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Panthers put unbeaten home mark on line

Oct 21, 2008 - 3:05 PM Arizona (4-2) at Carolina (5-2), 1:00 pm EDT

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Arizona Cardinals may welcome the return of Anquan Boldin on Sunday. The way the Carolina Panthers have played at home, the Cardinals may need all the help they can get.

Arizona will try to become the first team to win in Carolina this season in a matchup of first-place teams in the NFC.

Boldin has missed the past two games after undergoing surgery to repair a sinus fracture suffered in a jarring hit by New York Jets safeties Kerry Rhodes and Eric Smith with 27 seconds remaining in Arizona's 56-35 loss on September 28. Boldin also suffered a concussion.

The six-year veteran, who is tied for the league lead with five touchdown receptions, practiced for the first time this week for the Cardinals, who are coming off a bye week and lead the St. Louis Rams (2-4) by two games atop the NFC West.

"I feel like I am ready to go," Boldin said. "That's what I have been working toward, coming back after the bye."

Carolina, which is tied for first in the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2), is a perfect 4-0 at home and have outscored its opponents, 88-16, over the past three home wins. The Panthers pounded the New Orleans Saints, 30-7, last week.

Jake Delhomme bounced back from a poor game in a loss to the Buccaneers two weeks ago, throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. The 33-year-old has tossed for 1,533 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions in his first season after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery.

Kurt Warner is enjoying one of his best seasons in years for the Cardinals, who lead the league in points per game at 29.5. Warner has thrown multiple touchdown passes in five straight contests and has thrown for 1,708 yards with 12 scores and five interceptions this season.

The Cardinals' aerial attack will be put to the test against the Panthers' defense which ranks second in the league against the pass, giving up 168.7 yards per game.

"We played them last year. We know what kind of weapons they have at the wide receiver position," Carolina coach John Fox said. "I think Kurt Warner is playing exceptionally. They've got a big, physical offensive line. I know what they're about and I know they create a lot of problems schematically on defense. So it'll definitely be a stiff competition."

Carolina won at Arizona, 25-10, in 2007.