In an upcoming clash between the Arizona Cardinals (7-7) and the Carolina Panthers (3-11), the game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, broadcasted on FOX. According to BetMGM, the Cardinals are favored by 4.5 points. Against the spread, Arizona has a record of 9-5 while Carolina stands at 6-8. Historically, the Panthers have the edge in their series, leading with a record of 12-5, but it was the Cardinals who claimed victory in their most recent encounter, winning 26-16 on October 22, 2022, in Carolina. Last week, the Cardinals triumphed over the New England Patriots with a score of 30-17, while the Panthers faced a setback, losing 30-14 to the Dallas Cowboys.
Examining the offensive and defensive stats: the Cardinals rank 11th in overall offense, 7th in rushing, 21st in passing, and share 15th place in scoring. On defense, they sit at 16th overall, 18th against the run, 18th in pass defense, and 10th in scoring defense. In contrast, the struggling Panthers hold the 31st position in overall offense, 24th in rushing, 29th in passing, and 28th in scoring. Defensively, they are last in overall defense, 32nd against the run, and allow the 12th best passing plays, sitting at the bottom in scoring defense.
One player to keep an eye on from the Cardinals is tight end Trey McBride, who has developed into quarterback Kyler Murray’s go-to target this season. Over the past month, McBride has recorded 40 receptions for 386 yards. His performance is solidifying his status as an elite tight end in the league. For the Panthers, wide receiver Jalen Coker is emerging as a vital asset against the Cardinals’ secondary. The undrafted rookie had a standout game upon returning from injury, racking up four catches for 110 yards, including an impressive 83-yard touchdown that could inspire confidence against Arizona’s middle-of-the-road pass defense.
A critical matchup will be centered around Cardinals running back James Conner and the Panthers’ run defense. Conner is fresh off a season-best game, rushing for 110 yards and scoring two touchdowns against New England. The Panthers have been notoriously poor at defending the run, having allowed over 190 yards in five of their last six games. In a recent game, the Cowboys capitalized on this weakness with running back Rico Dowdle achieving a career-high of 149 yards on the ground.
As for injuries impacting both teams, the Cardinals are dealing with several key absences, including running back Trey Benson (ankle), offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), linebacker Jesse Luketa (thigh), and linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (concussion), all of whom did not practice on Wednesday. Meanwhile, linebacker Zaven Collins (neck) and cornerbacks Max Melton (shin) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (hand) also experienced limited practice. The Panthers, on their end, placed linebacker Claudin Cherelus (toe) and Trevin Wallace (shoulder) on injured reserve, which diminishes their defense’s veteran presence.
In reviewing their series history, the Panthers have been dominant, winning six of their last seven matchups against the Cardinals, including a substantial victory in the 2015 NFC Championship Game that propelled them to Super Bowl 50. This season, the Cardinals, who sit third in the NFC West, are hoping to secure their first winning season since 2021, trailing closely behind the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. Notably, Arizona’s defense has been impressive recently, allowing an average of only 17.9 points over their last eight games, marking them as one of the league’s top defenses during that span.
Fantasy players may want to consider Marvin Harrison Jr. As he has been relatively quiet over the last two weeks, with just six receptions for 81 yards, this game against a vulnerable Carolina defense could provide him with an opportunity to shine, especially following last week’s performance by Dallas’ Cooper Rush, who found success in the end zone against the Panthers at home.