Cardinals-Panthers Live Blogging: Third Quarter

> The Shooter Kids are put to bed almost as easily as the Panthers were in the first half, and I get back to the game with a few minutes missed. I know, I know, you care. A lot. I come back in time to see the Panthers take a three and out after their defense stops the Cardinals, with Delhomme getting heavy pressure. An unwise Breaston non-return gives the Cardinals the ball on their own 25, with 25 minutes on the clock to kill for one of the more stunning wins in NFL playoff history.

> Fitz for 6 on first down, a nice safe little play to set up some clock killing. Warner takes the full play clock, then throws a brutal pick to Beason, and that was just about the worst thing that could have happened to the road team there, short of a TAINt. The Panthers are in business and have a pulse with 9:12 left in the third.

> From the Cardinals 31, Williams very patiently loses yards while trying to hide his way into a big gain. Nice job by the d-line. A false start from the Panther offense saps more goodwill from the crowd, and the call takes 30 seconds to decide, because NFL officiating sucks that much now. And then Delhomme, with eyes only for Steve Smith, pumps the bubble screen, then throws a slant to Antrel Rolle. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Rolle plays for the Cardinals, and the Snake's third pick of the night is taken back 46 yards after a deflection to more or less ice this one. Seriously, Panther Fan, I don't know if I've ever seen an established NFL QB play a worse game, in a playoff, at home, in reasonable weather. He's 5 for 12 for 35 yards with 3 picks and a fumble. Words fail.

> A quick run, then a button screen that works to Fitz for the first. Another false start is followed by James slipping again, and Whisenhunt is playing this game to minimize turnover potential, wisely. Anything to keep the clock running. Warner for six yards to Breaston, and the third and 10 from the 15 is a comminications breakdown slant incompletion. Seriously, Cards, if you are going to just try to burn clock, at least take a knee. Rackers hits from 33, and it's 30-7, Cardinals. 19:40 left in this one, folks... and we're looking at a double-dog win day. This means, of course, that the Chargers and Eagles are utterly doomed tomorrow.

> Fox is referencing Frank Reich. Not really relevant here, folks, since Josh McNown is the Panther back-up at QB. Would they actually pull The Snake? It's not like he doesn't deserve it, but... he's back. Delhome to Dwayne Jarrett over the middle fo 19, and the Panthers are in hurry-up. Muhammad for 6 yards. He tries Muhammad in the end zone from 40 yards away, as if Muhammad is going to run away from anyone. On third and four, Muhammad can't bring in a hot read, and they go for it fourth. Is this the last meaningful play of their season? Probably, as Muhammad isn't expecting the ball early, and the ball is a long way from uncatchable. 3:24 left in the third.

> Hightower gets a yard, and this is a real problem for Arizona, since they aren't designed to take time off the clock. (Yes, I'm kidding.) Your over bet of 50 points is in real danger, folks. Hightower gets 7 yards on a right toss sweep. On third and 2 from the gun, Warner throws to Doucett in the backfield on one of those plays that Anquan Boldin makes, and he gets crushed for a loss; clearly, Boldin can keep that play. It's the first three and out of the night for the Cards, and after a punt that isn't downed properly, it's Panther ball at the 20.

> Williams for 5 yards, and the Panthers are still in hurry-up. Delhomme finds Smith, finally, and he makes a couple of guys miss to get 39 yards total. Delhomme getting more time out of the hurry-up, and he finds Rosario in traffic for 14 yards as the third quarter ends. Let's just say that the only people who should be watching this fourth quarter are either Cardinal Fans in Big Gloat, or people rooting for garbage touchdowns to get that over. Cardinals 30, Panthers 7.