Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers: A Clash of Struggling Rookie QBs

With a combined record of 5-21, the Arizona Cardinals at the Carolina Panthers is hardly a marquee matchup.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t implications.

The Panthers are in desperate need of something positive to hang on to. And with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons on the schedule to close the season, this could be their last chance at a win in 2010.

And what better opponent than John Skelton’s Cardinals?

That's right, John Skelton.

In his first NFL start last week, Skelton was 15-of-37 for 146 yards and no touchdowns for a 52.3 quarterback rating.

Sounds a lot like another rookie quarterback this season.

Panthers rookie Jimmy Clausen is coming off a 14-for-24, 107-yard performance in which he boasted a 58.3 quarterback rating. He threw one interception and was without a touchdown. He now has seven picks to just one touchdown on the year.

The only difference between Skelton and Clausen in Week 14 was the outcome. Skelton’s Cardinals beat the Denver Broncos, 43-13, while the Panthers lost to the Atlanta Falcons, 31-10.

The Falcons are certainly a far more formidable opponent then the Broncos and the Cards beat the Broncos in spite of Skelton, not because of him. Clausen may be struggling in his young career, but Skelton is not off to a good start either.

The Cardinals are looking for their first back-to-back wins of the season.

Carolina ranks 25th against the run with 132.6 yards allowed per game, and the Cardinals will likely hit the ground early and often after tallying 211 yards on the ground against the Broncos.

Tim Hightower ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns himself. The Panthers have allowed at least 100 rushing yards in six straight games.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s 30th-ranked run defense has allowed 143.3 yards per game and has allowed 100-plus in five straight.

With two young quarterbacks, both running attacks could thrive in Carolina on Sunday.

Carolina has won six straight regular-season games against the Cardinals, while the Cardinals have lost seven of nine against the Panthers all-time.

Key Players

Arizona Cardinals

Tim Hightower: If Hightower can duplicate his Week 14 performance, or anything close to it, the Cardinals will have the Panthers right where they want them. Skelton will not be able to beat the Panthers alone, as they boast the league’s 10th-ranked pass defense.

If Hightower and the running game struggle, the Panthers could tally their second win of the year. 

Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson: Much like Hightower, Stewart and Goodson have the potential to run wild on Sunday. The last time these two teams met, the Panthers gouged the Cards for 270 yards on the ground. DeAngelo Williams has 158 of those yards, but he is on injured reserve.

Still, if Stewart and Goodson can take the heat off Clausen and limit his shots down the field, the Panthers could win handily.

The Panthers host the Cardinals Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.

This article can also be found at www.footballnewsnow.com.