NFL Wildcard<\/strong> Round action sees the Arizona Cardinals<\/strong> taking on the Carolina Panthers<\/strong> on Saturday, January 3 at Bank of America Stadium. Cappers Picks provides free *NFL* handicapping tips all season long.<\/p>\n The Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers certainly took different paths to arrive in the 2014-2015 NFL playoffs but both teams are here, ready to make a magical run at a possible championship.<\/p>\n Arizona Cardinals<\/a> (11-5)vs. Carolina Panthers<\/a> (7-8-1) <\/strong> Click here to view… NFL ATS Stats<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0*NFL Gambling Insight!*<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n For the Cardinals it was a hot start that allowed them to sneak into the playoffs \u2013 for Carolina it was a terrific stretch drive that got them in. Can Arizona overcome the almost unfair injury situation or will the Carolina momentum be the catalyst for the Panthers to move on?<\/p>\n It has yet to be determined who will start at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday \u2013 Ryan Lindley or Drew Stanton.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63753&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Early indications are that Lindley will start \u2013 looking for his first win of the season! He has guided the Cardinals the last two weeks after Carson Palmer\u2019s replacement Drew Stanton went down with injury. In those games the Cards have been outscored 55-23.<\/p>\n That said Lindley looked OK in Week 17 against the 49ers \u2013 he threw for 316 yards and two TDs \u2013 but he was picked off three times. Lindley will be up against a Carolina defense that has come on late in the season \u2013 they have at least one interception in their last five games. Lindley will also have to contend with defending defensive player of the year \u2013 Luke Keuchly who is a handful to say the least.<\/p>\n At least the Cardinals have a running game \u2013 right? Wrong \u2013 Arizona will be forced to go with two underwhelming backs on Saturday. Stephan Logan has been OK and Kerwynn Williams was on the practice squad a month ago. Both backs will be a longshot to duplicate what Andre Ellington did for this club.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Carolina\u2019s run defense has been bad however \u2013 they shut down Atlanta last week (ho-hum) but were gashed three weeks ago to the tune of 151 yards by a terrible Buccaneers running game.<\/p>\n Defensively the Cardinals defense has shown some cracks after establishing themselves as one of the best units in the game. Arizona run defense been seriously exposed to the tune of 473 yards the last two weeks! Not a good sign with the Panthers on the horizon. The team ranked 29th in the NFL against the pass this season as well allowing 259.5 yards per game.<\/p>\n The Carolina Panthers enter this week on a four game win streak and as the only sub .500 team to ever qualify for the playoffs. It doesn\u2019t matter how they got here \u2013 the fact that they are playing their best football of the season should be of concern to the Cards and the rest of the NFC.<\/p>\n The rebirth of Cam Newton and the rediscovery of a dormant running game has been the difference ion Carolina. Jonathan Stewart was the best back in terms of yardage the last five weeks of the season and he averaged 4.7 yards per carry this year. Cam Newton has also found his rushing legs \u2013 he has run for 197 yards the last three weeks and has scored three TDs on the ground! The Panthers are going to run the ball \u2013 the trick is to pick which player will get the rock and to stop them.<\/p>\n Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen should be able to exploit a sketchy Cardinals pass defense. These two haven\u2019t had to do much the last few weeks \u2013 a perfect formula for Carolina success.<\/p>\n The Panthers defense has also emerged after being one of the worst units in the game all season long. They held Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and company to three points last week in Atlanta. They had six sacks and two interceptions in that game.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63752&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Carolina has been getting to the quarterback and has been forcing turnovers during their four game win streak \u2013 a scary proposition for Ryan Lindley and company.<\/p>\n \u2022 ARI are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games on grass. The Cardinals have lost three of their last four road games and will likely be in tough here too. All of the arrows are pointing up for Carolina while the majority of the arrows are pointing down for the Cards.<\/p>\n Arizona has been a nice story but NO team should have to deal with the injuries that they have this year.<\/p>\n\n
NFL Wildcard Round Betting Lines<\/h3>\n
\n When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 3, 2015<\/strong>
\n Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina<\/strong>
\n Broadcast: ESPN<\/strong>
\n Cardinals NFL Betting Odds: +5\u00bd -110 +220<\/strong>
\n Panthers NFL Betting Odds: -5\u00bd -110 -260<\/strong>
\n Wildcard Over\/Under Betting Odds: 38<\/strong>
\n***2015 BONUSES***<\/a><\/strong>
\n [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p>\nCardinals<\/h3>\n
Panthers<\/h3>\n
NFL Wildcard Round Betting Trends<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 ARI are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Sat. games.
\n\u2022 ARI are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 vs. NFC.
\n\u2022 Over is 7-2 in CAR last 9 Sat. games.
\n\u2022 Under is 14-5 in CAR last 19 vs. NFC.
\n\u2022 Under is 19-7 in CAR last 26 games on grass.<\/p>\n4* NFL Wildcard Round Betting Prediction:<\/h3>\n