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The Guardian - US
Sport
DJ Gallo

Arizona Cardinals 15-49 Carolina Panthers: NFC championship game – as it happened

Ted Ginn Jr
Ted Ginn Jr scores the opening touchdown of the game against the Cardinals. Photograph: Jason Getz/USA Today Sports

Good night from the Carolina Panthers:

Just a few.

The Panthers are NFC Champions!

Final score: Panthers 49-15 Cardinals. I’d love to say it was a good game, but it was not.

We’ll have Panthers-Broncos, CAM VS. PEYTON !!! in two weeks.

Thanks for following the live blog!

The Super Bowl will be played in Santa Clara, CA ... fairly convenient for this guy!

Whoa. Look at this IDIOT.

Panthers 49-15 Cardinals, 2:00, 4th quarter

The Panthers have the ball, so Carson Palmer hasn’t thrown an interception. In case you were waiting for the next Carson turnover update.

Palmer picked! Again!

4:30 left. And Palmer has thrown another interception. Really. This is not an accidental re-post.

A Panthers fan was so excited by that touchdown that he/she fell out of the stands:

Touchdown! Panthers 49-15 Cardinals, 5:11, 4th quarter

Carson Palmer and the Cardinals start their drive at the 13 ... and Palmer quickly ended it on the first play with a pick-six to Luke Kuechly.

This Carson Palmer performance will go down in bad history.

And the Cardinals hit a new low point in this game:

Touchdown! Panthers 42-15 Cardinals

Newton hits Devin Funchess on a slant for a 5-yard TD.

This game has not been very Funchess for the Cardinals. (I was trying for a pun that’s as bad as Arizona has been in this game. Really! Honest.)

Newton then hit Tolbert for a 2-point conversion because you don’t want the Cardinals to get within 27 points with just 5:26 left, obviously.

Panthers 34-15 Cardinals, 6:00, 4th quarter

Newton ran the ball to get the Panthers 1st and goal and then dabbed. (In case you’re worried I haven’t given you enough dabbing updates.)

Panthers 34-15 Cardinals, 9:30, 4th quarter

Panthers are down to Arizona’s 23 already after a 54-yard pass to Greg Olsen.

The 34-15 score is actually misleadingly close.

Another! Carson! Palmer! Interception!

11:38 left in the game, Palmer has his fourth turnover, this one forced deep into the end zone with two Panthers defenders on John Brown.

That’s the second pick by Kurt Coleman. And the disaster continues for Carson Palmer.

Updated

Panthers 34-15 Cardinals, 11:48, 4th quarter

Cardinals had 3rd and 10 at midfield after two near-INTs by Carson Palmer, but will now have a 1st down at the Carolina 44 thanks to defensive holding. Tick tick tick.

Panthers 34-15 Cardinals, 12:58, 4th quarter

Panthers go three-and-out and the Cardinals will get the ball back. Hey, there’s time!*

Cardinals will start at their own 36.

*sort of

“Every Sunday, Cam Newton sends hundreds of kids home sad and football-less.”

[Sarah McLachlan music kicks in]

Touchdown! Panthers 34-15 Cardinals

Carson Palmer found Darren Fells across the middle for a 21-yard TD. Then JJ Nelson took a handoff for a 2-point conversion ... Arizona’s first 2-point conversion attempt of the season. Hey, they’re 100% on the year!

“Toughest Call In Football”

End of the 3rd quarter! Panthers 34-7 Cardinals

The fourth quarter will start with Arizona facing a 2nd and 10 on Carolina’s 37 and a 27-point deficit.

Panthers 34-7 Cardinals, 1:10, 3rd quarter

Arizona has a first down out to their 35 on a catch by Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald dropped the pass just before that. Thankfully he redeemed himself, or someone was going to have to stop the fight.

Touchdown! Panthers 34-7.

On 3rd and 10 from the 23, Newton saw no one open and took on the Arizona defense himself and picked up a 1st down.

Then he ran it in from the 13 on the very next play, leaping into the endzone for extra style points.

The game is over.

Please feel free to stick around for whatever I put up in here for the next hour, though! Thanks!

In college he had Troy Smith!

Panthers 27-7 Cardinals, 4:15, 3rd quarter

Carolina is down to Arizona’s 40 after a 39-yard pass to Ted Ginn.

The crowd is as quiet as you’d expect it to be if this game was being played in Arizona. This game is so one-sided, the Panthers are boring their own fans.

The Cardinals need him back at quarterback now.

Panthers 27-7 Cardinals, 6:23, 3rd quarter

Arizona goes three-and-out after Fitzgerald drops a catchable ball on 3rd down. If Fitzgerald is dropping passes ... ooof.

Know hope? Know hope.

Field goal! Panthers 27-7 Cardinals.

Gano knocks one through from 21 yards. The Cardinals have 22:50 left to save their season. A point a minute and you’ll be fine, boys.

Panthers 24-7 Cardinals, 9:59, 3rd quarter

First and goal now after a 14-yard reception to Mike Tolbert. Watching Mike Tolbert run in open space is a delight, I don’t care who you’re rooting for.

Panthers 24-7 Cardinals, 12:07, 3rd quarter

The Panthers are already down to Arizona’s 28. Newton and Olsen just hooked up on a 29-yard pass. This drive is exactly what Arizona didn’t need. Well, this and not having the first half wiped from history.

Updated

The second half is underway!

Carolina opens with the ball and at their own 17.

Panthers LB Thomas Davis is now OUT for the rest of the game with a right arm injury.

Bruce Arians said Carson Palmer can’t make throws like he did in the first half. He’s only a 36-year old, 13-year veteran, Bruce. Give the man some time to develop.

The Panthers have a big lead, but it’s important they don’t call plays with their “butt tight” in the second half.

So are the Cardinals cursed? Maybe the Cardinals are cursed.

Halftime! Panthers 24-7

Arizona’s defense kept trying to turn the momentum late in the 2nd quarter and did it. Twice. But Carson Palmer would have none of it.

At the half, he’s 9-for-17 for 86 yards, an interception and two lost fumbles.

Yikes. Carson Palmer gives it right back.

With less than a minute left in the half and Arizona set up deep in Carolina territory after Patrick Peterson’s 72-yard return ... Palmer turns it over again with an awful pick into the end zone.

This has to be up there with the worst QB performances in conference title game history.

Turnover! This time by Cam Newton!

Patrick Peterson just picked off the passer.

Try to say that five times fast.

Turnover! Again. By Carson Palmer.

Palmer fumbled again. Carolina gets the ball with 1:47 left in the half at Arizona’s 31. Yikes.

I’m not a Panthers fan. I don’t intend to show bias. I don’t believe I’m showing any more bias than the scoreboard is. One team is playing well, the other is awful.

Oh, hey! Another Carson Palmer fumble!

Touchdown! Panthers 24-7!

Cam Newton took the snap, took two steps and leaped up over the line and extended the ball across the line.

I didn’t see if he dabbed after the score, however. I’m sorry for failing in my journalistic duties.

Two-minute warning!

Carolina is still at the 1-yard line on 3rd down after the wonderfully and effectively portly Mike Tolbert and Stewart got stopped on back-to-back runs. We’ll find out after the break exactly how big Arizona’s deficit will be at the half.

Updated

Panthers 17-7 Cardinals, 3:55, 2nd quarter

Back-to-back long runs by Johnathan Stewart puts Carolina at the 1-yard line. Peterson made the tackle at the 1, though! Progress!

Panthers 17-7 Cardinals, 4:38, 2nd quarter

On Carolina’s first play after the turnover, Patrick Peterson hold Ginn to give Carolina 5 more yards. Peterson is usually a playmaker, just not in this way.

TURNOVER! Arizona's Patrick Peterson muffed the punt catch.

Carolina gets the ball right back on Arizona’s 46.

Yes, muffed. It’s tough-guy football term.

Panthers 17-7 Cardinals, 5:54, 2nd quarter

And that’s a three-and-out for the Panthers. Newton missed a wide open Fozzy Whittaker down the right sideline.

Panthers 17-7 Cardinals, 5:28, 2nd quarter

Panthers will get the ball at the 20 after the kickoff sails through the end zone.

Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis is getting x-rays on his right forearm after Fells slammed into him on the TE’s reception last drive. Momentum is heading the direction of the tiny, red songbirds.

Touchdown! Panthers 17-7 Cardinals!

David Johnson plunges through the middle to finish off a 10-play, 79-yard drive. Johnson now has 58 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Game on! Great news for liveblog traffic!

Panthers 17-0 Cardinals, 7:28, 2nd quarter

Another Arizona first down, down to the 13, on a completion to TE Darren Fells on crossing pattern. Palmer is now 7 for his last 9. Forget my “direct snap to David Johnson idea,” I guess.

Panthers 17-0 Cardinals, 8:57, 2nd quarter

Another big run by David Johnson gets Arizona down to Carolina’s 28. Johnson has 80 total yards now.

Maybe it’s time to bypass Palmer completely and just direct snap to Johnson?

Panthers 17-0 Cardinals, 10:00, 2nd quarter

Huge conversion by Arizona on 3rd-and-11 from their own 20. Palmer hits J.J. Nelson out to the 35. Arizona’s defense is getting its longest rest of the night.

Okay ... time for some horrible pre-draft Cam Newton analysis!

But wait! There’s more!

Great work by everyone.

Panthers 17-0 Cardinals, 11:57, 2nd quarter

Carolina goes three-and-out after Palmer’s fumble and will be punting from their own 37.

Palmer’s fumble was reviewed ... and the fumble stands.

Winning a review was probably Arizona’s best chance to win something today. Too bad.

Turnover! Carson Palmer fumbles.

Luke Kuechly scoops up the fumble and Carolina continues its domination.

Anyone who didn’t buy into the idea that Carson Palmer had transformed into a legit top-tier QB late in his career, you are looking wise. Congrats.

Panthers 17-0 Cardinals, 13:35, 2nd quarter

Arizona has 1st down at Carolina’s 37 after a great run for 24 yards by David Johnson.

The last four NFC champions won after trailing at the end of the 1st quarter. Trends!

End of the 1st Quarter: Panthers 17-0 Cardinals

In the final three quarters, the Cardinals have to outscore the Panthers by 18 points. The Panthers allowed an average of 19.2 ppg this season.

So that will be challenging!

TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 17-0 Cardinals. 0:49 left in the 1st.

Well ... the blowout may be on. Cam Newton hit Corey Brown on a post and it’s an 86-yard touchdown.

At least the Cardinals got to visit beautiful, snowy North Carolina this weekend, I guess.

Panthers 10-0 Cardinals, 1:48, 1st quarter

Carson Palmer throws incomplete on 3rd down and is now 3-for-9. Tedd Ginn fair-catches Arizon’s punt at the 12.

Updated

Panthers 10-0 Cardinals, 2:01, 1st quarter

3rd and long now for Arizona after they split Carson Palmer out wide on 1st down and then had Larry Fitzgerald attempt a pass on 2nd down.

Bruce Arians might be drunk.

Panthers 10-0 Cardinals, 2:27, 1st quarter

The Cardinals have now picked up back-to-back first downs and are out to their own 44. Even if they don’t score on this drive, this at least slows Carolina down a bit.

Here is Ginn’s very very very very very long 22-yard TD run:

Ted Ginn handed the football to this girl and made her smile.

He must have learned this awful behavior from Cam Newton.

Touchdown! Panthers 10-0 Cardinals!

Tedd Ginn ran it in from the 22. But that sentence doesn’t remotely describe what happen. Ginn started split out to the right, took a pitch that led him over to the left sideline, then ran all the way back across the field and into the end zone. It was a 22-yard TD ran that went about 75.

4:31 left in the 1st quarter.

Updated

Panthers 3-0 Cardinals, 5:47, 1st quarter

On 3rd-and-2, Greg Olsen makes an outstanding catch near the left sideline to pick up the 1st down. Carolina in business again at Arizona’s 29 ... let’s make that the 24 now, with an Arizona encroachment penalty.

Panthers 3-0 Cardinals, 7:47, 1st quarter

Arizona failed to pick up another first down -- Carson Palmer is now 1-for-6 (does anyone have Ryan Lindley’s number?) -- and Ted Ginn almost broke the punt return for a score.

Carolina has the ball at midfield.

Updated

Panthers 3-0 Cardinals, 8:25, 1st quarter

On 3rd-and-15, Palmer hits David Johnson going across the middle out of the backfield. He got about 15 and 1/10th of an inch. With a generous spot. First down!

Updated

Panthers 3-0 Cardinals, 9:24, 1st quarter

Cardinals start their second drive with a false start, and then Palmer almost gets intercepted going deep down the middle to John Brown. This isn’t going particularly well so far. 2nd and 15.

“Too bad they don’t make band-aids for feelings.”

That’s a good line, ad copywriter!

Panthers 3-0 Cardinals, 9:30, 1st quarter

Graham Gano hits a field goal from 45 yards after the drive stalls out. The Panthers have three points. The Cardinals have three yards.

Panthers 0-0 Cardinals, 10:21, 1st quarter

Panthers are now down to the 35 on a completion down the left sideline to Ted Ginn. Carolina fans should get excited!

Panthers 0-0 Cardinals, 12:21, 1st quarter

Carolina starts on its own 34 after Arizona’s punt and Jonathan Stewart picks up 4 yards to the 38. Then Newton drives a pass down the middle to Brown for a 1st down at Arizona’s 49.

Panthers 0-0 Cardinals, 13:35, 1st quarter

David Johnson picked up a total of 2 1/2 yards on his first two carries and then Palmer overthrew Michael Floyd. That’s a quick three-and-out and Carolina is punting from the 23.

Kickoff! We're underway!

Carolina’s Gano kicks it through the end zone and Carson Palmer and the Cardinals will start at the 20.

The national anthem has been sung, the giant American flag is being folded up ... and here comes Donald Trump!

No, it’s probably about time for kickoff, I guess.

As you may recall, the Panthers manhandled the Cardinals 27-16 in the playoffs last year.

As you also may recall, Arizona’s quarterback in that game was Ryan Lindley. This year’s match-up should be a bit more even.

Hey! Broncos-Patriots is finally over! Welcome, everyone!

Pretty remarkable considering Fitzgerald hasn’t played with HOF-caliber QBs in every game.

Looks like the Panthers are pretty excited about this last Tom Brady drive.

The Broncos and Patriots are rudely going long and stepping all over this liveblog.

If you’d like to follow along with the liveblog for that game -- Just for now! Please come back! -- Hunter Felt has you right here.

Finally, third-string QB Joe Webb is featured on a shoe.

If you would like to submit a Letter to the Editor when Newton celebrates a play today and offends your delicate sensibilities, here’s the link to the Charlotte Observer letters submissions page.

The governors of Arizona and North Carolina placed a bet on the NFC title game and the losing governor’s DOG will have to wear the jersey of the winning team.

Their DOGS. Such a brave wager.

There are still almost 10 minutes left in Broncos-Patriots, but Panthers-Cardinals is approaching faster than Tom Brady and Peyton Manning running downfield.

Carson Palmer better be ready to make plays with his legs. All the old QBs are doing it now.

DJ will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s an extract from Paolo Bandini’s game prediction:

What more could you ask for in a championship game? The Panthers and Cardinals were the two most successful teams in the regular season, posting records of 15-1 and 13-3 respectively. They were also the highest-scoring, with Carolina averaging 31.2 points per game and Arizona 30.6.

Their matchup is already set to make history, with Cam Newton and Carson Palmer becoming the first two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks ever to meet in a playoff game. Not that either man is trading on past glories. Newton is widely predicted to be named as the league’s Most Valuable Player next month, with Palmer a strong contender to be his runner-up.

Each has taken his game to a new level this season. Newton’s 35 passing touchdowns were 11 more than he managed in his previous best season, and all the more impressive for the fact that they were achieved after the team’s No1 wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, tore his cruciate ligament in preseason.

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