WhatIFSports Simulation Predicts CARvsNE Superbowl

[SportsCrazie4172]

http://www.foxsports.com/whatifsports/nfl/story/nfl-conference-championship-predictions-011916

Arizona at Carolina

The Carolina Panthers rolled through the regular season and trounced the defending NFC champions in impressive fashion. Up next on the agenda? A date with the Arizona Cardinals with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. 

The Panthers have been one of the most dominant teams in recent history, but they haven't faced an offense quite like Arizona's. The two teams didn't meet in the regular season, which adds some intrigue to the matchup. 

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is coming off a 349-yard, three touchdown performance in Arizona's dramatic overtime win against the Green Bay Packers, carrying his team as the run game failed. Against Carolina's second-ranked run defense, the Cardinals may have to rely on the arm of the 36-year-old once again as he tries to make his first Super Bowl appearance and Arizona's first since 2008.

On the other side of the ball, Cam Newton will look to lead the Panthers to their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. After jumping out to a 31-0 lead in the first half against the Seahawks in the Divisional Round, Newton wasn't asked to do a whole lot the rest of the way. Still, the likely NFL MVP has been nearly mistake-free over the last nine weeks, racking up 27 total touchdowns with just one interception. 

In a battle of air against ground, which offense will get it done and lead its team to victory? According to our NFL simulation engine, the Panthers will keep their magical season alive with a hard-fought win at home. Our engine has the Panthers narrowly edging out the Cardinals by an average score of 20-19, winning the game 53.1 percent of the time. 

[joemac]

Damn it doesn't get much closer than their prediction...

[Moorgan]

It's really telling you to bet the under in a game with the #1 and #2 scoring offenses in the NFL? I'm not buying it.

[Hoenheim]

I'm not taking most people's predictions seriously at this point. Lot of people were off with their predictions of how the game against seattle would go. Oddly enough there were a decent # of huddlers who predicted a blowout and it was just that for the 1st half anyway. Lot of other people though were saying both team's defenses were so good it would keep it to a low scoring close game throughout and look what the hell happened.