NFC Championship - Media Picks

[Zeno]

From Cleveland Plain Dealer...

NFC

Arizona +3 over @ Carolina

Skinny: Every fiber of my being wanted to go with quarterback Cam Newton and the Panthers by at least a touchdown. Newton is going to be NFL MVP, and the Panthers are 16-1 overall, 9-0 at home.

However, I can't get past the Panthers having hit proverbial walls after establishing huge leads at the Giants in Week 15 (W, 38-35) and against the Seahawks in the divisional round last week (W, 31-24).

The Panthers won't be able to run away at any point Sunday, primarily because the Cardinals (14-3 overall, 7-1 on road) are playing too well offensively.

Arizona and Carolina serve up a classic, which ends with Carolina winning but Arizona covering. Panthers, 26-24.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/01/dmans_nfl_picks_conference-cha.html

From Florida Times-Union

NFC Championship Game: It’s hard to imagine that a Panthers team that struggled to beat the Jaguars in the opener, 20-9, is playing for a Super Bowl berth. But they won’t make it. Carson Palmer has too many weapons. The future may belong to Cam Newton, but the present belongs to Palmer. Arizona 33, Carolina 20

http://jacksonville.com/sports/foot...ning-nfl-playoff-teams-stack-6-key-categories

From CBSSports...

If the Panthers can't put pressure on Palmer, then they're going to lose. Although Palmer's 40-time is about the same as my grandma's, he'll definitely pick the Panthers apart if he has time to throw.

On the other hand, the closest thing Arizona has seen to Cam Newton this year is Russell Wilson and the Cardinals couldn't figure out how to stop him in their regular season finale.

Picking an NFC title game has practically been a crapshoot recently. Over the past eight years, all eight games have been decided by one score and four of those have gone into overtime. Basically, I think I'm going to have to go with the team that hasn't lost at home in over a year.

Cam Newton's first career start came against the Cardinals. Newton's first career playoff win came against the Cardinals, so it only seems fitting that he'd earn his first Super Bowl trip by beating the Cardinals.

The Pick: Panthers 27-24 over Cardinals.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...rdinals-or-panthers-can-broncos-stun-patriots

From The Sporting News...

Offensively, the teams take contrasting paths to their efficiency and scoring prowess. Carolina builds everything off its No. 2-ranked rushing attack while Arizona never relents with its No. 4-ranked passing game.

Defensively, the teams are pretty even overall, with Carolina slightly better against the run and Arizona slightly better against the pass. The one glaring difference is the pass rush. The Cardinals create pressure by blitzing out of their base 3-4, but had only a moderate sack total to show for it. The Panthers can bring heat that way too, but the foundation is getting there from every spot on their front four, making them more effective.

Panthers win 27-23 and cover the spread.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-new...iots-broncos-cardinals-panthers-super-bowl-50

From the Appleton Post...

Arizona at Carolina: Carson Palmer, after a solid regular season, looked pedestrian against the Packers last week, earning his first playoff win in five career tries. The Panthers have had their doubters all year long and still have quite a few even after racing out to a 31-0 lead over Seattle in the divisional round en route to the 31-24 victory. Cam Newton is playing like the league's MVP and will be in front of the home crowd. It's hard to stop Larry Fitzgerald, but if Palmer can't get him the ball, it could be a long day for Arizona.
Panthers 31, Cardinals 21

http://www.postcrescent.com/story/s...s-nfl-championship-week-predictions/79086106/

 

[Zeno]

It is clear to me that the Cardinals are seen nationally as the underdog, I think that is a good thing. Over confidence will not be a factor for the Cardinals.

Remember back before the NFC Championship the ESPN writer said that Eagles fans could go ahead and book their Super Bowl tickets? They even put that up on the board before the game.

 

[Shaggy]

Ouch only one thinks the cards will win. Good, staying under the radar, they way they like it.

 

[crisper57]

It's been a while since the Cards weren't favored. In Seattle, maybe?

 

[MrYeahBut]

Ouch only one thinks the cards will win. Good, staying under the radar, they way they like it.

Under the radar??? They're playing in the NFC championship game!!! While they're the road dog in this game, rightfully so imo, the days of being under the radar this season are long gone.

 

[sw3j]

My favorite site to check is NFLPickwatch.com. It gives a nice consensus of what the "experts" are thinking.

Last week, 97% picked the Cards to win and 58% picked the Panthers.

This week started off almost exclusively Carolina. As the picks have come in, the percentage has dropped quite a bit. Typically Friday is when the vast majority of the picks come in.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

It still irks the S#%t out of me that the media and some fans think the last Cards / Hags game was a true representation of the way we play against Seattle.

 

[Dude]

When asked who will win Kurt Warner said it will be close but he gives the edge to Carolina. He thinks they will win the line battle.

 

[PJ1]

Inside The NFL....All 3 pick the Cardinals including Boomer and Brandon Marshall.

 

[Shaggy]

Under the radar??? They're playing in the NFC championship game!!! While they're the road dog in this game, rightfully so imo, the days of being under the radar this season are long gone.

Ha ha, I meant being the underdogs and people thinking they are going to lose. This always seems to motive the players more.

 

[Iceman]

Cards again are just going to have to prove everyone wrong, even Warner!

 

[Brak]

My favorite site to check is NFLPickwatch.com. It gives a nice consensus of what the "experts" are thinking.

Last week, 97% picked the Cards to win and 58% picked the Panthers.

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Let's not forget 2008. Cards rolled into Carolina as 10 point dogs in the divisional round, and after giving up the first touchdown and falling behind 7-0, it was ALL Cards from there, rolling to an easy victory. The key here is not to fall behind, or at least not by more than 3-7 points. If they can hang close, they'll win the game. Better yet, let's jump out ahead and never let 'em catch up.

 

[ARZCardinals]

I'm sick of hearing about Cam and the Panthers!
I for one see Cam as a 2 trick pony. He has ONE pass...the bullet pass. Second he can run the ball. That's it. Their D is good.
Now to the Cards
The Cards have WR GALORE!!! There is NO WAY they can cover our WR's in 5 set packages. If Carson plays a solid game we will be FINE. Do you honestly think David Johnson isn't going to be able to run for a 3rd consecutive game....no way! Then opening up the play with Andre E explosive speed.
On D - we got one heck of a DB crew and up front CC and here comes Dwight with the spin move.
Suck it Carolina

I see a 30-17 Cardinals Victory....insert DAB

 

[Zeno]

Best part of one of the write ups I read was how well Malcolm Floyd was playing for us.

 

[MrYeahBut]

While the Panthers had a bad game against the Falcons, they seemed to have righted themselves better with their win against the hags. Cards haven't been world beaters since the meltdown they had with hags and their Packer win last week didn't impress anyone.

 

[Russ Smith]

Best part of one of the write ups I read was how well Malcolm Floyd was playing for us.

How about Palmer earning his first playoff win in 5 career tries?

Actually he played in 2 games prior, one of those was the Steelers game where he threw one pass, complete for 66 yards, tore his ACL and sat the rest of the game.

 

[TJ]

Here to Make your lives easier

www.nflpickwatch.com

 

[NJCardFan]

Running this on What If Sports 10 times I got this(Leave out the fact that they have Darryl Washington playing):

Cards 35 Panthers 6

Cards 20 Panthers 17

Cards 27 Panthers 20

Cards 17 Panthers 12

Cards 31 Panthers 38-This one is particularly interesting as the Panthers take a 24-0 lead, Cards get it to 38-31 with 2 minutes left and it ended there.

Cards 27 Panthers 7

Cards 13 Panthers 16

Cards 33 Panthers 24-DJ begins the game with a 96 yard kickoff return

Cards 32 Panthers 19-Cat kicks 6 FG's. Highly unlikely

Cards 20 Panthers 13

10 simulations Cards win 8. Means nothing but it was fun.