CARDS WITHOUT BOLDIN IN CAROLINA?

As the Arizona Cardinals prepare to try for their first road win against a non-NFC West team in six tries this season, they might have to face the Panthers in Charlotte without receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin strained a hamstring against the Falcons on Saturday while running 67 yards to the endzone after catching a four-yard pass. For now, Boldin’s status isn’t clear. What is clear is that the Cardinals need him if they’re going to have any chance of winning on Saturday night. “It’s unique plays a lot of times with him,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said of Boldin. “He can run the ball and do so many different things. Now a large chunk of your game plan is gone.” The other big factor for the Cardinals, as we pointed out on Saturday night, will be the weather. In two late-season games played in the cold and/or the snow, the Cards were outscored by the total of 95-27. Currently, Weather.com calls for a high of 52, a low of 28, and a 40-percent chance of showers on game day.