Cardinals vs. Panthers: Point Spread & Over-Under

(Getty)

(Getty)

NOTE: You can click here for updated odds and a prediction against the spread.

When the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers were taking part in last season’s ugly wild-card game, not many people thought they’d be playing for a trip to the Super Bowl a year later.

But here we are.

Larry Fitzgerald and the Cards squeaked past the Green Bay Packers in an overtime thriller, while the Panthers jumped out to a massive first-half lead against the Seattle Seahawks and held on to force a No. 1 vs. No. 2 NFC Conference Championship.

Here’s a very early look at the betting information:


Betting Info

Note: Odds courtesy of Pinnacle Sports.

Spread: Carolina (-3.5)

Over/Under: 47

Moneyline: Arizona (+156), Carolina (-173)


Early Preview

The Panthers won that wild-card matchup last year, but Carson Palmer wasn’t playing, and both teams are completely different now, so what happened in that one isn’t exactly an indication of what to expect here.

While Cam Newton is likely the NFL MVP, Arizona has more overall firepower on offense. David Johnson is a dual-threat dynamo who can score any time he touches the ball, while Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd make up one of the most talented wide receiver trios in the league.

However, Carson Palmer hasn’t played his best football down the stretch, and he struggled at times with some bad throws against Green Bay. Moreover, the Panthers defense is excellent, as they have All-Pro players at each level (Kawann Short, Luke Kuechly, Josh Norman) and finished second in the NFL in yards per play allowed (4.9).

This one’s going to be good.