CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- The Arizona Cardinals spent the week devising ways to slow dynamic running back DeAngelo Williams, speedy receiver Steve Smith and disruptive defensive end Julius Peppers.
But perhaps the biggest obstacle the Cardinals face in today's NFC divisional playoff game against the Carolina Panthers is not player matchups, but location. They're returning to that dreaded place on the map, the abyss of the franchise for years: the Eastern time zone.
The Cardinals are 0-5 in the East this year and 2-19 since 2003. It's where their defense turns to mush, mistakes pile up and they play the role of homecoming opponent.
A week after winning their first home playoff game in 51 years, the Cardinals venture to Bank of America Stadium -- where Carolina went 8-0 during the regular season -- to try to end their road hex and win consecutive playoff games for the first time in franchise history.
"That jubilation that you felt after that win last week, I mean it's indescribable -- and that was only a first-round win," Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald said of the 30-24 victory over the Falcons in front of the Arizona fans. "I can't imagine winning this game or to win the Super Bowl, I just can't imagine how intense that would feel."
Despite their West Coast bias, the Cardinals (10-7) said they're confident heading to Charlotte. The Cardinals came close to winning there in October.
Behind quarterback Kurt Warner and his band of dominant receivers, Arizona led 17-3 in the third quarter. But then came the miscues. Turnovers, missed tackles and Smith's 65-yard touchdown catch put Carolina ahead to stay in a 27-23 win despite Warner's 381 yards passing.
"We were able to move the ball up and down the field, kind of shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers in the red zone," said receiver Anquan Boldin, who had two touchdown catches. "But other than that, I think we did what we wanted to."
The Panthers (12-4) enter their first home playoff game in five years as a 10-point favorite.
"Guys are focused, and they realize what's at stake," Panthers safety Chris Harris said.
Expect Carolina to try to quickly establish its potent ground game to keep the rejuvenated Warner and his receivers off the field. Williams, who set a team record with 1,515 yards rushing and led the league with 18 touchdowns rushing, went for 108 yards and a score in the first meeting with Arizona.
Trying to improve their chances 2,100 miles from home, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt decided to have the team fly to Charlotte Friday instead of the customary two days before the game. Might as well try anything when you've been outscored 202-102 in five games in the Eastern time zone.
"We know it's going to be difficult coming into Carolina just as it was difficult for Atlanta to come into our home stadium," said Whisenhunt, a Richmond Academy and Georgia Tech grad. "Hopefully that will help prepare us to come out and play well."
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