Panthers-Cardinals: Keys for Advancing to the NFC Championship

Carolina's running game has been terrific this year. The duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart has been phenomenal, and it seems that the feud over who the real "Smash and Dash" may have been is settled for now.

Running backs LenDale White and Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans may keep their pseudo-name of "Smash and Dash," as it seems that the Panthers' DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have settled on "Double Trouble."

The Cardinals snuck in another dimension to their offensive weapons last Saturday against the Falcons: Edgerrin James, aka "The Edge."

A running back who is well known from his days with the Colts, he seemingly appeared from nowhere and gave the Cardinals that little extra something to take the Falcons by surprise.

I've heard Jake "The Snake" Delhomme, but if I remember correctly, that nickname was originally reserved for Jake Plummer. Let's not be a copy-cat team—no pun intended.

Jake Delhomme has all the qualities I love in a quarterback. He's a fiery competitor, he is a team person, he's shouldered the blame—no questions as to whether it truly was him to blame or his receiver or linemen.

This year, if not for some indiscrepancies at times—along with the fact that these "comeback" awards are popularity contests—Delhomme, coming off of tommy-john surgery in the offseason, has played like an older version of the Chargers' Philip Rivers; they have same jersey number too.

Jake Delhomme—3,288 passing yards, 12 INT, 15 TD, for a QB rating of 84.7%— was quite deserving of the "Comeback Player Of The Year" award. Twelve interceptions on a season, with 16 regular season games, is .75 interceptions per game on the whole season.

Kurt Warner was simply amazing this year. I couldn't have imagined that the talent would be there around him in Arizona.

Much like the Titans' Kerry Collins, Warner is getting some gray hairs popping out from time-to-time.

It has been a hard fought race for the Cards and their quarterback this year. Warner has been nipping at the heels of the Saints' Drew Brees, as he had 4583 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and was intercepted only 14 times.

I remember what I said about comeback player of the year, and while I respect Warner's numbers, I am still a Panthers fan, pulling for our quarterback.

Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad have been two big factors in the Panthers' keys to success.

Smitty has had an outstanding season, and Moose is still making a statement, that while you may think he's old, he still has the moves and can plow you down. What an awesome receiver/blocker role he plays.

Larry Fitzgerald has been a key component to the Cardinals passing game. He has the lateral jumping abilities, the sticky hands to grab and hold onto the ball, and the ability to do all this in double-coverage, while falling on his back.

Watch out for Chris Gamble in the backfield. He will make an appearance when you think he's been made ineffective.

Rod Hood has made an impact at corner back for the Cardinals defense.

Jon Beason has been a defensive force and huge playmaker for the Panthers this year.

Can't leave out Julius Peppers. This man has had an outstanding season for the Panthers this year. He is a force for opposing offense to reckon with.