Cardinals at Panthers

This is a match between teams with the two best records in the NFL. The Panthers have been our pick as Super Bowl favorites for a few weeks. They played their game last week in beating the hot Seahawks. Sacking QB Russel 5 times with 2 INTs, they showed how killer D can take a team a long way. See chart of Yards per Pass Attempt Allowed, a good record of the tough Carolina Pass D, below.

The Cardinals, on the road, will have to throw into the teeth of a great defense. They will have to stop the Panther running game too. If they don't QB Palmer won't see much of the ball. At least not enough of it to make a difference. See Arizona's chart for Rushes + Completions, one of our favorite ball-control stats. They can control the ball; and they will need to if they want to win in Carolina.

The computer continues to support the Panthers with a their near-ideal stat profile. It picks the Panthers by 4.5 playing at home. The Cards are in this if they can find a way to keep the ball. Should be a great game. I'm siding with our computer, Panthers by a few.

Bill Sanders for BudGoodeSports.com
dr.bill@wrsanders.com

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