Eagles vs Cardinals: Who Ya Got?

One day to go. Tomorrow at 3pm, the Eagles and Cardinals will play for a trip to Tampa. Eagles Nation is hyped. The Cards and their sold-out stadium will be crazed. This has the makings of a fantastic NFC Championship. Let’s talk matchups. Here are three that will be key to deciding who claims the George Halas Trophy.

Kurt Warner versus Eagles’ front four

Because I believe the back seven will be preoccupied with stopping the Cardinals potent passing attack, the front four will have to pressure Kurt Warner on their own. That means Trent Cole, Darren Howard, Juqua Parker and Chris Clemons, in particular, have to win the one-on-one battles and reach the quarterback. They must get sacks, hits, pressures, hands flailing, anything to disrupt Warner’s timing.

In the Thanksgiving meeting the Birds recorded zero sacks. In two playoff games they have just one sack. Warner has a quick release and always knows where he’s going with the ball. Trent Cole has been playing the run well, but he will need to crank up his pass rush motor. If the front four does the job, it will be a long afternoon for Warner.

Cardinals’ receivers versus Eagles’ secondary

For my money this is the key matchup in the game. There is plenty of Pro Bowl talent to go around. The Cards have Boldin and Fitzgerald; the Eagles have Samuel and Dawkins. Toss in Steve Breaston, Sheldon Brown and Quintin Mikell and you have seven excellent football players ready to get after one another.

Two things to remember: First, Asante Samuel did not play in the first meeting. I anticipate him being asked to shadow Fitzgerald at times – if not exclusively – on Sunday; Second, Anquan Boldin will play despite a bad hamstring. Boldin is one of the league’s tough guys but you have to wonder how long he’ll be able to go without aggravating the injury. Whether he can maintain full speed the entire game will be something to watch.

Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has excelled in the past at taking away receivers like Santana Moss and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but Fitzy and Boldin present a whole new challenge. In the Week 13 matchup the duo combined to catch 10 for 128 and two touchdowns. Breaston chipped in six catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. Whoever wins this battle wins the game. I think the Eagles’ secondary will hold their own, but will it be enough?

Brian Westbrook versus Cardinals’ front seven

Westbrook has struggled the last two weeks. Despite his numerous ailments, the Birds need a significant contribution from B-West. His big-play ability has to surface especially if the game turns into a shootout. The Cardinals have shut down the #2 and #3 rush attacks thus far in the postseason. The Eagles have found little to no running room in two games. This matchup doesn’t seem to favor Philly at all. However, Westbrook is due for a monster game and is more than capable of taking over a game. He totaled four touchdowns in the Thanksgiving night game, so expect the Cardinals – like the Vikings and Giants – to keep all eyes on Westbrook.

Prediction

NFC Championship games always make me nervous. A 1-3 record under Andy Reid will do that. I have a good feeling about this Eagles team though. I expect a hard-fought game, but I think the Birds will prevail. Here I go again making predictions: Eagles 24, Cardinals 20.

So, tell me WHO YA GOT??