Ultimate Eagles Cardinals Preview

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals, NFC Championship Game

Eagles Offense v Cardinals Defense

Coming into this week, a lot of pressure is on Donovan McNabb. Like it or not, his legacy is on the line. All of the good will and the fans that he has won with this run to the playoffs will be lost if he dosn't get this team to the Super Bowl. With a loss, he drops to 1-4 in Championship games, which is not good.

McNabb's numbers have not been amazing this post season. He actually has thrown more interceptions then touchdowns, and he has a QB rating of under 75. But, despite the numbers, he is making plays when the Eagles need to. He has converted big third downs when the Eagles need them, and I think that will be important in this game. There's going to be a point in the game, early on, where the momentum will be in the Cardinals favor, and the Eagles are going to need to convert a big third down to keep the drive alive. I think he will get it done.

The Cardinals secondary has alot of talent, and McNabb will have to be careful not to make a wild throw, because they have the players in the secondary to make him pay. 2 Cardinals have 2 interceptions this post season; Ralph Brown and Dominique Rodgers Cromartie. The Cardinals have forced 9 turnovers this post season, and in a game like this, turnovers are going to be huge.

As always, Brian Westbrook will be huge in this game. There have been reports that he reinjured his knee in the game vs. the Giants. Obviously, he is not at 100 percent. I am a big Westbrook fan, but I don't think he has had a good season. I have been dissapointed with his overall production, even though I will but the fact that it is due to injuries and being the focal point of the other teams defense. With that being said, I think he has a big game. I think being indoors works to his advantage, and he is able to make some big plays. I think the Cardinals will test him early, seeing if he is healthy enough to beat him.

I think the Eagles will be able to move the ball against this team. They were able to do it in their first meeting with the incredible ease. I do buy the fact that the Cardinals defense is improved, but they gave up 48 points last time. So even if they have improved, where does that bring them? 34 points? 28?

ADVANTAGE: EAGLES

Eagles Defense vs Cardinals Offense

As discussed all week here at Philly Stand Up Sports, the Cardinals offense does have some weapons. Fitzgerald is a beast, and absolute monster. Kurt Warner is a former MVP, Super Bowl winner, and Super Bowl MVP. The pieces are in place for the Cardinals to put up a lot of points, especially at home, in an atmosphere should be crazy, as this is the first time ever the Cardinals will play in the NFC championship game.

But while all the pieces are in lace, and they do have weapons, the Eagles defense is in the zone right now. They are playing as a team, and are clicking on all cylinders. 4th and 1 vs the best running team in the league? Check. Going into the defending Super Bowl champions house and holding them out of the end zone? Check.

this post season, opposing offenses are converting 3rd down on the Eagles a mere 33% of the time. They have the 2nd best pass defense in the post season, led by Pro Bowler Asante Samuel, who has 2 INT this post season. In their last meeting, Samuel did not play, and that was huge. Lito Sheppard covered Fitzgerald in that game, and ate him up. He won't do that to Samuel. 

So for all of you guys worried about Fitzgerald, here is a number that may help you calm down. The Eagles have given up 100 yards to a receiver only 4 times this season, and in those games, they are 3-0-1. So in games recievers have burned them, they have won, I think Jim Johnson and this defense makes Fitzgerald a non factor.

Analysis

When the Eagles beat the Giants to reac this game, I was overjoyed at the fact they got the Cardinals. If I could pick 1 team to play for the championship game, it would have been them. Now, here the Eagles are. 1 win away from the Super Bowl, and only the Cards stand in their way.

But as the week goes on, I have become less and less confident. Gary Cobb, of gcobb.com, made a good point this week, saying that the media here acts like they have already won. Everyone is saying it's our year, practically getting ready for the parade, when they are not even in the Super Bowl yet.

All week, I looked at the Cardinals. I looked at almost every stat there is, watched their first game vs. the Eagles, and looked at their players. After doing this, and taking in the atmosphere around the game, this could be a trap game. Everyone thinks were going to win. Everyone. But remember, everyone knew we were going to beat Tampa Bay in the last game of the Vet. Carolina Panthers? That was our year.

The Cardinals have the weapons to make us pay for being over confident.

If the Eagles come out flat, they will loose. They are a good team, but they are not good enough to play their B game and win in Arizona. The Eagles are the better team, that is undeniable. Their defense is better. They have the better quarterback. They, as a team, have more experience in this type of game, and have veterans that want to win more then anything. You think any one the Cardinals wants to win more the Brian Dawkins?

I see the game playing out like this: the momentum will be on the Cardinals side early on. I can see them getting a long pass to start the game. But I think the Eagles defense is just to good to let them loose. I think they will make big defensive play at some point. I also think DeSean Jackson and Quiten Demps will have big days on special teams. McNabb will play well, and I think he is capable of having his first break out game of the playoffs vs the Cardinals defense. 

Like I said last week, the Eagles can get behind in this game and not panic. They play well as a team from behind, and that is a credit to the leadership and heart on this team. I think they can trail in this game, and come back if they have to. I think the magic number for the Eagles is 24. If they can get 24 points, they will not lose this game. The Eagles defense hasn't given up more then 20 points in 6 weeks. 24 points win it gets them to the Super Bowl.

Pick: Eagles