Cardinals-Panthers: Arizona Destroys Carolina's Season!

The Carolina Panthers are undefeated at home, and they play host to the Arizona Cardinals, who are 0-5 in the East this year.

No one gives Arizona much of a chance in this one, including this reporter. I think the Panthers cover the 10 points without much problem.

Look for a strong running attack by the Panthers tonight.

Here's the kickoff, so enjoy the game and all the action.

Jones, for the Panthers takes it all the way to the 50 yard line, to start with great field position for Carolina. Williams for one yard to start things off. Delhomme throws for a short gain, and it's third and seven.

Delhomme completes to the fullback, who squirms for the first down. Williams runs all the way down to the 10-yard line. a 30-yard cut back run. Jonathan Stewart races into the end zone, touchdown.

That was really fast. Five plays and they are up 7-0.

This could be a long night for Kurt Warner and the Cardinals.

The Cardinals take over at their own 40 yard line after the kickoff goes out of bounds. Good field position for Arizona as well to start.

Warner throws incomplete on first down. This times he hands to Edgerrin James for three yards. Third and seven for Arizona. Warner completes it to Fitzgerald in a breakdown in coverage and a 31-yard gain.

Edgerrin James runs for a one yard loss. Second and 11. Warner is sacked at the 32 yard line. Third and 16. A big stop by Julius Peppers on a quick out pass, and tackles the receiver for a big loss.

Arizona punts and the Panthers offense takes over at their own nine yard line. Williams is stopped after one yard.. Second and nine for Carolina. Williams for seven more yards. Third and two, as Williams gets only a yard and Carolina goes three and out.

Arizona gets the punt at the 43 yard line as it rolls out of bounds. That was a good defensive stop by Arizona to answer the quick touchdown by Carolina on the first drive.

Warner completes one to Fitzgerald.  James is stopped after a one yard gain. Third and one to go for the Cardinals. Warner goes long to Fitzgerald who goes up high between two defenders and makes the catch.

Just an ordinary catch for Fitzgerald, but superhuman to most other receivers. James gets a short gain, followed by a short pass. Third and goal at the three. Touchdown on a pass to Hightower. 7-7 game.

Big plays like that are a point spread killer for sure, as we start over in this one. All tied up. 

On the first play, the ball is swatted away from Delhomme and Arizona recovers it, Wow! First and 10 from the Carolina 13 for Arizona. James gets nine yards. Second and one. Edgerrin is in for a touchdown. 14-7 Cardinals over the Panthers.

The little red birds are bothering the big black cats. Who knew?  Lets see if we see the Panthers claws come out now.

Delhomme hits Muhammad at the 40 yard line. First down for the Panthers. Stewart runs for two and it's second and eight. A long pass to Steve Smith and a pass interference call takes it way down the field.

First down at the 16 yard line. This is looking like a shootout developing. Stewart is stopped after one yard as the quarter ends, 14-7 Cardinals.

Delhomme is intercepted on the next play. Delhomme got impatient and Arizona makes him pay.

Delay of game, Arizona. That was exactly the same as the clock in Tennessee that didn't get called near the end of that game. These refs are a little quicker.

Carolina works the ball back out to the 36 yard line. James gains seven and Arizona is really surprising me with their energy on the road tonight. Hightower gets two more yards, and a roughness call on Carolina gets Arizona another first down.

Warner makes his way out of bounds after a four yard run. James for three more yards. Third and four for the Cardinals. Warner under pressure throws it away. A field goal attempt from the Cardinals is good from 49 yards.

Arizona 17, Carolina 7. Two scores from Arizona on Panther turnovers.

The Panthers better get it together quickly, as the Cardinals are a good team when they have the lead. This next drive is very important for the Panthers season.

Carolina starts at the 22. Look for a pass to Steve Smith again down the field on this drive. That interception really hurt Carolina on that last possession.

Delhomme goes long to Muhammad, incomplete. Williams is stopped in the backfield and it's third and seven. The Cardinals hold again.

Arizona takes over on the 38 yard line. The Arizona defense could not ask for a better start. Fitzgerald is wide open again. Another completion. Who's covering him? No one. James gains three more and it's third and seven.

Another perfect pass to Fitzgerald, first down. James runs for a couple more. Warner hits another one for six. Third down and one. Carolina makes the stop, and it's fourth down and one.

The field goal is good. 20-7 Arizona. 5:28 left in the half. I picked Tennessee too, and this weekend is not going well, prediction wise, so far. Go Pittsburgh, go Giants. Save my weekend.

Jones makes another nice return to the 47 yard line. Delhomme is intercepted again, and the boo birds come out. That was a horrible pass, right to the defender. I could have intercepted that one.

This is going to be over quick, at this rate. Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are! Exit stage right, even. Touchdown Cardinals, 27-7. This is getting ugly. Philadelphia and New York, are you watching this?

Arizona is on fire in the post-season, I would say. False start Carolina, as the nightmare continues in the first half for the Panthers. A four-man rush sacks Delhomme. Third and 12. Delhomme goes long, incomplete, and the Panthers will punt.

Mercifully, we hit the two minute warning as Arizona takes over again. 1:53 to go in the half. If Arizona gets any points, this one is over. I will be thrilled to go 2-2 this weekend about now.

I can hear my new fan, Donny, now.  God, help me. I told him, go ahead and waste money betting on Arizona. 10 points. It's good to be humbled once in a while.

Of course, Arizona gets a first down to the 44. Carolina players look like shell shocked war veterans, with dementia. One look in their faces tells all.

What can John Fox say to these guys at halftime? I'd love to hear that locker room conversation. 

Larry Fitzgerald has 151 yards in the first half for Arizona. Steve Smith? 0 Yards.

Here comes a field goal attempt at the end of the half by Arizona. A 53 yarder is no good. Carolina hangs their heads and trudges into the locker room.

I need a drink!  The second half will be exciting. Really! Now that's funny! 

All righty now. here we go, the second half starts with Arizona getting the ball. Obviously, Carolina needs a stop. Arizona starts with a run from James for three yards.

Warner throws out of bounds on play action. There was pressure from Carolina, that time. A slant pass gets a first down. James gets a couple more yards and is stopped. Defensive holding, automatic first down.

Warner completes a short one, and they lose a couple of yards. Warner takes another hit as he releases the ball early, incomplete. Warner is hit again, and Arizona has to punt.

All of a sudden Panthers are coming from everywhere, to get to Warner.

Carolina takes over deep in their own territory. Williams makes a nice run for 15 yards.First down. Delhomme hits a short pass to Muhammad for four yards. Williams loses three yards. Third and nine. Delhomme is hit and the pass falls incomplete.

Carolina punts back  to Arizona. Good coverage and Arizona is backed  up a bit. Warner throws to Fitzgerald for a six yard gain. Interception by Carolina on the next pass, and a spark of life appears.

Williams is handed the ball and gets nothing. Second and 10. A defected ball is intercepted by Arizona. Oh well, this one's over, folks. Carolina is snakebitten tonight, and so am I.

0-2 for the day, as the "had a bad day" commercial comes on. How fitting is that?

Larry Fitzgerald picks up another first down on a screen pass. Arizona kicks another field goal and it's 30-7 Cardinals. Hi Donny.  Good bet, but you're still rude. See my playoff prediction article for further clarification on that comment.

This one is totally over. Nothing is working for Carolina, and Arizona will play the New York Giants or the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC Championship next week.

There is 2:16 left in the third quarter, and this game is in the refrigerator. The eggs are cooling and the butter's getting hard.

I will do both game recaps tomorrow and i hope something i pick is right tomorrow.

Steve Smith, who was third in the league in catches, just caught his first pass of the night. Carolina might get some prevent touchdowns, but this ones over. It's 30-7 Arizona, as the season runs out for Carolina.

Congratulations to the Ravens and Cardinals, who are moving on in the playoffs.

Thomas [NFL Mikee] Moreland