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Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers NFL Picks & Odds

Written October 23, 2008 by Jason Lowry

Editors Note: Professional handicapper Jason Lowry has a big time play going on this game this weekend, so get over and get his weekly NFL package today!

Week 8 action in the NFL has the NFC South leading Carolina Panthers (5-2) hosting the NFC West leading Arizona Cardinals (4-2). The Cardinals come in on a two game winning streak over the Bills and Cowboys, and had a much needed bye week last week, while the Panthers are coming off a 30-7 win over the Saints. The oddsmakers have the Panthers as 4 point favorites over the Cardinals in this one at Bookmaker.com

Arizona in their last game before the bye week and their game against the Bills were both some pretty nice offensive performances from the quarterback combo of Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald. In the last two games Warner has thrown for 486 yards and 4 scores, with 3 of those touchdown passes going to Fitzgerald who has piled over 130 yards during that time. The real nice surprise to the offense has been the play of receiver Steve Breaston in the absence of Anqin Boldin, as Breaston led the way with 8 catches and 102 yards and a score. The running game hasn’t been the best, but Tim Hightower has really came on to be one of the best short yardage backs in the NFL.

Surprising the Cardinals defense has played pretty well. After holding the Bills to just 17 points and taking out Trent Edwards, they responded by keeping the Cowboys in check and managed to hurt Tony Romo as well. If the Cardinals can continue to get pressure on the quarterback, and keep teams from making the big plays against them, they will not only wind up taking home the NFC West they will be a serious contender when the postseason rolls around. Bet Cardinals +4 at Bookmaker.com

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The Panthers on the other hand really showed just how good this team can be on the home, as they improved 4-0 in their home stadium last week when they crushed the Saints. The Panthers are doing it on both offense and defense, but you have to like how the offense looked against the Saints, as Jake Delhomme threw for 195 yards and 2 scores with 122 of those yards going to star receiver Steve Smith who also had one of Delhomme’s touchdown passes. The Panthers also got a heck of a performance out of their two running backs as rookie Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams combined for 134 yards and a score. Look for the Panthers to again work the run this week, and take their shots deep with Smith.

Another reason for the Panthers great success at home is just how good the defense is playing, as they have given up just 34 points at home, and have really shut down the opposing teams run game with the outstanding play of Julius Peppers who once again looks like an elite player. Last week the Panthers shut down the Saints rushing attack, as they allowed Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister to combine for just 102 yards on the ground. While the Cardinals won’t be running it all that often, if they handle Warner like they did with Brees last week, it could wind up being a long day for the Cardinals. Bet Panthers -4 at Bookmaker.com

With the odds always changing from when they first come out, make sure you get the latest football odds, and some of the best free football picks from Betfirms.

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