Last week during the Arizona Cardinals’ playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, a fan held up a sign that read “Finally, a cold day in hell”. After witnessing what happened in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday night, apparently the netherworld is a veritable winter wonderland.

The Cardinals not only beat the Carolina Panthers, but dominated them in a 33-13 thrashing that propels Arizona to the NFC Championship game next week against either the Philadelphia Eagles or the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.

It looked like it could have been a rout in the other direction when the Panthers took the opening kickoff and marched 50 yards in five plays, capped by Jonathan Stewart’s 9-yard run to make it 7-0 just 3 minutes into the ball game. It turns out that those would be the last points that Carolina would score for a while.

The Cardinals used a humongous first half by Larry Fitzgerald, who caught 6 balls for 151 yards before halftime. Fitzgerald’s performance was even more amazing considering his partner-in-crime, and fellow Pro Bowler, Anquan Boldin, didn’t suit up for Saturday’s contest because of a bum hamstring. Instead of being able to key on Fitz, the Panthers looked completely helpless in any efforts to cover him whatsoever. Fitzgerald’s 41-yard circus catch in double coverage on a 3rd down and one play set up the Cardinals’ first touchdown, and really set the tone that Arizona was here to play.

The defense was spectacular, intercepting 5 Jake Delhomme passes, and six turnovers overall. Antonio Smith’s sack, strip and recovery deep in Carolina territory set up the Cardinals’ second touchdown to make it 14-7, and from there, the rout was on.

For anyone who has followed this team for any length of time, this next question is going to sound surreal to you. Can the Arizona Cardinals win the NFC Championship and go to the Super Bowl? The answer may even be more strange–yes! Many people thought Ken Whisenhunt’s team had turned in their best effort last week in the win against Atlanta. Tonight’s win was a complete effort featuring a solid running game, big plays in the passing game, and a tremendous all-around defensive effort. If the Cardinals can play like that next week, the opponent and location are immaterial. We’ll be previewing the Arizona Cardinals going to the Super Bowl.

Yep, I just pinched myself. This is real.

Here’s what others are saying about the Cardinals’ playoff win over Carolina…

• Cardinals earn NFC Championship Game berth with rout of Panthers [NFL.com]
• Cardinals conquer demons, history [AZCentral]
• Cardinals roll as Jake throws 5 picks [Charlotte Observer]

January 10th, 2009 10:38 PM

Subscribe to your favorite Phoenix team or sport or Follow us on Twitter.