Dec 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (97) tackles New York Giants running back David Wilson (22) behind the line of scrimmage in the first half during the game at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Now it’s the defense’s turn to go under the microscope. It isn’t a secret: the Eagles defense was terrible last season and there will be a number of renovations that take place this offseason. There were only a couple of players who played to expectations last season and many of the underachievers ultimately sealed the fate of departed head coach Andy Reid. Here is my take on the Eagles defense–let’s look at who is in and who is out.

Trent Cole: Trent Cole saw a significant drop in his numbers, to say the least. His sack totals were way down and his intensity seemed to be lacking. Even with that being said, it’s unlikely the Eagles will cut their best pass rusher. Stay

Brandon Graham: Graham was the most impressive defensive end on the Eagles squad last year. After the Eagles cut Jason Babin and went back to playing a traditional 4-3 defensive front under line coach Tommy Brasher, Graham finally showed glimpses of his first-round talent. He will most likely enter next season as a starter based on his performance at the end of last season. Stay

Cullen Jenkins: Cullen Jenkins struggled last year. But were the veterans struggles due to a lack of production from the entire unit, or is no longer an effective player? With the Eagles likely switching to a hybrid 3-4 under Billy Davis, Jenkins will give the Eagles depth at defensive end, the position he played in Green Bay. Stay

Fletcher Cox: Cox played very well last year and is only getting better. Stays

Derek Landri: Landri, whose production also suffered a year ago, is best suited for a 4-3 scheme and there is no place left for him on this roster. Cut

Cedric Thornton: Thornton is big enough to play a NT in a 3-4 scheme and is the only available option currently on the roster that can do so. I see him fighting for a spot in August. Stays (For Now)

Demeco Ryans: Ryans played well last year and showed he can be the anchor and leader of the defense. There is a lot of skepticism about whether or not he can play in a 3-4 scheme after he was dumped in a trade by the Texans last offseason. He may not be an ideal fit, but he is good enough for now. Stays

Mychal Kendricks: Kendricks had a solid rookie season. He showed he has a strong tackling ability and demonstrated his speed as an outside backer. He had his share of growing pains, but still showed a lot of promise. He’s likely to play ILB in a 3-4. Stay

Jamar Chaney: I wasn’t high on him going into the season and I am not high on him now. Chaney will likely land elsewhere, but needs a change of scenery Cut

Nnamdi Asomugha: He has been the most disappointing player from the Dream Team. He was supposed to be a shut-down corner, but was anything but. Still, if he is willing to rework his deal,he could stay in Philadelphia. I just don’t see it. Cut

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Didn’t play well last year, but showed that when his head was in the game that he still can play to his former Pro-Bowl status. If the Eagles do cut Asomugha, they’ll need someone to play corner besides Boykin. Stay

Brandon Boykin: Played very well as a rookie, both as a kick returner and as a corner back. Likely to see increased playing time next season. Stay

Nate Allen: Allen hasn’t played well in his 3 years as an Eagle. He currently has one year left on his deal, so I think the Eagles should give him one last try to prove he was worthy of a second round pick. Stay

Kurt Coleman: I love his intensity and the fact that he always plays hard. That being said, Coleman just isn’t very good. His instincts are sub-par and makes too many mistakes. Cut

Colt Anderson: Anderson may be undersized, but showed his ability to be active in run support. He was known for his special teams play, but when he got the chance to spot start at safety he ended up showing he was a productive player. Anderson isn’t a starter, but is the type of player winning teams have on its roster. Stay

Additional Keepers: Vinny Curry, Casey Mathews, Akeem Jordan, Brandon Hughes, Curtis Marsh

Additional Cuts: Antonio Dixon, Phillip Hunt, Darryl Tapp, David Sims,

Jan 17, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles new head coach Chip Kelly addresses the media during a press conference at the Philadelphia Eagles NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers reported late Thursday night that Ray Horton will not return to the Arizona Cardinals after the team’s head coaching vacancy was filled by Bruce Arians and that Todd Bowles will take his place.

Horton was very upset by the hire, feeling he deserved to be the Cardinals next Head coach. With inevitable dies looming between Arians and Horton, the Cardinals have decided to move on from Horton.

The Cards defense, lead by Horton, was one of the better defenses in the league, highlighted by an amazing Week 2 effort where they held the Patriots to only 18 points in New England. Horton spent seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being hired by the Cards in 2011. Horton employs a 3-4 defense which is rumored to be the preference of new Eagles head coach Chip Kelly.

There are currently 5 defensive coordinator openings in the NFL (Browns, Rams, Jaguars, Eagles, and Bears). The problem for Horton is that all 5 teams run a 4-3 defense, which could make it difficult for him to find a job in 2013.

With a new head coach and a new team philosophy, the Eagles may indeed switch to a 3-4 defense, which would open up the possibility for Horton to join Chip Kelly as his defensive coordinator. With the Eagles seemingly being the only team with a defensive coordinator vacancy that is willing to switch to a 3-4 scheme, the chances of Ray Horton running the Eagles defense next year is a strong possibility.

December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After a hard fought and well deserved win against the Buccaneers last week, the Eagles square off against a 7-6 Bengals squad, who are coming off of a tough loss to the Cowboys last week. The Bengals were leading the cowboys by 9 points heading into the 4th quarter to see there lead, and win, disappear on a 40 yard field goal by Dan Baily as time expired. The Bengals playoffs hopes are dangling and they desperately need this win to keep there hopes alive, while the Eagles are trying to build of there first win in 8 games and finish the season on high note.

The key to the game this week will be Andy Dalton vs the Eagles defense. The Bengals are ranked 14th in the league in passing yards per game, averaging 237.8 yards. Dalton has been a very inconsistent player, posting relatively good numbers in wins but posting bad numbers in losses. It’s no secret that when Dalton plays well the Bengal’s win. In the games that the Bengals have won this season, Dalton is averaging a little over 2.5 touchdowns and less that one interception, but in losses he averages just over 1 touchdown and 1.5 interceptions. Another interesting stat, in games the Bengals win, they average 30 points per game and in losses only 18. In order for the Eagles to win this game, they are going to need to play hard nose defense, like they did against Tampa Bay, and force at least one turnover.

An interesting match-up, that could very well decide the outcome of this game, will be A.J. Green versus the Eagles secondary. The Eagles secondary has not played well against star relievers this year, giving up huge games to Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Vincent Jackson. Green, only in his sophomore season, is one of the best receivers in the NFL and is always primed to have a big week. Green is having a Pro Bowl caliber year, with 79 receptions, 1,151 yards (6th), and 10 touchdowns (T-1st). Earlier this year Green recorded 10 touchdowns in 9 games and was absolutely obliterating secondaries. The Eagles pass defense ranks 15th in the league, but is very susceptible to giving up big plays to big players at key moments in the game. The Eagles are going to have to do there best to keep Green in check, whether it be Asomugha or Rodgers-Cromartie, and not allow Green to take over the game.

On the other side of the ball, the Nick Foles lead Eagles offense has been playing well the last couple of weeks and is coming of a great win over Tampa on the road. Nick Foles has averaged 316 yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and zero interceptions over the last two games. The key to success for the Eagles has been that Foles is playing good, mistake free football and isn’t giving the opposing team extra possessions Foles needs to continue this streak to give the Eagles a fighting chance of winning the game.

Along with Foles, another rookie has been leading the Eagles offense over the last three weeks. Bryce Brown played like a monster against Carolina and Dallas, but fumbles have plagued his huge performances. Brown, or the Eagles run game, was nowhere to be seen last week in Tampa Bay, which put all the pressure on Nick Foles’ shoulders. Andy Reid has to get Brown involved early to help lift some of the pressure off of Foles’ shoulders. The Bengals defense is a top-ten defense in the NFL and the Eagles cannot rely on Foles to throw 51 pass attempts, if they expect to win the game.

The Eagles/ Bengals game Thursday night should be a very interesting game because of the circumstances of the two teams. The Bengals  need to win out to have a chance to make the playoffs, while the Eagles are trying to build off of their first win in 8 games and finish the season on a high note. In order for the Eagles to win the game, however, the Eagles defense will need to defend the Bengals aerial attack extremely well and cannot let A.J. Green take over the game. On offense, the Eagles need to come at the Bengals  with a balanced attack to keep the Bengals defense on their toes and to lift some of the pressure on Nick Foles’ shoulders. In the end, I think the game will be close but the Bengals will get a two possession lead early that the Eagles defense will not be able to overcome.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Eagles 20