This should be the more intriguing of the two games this weekend strictly from a matchup standpoint. These are the two best and most consistent teams of the season. Neither team has a glaring weakness on either side of the ball. The way these offenses matchup against the defense is what makes this game truly interesting. Both offenses have the personnel to exploit the defenses greatest weakness, even if that weakness isn’t all that great. We will get to see the likely league MVP against the potential runner up.

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Sunday, January 24, 2016 6:40 pm FOX

Quarterbacks
The Divisional Round had to terrify Cardinals fans. Carson Palmer looked like same Carson Palmer we all remember and feared he may turn into in the playoffs. The same guy that had never won a playoff game, threw 20 interceptions on three occasions and has twice failed to throw more touchdowns than interceptions in a season. While he’s been nothing short of spectacular in 2015, he did not look good at all last week. He was completely bailed out by Green Bay’s inability to pick the ball off when it hit their hands. Palmer looked both anxious and off point. Hopefully with his first playoff win under his belt, his nerves will be calmed down this week and he’ll look more like the player we were impressed by this season.

Conversely, Cam Newton looked loose as he always does. The fact that they were up big almost immediately, mostly due to Jonathan Stewart and their defense, didn’t hurt either. Still, you really can’t hold that against him, he played as well as he needed to. Newton completed 72.7 percent of his passes, made plays when he had to and limited his mistakes. I feel much more confident in Super Man than Torn ACL Man right now.
Edge: Panthers

Running Backs
The Panthers clearly have the better rushing attack thanks to Newton, no one is debating that. Before you tell me the Panthers have the No. 2 ranked rushing offense and say I’m an idiot, I know the Panthers’ overall running game is far superior. However, strictly based on the running backs, I believe David Johnson is currently the best in this game. If only Andre Ellington could stay healthy. With that said, I still might take them over Stewart and Cameron Artis-Payne. There is an X-factor though and it’s Mike Tolbert. He is deceptively quick with great hands and excellent on the goal line. Tolly Tolb, the original TD vulture, slightly gives the Panthers the edge.
Edge: Panthers

Pass-Catchers
This one isn’t all that necessary to go in depth on. As great of a tight end Greg Olsen has been this year, the WR corps comparison is just so lopsided. It’s Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and John Brown compared to Ted Ginn, Devin Funchess and Philly Brown. It doesn’t take an expert to figure this one out. Ginn is the Panthers best wideout by a large margin and lacks any versatility and has terrible hands. Fitz on the other hand is a future Hall of Famer with one of the greatest sets of hands ever and is an elite route runner. Funchess and Philly Brown aren’t any closer to Floyd and John Brown. That’s why the Cards’ passing attack is ranked second in the league and the Panthers 24th.
Edge: Cardinals

Defense
Both defenses are tremendous and can make game changing plays. Nonetheless, both can also be exploited in this game. The Cardinals are loaded with playmakers, despite the loss of the Honey badger, which is a major loss. However, with the exception of Calais Campbell, their defensive line isn’t stocked with top-end talent. The Panthers offensive line and punishing ground attack should be able to move the ball and punish the Cards’ defensive front.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers have a fantastic front seven, playmaking safeties and arguably the best cornerback in the NFL this season. However, the way to exploit the Panthers defense is by having multiple options at wideout to take advantage of their corners not named Josh Norman. The Panthers have lost their CB2 (Charles Tillman) and CB3 (Bene Benwikere) to injury and signed Cortland Finnegan out of retirement. Finnegan hasn’t been terrible but is well past his prime. The Cardinals have an elite WR corps, which could thoroughly benefit them in this game. It will be intriguing to watch how these defenses play against very tough matchups. This is almost a push. The loss of Tyrann Mathieu is bigger than the loss of Tillman, though.
Edge: Panthers

Final Score
Arizona: 20
Carolina: 28

Best Play
Cardinals: Michael Floyd
Panthers: Cam Newton

Sleeper
Devin Funchess