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Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals NFL Lines & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd

The 2-4 Carolina Panthers visit the 4-2 defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals this Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium in a rematch of last year’s NFC divisional playoff game. The Panthers will be out for revenge after losing 33-13 to the Cards in what was one of QB Jake Delhomme’s worst games as a pro (five interceptions). Last week, the Cardinals were impressive with a 24-17 win over the Giants while the Panthers disappointed with a 20-9 loss to the Bills at home. The Panthers have won five of the last six meetings in this series, but NFL lines makers have them going down for a second straight time to Arizona here, listing the Cardinals as 10-point favorites with the total set at 41.

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Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, and the Arizona offense get most of the headlines, but it is the team’s improving defense that should be getting ink. Take away a blowout loss to the Colts and statistically the Cardinals are one of the best defenses in the NFL. They have been a big play unit all season with seven interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and 16 QB sacks. The Panthers’ offense has already turned the football over 21 times this season so if Arizona can continue to make big plays on the defensive side of the ball, one has to like its chances.

I’ve reported plenty on Warner and Fitzgerald so now it’s time to give rookie running back Beanie Wells the praise he has earned. Arizona has been bringing the rook along slowly, but he looked impressive against the Giants last week, rushing for 67 yards and a score. I’ll be watching to see if he can build on last week’s performance against the Panthers. If Arizona can mount a consistent running attack, this offense can be downright scary. It is worth noting that the Cardinals are on a highly profitable 9-2 against the spread run. If you like Arizona to keep right on rolling, bet the Cardinals at -10 at BetUS.

Delhomme is a perfect 4-0 in his career in the regular season against the Cardinals. If he wants to reach 5-0, he’s going to have to do a much better job of taking care of the football than he did in last year’s playoff meeting against the opportunistic Arizona defense. After back-to-back wins, the Panthers took a step backwards last week. They outgained Buffalo by a whopping 258 yards but they lost the turnover battle 4 to 0 and lost the game because of it. Arizona has done a great job of stopping the run this season, but it will be critical that Carolina get its running game going with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to take the pressure off of Delhomme.

Defensively, Julius Peppers has a chance to be a game changer with his speed rush off the edge. Peppers has five sacks over the last three weeks and if he can put consistent pressure on Warner, one has to think the Panthers will be in this football game. It worth noting that the road team is on a perfect 4-0 against the spread run in this head-to-head matchup. If you think the books are spotting Carolina too many points, bet the Panthers at +10 at BetUS.

Bring home the bacon Sunday with NFL expert picks from world champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd!

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