CAROLINA (2-14) At ARIZONA (5-11)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m., Fox
OPENING LINE — Cardinals by 3
2010 RECORD VS. SPREAD — Carolina 4-12; Arizona 5-11
SERIES RECORD — Panthers lead 8-2
LAST MEETING — Panthers beat Cardinals 19-12, Dec. 9, 2010
PANTHERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (32), RUSH (13), PASS (32)
PANTHERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (18), RUSH (23), PASS (11)
CARDINALS OFFENSE — OVERALL (31), RUSH (32), PASS (31)
CARDINALS DEFENSE — OVERALL (29), RUSH (30), PASS (23)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — New Panthers coach Ron Rivera interviewed for Cardinals job that went to Ken Whisenhunt in 2007. ... Panthers WR Steve Smith needs 77 catches and 372 yards receiving to pass Muhsin Muhammad as franchise leader in both categories. ... Carolina CB Chris Gamble one interception shy of Eric Davis' franchise record of 25. ... Cardinals and Panthers have played each other each season since 2007. ... Arizona won at Carolina 33-13 in second round of playoffs en route to Super Bowl in 2008 season. ... TE Jeff King, now with Arizona, caught 16-yard pass from Jimmy Clausen for Carolina's only TD in Panthers' 19-12 win over Cardinals last season. ... QB Cam Newton completed 42 percent of passes in preseason for 300 yards and TD with no interceptions. He rushed for 86 yards and TD in nine carries. ... Cardinals and Panthers were two worst offenses in NFL last season, averaging 269.3 and 258.4 yards, respectively. ... Cardinals open at home for only third time since franchise moved to Arizona in 1986. That doesn't count 2001 season, when opener at Washington was postponed due to 9-11 attacks and team played at home following week. ... Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina's Smith are second and fourth, respectively, in yards receiving in NFL since 2005. ... Cardinals' starting lineup has 10 players who didn't start last year's opener, seven on offense. ... Arizona's 403.3 ypg were most of any team in preseason. ... Cardinals play only four teams that had winning records last season — Giants, Steelers, Eagles and Ravens.
