NFL 2010 Week 15 – Preview:
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers
Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback John Skelton's solid performance in his first NFL start seems to have got him another one this week.
It seems that Carolina Panthers will have to stick with their struggling rookie QB.
Carolina’s coach John Fox has said that Jimmy Clausen will definitely play when his league-worst club hosts Skelton and the Arizona on 19th of December.
Cardinals’ coach Ken Whisenhunt said on Monday that he is preparing to go with Skelton even if veteran Derek Anderson is cleared to return from a concussion.
"I think we'll stick with what our plan all along has been," Whisenhunt said, "and that's to play the best player, the player that gives us the best chance to win. I think right now that's
John Skelton."
With Derek Anderson and backup Max Hall injured, Whisenhunt turned to Skelton for last week's game against Denver Broncos.
The 5th round draft pick out of Fordham did not connect on his first 7 passes – 4 were dropped -- but ended 15 of 30 for 146 yards. More significantly, he did not have an interception
and was not sacked in the 43-13 rout for the Arizona (4-9).
In spite of being draft 107 spots ahead of Skelton, Clausen hasn't created that same enthusiasm this season for the Carolina (1-12), which has yet to win when he is played.
The 2nd round pick out of Notre Dame has not cracked 200 yards, has no touchdowns in 6 successive games and has been picked off in 5 of his 7 starts.
Clausen was 14 of 24 for 107 yards in last week's 31-10 loss to Atlanta Falcons and he has one TD and 7 interceptions. He apologized to Carolina’s linebacker Jon Beason for the offense's
act.
That led to an angry response from receiver Steve Smith.
In spite of those struggles and teammates' dissatisfaction, the beleaguered Fox said he did not see going to one more quarterback, even with his team on the verge of losing 8 in a row for
the first time since September 29 to November 24, 2002.
The immaturity under center could result in Fox and Whisenhunt relying more deeply on the ground game, as both teams has one of the worst rush defenses in the club.
Panthers’ ranking is 25th against the run at 132.6 yards per game and they allow at least 100 in 6 successive games. Cardinals’ rank is 30th at 143.3 yards and they have given up at least
110 in 5 consecutive games.
The Arizona allowed the Carolina to get 270 yards on the ground on 1st of November in a 34-21 home loss, and it is the 2nd highest running total in franchise history.
Panthers’ De Angelo Williams ran for a team-best 158 yards, but he is out with a foot injury.
Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson, though, combined for 203 of the Carolina's season-high 212 running yards last week.
The Arizona also had a tough speeding up performance and running back Tim Hightower got a career-high 148 yards for the Cardinals.
Panthers have made a league-low 164 points -- 61 less than the next-closest team. Carolina is winner of 6 continuous regular-season meetings with Cardinals.
The Arizona beat the Carolina 33-13 in the 2009 game on the way to their only Super Bowl appearance. Cardinals have lost 7 of 9 all-time meetings.
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