Cardinals-Panthers Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Cardinals' high-flying offense faces tough test in CarolinaArizona, which leads the NFC West, is coming off its bye week and arrives in Carolina rested and confident, while Carolina, fresh off an impressive win over the Saints, is currently tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. The Cardinals have struggled on the road, but that must improve in a hurry, as three of their next four games are on the road. Their success away from home will be critical to their playoff hopes. Carolina hasn't lost a game this year at Bank of America Stadium and will be looking to keep pace in the very competitive NFC South.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
ARI	9-7	427	426	6-2	3-5	6-0	7-5
CAR	12-4	414	329	8-0	4-4	4-2	8-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Arizona Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Warner 67.5 2718 20 11 Leinar... 68.0 119 0 1

Carolina Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Delhom... 57.1 1885 8 14 Moore 50.0 63 0 1

Arizona Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Wells 100 469 4.7 4 Highto... 102 430 4.2 5

Carolina Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 181 982 5.4 7 Stewar... 110 509 4.6 6

Arizona Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Fitzge... 71 792 11.2 9 Boldin 51 612 12.0 2

Carolina Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Smith 45 599 13.3 4 Muhamm... 33 337 10.2 0

Full Player Stats: Arizona | Carolina

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	ARI	366.0
	CAR	350.0
Yards Passing	ARI	292.1
	CAR	197.4
Yards Rushing	ARI	73.6
	CAR	152.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	ARI	331.5
	CAR	331.2
Pass Yds Allowed	ARI	221.3
	CAR	211.7
Rush Yds Allowed	ARI	110.3
	CAR	119.5

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Carolina leads 5-3
Oct 14, 2007	ARI 10, @CAR 25
Oct 9, 2005	ARI 20, @CAR 24
Nov 21, 2004	ARI 10, CAR 35
Dec 14, 2003	ARI 17, @CAR 20
Oct 6, 2002	ARI 16, CAR 13
Dec 30, 2001	ARI 30, CAR 7

As a charter member of the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals have a long history. Winning has not been a big part of it, but that appears to be changing.

The surprising Cardinals look to win their third straight game and get off to their best start in 32 years on Sunday when they visit the Carolina Panthers, who are tied atop the NFC South.

The Arizona (4-2) franchise has been a member of the NFL since 1920, but its recent history hasn't been pretty.

The Cardinals, who won their only championship while playing in Chicago in 1947, have not been to the playoffs since 1998 -- their first trip since 1982.

A playoff appearance could be possible this season, though, as Arizona owns a two-game lead in the weak NFC West and headed into its bye week playing some of its best football of the season.

After a 41-17 win over previously unbeaten Buffalo on Oct. 5, the Cardinals defeated Dallas 30-24 in overtime on Oct. 12. Arizona won when Sean Morey blocked Mat McBriar's punt, and Monty Beisel scooped up the ball and scored from 3 yards out.

Although the Cardinals have looked solid at times, coach Ken Whisenhunt knows its still early and a lot can happen.

"I think we're in a good position right now, but there's so much work ahead of us," Whisenhunt said. "It's still only six games. I mean, we're not even halfway through the season yet."

The last time Arizona opened the season 4-2 in 2002, it went on to finish 5-11. The Cardinals have not won five of their first seven games since 1976, when the franchise was based in St. Louis.

"We're in a good position at the bye, but we have a lot of work to do and a lot of games to win before we can be comfortable with where we're at," Whisenhunt said.

Coming out of their bye week with a road win over one of the best teams in the NFC would certainly be a boost.

Arizona is undefeated at home, but since winning at San Francisco in its season opener, it has been outscored 80-52 in losing its last two road games.

"We've got to take this home show on the road," Whisenhunt said.

Winning at Carolina (5-2) won't be easy, though, as the Panthers have won all four of their home games -- outscoring their opponents 108-33. Carolina has not won five straight home games since Sept. 18-Dec. 4, 2005.

The Panthers are also coming off one of their best games of the season.

After giving up sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a 27-3 loss at Tampa Bay on Oct. 12, Carolina rebounded by defeating New Orleans 30-7 last Sunday.

"I don't think it's a statement game," said wide receiver Steve Smith, who had six receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. "It's just another game that we get to put in the win column, and the closer and closer we get to 10, the easier and easier it gets and we can relax and start looking at games in January and February."

The Panthers are trying to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005, and are off to their best start since opening that season 7-2.

"Ultimately we want to be 6-2 going into that bye and be ready to rejuvenate ourselves," Carolina fullback Brad Hoover said.

The Panthers have been led by a defense that is third in the NFL in scoring (14.9 points per game), third in total defense (286.3 yards per game) and held the high-powered Saints to a season low in scoring.

The defensive unit will try and do the same thing against a Cardinals team that leads the league in scoring (29.5 ppg) and is sixth in total offense (377.0 ypg).

Arizona's offense might have a big piece return Sunday, as standout receiver Anquan Boldin could be back.

Boldin, who was off to a terrific start with 27 catches for 366 yards and five touchdowns in four games, has missed two games while recovering from surgery to repair a sinus fracture. He was hurt in the final seconds of the Cardinals' 56-35 loss to the New York Jets when he went up in the air to try to catch a pass in the end zone.

"I feel like I'm ready to go," Boldin said. "That's what I've been working toward these past couple of weeks, getting back on the field after the bye week."

The Cardinals have lost four straight games to the Panthers since a 16-13 win on Oct. 6, 2002.

In their last meeting on Oct. 14, 2007, Carolina defeated the Cardinals 25-10, as quarterback Vinny Testaverde replaced an injured Jake Delhomme and Tim Rattay led Arizona for the injured Kurt Warner.

Delhomme and Warner are both off to solid seasons this year.

Delhomme is 10th in the NFL with 1,533 passing yards, while Warner is third in passing yards (1,708) and tied for fifth in touchdowns (12).

Vikings-Cards Dec. 6 game flexed to nighttime

The NFL has moved the Minnesota at Arizona game to the night slot on Dec. 6 under its flexible scheduling policy.

'Messed-up hand' limits Panthers DE Peppers

Julius Peppers' hand is a touchy subject in the secretive world of NFL injuries. Coach John Fox would only call it a "messed-up hand."

Cards' Warner to have tests to determine status

Coach Ken Whisenhunt says he had a long talk with Kurt Warner on the flight home, and the quarterback was alert and upbeat following a blow to the head in Sunday's' victory over the Rams.

Panthers' Gross has broken right leg, not ankle

Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross broke his right leg, not his ankle, as the team first announced.

Sendlein played through pain in '08

It was surprising this off-season when the Cardinals opted not to try and upgrade their center position, given the occasional struggles of starter Lyle Sendlein in 2008.

Breaston blooms in Boldin's absence

Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston, seen here in action against the 49ers last season, is taking advantage of Anquan Boldin's absence in summer workouts.

The Risk Remains

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald breaks the huddle during 11-on-11 drills Monday after coming down awkwardly on a catch earlier in the workout.

Fitzgerald OK after awkward catch

For a minute or two, it looked as if the first day of June would bring gloom to the Cardinals.

Boldin hires Condon as agent

Receiver Anquan Boldin has hired Tom Condon as his agent, replacing Drew Rosenhaus, who was fired last week.

Panthers become big losers - of excess weight

There's much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers' sideline these days.

Moore making most of shot with Panthers

The Panthers' Kenny Moore, shown with students at First Ward Elementary School on March 10, is among the candidates to enter the season as the team's No.

New fullback has Hoover a bit on edge

When it comes to locker room grief, Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover gives it as well as anyone.

Brown's focus is on technique

If the Carolina Panthers were truly worried about Everette Brown's size, they wouldn't be lining him up the way they are.

Hoover doesn't plan to go without a fight

Brad Hoover was walking off the practice field Monday shortly after beating most of his Carolina Panthers teammates in a series of sprints when he told a reporter he couldn't talk until later.