NFC Divisional Playoff Open Thread: Cardinals @ Panthers

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Now, on to a possible rout or surprise of the weekend, as the KW-1300 Cybernetic QB and his army of receivers faces off against Carolina and the skill-position Voltron of Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, and Jonathan Stewart.

Game: NFC Divisional Playoff #1
Teams: Arizona Cardinals (9-7, NFC West Champs) vs. Carolina Panthers (12-4, NFC South Champs)
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Start Time: 8:15 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa (FOX)
Miscellany: Kurt Warner and his religious faith, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin's top notch status, the crappiness of the NFC West, Jake Delhomme's Tommy John surgery, and Steve Smith's fisticuffs.
Favorite: Panthers (-10)
S2N's Pick: Panthers. 8-0 at home, Arizona is 3-5 on the road this year. If the Cardinals are able to stop both running backs, they deserve to win, but then Delhomme goes for Steve Smith.

107 Comments:

Frank's picking the Panthers...

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 7:58:00 PM  

Pregame Hype / Prediction:

In the words of Ms. Pacman, I like-a the Panthers. The reason, Steve mother freaking Smith. Not smash, dash, or crash or pinache. I like Steve Smith to carry this team, even if Jake Delhomme's passes are too high too low or not even intended to him, he'll find a way to get the ball.

That's normally the praise given to Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals, but Smith has twice the heart of Fitzgerald and is half the size of him. Not to mention he packs a mean punch, if you don't believe just ask Ken Lucas.

Another reason I like Carolina, is not because Anquan Boldin is out. It's because of Julius Peppers. He will be introducing himself to Kurt Warner and his OJ Simpson-inspired black gloves. Peppers is a beast and middle linebacker Jon Beason should change his name to BeasTon.

Edgerrin James has come to life in recent weeks, but the truth is, he can't outrun Beason sideline to sideline and he won't run him over. Therefore Warner will have to rely on his wide receivers and he really only has one legit threat. I know Steve Breaston is a nice number three, but I don't see him replacing Q.

With all that said, the final score of this game will be Panthers 31 Cardinals 17.

http://pricelesscommentary.blogspot.com/2009/01/live-game-blog-panthers-vs-cardinals.html

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:01:00 PM  

It's a shame that a couch had to die in order for Daryl Johnston to have a coat.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:10:00 PM  

lets just hope SD wins tomorrow so we can get another week of their glorious cheerleaders

Frank said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:10:00 PM  

I have a feeling that Moose and Goose are going to get on my last nerve. Johnston's suit is brutal.

BWAlaska said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:17:00 PM  

It's a shame that a couch had to die in order for Goose to have a coat.

Fixed.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:17:00 PM  

Hoover does not suck. But the Cards do against the run.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:20:00 PM  

And it's The Daily Show with Jonathon Stewart for six.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:20:00 PM  

And a +1 to PC for the Hoover vacuum reference.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:20:00 PM  

Where have I seen Kasay do that before oh yeah, the Super Bowl...

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:24:00 PM  

And that was before Super Bowel IIRC...

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:26:00 PM  

Oneguy in Boston told me to get out of his yard.

Bill Hoodycheat?

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:29:00 PM  

Todd Haley just set himself back on getting a head coaching gig lightyears with that play call. But the Cards are who we thought they were.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:30:00 PM  

Moose and Goose and the other guy, for the sake of rhyming caboose, make Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis watchable.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:35:00 PM  

Kenny Albert must make the developmentally disabled community so proud. What an effing' retard...

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:36:00 PM  

the game started terrible for the Arizona offense and defense.

and dear lord is Fitzgerald insane or what

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:37:00 PM  

Fitzgerald beats two defenders for an underthrown 50-yarder. Never seen him make a play on a ball like that before. Ken Lucas might need a talking from Steve Smith on the sideline.

Hightower catches a short touchdown pass and somehow Edgerrin James feels disrespected.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:40:00 PM  

Fitty wants his crackers, apparently.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:41:00 PM  

if there is a god, Arizona wins this.

just please. so we can see further evidence that nothing changes a playoff game like the "Nobody Believes in us!" factor - copyright Bill Simmons who ignored it in picking Carolina this week.

and 14-7 Arizona. Sweet.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:46:00 PM  

My nightmare Super Bowl: Giants-Steelers.

No cheerleaders.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:47:00 PM  

Delhomme stripped of the ball. Check. Delhomme stripped of his dignity. Check. Cardinals take over in the Panthers red zone after one play.

The gloved one (Warner) hits the greedy one (Edge) on an inside screen. Edge scores on the next play, Beason was invisible on the play. But somehow James feels disrespected.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:47:00 PM  

I just drank out of a milk carton and Dwayne Jarrett was on the side of it.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:49:00 PM  

That was close on that interference at real speed, but on the replay the DB was a tad bit early.

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:51:00 PM  

Delhomme is fucking this up...again.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:55:00 PM  

WTF was Delhomme thinking??!!

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:55:00 PM  

What could b worse than "Saved by Zero" or "the Toyotathon of Toyotathons" brought to you by the Stuart Scott Department of Redundant Redundantcy Department?

How about "Toyota Quality Saves You Money"?

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:56:00 PM  

OH NOES INTERCEPTION

Arizona Cardinals fight fight fight

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 8:56:00 PM  

Good thing Matt Leinart is wearing eye black. You never know when you'll need the glare out of your eyes when funneling beer to undergrads.

Jan 10, 2009, 8:59:00 PM  

And another +1 to Priceless Commentary!

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:00:00 PM  

The Panthers are handing this game to the Cardinals.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:01:00 PM  

The Panthers need to get their heads back into this game, and fast!

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:01:00 PM  

I am loving this game so far.

Nobody believes in the Cardianls but here they are. and winning.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:02:00 PM  

Players are gonna need longer cleats on their shoes because of the rain.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:03:00 PM  

Rackers hits and it's a ten-point deficit for the Panthers.

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:04:00 PM  

Now the Cardinals with the outside chance to host the NFC Title Game next week if they keep this up and the Eagles beat the Jints.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:05:00 PM  

Neil Rackers 3. 2 for me.

Shameless Plug:

http://pricelesscommentary.blogspot.com/

Leave some comments instead of watching UPS pitchman and his fine hair.

Jan 10, 2009, 9:05:00 PM  

Speaking of shameless self promotion...

The O Files, all about Keith Olbermann's work on Countdown, FNiA and a few other of my personal things.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:08:00 PM  

How bizarro would it be if AZ, Philly, and San Diego were to win? Then you would have a Four, a Five, and two Sixes in the Conference Title games...ugh.

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:08:00 PM  

Seriously though, Mike Williams thinks Dwayne Jarrett has been a disapointment.

Jan 10, 2009, 9:10:00 PM  

For some reason, Carolina's having difficulty against Arizona's run defense.

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:11:00 PM  

Well, Chris in Tampa, that's why they play the games.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:11:00 PM  

...and the boo-birds have surfaced in Charlotte...

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:11:00 PM  

Where was this defense against New England when they got caked 47-7 by a much weaker New England run game.

Go Cardinals

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:13:00 PM  

Carolina bit on that first play fake and Fitz got another big gainer. If I'm the Cardinals I wonder if I go no-huddle???

Chris Tyner said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:16:00 PM  

In a word, Chris... No.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:17:00 PM  

"He just needs to stick it up in there" - Moose

Jan 10, 2009, 9:18:00 PM  

Chris, you don't go no huddle you want to eat up the clock as much as possible and keep your defense well rested.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:18:00 PM  

This just in- Larry Fitzgerald is a fucking beast.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:19:00 PM  

Johnston's pretty fucking dumb. Does he not think that the Panthers could get 21 points in the second half and that a touchdown here would really be a knockout blow?

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:22:00 PM  

If Arizona wins, Jake Delhomme will be enshrined in the Cardinals Ring of Fame.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:25:00 PM  

Josh McCown should be warming up in the pen.

Chris Wienke could play better than this and he's like 50-years old now.

Jan 10, 2009, 9:25:00 PM  

@ anon 9:25

Ha, like the Cardinals even have a Ring of Fame :)

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:27:00 PM  

@ David 9:27

He'll be the 2nd name up there, right after "11 - BEAST."

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:29:00 PM  

You know you're playing like dog shit when you have as many turnovers (3) as completions (3).

Jan 10, 2009, 9:29:00 PM  

Kobe Bryant thinks the Panthers have wet the bed.

Jan 10, 2009, 9:31:00 PM  

can we kill the damn robots already

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:33:00 PM  

What's the over/under on the Sports Center crew saying, "that's why they play the game," later tonight.

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:33:00 PM  

I wish I had bet more then 20$ on the Cardinals.

Larry Fitzgerld is a monster and tearing their secondary apart.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:34:00 PM  

Doug Williams was very proud of Doug Williams as well...

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:35:00 PM  

Cardinals do have ring of fame / honor. Dan Dierdorf, Conrad Dobler, Pat Tillman are in it among others

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:35:00 PM  

Does 'goose' always talk this much? annoying! sounds like his agent told him to speak more and is using this game as audition tape.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:36:00 PM  

The KW-1300's upgrades have apparently served it well on the road this week.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:37:00 PM  

Did Ed Reed dress up in Larry Fitzgerald's uniform today?

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:38:00 PM  

Steve Smith laughing on sideline w/ team down by 20. He'll probably punch Ken Lucas at the half for the hell of it.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 9:39:00 PM  

Just your standard 27-0 run. This is why I don't predict NFL games. Smith is one of the best players on the field, but if you can't get him the ball, what impact can he have on the game? He needs to play quarterback and Wildcat the Cardinals all second half. They can run the ball too you know? Smash and Dash, is better than Delhomme (Crash and burn).

Jan 10, 2009, 9:40:00 PM  

The UPS pitchman likes his hair silky and smooth.

Jan 10, 2009, 9:41:00 PM  

FOX just can't give the Cards credit. Bunch of douche canoes, especially Terry Bradshaw.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:07:00 PM  

Did he just say "you can't go and grab a n****r that late?"

Heef said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:08:00 PM  

wow Carolina blitz. and it works.

yet they are still down 20. And at their own 10 yard line.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:09:00 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jan 10, 2009, 10:11:00 PM  

Watch what you say. My brother owns a Dodge truck.

And Chris Crocker called. She said "LEAVE THE FIVE DOLLAR FOOTLONG ALONE!"

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:15:00 PM  

here is carolina's chance. and of course they start it with a bad run play.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:19:00 PM  

and turnover #4

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:21:00 PM  

Last week it was the dirty bird. This week it's Moose's between the legs whatever that is move. How bout Rolle comes up with his own dance?

McCown come on down...

Jan 10, 2009, 10:21:00 PM  

and wow nice set of plays Carolina:

run for -1 yard

False start

Interception returned 48 yards

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:22:00 PM  

why don't the panthers just put 5 guys on Fitzgerald, blitz 5, and put one deep just in case fitzgerald catches it..

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:24:00 PM  

The Cardinals defense are all wearing their Ed Reed underwear tonight.

Delhomme picked a great time to suck. Tony Romo and him should compare notes on playing terrible in big games.

Jan 10, 2009, 10:26:00 PM  

Carolina is on the phone working to get Frank Reich on the roster and into the game ASAP.

Jan 10, 2009, 10:31:00 PM  

I don't get why Fox had to mention the largest playoff deficit a team had to overcome was 32. Point is irrelevant as Arizona is only up by 23. Why not mention instead how many teams overcame a deficit of 23 or more points?

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:33:00 PM  

and we have a Dwayne Jarrett sighting. He IS alive it seems.

Arizona channels their inner Ed Reed, Jake Delhomme channels his inner Tony Romo, and Steve Smith channels his inner Marvin Harrison.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:33:00 PM  

Back to back to back plays without a loss of yards/a turnover. Delhomme is on a roll!

(or should I say Rolle)

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:34:00 PM  

Get vinny testaverde off his couch

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:35:00 PM  

has any quarterback ever thrown a pick during every single offensive series he played in?

Gary Hogeboom? Cliff Stoudt? Bledsoe? Henry Burris?

Too bad Chuck Cecil isn't still playing to be part of this, also Pat Tillman, for sure.

E Buzz said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:35:00 PM  

Panther's solution: put Stewart and Williams in there and run the Wildcat.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:36:00 PM  

How many times does he have to tell us Wisenhunt was the OC for the Steelers? This is getting as bad as the NC game the other night

Jan 10, 2009, 10:41:00 PM  

i really want to say something about jessica escalante, but since she is in the 14-15 year old division, i will restrain.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:43:00 PM  

I like how they made the uniforms fairly generic this year (not blatantly team jerseys) so that no one would get booed like the Patriots girl at the Colts game last year.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:45:00 PM  

Poor kids, they win the punt pass and kick, and there reward is to go to this game, and the crowd doesn't even clap for them.

Sean H said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:45:00 PM  

and the closer the panthers seem to get, the more the turnovers hurt

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:47:00 PM  

Anon - smart move. I think Escalante's a back-to-back winner, I remember seeing her at the ceremony last year. (We in the local media did a story on her, too.)

FIVE TURNOVERS FOR DELHOMME. He's not getting out of the stadium alive.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:48:00 PM  

I thought I still heard some Colts fans boo when they introduced the girl from Boston.

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:50:00 PM  

Everyone saw an Arizona blowout right?

Steve Smith stat line:

10/22, 121 yards, 4 INT

that's worse then Pennington's 4 INT line last week. All these supposedly accurate and smart QB's are stinking it up in the playoffs.

Ghost. said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:52:00 PM  

i think you mean jake delhomme stat line, not steve smith.

and did one of the announcers just call stephen spach "david spach"?

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:54:00 PM  

If Rogers-Cromartie gets the pick, see ya.

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:58:00 PM  

i am starting to feel sorry for jake delhomme

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:59:00 PM  

DEAR GOD IT'S PICK NUMBER FIVE.

John Fox, just pull him now and sneak him out of the stadium.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 10, 2009, 10:59:00 PM  

And S2N, the carolina faithful are leaving...

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:00:00 PM  

NUGGET ALERT!

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:02:00 PM  

i think you mean NUGGNUT ALERT

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:03:00 PM  

Yeah, they should've put in McCown in sometime during this game; it's amazing that Delhomme is playing this badly tonight. Talk about choking. I could make an off-color comment concerning Jake's past personal problems, but I'd better follow James Craven's credo and abstain. Besides, it's his birthday.

The thought of Arizona in the NFC Championship and possibly hosting it is mindblowing.

Also mindblowing is Goose imitating the "Nugget Alert" sound effect and then Fox offering us A DICTIONARY definition of "nugget", as if they think everyone in their audience is too much of a rube to know what that word means in that context.

If I could I'd drop a nuke on Fox and eradicate it from the Earth!

Blair Russell said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:03:00 PM  

Wait, that Rex Grossman at QB for the Panthers!

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:04:00 PM  

Ya think Leinert will run the next series?

JamesCraven said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:08:00 PM  

fake FG please fake FG

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:11:00 PM  

What's the odds of another Gatorade shower for Wisenhunt?

Anonymous said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:15:00 PM  

why are they even letting jake "daylight come and you gotta" delhomme even put the ball in the air?

Unknown said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:15:00 PM  

I'm sorry. I've given up now. A Cardinals-Chargers Super Bowl is somehow still possible, at least until tomorrow night, hopefully.

Make it stop, Football Jesus. Make the madness stop.

Signal to Noise said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:20:00 PM  

Does this mean the Cardinals get the NFC South title as well after the last 2 weeks?

The Rabbi said...
Jan 10, 2009, 11:27:00 PM  

Post a Comment