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| ATL at NO | CAR at ARI | CLE at CHI | DEN at BAL | HOU at BUF | JAX at TEN | MIA at NYJ | MIN at GB |
| NYG at PHI | OAK at SD | SEA at DAL | SF at IND | STL at DET | |||
Week 8 Game Recap: Carolina Panthers 34, Arizona Cardinals 21
Carolina Panthers
| QB Jake Delhomme, Pass: 7 - 14 - 90 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0 |
Delhomme finally looked good out there. For a while, at least. With the running game dominating the first half, all he had to be was efficient and he was. A perfect pass to Steve Smith for a touchdown was the highlight of his day, and playing with the lead, he wasn't asked to do much more. Delhomme suffered a chest injury of some sort in the third quarter. He appeared to be in considerable pain and took a series off before returning. Upon his return, his throwing accuracy was poor. It was difficult to tell if it was because of the injury or if he was reverting to the overall inconsistent play he has shown thus far this season. He was taken out of the game for good with ten minutes remaining.
| QB Matt Moore, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0 |
Moore came in for one series while Delhomme was hurt. It was only for two plays, but he took a chance on a deep pass to the tight end, but just overthrew him. Moore came back in with ten minutes to go, but did not attempt a pass.
| RB DeAngelo Williams, Rush: 23 - 158 - 0 |
Williams was able to find a lot of room on almost every carry. While the touchdowns don't fall strictly under the 'vulture' definition, Williams essentially set up both of Jonathan Stewart's touchdowns by getting most of the carries up to that point in the drive. The two backs are not used in a strict rotation, but they spell each other often, and as a result are always fresh and running hard. As was the case this game, the Carolina running game is so dominant that both can be productive, but it's a coin toss as to who will score on any given game day.
| RB Jonathan Stewart, Rush: 17 - 87 - 2 |
Stewart scored two touchdown's on consecutive carries and nearly matched Deangelo Williams 23 carries, with 17 of his own. Stewart is at his best when bursting through the middle. On a couple of occasions, it took numerous defenders to take him down. He also showed he has speed to burn as well, as on his second touchdown, he bounced off a clogged interior line and ran outside for 10 yard score.
| RB Brad Hoover, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets) |
Hoover was carted off the field with an ankle injuries and was on crutches after the game. Hoover's blocking from the fullback position is a big reason why the Panthers run game is so successful. If he misses any time, this could impact the effectiveness of Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
| WR Steve Smith, Rush: 1 - 17 - 0, Rec: 3 - 56 - 1 (7 targets) |
Smith doesn't appear to have lost anything but opportunity. He got open for a 56 yard catch and run that marked first TD of the season. He also gained 17 yards on a rare scamper out of the backfield.
| WR Dwayne Jarrett, Rec: 2 - 22 - 0 (2 targets) |
Jarrett filled in for the injured Muhsin Muhammad. He proved to be a reliable target early on, but was only thrown to twice, and not at all in the second half.
| TE Jeff King, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets) |
King had one catch early, but did not factor into the passing game after that.
| TE Gary Barnidge, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (4 targets) |
Barnidge was thrown to more than the other tight end, Jeff King, but neither was a good option in the passing game. Barnidge did get open deep for the second straight game, but he was overthrown on the play.
Arizona Cardinals
| QB Kurt Warner, Pass: 27 - 46 - 242 - 2 TD / 5 INT, Rush: 1 - 8 - 0 |
Warner equalled his career worst total of 5 interceptions. Throughout the game, he was unable to get the ball in the hands of his most dangerous weapon -- Larry Fitzgerald -- and when he was able to, it was most often for a short gain. Warner was able to move the ball effectively at times, but had the most success with the most unlikely receivers. It was when he went downfield for more yardage, to his more explosive receivers, that he got into trouble. Not all the picks were his fault, but he did get frustrated and began forcing throws into coverage, even when he had good protection. Playing from behind in the second half, Warner moved the ball well, but not easily.
| RB Tim Hightower, Rush: 8 - 39 - 1, Rec: 8 - 57 - 0 (10 targets) |
Hightower is a slow-and-steady type of producer and was a big part of the game plan. He had three goal line carries, including a touchdown and another that came up just short. Hightower also was used heavily as a receiver out of the backfield and caught almost everything thrown to him.
| RB Chris Wells, Rush: 8 - 47 - 0 (1 targets) |
Wells played the hare to Hightower's tortoise. He is faster, and a very elusive runner, but sometimes a little too elusive. Defenders would often catch up to him as he tried to make a move, instead of simply gaining the extra yard or two that is there for him. He looked impressive on most of his carries, but his fantasy value will remain limited as long as Hightower continues to be productive.
| RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, Rec: 1 - 14 - 1 (2 targets) |
Stephens-Howling was a threat as a kick returner, and caught a touchdown pass on a play that was clearly designed to get him the ball. It doesn't look like the Cardinals are playing him on offense more than the occasional snap, but he came through when called upon.
| WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rec: 6 - 66 - 0 (10 targets) |
Fitzgerald got his looks, but had a lot of trouble getting open, especially on deeper routes. Kurt Warner resorted to finding him on shorter patterns, and the fact that the Panthers effectively took that element out of the Cardinals game plan clearly hampered the entire offense.
| WR Steve Breaston, Rec: 6 - 57 - 0 (8 targets) |
Breaston was targeted more after Boldin left the game in the second half. Breaston had one pass called down at the goal line, and proved to be a good option over the middle. Normally he is a deep option for Warner as well, but no Cardinal succeeded against the Panthers in that department.
| WR Anquan Boldin, Rec: 3 - 23 - 0 (6 targets) |
Boldin was ineffective as a possession target on short and mid-range routes. It is likely that his lingering ankle injury contributed to his poor showing. He aggravated it in the second half and his status for next week is up in the air.
| WR Sean Morey |
Morey caught one pass for 31 yards, but it was called back on a penalty. He is only worth tracking if Boldin is out for any period of time, as he would move up the depth chart temporarily. The Cardinals play a 4-WR set so often that even as the fourth receiver, he would see the field often.
| WR Jerheme Urban (3 targets) |
Urban got occasional looks, but his role did not seem to expand after Boldin left the game. He bobbled a pass that ended up being one of Warner's five interceptions.
| TE Ben Patrick, Rec: 2 - 18 - 1 (3 targets) |
Patrick caught a TD on a designed play that took advantage of a short yardage defense, but he is not threatening to redefine the TE position in Arizona.
| TE Anthony Becht, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets) |
He was only thrown to once, but it was for a big third down conversion that he bobbled and had to make a diving catch to haul in.