NFL Playoffs: Keys To The 4 Wildcard Games
By Bryce Olin
Arizona Cardinals (11-5) @ Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)
Key to the game: QB Ryan Lindley, Arizona Cardinals
Although the Carolina Panthers made the playoffs and won their division, they are not a good football team by any stretch of the imagination.
The Panthers offense has played better in recent weeks, putting up performances of 41 points and 34 points in two of the last four weeks. Plus, Carolina finally has a healthy Cam Newton, and that should make a little bit of a difference.
Even with the Panthers playing better on offense, they haven’t faced a defense like Arizona’s since they played the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8 and scored nine points in the game. The Cardinals are only allowing 18.7 points per game, the fifth-best mark in the game. I highly doubt Carolina will be able to put up more than 19 points against the Cardinals, if Arizona’s offense doesn’t turn the ball over multiple times.
That’s where Ryan Lindley comes in.
The Cardinals quarterback has had a rough season after taking over for Drew Stanton in Week 15. Lindley, however, played his best game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. In the game, Lindley completed 23-of-39 passes for 316 yards, two touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions, but at least Lindley took some chances down the field and gave his receivers chances to make plays.
Carolina has a decent pass defense, and they’re ranked 11th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (227.8). They’re not quite as good as San Francisco, so Lindley should be able to make some plays and, hopefully, limit his turnovers.
It’s all going to come down to Lindley in this game. If he can step up and get the ball to his playmakers, like Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown, the Cardinals will win the game. If not, a team with a losing record will be two wins away from the Super Bowl.
Woof.