Thread: Eagles-Cardinals NFC Championship Preview

The NFC Championship. Two teams with a combined 18 wins. At the beginning of the season no one would have guessed this would happen. Even as recently as last week, most epected to see a repeat of the Ginats and Panthers. Instead, we will be entertained with a repeat of the Eagles and Cardinals.

As with every Cinderella story, the Cardinals appear to have NFL fans and certainly the media in their corner. The perennial loser lead by the grizzled veteran. Unfortunately, I dont know that anyone will care after this weekend. The media keeps telling us to forget about the Thanksgiving game, but why should we? Aside from that game being played in Philly, not alot has changed. Unless, of course, you want to consider that the Cards had both Fitgerald AND Boldin for that game...a luxury that looks unlikely for this weekends match-up.

The Eagles forced the Cardinals to abandon what minimal running game they have and throw the ball. Not that Warner and the Cards have a problem with that as evidenced by having three 1000 yard receivers, but the pressure Philly put on Warner forced three interceptions as well.

Arizona's dead last 32nd ranked running game will again be abandoned against Philly's #4 rush defense. We know Arizona will be forced to throw the ball and it's inevitable that they will have some success. however, the fabled Jim Johnson blitz sceme and the lack of Anquin Boldin will eventually catch up with the Cards on that end.

On the flip side, the modest Arizona defense will be forced to corral Brian Westbrook who ran on them for over 100 yards and 2 TD's in November...and Donovan McNabb who tossed 4 TD's in the same game.

There is hope and speculation and all kinds of twists added to this scenario by the media and NFL fans, but at the end of the day we all know that Arizona really doesnt belong here. I dont care if they are playing in Minnesota, New York or Arizona...Philly is on a roll and the Cards are just one more obstacle on their way to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia - 42....Arizona - 21