NFL NFC Divisional Round Preview: Arizona at Carolina

Will the Arizona Cardinals keep running the ball? (AP Images)"]

That’s the big question for Saturday night’s NFC Divisional Round matchup between the Cards (10-7 SU and ATS) and the Carolina Panthers (12-4 SU, 9-6-1 ATS).

Arizona has unleashed RB Edgerrin James for 173 yards rushing over the past two contests, both in victory; Carolina has a poor run defense that allows nearly 120 yards per game on the ground.

The last time these two teams met in Charlotte, the Panthers (-5) held James to 17 yards on seven carries in a 27-23 Week 8 win. Arizona still got paid; now Carolina is a 10-point chalk (-105) for the rematch. The ”˜Cats are going to need more than just solid run defense to cover on Saturday. Perhaps the best news for Carolina supporters is that Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring) is only expected to play on a “limited” basis if at all.