- CARDINALS at PANTHERS
- 11 a.m. Sunday
- Bank of America Stadium
- Line: Cardinals -4 (For more NFL odds, visit the BetMGM online sportsbook)
To learn more about sports betting and how to create safe gambling habits visit responsibleplay.org. If you or anyone you know is experiencing problems related to sports betting help is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year by calling or texting 800-522-4700 or by going to ncpgrambling.org/chat.
Oh Brother, We're On The Run
Anyone with a sibling knows everything is a competition and no matter how big or small, you want to win. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing wants to win in Carolina regardless, but beating his brother Dean, a Panthers offensive quality control coach, would be the cherry on top. This is a must-win for the Cardinals to keep their playoff hopes alive and despite just three wins, the Panthers have created rhythm as of late. Stick with what works: running the ball. The Panthers defense is banged up and disadvantaged in every metric against this Cardinals offense. If Arizona can run the ball down Carolina’s throat, everything else should fall into place. The Cardinals wanted to play meaningful football in December, and they've got it.
-- Dani Sureck
Carolina BBQ
The saying "less is more" simply does not apply to the Cardinals' pass rush. So far, "more is more" when it comes to "affecting the quarterback," a favorite saying of HC Jonathan Gannon. Make it an NFL-high 16 different defenders with at least one sack this season after Darius Robinson and Baron Browning both took down Drake Maye. On Sunday, Panthers QB Bryce Young will be looking at the Cards pass rush personnel and asking himself: "Who, When, Where?" And as for the Arizona defense overall – it's "More, Please." Because over the last eight games, the Cardinals own the second-ranked scoring defense (17.9 points per game) in the league.
-- Paul Calvisi
Forever (Bothering) Young
When Bryce Young was inserted back in as the starter, there were some flashes against the Eagles, Chiefs, and Buccaneers that showcased why the Panthers drafted him No. 1 in 2023. Because of that, for the first time since 2022, the Panthers were the favorites against the Cowboys last weekend. The result? A career-high four turnovers for Young. However, this isn't a bash the second-year quarterback bullet point on Three Big Things. Young is listed because the quarterback has done a decent job at battling back from adversity and gets another opportunity against a Cardinals defense that is battling adversity on the injury front. With this being the Panthers' home finale, Carolina would love nothing more than to play spoiler to the Cardinals' playoff hopes. It's up to the Cardinals to stop Young and make sure that doesn't happen.
-- Zach Gershman
