Cardinals-Eagles Preview: Are Cards Thinking about Tampa?

Mark Jones' NFL Weekly Previews

I was 4-0 with the spread last week, and 3-1 without it.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-6-1)

Arizona Cardinals (11-7)

Sunday 3:00 PM ET, FOX

Seeing the conference championship in Arizona certainly wasn't expected at the beginning of the season, or even at the beginning of the playoffs, but it has happened. Of course, that's not even as unpredicted as the fact that both No. 6 seeds are in their conference championships.

So pretty much, this game wasn't supposed to be. But it is, and nobody's going to turn the remote anywhere else Sunday afternoon.

These two squads have already seen each other, with Philadelphia coming out with a decisive 48-20 upset Thanksgiving Night over the favored Cardinals.

That night, McNabb was 27-39 for 260 yards and 4 touchdowns. Westbrook had 110 yards on 22 carries as the Eagles combined for 164 yards on the ground. Six Philadelphia receivers had 20 or more yards, and the Eagles completely dominated the game.

The Eagles come into this game on a hot streak. After finishing the season with a 44-6 win over Dallas, they've beaten two division winners on the road, 26-14 over Minnesota (No. 3 seed) and 23-11 over the NY Giants (No. 1 seed).

In the last game against the Giants, the offense was shut down nicely by New York, despite the Eagles' victory. McNabb was just 22 for 40 and had two picks, while Westbrook had only 36 yards rushing.

McNabb did do a good job spreading his passes out; seven Eagle receivers had at least two catches for 10 yards, with Jackson managing 81 yards on just four catches.

However, it was the defense that gave Philadelphia the conference championship berth. Dawkins had eight tackles, as the secondary held Eli Manning to just 169 yards (McNabb had 217) and also got two interceptions.

No Giant receiver had more than three catches and had no more than 55 yards, either.

Despite giving up 138 yards on 31 carries to Jacobs and Ward, the Eagles team dominated final quarters and marched to a 23-11 victory.

But the Cardinals had something to say as well. This team was 0-5 on the East Coast going into Charlotte to play the No. 2 seed Carolina Panthers, a team that finished 12-4 because of being the only NFL team to go 8-0 at home in the regular season. The Vegas spread on the game was 10 points, and a decisive Carolina victory was predicted.

However, the Cardinals had one of their best games of the season.

Larry Fitzgerald tore apart the Panther defense, managing an amazing 166 yards and a touchdown on just 8 catches. All in all, eight Arizona receivers had catches. Kurt Warner was 21 for 32 for for 220 yards and two touchdowns, a perfect fit for a spectacular victory.

On the ground, a category most considered not to be a strong point for the Cardinals, also produced. Rookie Tim Hightower and veteran Edgerrin James combined for 133 yards and a touchdown, plus another 12 yards and a TD on two catches receiving.

Kicker N. Rackers, usually not known to be an elite kicker, was 4-for-5 on field goals, extending to 48 yards, and had an amazing 15 points by himself.

The defense also whopped up a spectacular six turnovers from Jake Delhomme, held DeAngelo Williams to just 63 yards and rookie Jonathan Stewart to just 12, and kept elite wide receiver Steve Smith to just two receptions and no touchdowns.

The only problem for the Cardinals, looking back at this game, was that they allowed three different mediocre Carolina receivers, Jarrett, Rosario, and Stewart, to have 25 or more yards receiving and at least three catches.

But as you can see, there isn't much to be worried about in a 33-13 win, especially after leading 27-7 at the half.

But now back to the game at hand. The Eagle defense is one of the top squads in the NFL, but the Cardinal offense is amazing and the defense is stepping up their game a lot as well.

Previously, I've predicted the Eagles to win by a touchdown or so in this game, but now that I've analysis all the stats, I have to say I'm feeling a little red. Upset pick, coming up! Cardinals, you've found your spot in the NFL: as the conference champion!

Straight-Up Pick: Cardinals 27, Eagles 24 OT

Spread Pick: Cardinals (+4)

Eagles vs. Cardinals: Series History

Postseason Series: Tied, 1-1

1947: Chicago Cardinals 28, Eagles 21 (NFL Championship Game)

1948: Eagles 7, Chicago Cardinals 0 (NFL Championship Game)

Regular Season Series: Tied, 53-53-5 (Began in 1935)

2008-09: Philadelphia 48, Arizona 20 (Thanksgiving Night)

FACT: The Eagles haven't won in Arizona in eight years (not since 2001).

Sources: (series history)