PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ ARIZONA CARDINALS
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2009 3:00 P.M.
This year’s NFC Championship Game features two of the lowest seeds to ever compete for the title. The number 6 seeded Eagles (11-6) travel to Phoenix to take on the number 4 seeded Cardinals for the right to play in the Super Bowl. It had been 61 years since the Cardinals last hosted a playoff game. Sunday they will host their second this year. In spite of it all, Arizona sill comes into the game as 3 point underdogs. Both teams had great games last weekend against good opponents. Here’s how they stack up.
PHILADELPHIA: UP: The Eagles defense played outstanding in holding the # 1 seeded Giants to just 11 points. In their last five games they have not allowed a TD pass while at the same time intercepting 6, including 2 against the Giants QB Eli Manning. It was the 6th game in a row the Eagles have not allowed over 14 points. QB Donovan McNabb had an impressive 2nd half with 12 of 20 passing for 147 yards and a TD. DOWN: Before settling down vs. the Giants, McNabb had thrown 2 interceptions and had an intentional grounding call in the end zone that led to a safety. The Eagles two playoff victories have come with negligible contributions by their star running back Brian Westbrook. The defense has been tagged for an average of 180 yards per game passing this season.
ARIZONA: UP: The Cardinals upset # 2 seeded Carolina 33-13 last weekend. WR Larry Fitzgerald had acrobatic catches en route to166 yards receiving and a TD. He also covered the final onside kick by the Panthers with 49 seconds to go. QB Kurt Warner led Arizona to 27 consecutive points and was 15 of 19 for 200 yards and 2 TDs in the first half after the Cardinals fell behind Carolina 7-0. In all they scored 33 unanswered points, to match Roger Staubach’s 1975 Cowboys. The Cardinal defense picked Carolina QB Jake Delhomme 5 times, the first time that has happened to a home team in the playoffs since 1979. DOWN: TE Stephen Spach sprained his knee vs. Carolina. He is questionable to play. His blocking has been key to improving the Cardinals running game. WR Anquan Boldin did not play in the game after suffering a pulled hamstring the previous game. He remains questionable to play. Arizona is allowing 218 yards passing and 323 yards total offense per game average.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The last game between these two teams was on Thanksgiving, with the Eagles pasting Arizona 48-20. Both teams are playing much better now. Arizona must pressure McNabb with blitzes and with superb coverage in the secondary. The Eagles must find a way to contain the athletic Fitzgerald while not losing their containment of RB Edgerrin James. Westbrook needs to have a breakout game for Philadelphia.
BY THE NUMBERS: The Eagles are 12-6 ATS and 7-10-1 O/U while the Cardinals are 11-7 ATS and 12-6 O/U. As the favorite Philadelphia is 9-4 SU and 9-5 ATS. The Cardinals are 2-6 SU and 3-5 ATS as underdogs. In road games the Eagles are 5-4 SU and 6-4 ATS. At home Arizona is 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS. Both teams are 2-0 ATS in their playoff games this year. This game could be decided by the quarterback who has the best game. Warner and McNabb are both veterans leading teams that are playing well. The one of them who plays with the most composure Sunday will lead his team to the Super Bowl.