CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The key to the Arizona Cardinals advancing in the playoffs could come down to their ability to slow athletic Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the running game.
Arizona’s defense has struggled against mobile quarterbacks the past two weeks.
Seattle’s Russell Wilson ran for 88 yards on six carries, and San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick had 63 yards on seven rushes to spearhead wins over Arizona. The Cardinals allowed a combined 473 yards rushing in those two losses.
Newton is well aware of the opportunity in front of him when the Panthers host the Cardinals on Saturday in an NFC wild-card game.
“Obviously it’s something that sticks out,” Newton said. “I know they will have some wrinkles in for me, and hopefully I will be able to dissect them and take what they give me. (But) I’m not going to go into this game thinking that I’m going to have 200-plus yards in the running game myself, because that’s not what it’s about. It’s about being productive and executing the game plan.”
Carolina’s running game has been in high gear in recent weeks, including a 194-yard performance during an NFC South title-clinching 34-3 pounding of the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.
Newton accounted for 51 yards rushing and a touchdown in that blowout.
