A brief review of earlier Panthers game and potential outlook for division game

[az1965]

First downs: Cards = 25; Cats = 22
Total yards: Cards = 425; Cats = 351
Passing: Cards = 375; Cats = 238
Rushing: Cards = 50; Cats = 113
Penalties: Cards = 7-60; Cats = 3-25
3rd down conversions: Cards = 6-11; Cats = 7-12
4th down conversions: Cards = 0-1; Cats = 0-0
Turnovers: Cards = 2; Cats = 1
Possession: Cards = 32:37; Cats = 27:23

Final score: Cards = 23; Cats = 27









Our screw-ups:

• We failed a fake FG from Johnson to Tuman at Carolina 21 on 4th and 15 (we hit this FG and don't botch the extra point late in 4th, we are tied)
• We gave up a huge drive early in the 3rd quarter with long pass plays (14, 13, 31 yards that eventually ended up with a Williams 15 yard TD run with several mistackles or "attempted" arm tackles)
• Edge fumbles middle of 3rd quarter near Cards 18 yard line, recovered by Carolina (Panthers score on a Delhomme to Smith 18 yard TD pass)
• We botched an extra point late in the 3rd quarter after a Warner to Boldin TD
• We gave up a huge pass play for TD last few seconds of 3rd (Smith took it to house 65 yards) - play challenged for Smith out of bounds but play upheld (we were really robbed here...)
• Kurt Warner pass intended for JJ bounced off JJ and intercepted at Carolina 15 after we marched the lenght of the field early in the 4th quarter and we gave a huge return 44 yards! Carolina converted this into a FG (only score of 4th quarter)

Their screw-ups:

• Delhomme fumbles on a Dansby sack early in the 2nd quarter at Carolina 15 (Cards score a TD from Warner to Boldin 5 yard pass)

In summary:

Carolina is 3rd in rushing with 152.3 average, we held them to 113 yards!Carolina is 20th in rush defense giving up 119.5 yards, but we really sucked in that game rushing. I hope we can run in this game to get some balance. We don't need a 150 yard rushing game, but if we can balance passing game like we did in Falcons game and can rush for 90+ yards, we should be in good shape. If we can get 3-4 good runs by Edge/TH/JJ of 10/12/15 yards, this will force them to keep their safeties close to the box and their corners are not that great to be able match up one on one with Fitz, Boldin, and Breaston. We definitely should be able to get more than 50 yards rushing!

Carolina is 19th in passing with only 197.4 yards a game!! We gave too many yards passing (65 came on that Smith TD which should have been called back! And Rolle's inability to tackle!). If we bring our aggressive rush, sure tackling, and disruptive defense as in the Atlanta game, we can stop some big plays and cause some turnovers and turn the game in our favor. Carolina pass defense is 16th allowing only 211.7 yards per game and we put up twice as many yards on them!! They cannot stop our pass game especially if Boldin plays. He was a huge part of the earlier game scoring 2 TD's. If Boldin cannot go then Steve must have a huge game for us to have a chance.

IMO, we really gave this game away due to our two costly turnovers and couple of other screw ups... even with the disastrous Edge fumble and Warner's red zone int, we had a chance to pull it out had we kicked the FG instead of trying to outsmart ourselves in attempting a long fake FG (15 yards) and not botched the extra point.

In short, this is going to be a tough game but a very winnable game!

Can't wait for the next Saturday... it is going to be a long week.

Go Cards!

 

[moklerman]

Thanks for the review. It does illustrate that the Cardinals have a fighting chance much more than a matchup in New York. It will be tough but the "new"(real?) Cardinals have a little slice more of maturity to go with whatever they brought to the earlier matchup. That may be the difference. Not to mention a new punter.

 

[CardLogic]

*bump*

Very good post from early in the week that didn't get much attention

 

[Mulli]

Thanks!!!

 

[MadCardDisease]

The penalties drive me nuts!

 

[RedRob]

I too believe we've matured somewhat and don't expect an inordinate amount of penalties.

Also I expect an increase in our running production, however if Q's unable to go we'll surely have a drop off in our passing attack...

I fully expect the game will be within 3 to 4 points one way or another, the 10 point dog is too much.

 

[IL CARDS FAN]

I am watchng that game right now on nfl network. It looks like the Cardinals passing game looks great againist the panthers defense. Besides the fake field goal the bad snap on the extra point we outplayed and looked better. And beside Steve Smith incredible play I think we could have won. I think we win on Saturday by ten 31 to 21 GO cards

 

[abomb]

Awesome post. Thanks!