The Carolina Panthers playing the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday afternoon probably isn’t going to be the most-watched game of the NFL’s opening weekend. It should be a good indicator of where the two team’s are headed with their new quarterbacks this season, though.
Carolina and rookie quarterback Cam Newton will travel to Arizona in hopes of being a bit better than last season’s team, if nothing else, but a big game from the runningback duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart could make Panthers fans feel a bit more optimistic about the next 16 weeks. The Panthers defense might have its hands full in trying to end the team’s eight-game road losing streak, however.
The Cardinals brought in an upgrade at quarterback when they acquired former Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Kevin Kolb to throw to All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald, making the passing attack much more dangerous than last season’s Arizona hodgepodge of quarterbacks. The Cardinals’ may struggle running the ball, however, as Beanie Wells is the team’s only decent running back until newly-signed Chester Taylor gets acclimated to the offense.
Game Date/Time: September 11, 2011 at 4:15 p.m. ET
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona.
