Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers travel to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals this week, offering fans a ridiculously cheap game at just $70 on average with a $9 get-in tag.
It’s no secret that the Panthers and Cardinals aren’t exactly world-beaters right now, but there’s also no denying that a $70 average price tag is highway robbery, especially when you consider it’s a whopping 39% cheaper than the average price of Cardinals tickets at home this year.
The easy explanation here is that Arizona is a soft 2-2 and the Panthers hold just one win. Judging by Carolina’s last game, however (a 38-0 blowout win over the Giants), this one may be bringing fans from both sides a whole lot more bang for their buck.
In fact, even if it ended up being an ugly defensive battle like the Cardinals’ narrow 13-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a week ago, fans would still be getting one of the better value buys of the week – if not the entire young season.
Both teams boast young, aggressive defenses, while both offenses have questions marks. So, the question is, which side breaks first?
Luke Kuechly and company should have little trouble stifling a lethargic Arizona rush offense that has struggled to get going through four weeks. That means even more pressure than usual on Carson Palmer and his sketchy pass protection.
With the Panthers’ defense coming full force, Palmer will have to be error free, get the ball out quickly, and do better than just slip into tunnel vision with Larry Fitzgerald.
On the other side, Carolina, while finding decent success running the ball with DeAngelo Williams, should also be forced to pass. After the Cardinals completely shut down Doug Martin last week, it’s likely this game will produce more yardage and scores through the air than anywhere else. That should mean Cam Newton going deep to Steve Smith more than in any other game so far this year, and whether or not star corner Patrick Peterson is up to that challenge or not (two picks last week) could be the difference in the game.
All we know for sure is that these teams are evenly matched and that anyone going to this game is in for a heck of a discount.
