successfully host some of the largest and most visible sporting eve

As the Brady-Manning showdown gets all the hype, the Panthers and Cardinals quietly get ready to battle for the other Super Bowl berth. As soon as the Denver Broncos stepped off the field, having defeated an under strength Pittsburgh Steelers side, all attention turned to their next game; Tom Bradys New England Patriots. Brady v Manning is a classic sporting rivalry and will be remembered long after both join the Hall of Fame, but in 2016 this is an uneven match up as Peyton Manning struggles to move the ball like he did in his prime.Meanwhile the main event is the one no one is talking about, as the Carolina Panthers take on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC title game (Sunday 11:30pm, Sky Sports 2). Cam Newton has been in outstanding form this season These are the seasons two best teams, without question. Both have played fast, aggressive offence and disruptive, no-nonsense defence and, unsurprisingly, they are the two most heavily represented franchises in the Pro Bowl. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is a legitimate dual-threat player; that is, he can throw and run the ball incredibly effectively and always keeps the opposition defence guessing.His opponent, Carson Palmer, is a different type of quality. A 13-year league veteran and thought to be on his way out of the NFL, Palmer has found success with the Cardinals, experiencing a career resurgence in the deep-passing game that coach Bruce Arians has employed. The quarterbacks would be nothing without their supporting casts, however. Whilst many predicted the Panthers might struggle offensively after losing breakout star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin during training camp, the Panthers led the league with 500 points during the regular season. A lot of that success can be attributed to tight end Greg Olsen, who has had a Pro Bowl year. Running back Jonathan Stewart has been another key asset for the Panthers and, if Ted Ginn can be a safe pair of hands in Benjamins absence, it may be a tough night for the Cardinals defence. David Johnson (left) has scored 13 touchdowns this season for the Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals have offensive talent of their own, not least the wide receiver core of Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd. Palmers success is, certainly in part, due to the speed and athleticism of his three receivers who have combined to place Arizona atop the passing rankings for most yards gained during the regular season. Add in Rookie of the Year candidate running back David Johnson and Palmers weaknesses in his own running game fade into insignificance. Tom Brady could go head to head with Cam Newton in the Super Bowl On the defensive side of the ball, both sides have leaders who will be looking to steal the show. The Panthers defence ranks third in the league for pass rushing, and the Cardinals will have to be aware of the threat posed by defensive tackle Kawann Short, as well as defensive end Mario Addison.There is also the prospect of Pro Bowl linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. Away from the line, the Panthers have another Pro Bowler in cornerback Josh Norman, who will look to unsettle the wide receivers like he did when he faced Odell Beckham Jr. An Arizona Cardinals supporter has tattooed ‘Super Bowl 50’ on himself Arizona will again call on the old guard of defensive stalwarts Calais Campbell and Dwight Freeney to try and disrupt Newton before he can begin to throw. If he does manage to get the ball away, cornerback Patrick Peterson will be looking for the crucial interceptions. The Pro Bowler has had a career year, allowing the fewest yards of any cornerback, and conceding only one touchdown.The Cardinals are 7-1 on the road this season. The Panthers are unbeaten in their last 12 home games. Both coaches are viable Coach of the Year candidates, and it wouldnt be surprising if either quarterback won season MVP either. This game is going to be high intensity, thoroughly unpredictable and well worth staying up for. Also See: Sky Live: Championship games AFC and NFC Championship predictions Osis play-off preview Rivers reveals hoverboard ban Adidas Nmd Levne Cz . World champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia won the gold medal with 237.71 points, Moore-Towers and Moscovitch followed at 208.45 and Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third at 187. Adidas Nmd Dámské Levně . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. http://www.botynmdlevne.com/adidas-nmd-damske-levne.html ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. Adidas Nmd Pánská . -- Stanford squashed Oregons national championship hopes again, schooling the Ducks in power football. Adidas Nmd r1 Damske . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.The league had expressed its opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March, and its decision Thursday came less than a month after state legislators revisited the law and chose to leave it largely unchanged.While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2, the league said in a statement.The league added that it hoped to announce a new location for next Februarys events shortly. It hopes to reschedule the 2019 game for Charlotte if there is a resolution to the matter.We understand the NBAs decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season. There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so, Hornets chairman and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan said. With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019.The leagues decision was first reported by the Vertical.Commissioner Adam Silver wanted to wait as long as possible to make one, believing positive dialogue could lead to changes it felt the law needed. But he also said a decision would need to be made this summer, and the league was disappointed when the General Assembly restored the ability of workers to use state law to sue over employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion and other factors -- but left gender identity and sexual orientation unprotected.There was no appetite among Republican lawmakers to change the provision requiring transgender people to use restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates in many public buildings -- a measure at the heart of two legal challenges in federal court.The law passed in a March special session also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from antidiscrimination protections related to the workplace, hotels and restaurants; and overrules local antidiscrimination ordinances. Republican leaders have said the law was passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that would have allowed transgender people to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity.Governor Pat McCrory lashed out at the sports and entertainment industry and the media in response to the NBAs announcement.The sports and entertainment elite, Attorney General Roy Cooper and the liberal media have for months misrepresented our laws and maligned the people of North Carolina simply because most people believe boys and girls should be able to use school bathrooms, locker rooms and showers without the opposite sex present, McCrory said in a statement isssued by his office.ddddddddddddThe law has drawn opposition from a number of entertainers who have canceled performances in North Carolina. Duke recently had to replace one of its games scheduled for next season when Albany was prevented from traveling to Raleigh by New York Governor Andrew Cuomos travel ban.So our states lost a lot, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Thursday.The fate of the state law is likely to be decided in federal courts where dueling lawsuits are being heard, with a judge saying he wants to start trial in four of the five cases by early November. Hes also set an Aug. 1 hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the laws bathroom access provision.Charlotte officials have said they expected the event to have an economic impact of around $100 million, based on data from recent All-Star Games in the comparable New Orleans and Orlando markets. The game could rival the $164 million economic impact of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, the largest financial bump of any event for the city.Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts expressed disappointment that the laws discriminatory actions led to the NBAs decision and hoped the city will get another shot at the showcase in 2019.All-Star weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city. Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values, Roberts said in a statement. I appreciate the NBA and our Charlotte Hornets being such strong champions of equality.Several NBA cities could be in line to host the game, including New Orleans -- which has hosted the leagues midseason showcase twice. The Pelicans are owned by Tom Benson.New Orleans has demonstrated time and again our ability to successfully host some of the largest and most visible sporting events and celebrations in the world, including the 2008 and 2014 NBA All-Star Games, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero said Thursday after the leagues announcement. We will do everything possible to assist the NBA, Mr. and Mrs. Benson and the New Orleans Pelicans in their efforts, if called upon.Silver has said having Jordan, one of the NBAs most recognized figures, in Charlotte was one of reasons to have the game there. He also praised Charlotte plans that had been made for renovations, which included upgrading the infrastructure, suites and scoreboard -- all of which have been completed or are close to being completed.On Thursday, Jordan thanked city leaders for their support.We want to thank the City of Charlotte and the business community for their backing throughout this entire process, starting with the initial bid, Jordan said. We are confident that they will be just as supportive and enthusiastic for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. ' ' '