You would think coming into Saturday’s divisional matchup with a division title, the number two seed, an explosive wide receiver, and a red hot rushing attack, that there would be no way the Panthers could be flying under the radar, but they’re doing just that.  Almost every article I’ve read in the past week, be it in the USA Today or on ESPN.com, seems to focus entirely on the Arizona Cardinals.  They talk about the Cardinals poor showings in the eastern time zone (they have a 2-19 since 2003 in games played on the east coast), or how Anquan Boldin’s hamstring injury may slow down the Cardinal’s pass happy offense, and then, almost on a side note, mention they’re opponent.  As fans, we probably don’t appreciate this lack of attention, but it’s just the way the Panthers want it.

After clinching the division and the number two seed against New Orleans two weeks ago the Panthers were able to use the much needed bye week to get some of their starters healthy.  John Fox revealed Wednesday that Damione Lewis, Maake Kemoeatu, and Jeff Otah all practiced and will be ready to go for game time.  The only injury to report was Geoff Hangarter who is questionable with an ankle injury.  With both lines healthy the Panthers will be focused and ready to take on the Cardinals tonight in Charlotte.

Keys to the Game

1. Pressure Kurt Warner- While the Cardinals were able to have success running the ball last week against the Falcons, they will still rely on Kurt Warner to put points on the board, and in order for the Panthers to keep that from happening, they have to pressure Warner.   Any quarterback in the league can pick apart a defense if given time, even more so with Warner.  The Panthers have to get in Warner’s face, disrupt his timing and make him to throw when he doesn’t want to.  The other reason is that Warner has been known to fumble the ball, so if Julius Peppers does his thing and gets to Warner, the ball is likely to come out.

2. Pound the Rock- Obviously this goes without saying that the Panthers should give the ball to DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.  By running the ball the Panthers can control the line of scrimmage, wear down that Cardinals defense, but most importantly, keep the ball out of Kurt Warner’s hands.

3. Force Turnovers- Throughout the season the defense has shown an inability to force turnovers, particularly in the secondary. I don’t know how many balls that should have been intercepted were dropped during the season, but that can’t happen Saturday.  As Jimmy Johnson says, the team that usually wins in the playoffs is not the team that makes the most number of good plays, it’s the team that makes the least number of bad plays.  If the Panthers are going to fall into the latter category, that means they will need to start catching some balls.  I know as a defensive back you’d rather be known as rick-a-shay that toast, but come on!

4. Red zone efficiency- One of the major reasons for the Panther’s success in recent weeks has been they great red zone efficiency.  Being able to punch it in on 1st and goal is huge.  If the defense continues to keep up the bend but not break mentality and at least hold the Cardinals to field goals, the Panthers will have a great shot at winning.

Because the Panthers have played so well at home it would seem that they are locked in for another NFC Championship, but that is exactly the attitude they must avoid.  If they keep they’re heads in the game and play John Fox football, then they should be heading to the next round.  Honestly though, I’m not worried about that at all.  John Fox has shown that he does a great job getting his team ready for big games, and I have no doubt he’ll do the same Saturday.  Besides, if all else fails the Panthers will have Jake to lean on, because save one game against the Seahawks, Delhomme has been money in the playoffs.  By the way don’t even get me started about the lack of credit Delhomme gets.  Sure he dosen’t have great numbers, but he is the reason Panthers are in the playoffs.  Quite frankly there is no other quarterback in the league that I would rather have right now than Jake.

Panthers 35, Cardinals 17