Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Football: United States, NFL - Divisional Playoff

Saturday, 10th January 2009 - Kickoff 8:15 PM ET

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This is a game of two teams that were never expected to be in the positions they are in.

The Panthers weren’t expected to be the #2 seed in the NFC. Before the season started few people would have though they would be more than a wildcard team.

The Cardinals are a team that people have had high expectations of for the last few years, and have always seemed to fall flat on their faces. This season they limped into the playoffs and won a very weak division.

Carolina (12-4 SU, 8-0 Home, 9-6-1 ATS)

Carolina has quietly played very good football.

The Panthers don’t get the publicity of some of the other teams, but are definitely very good. They have a solid quarterback and a fabulous wide receiver for him to throw to.

Carolina have a good solid running game, but the thing they have like many of the other playoff teams this year is a very good defense. This team is good enough to beat anyone.

Arizona (10-7 SU, 3-5 Road, 10-7 ATS)

Arizona is a mystery to me, one week they will look great, and the next look like bums.

The Cardinals have an explosive offense with the best tandem of receivers in the game, with a proven winner at quarterback.

Last week Arizona finally established their running game, which made the passing game so much easier.

Their defense plays a very game against the run, but sometimes gets burned by the pass, but last week played well against a good Falcons offense.

The Verdict

This will be the game that surprises a lot of people.

Arizona will come to play. The west coast coming east thing won’t mean anything this week, it’s the playoffs, things like that go out the window.

What I think a lot of people aren’t seeing with the Cardinals is experience. Everyone talks about how this is their first trip to the playoffs in a very long time, etc etc. Well the Cardinals haven't been, but some of the key people have.

Warner won two Super Bowls, was a Super Bowl MVP. James played for the Colts that went to the playoffs every year and was one of their key players.

The head coach was the offensive coordinator for the Steelers a few years ago when they won the Super Bowl. The Cardinals will be better prepared than people think.

I don't think that Arizona will win the game, but they are my pick to keep the score close enough to cover the spread.

The Pick :

Arizona 23-27 Carolina

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'm taking Arizona +10