Playoffs point spread: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

We continue our NFL divisional playoffs preview of the odds and point spread numbers with the second Saturday football game, Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers. The last time the Carolina Panthers (12-4) met the Arizona Cardinals (9-7) was at the end of October on the road, a game which was won by the Panthers 27-23. Carolina managed to secure the top spot on the NFC South table, a division proven tougher than anyone has expected this season. But the Arizona Cardinals entered the playoffs after a wildcard victory over the Panthers' rival, the Atlanta Falcons, following a 24-30 victory in front of home audience.

But according to the odds makers at the online sports betting website Bookmaker, that's exactly where the Cardinals playoff participation will end. At the sportsbook, the Arizona Cardinals are currently the playoffs' ultimate underdog, sitting on odds +355 to win the game on Saturday, while the Panthers are super-favorite with odds -425 to continue forth into the playoffs. The Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers point spread is at -9.5 points chalk the Panthers with the total posted by the bookie at 48.5 points, the highest total posted for this week's divisional playoff games. But once again, the bettors are taking the underdog due to the high point spread posted on the Cardinals vs. Panthers game - according to against the spread in its last 11 games at home.

Luckily for both NFL teams, not much is to be reported as far as injuries. At Arizona only wide receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Ben Patrick missed Thursday practice, while defensive end Travis LaBoy did a limited one, still nursing an ankle injury. And at Carolina, the two initially questionable defensive tackles - Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis - had a full Thursday practice and are considered fit to participate in the Cardinals vs. Panthers divisional playoff game on Saturday.

Published on 01/09/2009