With a trip to Super Bowl 50 hanging in the balance, the Cardinals’ biggest stars imploded in their postseason rematch with the Panthers, ending in a 49-15 loss.
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Is that the Lightening Bolt Cam Newton and the Panthers were doing on the sideline in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on January 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina?.
Even before the Panthers finished off the Arizona Cardinals yesterday the sports books were setting the odds. The initial line favored Carolina by 5 ½ points, and was quickly bet down to 4 points. The 49 points were the most for an NFC title game victor. “Our pen has a lot more ink left”.
Last week the fast-starting Panthers raced to a 31-0 lead by intermission against the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round before holding on for a 31-24 victory.
Palmer, pressured continually by the Carolina pass rush, threw four interceptions and fumbled twice to provide the Panthers with six turnovers.
Arizona looked set to cut the Carolina advantage before halftime after Peterson intercepted an overthrown Newton pass and ran it back 72 yards.
Peyton Manning is back in the Super Bowl.
Newton was fearless against the Cardinals’ talented secondary, throwing for 335 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for two more scores.
He also became the first QB in team history with two 4,000-yard passing seasons. He also had 52 yards on two receptions. “My team knew it was personal”. The last time a team scored as many in a conference title game was 1990: Buffalo 51, the Raiders 3 in the AFC.
Criticized for being too conservative against Green Bay, Palmer let it fly from the outset.
“The interceptions. I think the big one was right before the half”, said Cardinals coach Bruce Arians. Most recently, he spent five hours driving around Charlotte wearing a Dabbing Santa sweater, giving gifts to children in schools during the holiday season, according to People Magazine. His 32-yard punt return set up his darting, weaving 22-yard TD run. Newton fired a dart to Philly Brown. On both of his TD runs, he laid out the ball or himself to get into the end zone.
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On Arizona’s first play after Peterson’s muff, Palmer was sacked and fumbled.
