Cardinals running game sputtering heading into NFC showdown

That might be true.

“I was so intrigued talking to guys who have been here a long time, talking about the glory days of Carolina, about going to the Super Bowl, about going 13-3 and things of that sort”, Newton said, thinking back to his rookie year in 2011 when he took over at quarterback for a team coming off a 2-14 season. Carson Palmer rebounded from his second knee injury by putting up an MVP-caliber season with over 4,600 yards and 35 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions.

Some of the players echoed that belief, including Palmer.

“This is about this game”, Rivera said.

The first game of the weekend was the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the New England Patriots on Saturday, Jan. 16. There’s a ton of implications behind it, but I’m not studying extra film or taking extra reps at practice. “We’ve just got to go out there and open holes for David or whoever’s in the backfield and protect the quarterback”.

“The excitement around this game is off the charts and I’m glad Governor McCrory and I can get in on the action”, said Governor Ducey.

As a follow up, Arians was asked specifically of Palmer, to which the coach said, “that’s basically who I’m talking about”. “‘Don’t change what you do on your routine because whatever you’ve been doing is the reason we’re at this point now'”. With a trip to the Super Bowl at stake, the point spread is favoring the Panthers at -3.0 favorites, but they’ll face a more complete team in the Cardinals than they’ve seen all season.

Consistency will be key for the Carolina offense that failed to score in the second half of the Divisional round. Ultimately who you think is going to win depends on what you feel is more crucial to the game. Running back Jonathan Stewart ran for 59 yards on the first play from scrimmage in the game and he finished with 109 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

“I don’t even see the Super Bowl right now”, tight end Ed Dickson said.

“This”, Newton said, “is why you play football”. In previous years Newton would nearly always look to run once a play broke down. “Their front seven is something special, so we’ll have our challenges”.

SERIES HISTORY: 15th meeting. The career sack leader among active players, Allen suffered a fractured foot in Carolina’s playoff win over the Seahawks.

Road teams are generally assumed to be at a disadvantage, but the Cardinals have been dominant on the road this season.

Much of the Cardinals’ ground game success has emerged because of the offensive line.

GAME PLAN: Offensively, the Cardinals have a distinct advantage with their receivers against the Panthers’ defensive backs.

Ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game between Carolina and Arizona, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton made his thoughts on the matter clear-a game is a game, regardless of the level.

The trick, they say, is treating this game no different than any other they have prepared for this season.

On defense, the Cardinals will commit every resource necessary to controlling the run.

Added safety Kurt Coleman, “The outside of it looks big, but really, it’s just a football game”. The play of inside linebacker Deone Bucannon will be vital.

Newton: Josh, I read that some of the Cardinals were looking forward to a rematch with the Seahawks. But he came through in the end thanks in large part to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Finnegan doesn’t have much left, and Fitzgerald has proven that he’s an even better player in the playoffs.