Game Overview ::
By mike johnson >>
- Carolina’s run defense continues to be one of the worst in the league, surrendering season-best performances to several players/teams.
- Panthers QB Bryce Young came back down to earth with a poor performance against the Cowboys after several good games.
- Carolina RB Chuba Hubbard played over 90% of the snaps once again with Jonathon Brooks on IR.
- Arizona is still in the hunt to win the NFC West if they can win their three remaining games.
How Arizona Will Try To Win ::
Arizona enters this week a game behind the Rams and Seahawks in the NFC West. Following this game, the Cardinals will face the Rams in Los Angeles in Week 17 before a showdown with the 49ers in Week 18. San Francisco will almost certainly be eliminated from contention by the last week and has been ravaged by major injuries this year. There is a real chance that the 49ers will shut down more key players for that final week if/when they are mathematically eliminated. All of this is to say that if Arizona doesn’t mess things up this week against the lowly Panthers, a win next week over the Rams may put them in position to win the division. They lost both matchups against the Seahawks, meaning Seattle owns the tiebreaker there, but Seattle plays the Vikings this week and the Rams in Week 18. So the path for Arizona is clear – win out and have the Seahawks lose two of their last three games, which there is a strong chance of.
The Cardinals offense is based primarily around their running game as a means of sustaining drives and opening things up. The Arizona offense has struggled in games where they have been unable to run the ball effectively all season. This week they face a Carolina defense that is last or near last in the league against the run in almost every category. The Panthers have allowed opposing RB1s to average 142 rushing yards over the last three weeks. The Cardinals lost backup RB Emari Demercado for the season a couple of weeks ago and RB Trey Benson left last week’s game with an ankle injury and has yet to practice this week. This sets up a game where veteran workhorse James Conner should see a massive workload and be highly efficient with it.
As mentioned before, the Cardinals offense as a whole is much more effective when they can run the ball. Considering the strong likelihood of success on the ground, the whole offense’s expectations are raised for this week. There is no doubt the Cardinals will lean heavily on the run, but their success opens up play action opportunities and the potential for some downfield shots. Arizona tight end Trey McBride has set the NFL record for most receptions without a touchdown at 87, but has a matchup this week with Carolina’s defense which is ranked 30th in the NFL in DVOA against TEs. McBride has seen double digit targets in four straight games and is a strong bet to make it five this week while ending his touchdown drought. Likewise, perimeter WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has struggled with consistency this season but this profiles as a game where he could come to life. Harrison is a strong candidate to end the season with a bang against the Panthers and Rams shaky secondaries and then potentially 49ers backups.
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