The Eagles/Cardinals game should be a dandy. Since both teams didn't expect to have a chance to make it to the big game, they are both playing wit house money.
Philly will be playing in their fifth NFC title game in eight years. Philadelphia (11-6-1) and Arizona (11-7) met on Thanksgiving, but few would have imagined that Thanksgiving day game would be an NFC championship game preview. The teams entered that match-up at Lincoln Financial Field headed in opposite directions.
The Eagles had fallen to 5-5-1 after a 36-7 loss at Baltimore in which five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb got benched for the first time in his career. The Cardinals came into the game 7-3 and were on the verge of clinching their first division title in 33 years.
Arizona never got in the game, though, as Philadelphia jumped to a 21-0 lead en route to a 48-20 victory. McNabb completed 27 of 39 passes for 260 yards and a season-high four touchdowns, and has been carrying the team ever since.
That victory provided a spark for the Eagles, as they won four of their last five regular season games, outscoring opponents by an average of 23.0 points in those wins.
Arizona will be the underdog again, as Vegas lists the Eagles as a 3.5-point favorite.
The Cardinals are 7-2 at home this season, including a 30-24 win over Atlanta in the wild-card round, but Philadelphia is not going to be intimidated. After winning just three road games during the regular season, the Eagles have had no trouble playing away from Philadelphia in the postseason. They've already won at the Metrodome, where the Vikings were 6-2 during the regular season, and at Giants Stadium, where New York was 7-1.
I had Philadelphia pegged as a Super Bowl candidate after how they responded to getting killed by Baltimore and having to bench the franchise QB. Philly has dealt with tough Defenses -- I don't think that Arizona will be able to slow them down. Brian Westbrook is just too good to hold down for another game. The only thing that will keep the Cardinals in it is their passing game, but don't be surprised if Asante Samuel shuts down Fitzgerald/Boldin/Warner.
My Prediction:
Eagles 27
Cardinals 21
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