The Arizona Cardinals look like they're going to catch a break on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. They won't really have to battle the elements in what should be a nice, yet nippy night in Charlotte, but they're still going to have their work cut out for them going against the Carolina Panthers and their MVP quarterback, Cam Newton.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arizona Cardinals +3
Carolina Panthers -3
Over/Under 47
ODDS ANALYSIS
These two teams couldn't be much closer to one another than they are at the moment, as home field advantage is the only thing separating them. Live bettors will have to be aware of the fact that the team which is behind at any given time is very likely to be the one which is asked to do the scoring to catch up in live wagering.
The total opened up at 47 and came up almost immediately to 48, something that's worth watching as the week wears on. Points are expected to be aplenty in the NFC Championship Game.
WHEN THE ARIZONA CARDINALS HAVE THE BALL
When you go back and look at the statistics from last week's game, it'll suggest that Carson Palmer had a whale of a game. He threw for 349 yards and three TDs against two picks, though those numbers don't really tell the whole story. For the most part, Palmer couldn't hit the backside of a barn in the second half, and his two touchdowns were courtesy of a fluke pass which was intended for a different receiver and landed in the hands of Michael Floyd, and a big catch and run by Larry Fitzgerald.
However, it isn't an accident that these receivers bailed out Palmer on the day. Floyd, Fitzgerald and John Brown are all quite good, and they're sure to have a big impact on this game even going against Josh Norman and the excellent Carolina corners.
The Panthers have to be really careful in live betting in this game. Their defense wore down last week after going up 31-0 over Seattle, and in the end, they had to recover an onside kick just to preserve a 31-24 victory. For as talented as this unit is with a Pro Bowler at every level of the defense, this isn't a particularly deep unit, and Arizona could take advantage if it can stay on the field for the majority of this game.
WHEN THE CAROLINA PANTHERS HAVE THE BALL
The Panthers are only going to go as far as Newton takes them. He didn't have to do a lot against Seattle, going just 16-of-22 for 161 yards and a TD. Those are still awesome passing numbers, especially when you consider the fact that Jonathan Stewart was able to go over 100 yards on the ground against the league's best rush defense.
The Cardinals are surprisingly stout against the run, but they're going to have a tough time containing Newton when he gets outside the tackle box. There isn't a more dangerous man in the league than Newton, and he's willing and able to get off and run from anywhere on the field. What really impresses us though, is the zip on the football he's got. Go back and watch that touchdown pass to Greg Olsen in the second quarter. Newton makes one of those throws like that every single game, and if he can put ball after ball on the money, the Cardinals are going to be in trouble in live betting.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The NFC Championship Game matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will take place Sunday, January 24, 2016, at 6:40 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium. The game will be televised on FOX.
