Published Sun, Nov 01, 2009 05:10 AM
Modified Sat, Oct 31, 2009 05:47 PM

Panthers seeking revenge vs. Cards

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JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald (11) torched Carolina with eight catches for 166 yards and a TD in Arizona's 33-13 January playoff win. He has 41 catches and five TDs this season.

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David Scott

In January, the Carolina Panthers thought they were ready for a divisional playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, cruising on the wings of a 12-4 record and an NFC South title. In three hours, it all vanished in a 33-13 thrashing by the Cardinals.

Little, if anything, went right for the Panthers that day. Everything, it seemed, clicked for the Cardinals, who went on to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw five interceptions and fumbled once, the prelude to a slump he continues to fight this season. Carolina's defense did little to stop Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who passed for 220 yards and a touchdown. That TD went to receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who brutalized the Panthers' secondary with eight receptions for 166 yards.

The loss has haunted the Panthers. They haven't been able to shake it off, starting the season with three straight losses despite having 20 of 22 starters return.

The Panthers (2-4) get another shot at the Cardinals (4-2) today, when they play in University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The revenge factor is something that some players are relishing.

"That's where we left off last year," running back DeAngelo Williams said. "To come back, to beat them and rewrite something that hasn't been rewritten in a long time, that would be awesome."

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