Arizona Cardinals (11-5) at Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)

Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET, at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte – TV: ESPN

*TV announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters

*Keys to the game: The Cardinals’ December fade can be placed on the shoulders of a floundering offense that is expected to start third-string QB Ryan Lindley for a third consecutive week and is relying on a backfield tandem of Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams. The once-formidable defense has buckled under the weight of defending short fields and opponents grinding out steady yardage against a run defense that has slipped to 13th in the league

For Arizona to be competitive, the defense must reverse course. The Cardinals have not produced a turnover in consecutive losses while allowing four 100-yard rushers in the past six games. The Panthers’ resurgence has coincided with the return to health of QB Cam Newton and RB Jonathan Stewart, a physical runner who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

Carolina will be content to play the field position game, taking few risks and continually backing Lindley deep into his own territory and putting the onus on him to drive the length of the field without making critical mistakes. The Panthers are confident they’ll have an opportunity to get their hands on some balls – Lindley has thrown four picks against just two touchdowns, and is completing a paltry 48.4 percent of his passes.

*Matchup to watch – Panthers CB Josh Norman vs. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald: Norman wasn’t even active for Carolina’s playoff loss last season. A year later, he’s considered one of the league’s top young cover men after largely containing Mike Evans, Josh Gordon and Julio Jones in consecutive weeks. Fitzgerald has lost some speed but is still very much a threat after leading the Cardinals with 63 catches for 784 yards.

*Player spotlight – Cardinals RS Ted Ginn: The former Panther returns to Carolina and must be a factor against the Panthers’ poor coverage units. Ginn averaged 10.7 yards with one TD on 26 punt returns during the regular season. He did not have a kick return for a score, but did have 12 of 20-plus yards and Arizona desperately needs him to help flip the field, if not pop a big return to the end zone.

*Fast facts: The Cardinals have allowed an average of 156 rushing yards in the past six games compared with 80 through the first 10 games. … LB Thomas Davis is the lone remaining player on the team from Carolina’s last playoff victory in 2005.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Two teams headed in different directions to close the season, the Panthers can lean on their ground game, play conservatively and put all the pressure on Lindley. Arizona has not scored more than 18 points in seven weeks.

*Our pick: Panthers 20-13