Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers: Preview, prediction

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass against Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Rodney Gunter (95) during the third quarter in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on the Carolina Panthers

The Arizona Cardinals head back east for an early-window game on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals lost the NFC Championship game 49-15 back in January to send the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.

What: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

When: 10:00 a.m. Arizona time (1:00 p.m. ET)

TV: Fox Sports (Sam Rosen, Daryl Johnston)

Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley)

It is a game many Cardinals fans wish to forget. Very little went right for the Cardinals that cold evening in Charlotte. The Cardinals offense made numerous mistakes, including a forgetful day by quarterback Carson Palmer.

Fast forward nine months later and you are looking at two underachieving teams. The Cardinals are 3-3-1 after a tie with the Seattle Seahawks last week. The Panthers are 1-5 and coming off their bye week. The Cardinals will have their bye week next Sunday.

Both teams have had their injury struggles but also seem to both be playing at a level lower than they did last season for whatever reason. A win by either of these teams on Sunday could jump start them for a playoff run in the second-half of the season.

After both Palmer and Panthers starting quarterback Cam Newton suffered concussions recently, both have returned to action. Palmer was on the Cardinals injury report this week with what is listed as a hamstring injury. He should play on Sunday.

A loss on Sunday could do serous damage to both teams as far as the playoffs are concerned. Nothing is set in stone, but a loss could be more serious to the Panthers chances. A loss drops them to 1-6 with losses already on the books to all three NFC South divisional opponents.

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) and defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) during the second quarter in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

As for the Cardinals, a loss would likely seal the deal as far as the NFC West is concerned. A tie last week kept them in the discussion but did nothing to further their chances in overtaking the Seahawks.

It will be important for the Cardinals to erase last January out of their minds on Sunday for them to have any chance. The Panthers are hungry to get back into the race and are starting to get healthier.

The Cardinals will likely get receiver John Brown back on Sunday, so that is good news considering the loss of Jaron Brown for the season this past week with a torn ACL. The Cardinals will also need to rely on receiver Michael Floyd as the team and fans continue to wait for him to break out this season.

Don’t be surprised however if the Cardinals continue to feed the ball to running back David Johnson. He has counted for approximately 60 percent of the Cardinals offensive yardage so far this season.

Prediction: This one is a tough one to gauge. The Cardinals didn’t put the ball in the end zone last Sunday night and will be looking to do so early. However the Panthers defense knows this Cardinals offense well and they dominated them last January.

Look for both teams to maybe play a little tight early on but then start to let loose. This won’t be another 6-6 game nor will it be a 49-15 game either.

The Cardinals should come out with a victory knowing what a win could do to jump start their second half and leave them with a good taste going into the bye.

Cardinals 34 Panthers 23