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The Cardinals are in the NFC title game for the first time, and they're playing just their second home playoff game since 1947. The other was their wild-card round victory over Atlanta two weeks ago.
The Eagles finished 9-6-1 and the Cardinals were 9-7. The Cardinals had the good fortune of playing in the NFC West, where they were able to clinch with three games remaining. The Eagles needed considerable help in the final week to even make the playoffs.
The Eagles humiliated the Cardinals, 48-20, on Thanksgiving night in Philadelphia. The Cardinals were coming off a tough loss to the Giants the previous Sunday and had to travel cross-country days later. The Eagles were desperately seeking a victory to remain in playoff contention. They jumped on the Cardinals early and the Cardinals didn't show much fight.
Eagles Keys For Success
1. Be physical with the Cards' receivers. Not only must the defensive backfield play tight coverage against the best receiving unit left in the playoffs -- and maybe the best in football -- it also needs to be aggressive and physical at the line of scrimmage in press coverage, especially against Larry Fitzgerald, in their press coverage. The Cards' world-class receiver will get his catches, but the Eagles have to knock him every time and wear him out -- or else they'll get worn out.
2. Rediscover the run. Brian Westbrook is averaging 1.9 yards per carry in the postseason. That just won't do. The key to Philadelphia's offense is nursing ankle and knee injuries that have robbed him of his trademark explosion. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg knows Westbrook can break a long run at any moment, so he's still feeding Westbrook the ball, but Mornhinweg might have to give backup Correll Buckhalter more carries to keep Westbrook from running on empty.
3. Presure Warner. Coordinator Jim Johnson will make sure to scheme against resurgent running back Edgerrin James, but his top priority will be releasing the hounds against Warner and making sure the ageless quarterback doesn't get comfortable in the pocket. Johnson's pressure-from-everywhere schemes have confounded Warner the last two times he's faced them. Getting some push from his front four would really help Johnson's cause and allow him to keep his linebackers and safeties back in coverage.
Cardinals Keys For Success
1. Control Brian Westbrook. The Cardinals' defense has held elite running backs in check in the team's first two playoff games. Atlanta's Michael Turner gained just 42 yards, and the Panthers, with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, had only 75. But Westbrook is dangerous as a runner and a receiver. He scored four touchdowns against the Cardinals earlier this year, two on the ground and two in the air.
2. Handle the blitz. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will blitz almost anyone and from different spots. Cards quarterback Kurt Warner wasn't sacked in the first game while throwing three touchdown passes. He also was intercepted three times. The Cardinals' blockers have been decent at handling pressure, but the Eagles present special problems.
3. Get big plays from the defensive front. Arizona's D-line produced them in the two playoff games; it forced two fumbles that led to points and had a sack for a safety. It needs to bring pressure against Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and control his scrambling.
The Bottom Line
The Eagles are on a roll, having won playoff games at Minnesota and the New York Giants. They won't be rattled by playing on the road for the NFC title; after all, they've done it before. The Cardinals have played well over the past three weeks, and they play better at home than on the road. If the defense comes through again, the Cardinals will win.
Pick: Cardinals 24, Eagles 21
The Cardinals are in the NFC title game for the first time, and they're playing just their second home playoff game since 1947. The other was their wild-card round victory over Atlanta two weeks ago.
The Eagles finished 9-6-1 and the Cardinals were 9-7. The Cardinals had the good fortune of playing in the NFC West, where they were able to clinch with three games remaining. The Eagles needed considerable help in the final week to even make the playoffs.
The Eagles humiliated the Cardinals, 48-20, on Thanksgiving night in Philadelphia. The Cardinals were coming off a tough loss to the Giants the previous Sunday and had to travel cross-country days later. The Eagles were desperately seeking a victory to remain in playoff contention. They jumped on the Cardinals early and the Cardinals didn't show much fight.
Eagles Keys For Success
1. Be physical with the Cards' receivers. Not only must the defensive backfield play tight coverage against the best receiving unit left in the playoffs -- and maybe the best in football -- it also needs to be aggressive and physical at the line of scrimmage in press coverage, especially against Larry Fitzgerald, in their press coverage. The Cards' world-class receiver will get his catches, but the Eagles have to knock him every time and wear him out -- or else they'll get worn out.
2. Rediscover the run. Brian Westbrook is averaging 1.9 yards per carry in the postseason. That just won't do. The key to Philadelphia's offense is nursing ankle and knee injuries that have robbed him of his trademark explosion. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg knows Westbrook can break a long run at any moment, so he's still feeding Westbrook the ball, but Mornhinweg might have to give backup Correll Buckhalter more carries to keep Westbrook from running on empty.
3. Presure Warner. Coordinator Jim Johnson will make sure to scheme against resurgent running back Edgerrin James, but his top priority will be releasing the hounds against Warner and making sure the ageless quarterback doesn't get comfortable in the pocket. Johnson's pressure-from-everywhere schemes have confounded Warner the last two times he's faced them. Getting some push from his front four would really help Johnson's cause and allow him to keep his linebackers and safeties back in coverage.
Cardinals Keys For Success
1. Control Brian Westbrook. The Cardinals' defense has held elite running backs in check in the team's first two playoff games. Atlanta's Michael Turner gained just 42 yards, and the Panthers, with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, had only 75. But Westbrook is dangerous as a runner and a receiver. He scored four touchdowns against the Cardinals earlier this year, two on the ground and two in the air.
2. Handle the blitz. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson will blitz almost anyone and from different spots. Cards quarterback Kurt Warner wasn't sacked in the first game while throwing three touchdown passes. He also was intercepted three times. The Cardinals' blockers have been decent at handling pressure, but the Eagles present special problems.
3. Get big plays from the defensive front. Arizona's D-line produced them in the two playoff games; it forced two fumbles that led to points and had a sack for a safety. It needs to bring pressure against Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and control his scrambling.
The Bottom Line
The Eagles are on a roll, having won playoff games at Minnesota and the New York Giants. They won't be rattled by playing on the road for the NFC title; after all, they've done it before. The Cardinals have played well over the past three weeks, and they play better at home than on the road. If the defense comes through again, the Cardinals will win.
Pick: Cardinals 24, Eagles 21