NFC Championship Game 2016: 5 reasons the Carolina Panthers could beat the Arizona Cardinals

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) react in the third quarter in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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The Carolina Panthers (16-1) host the Arizona Cardinals (14-3) on Sunday at 6:40 ET. Here are a few reasons the Panthers could walk away with a victory at home.

This NFC Championship Game matchup is a surprise to no one, least of all the Carolina Panthers and their fans.

The Panthers cruised through the regular season at 15-1, and this is oddly more comforting than if they had gone 16-0. Had they been undefeated, the Panthers would have been the targets of scrutiny. They would have the added pressure of proving not only that they are champions, but champions who simply cannot be beaten. Now, they are simply a very strong team in a favorable position to reach the Super Bowl.

Outside of quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly, this was a team entering 2015 without nationally recognized players. Players like linebacker Thomas Davis, or running back Jonathan Stewart, or defensive tackle Kawann Short or cornerback Josh Norman all entered into the collective consciousness of NFL fans all across the country for the first time this season, and therefore their wild success at the time was a shock.

Now that they have beaten every team on their schedule – their lone loss was to their division opponent the Atlanta Falcons, who they also beat this year 38-0 – it’s clear that they would make it this far against the other obvious best team in the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals.

So, we take a look at why the Panthers could, and probably should, beat the Cardinals and advance to Super Bowl.

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