Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals NFL Playoffs 2016: Preview, TV Coverage Details
While everyone is focused on the other conference championship featuring the rivalry of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, the NFC title game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers has what it takes to grab the spotlight this Sunday.
The Panthers have been superb defensively all season long, and when that defense is tested by one of the league's best offenses from the Cardinals, it's a kind of game that shouldn't be missed.
The Cardinals grabbed the NFC West title in a dominant fashion, winning the most games ever in the regular season in franchise history. But none of it matters anymore because the only remaining game they play determines their fate. One victory and they're off to only their second stint in the Super Bowl, and they didn't win it the first time.
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They currently lead the NFL in offense; but that's not all they can offer. They also are fifth in defense, which suggests they're the more balanced team. One player responsible for Arizona's climb to the top this season is sensational quarterback Carson Palmer, who just finished a season as one of the best QBs in the league.
For the Panthers, the fact that they almost had a perfect season is proof enough that they deserve a place in the Super Bowl. They blitz through teams the entire year and in the process winning all but one regular season games. However, a remarkable season record won't matter if they fail to carry the momentum to the postseason. In this entire history, Carolina is only 1-2 in NFC championship games, but those previous Panthers are not as formidable and complete as this one. While Carson Palmer has been brilliant for the Cardinals, top-running MVP candidate Cam Newton is leading the Panthers' charge. He is responsible for the NFL's best offense scoring wise, while in the process producing career highs in touchdown passes and passer rating.
These two teams faced each other last year in the wild card phase, where Carolina soundly defeated Arizona, 27-16. But that game was different since the Cardinals were stricken with the injury bug at that time. Now it's a completely different scenario. Whoever wins this one will likely win the Super Bowl. No disrespect intended to the Broncos and Patriots.
Game info
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 24
- Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC
- TV Coverage: FOX
