Cardinals vs Panthers in Week 4
As we have done every week, the team at AZSU will take a crack at some predictions for the upcoming game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 2.
The Panthers have not lost to the Cardinals since 2013, but Kyler Murray is 2-0 against his old Oklahoma pal Baker Mayfield. One of those streaks will be coming to an end. Which one?
Andrew Heidemann
The Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers this Sunday…There is a lot of emotion behind those words.
The Cardinals are looking to beat the Panthers on Sunday but for them to accomplish this feat, they must correct some flaws from previous weeks. The offense has to get going early and the defense must play with some urgency. Big play from receivers and fast pass rush from the defense will be the keys to securing the win. Maybe some motivation from their past matchups with the Panthers will give them some extra fuel for Sunday’s game.
That being said, I think the Cardinals get back on track this week in a blowout win by a score of 38-17.
Robert Moore
The Cardinals will need to get on the right track with a dub against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. I do NOT expect receivers to have a poor performance like they had in week 3 against the Rams. Honestly, looking at that game the Cardinals had control of the game, holding down 1st downs, total plays, and time of possession. They just couldn’t score.
This time around, It will be different. Hopefully, they get Darrel Williams more involved in the run game and James Conner bulldozing it in for 1st downs and TDs. This will open up the pass, all the receivers have to do is make sure to do their jobs and catch the ball. Currently, it is uncertain whether running back Christian McCaffrey will play in this game. If he doesn’t that will definitely benefit the Cardinals as they continue to struggle defending the run.
As I stated before with my colleagues, this will be a battle between the unstoppable force versus the immovable object. Carolina has won 6 straight against the Cardinals, but Kyler Murray remains undefeated against Baker Mayfield in the NFL. Something has to give here and I believe it will be Carolina that folds.
31-20 Cardinals
Joseph Comeau
Arizona Cardinals fans don’t need to be reminded that the Panthers have had the Cardinals number dating back to 2015. No matter how poorly things seem to be going for the Panthers, or how well they seem to be going for the Cardinals, the Panthers have been a thorn in the Bird Gang’s side.
I’m not prone to superstition, and I don’t believe these kinds of streaks last forever. Both teams have struggled out the gate, with 1-2 records. Both teams have scored 62 points this season, though the Panthers have only allowed 59 points, compared to the 87 (oof!) given up by the Cardinals.
Both teams are led by a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who played one year of college football in the state of Texas (Murray at Texas A&M and Mayfield at Texas Tech), transferred to Oklahoma, and were selected first overall in the NFL draft. But despite these similarities, Kyler has had the better NFL career thus far and has bested Mayfield in both of their head-to-head matchups.
With Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey not practicing thus far in the week, it appears that Baker will be trying to best his fellow Sooner alumni without his most potent playmaker – a player who would be a matchup nightmare for the Cardinals’ struggling linebacker corps.
When the last seconds run off the clock, I think the Cardinals will come away with the win.
27-17 Cardinals
Jackie Samaniego
The Cardinals need to get right fast and they have an opportunity this week with Carolina. Now, the last 6 matchups have not gone in favor of the red birds but this is a new season and there’s a new QB at the helm for the Panthers. OU alumni Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield will face off for the third time, a matchup that Kyler has won both times. The Panthers may be without their star running back Christian McCaffrey. Even if McCaffrey does play, he may not be at 100%. On the flipside, WR Rondale Moore is practicing, which is a good sign he may play Sunday.
Last week’s loss against the Rams should be an eye-opener to the team. You can’t expect to win games if you don’t start fast and adjust when needed. If they can learn and build off of last week, they can come out swinging against Carolina. Weather could be a cause for concern, however, last year the Cardinals were able to beat the Bears in rainy conditions.
All good things must come to an end at some point right? The winning streak Carolina has against the Cardinals will end Sunday.
Cardinals 17-6
Kyler Burd
I have been the dissenting voice in this group for the first three weeks of the season, but I am finally ready to declare in favor of the Arizona Cardinals.
On paper, the Cardinals are the superior team even with the long list of injuries facing the squad yet again this week. Christian McCaffrey’s availability could have an outsized impact on this matchup. If the Cardinals have a week to not worry about the running game as much it would be nice to happen this week when Rashard Lawrence is out of the lineup.
Hopefully, Rondale Moore can return in some capacity and provide a spark at wide receiver. Particularly since A.J. Green looks to be a scratch for Week 4, and possibly beyond.
Zach Allen has gotten positive attention for his pass rush win rate and now would be a great opportunity for those to start turning into sacks. If Allen takes that next step in his level of play and JJ Watt stays healthy, the Cardinals might turn into a team that wins through interior pressure as the outside linebackers have been disappointing this season in that regard.
The Cardinals really should be able to win this one, and quite easily. If we see another slow, embarrassing offensive performance more serious conversations need to be had about this coaching staff.
Cardinals 32-17
Mark Jackson
The Cardinals need to get to a fast start, but the Panthers have owned us for the last few years. I think that this Sunday’s game is going to be a wet and wild day. I don’t think it will still be raining, but they are going to have a slippery and soggy field to play on. With that, the passing game will be difficult to be accurate, and the running will be slick. I expect a ton of turnovers from both teams.
The special teams are not going to be any better. Prater is a bit nicked up, and the wet field is going to make kicking less than ideal. I’m expecting missed field goals and extra points.
All in all, it’s going to be a nasty game, and it could go either way. With the weather, injuries, and Kliff’s play calling lately, I think the Panthers are going to win the game. I don’t see Kliff having a job after this year.
Panthers 27, Cardinals 9
Marcos Labrada
This is the litmus test for this coaching staff and players. We are in for a “normal” game where the Cardinals will win the game they need to win. 1-3 no matter how you view it whether close loss or tie, is the line that will be drawn for this fanbase. It’s no more excuses; we cannot win this game with the same scheme on both sides of the ball. I want to be wrong in my prediction so badly.
Offense: use motion and give different looks, at least run the ball more often under center.
Defense: stop the run, teams can scheme that, and play Simmons in the box.
31-10 Panthers
