The Philadelphia Eagles go on the road this weekend to take on a resurgent Arizona Cardinals team. The Cardinals are coming off of a 20-18 stunning victory over the New England Patriots. The game will be played at University of Phoenix stadium at 4 pm. The roof will probably be closed, so the Eagles better be ready for a very loud atmosphere in Arizona.
Eagles Offense vs. Cardinals Defense
The Eagles have turned the ball over nine times in the first two games of the season. With those numbers, they are very lucky to be 2-0. But I believe that this also shows how good the Eagles can really be. The Cardinals defensive line has been a bit underwhelming this season, combining for just 22 total tackles and two sacks. The inside linebackers, however, have been magnificent. They have combined for 40 tackles in their first two games. The Cardinals play the 3-4 defense, so running the ball up the middle or throwing slant passes will be extremely difficult. Still, the speed offensively for the Eagles should be able to beat this Cardinals defense. They just need to take care of the ball.
On an injury note, WR Jeremy Maclin and OT King Dunlap will not play this Sunday.
Edge: Eagles (slightly)
Eagles Defense vs. Cardinals Offense
The Arizona Cardinals have had a quarterback controversy since training camp. The only problem is that they Cardinals have been trying to figure out who stinks less. Enter Kevin Kolb, who started this season as the backup quarterback but was thrust into the starting role after an injury to John Skelton. Surprisingly, the former Eagle played very well against the Patriots; completing 21 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Can Kolb make it two weeks in a row? We’ll see.
The x factor for this game is Larry Fitzgerald. Granted, Fitzgerald has just five catches for 67 yards this year, he is still the most talented player on offense for the Cardinals. Tailback Beanie Wells is listed as probable for this game after suffering a knee injury last week. I don’t know how much of a help that will be because the Cardinals run game has been bad in their first two games.
Edge: Eagles
Coaching:
The Arizona Cardinals have had the Eagles number over the past few years. A lot of it has come down to coaching. Andy Reid and co. fiercely out coached the Ravens last weekend, but Ken Whisenhunt and his staff did the same thing to Bill Belichick. This should be an interesting matchup.
Edge: Even
Prediction: Eagles 27 Cardinals 20
I would not be surprised to see the Cardinals upset the Eagles again, but it’s clear to me that the Eagles have the better team.
Here’s a fun fact: The Eagles are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2004. The Cardinals are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 1974, which was fourteen years before they moved to Arizona.