hall of Fame, but in 2016 this is an uneven match up as Peyton Manning struggles to move the ball like he did in his prime.
Meanwhile the main event is the one no one is talking about, as the Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC title game (Sunday 11:30pm, Sky Sports 2).
These are the season's two best teams, without question. Both have played fast, aggressive offence and disruptive, no-nonsense defence and, unsurprisingly, they are the two most heavily represented franchises in the Pro Bowl. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is a legitimate dual-threat player; that is, he can throw and run the ball incredibly effectively and always keeps the opposition defence guessing.
His opponent, Carson Palmer, is a different type of quality. A 13-year league veteran and thought to be on his way out of the NFL, Palmer has found success with the Cardinals, experiencing a career resurgence in the deep-passing game that coach Bruce Arians has employed.
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The quarterbacks would be nothing without their supporting casts, however. Whilst many predicted the Panthers might struggle offensively after losing breakout star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin during training camp, the Panthers led the league with 500 points during the regular season. A lot of that success can be attributed to tight end Greg Olsen, who has had a Pro Bowl year. Running back Jonathan Stewart has been another key asset for the Panthers and, if Ted Ginn can be a safe pair of hands in Benjamin's absence, it may be a tough night for the Cardinals defence.
The Cardinals have offensive talent of their own, not least the wide receiver core of Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd. Palmer's success is, certainly in part, due to the speed and athleticism of his three receivers who have combined to place Arizona atop the passing rankings for most yards gained during the regular season. Add in Rookie of the Year candidate running back David Johnson and Palmer's weaknesses in his own running game fade into insignificance.
On the defensive side of the ball, both sides have leaders who will be looking to steal the show. The Panthers defence ranks third in the league for pass rushing, and the Cardinals will have to be aware of the threat posed by defensive tackle Kawann Short, as well as defensive end Mario Addison.
There is also the prospect of Pro Bowl linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. Away from the line, the Panthers have another Pro Bowler in cornerback Josh Norman, who will look to unsettle the wide receivers like he did when he faced Odell Beckham Jr.
Arizona will again call on the old guard of defensive stalwarts Calais Campbell and Dwight Freeney to try and disrupt Newton before he can begin to throw. If he does manage to get the ball away, cornerback Patrick Peterson will be looking for the crucial interceptions. The Pro Bowler has had a career year, allowing the fewest yards of any cornerback, and conceding only one touchdown.
The Cardinals are 7-1 on the road this season. The Panthers are unbeaten in their last 12 home games. Both coaches are viable Coach of the Year candidates, and it wouldn't be surprising if either quarterback won season MVP either. This game is going to be high intensity, thoroughly unpredictable and well worth staying up for.
