Eagles-Cardinals predictions
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Eagles-Cardinals predictions
Jonathan Tamari
JEFF MCLANE
Record, 3-5
My prediction skills are as bad as the Eagles, hence the identical records. Nonetheless, I think I got a winner this week. A loss here for the Eagles would all but end their playoff hopes and unofficially put the potential end of Andy Reid on watch again. A 3-6 mark with seven to go would mean the Eagles would likely have to win all their remaining games to reach the postseason. So this is a must, must – and one more time for emphasis – must win. So the Eagles have that going for them. And then there is Arizona, a team that is 2-6 and has for the most part looked a 2-6 team.
It doesn’t appear as if Kevin Kolb’s return to Lincoln Financial Field will happen. I’m not sure his presence at quarterback would have mattered. He hasn’t played very well. John Skelton will be under center instead. He’s got a cannon for an arm, but at 6-foot-6 isn’t very mobile. He’s also got a below-average line guarding him and I’m under the impression that Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn took a roto-rooter to his players this week in practice after they failed to record a sack against the Bears. The Cardinals best option on offense is for running back Beanie Wells to break out of a one-game funk. He’s got a balky knee, but I’m sure he’s chomping at the bit to face off against the Eagles’ soft run D.
On the other side of the ball, Arizona’s 3-4 defense isn’t very imposing. The Eagles offense seems to have an easier time against an odd-man front. Michael Vick will be looking to shake off last week’s performance, as are wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, so expect to see a few more shots downfield even if the Cardinals are playing two deep. If the Eagles can limit the mistakes – and that’s a big if – they should crush Arizona. Even if they don’t, they have more than enough to get the job done. EAGLES, 34-17.
What goes right: Trent Cole rebounds after last week’s no-sack night and tortures Cards left tackle Levi Brown.
What goes wrong: Rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett, filling in for the injured Nate Allen at safety, gets taken to school deep by Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
JONATHAN TAMARI
Record, 3-5
I’m making this pick like a kid at a horror movie: with my hands over my eyes, peeking out between my fingers. Because A)my picks have stunk and B)I’m thinking the Eagles will win, which has been a dangerous way of thinking this year.
But the one thing the Birds have done right this season has been taking care of the softies on their schedule, blowing out the Rams and handling the Redskins. That means that either they are good enough to avoid falling into the league’s bottom tier, or they have just been waiting to tick the last box on the checklist of underachievement. Then I look at the Cardinals, and well, they don’t throw or run very well, and aren’t so hot defending the run or stopping the pass. And they’ll likely be playing backup quarterback Skelton as they fly cross country for a 1 p.m. game against a team that should be desperate to keep its season alive.
Concerns? Well, there’s always Fitzgerald. The Eagles cornerbacks better be on point because neither Kurt Coleman nor Jarrett are in the lineup for their coverage skills. But in the end, I think the Eagles talent wins out. This week at least. EAGLES, 24-20.
What goes right: Vick has a big day against the league’s 29th ranked passing defense.
What goes wrong: Big Beanie Wells (6-2, 229) leaves tire marks on more than a few defenders.
Andy Reid went back to his pass-happy ways last week after mixing plays up in the two games prior. Both WINS. He just can't help himself. I make NO predictions as far as the Eagles are concerned. It just leads to one disappointment after another. Reid is what he is, compulsive-obsessive. Therefore, the team perfectly mirrors it's coach, schizophrenic as h3!!.— essell- Too little too late. Even if the Eagles do win, they'll lose another game or two along the way because they'll think they're good again. Two wins in a row and they didn't have to try again last week. Waste of time to even get excited any more.— LarryAW
- Absolutely. I agree 100% with that assessment. Those were my EXACT thoughts last week almost word for word. Their arrogance has become a game killer. They seem to think the other team will roll over and play dead for them when they get on the field. They didn't come anywhere close to matching the intensity of the Chicago Bears. — essell
- Unfortunately the eagles will find a way to lose in the 4th quarter because they think they are so good (remember they are the Dream team). They really are the nightmare team with Reid as Count Dracula orchestrating this disaster.— joeynick
- Exhibition football! Two bad teams playing for pride! How do I know this? Dick Stockton and John Lynch have the call, and the game will only be seen in Arizona and SE PA. Once you're down to FOX's 6th team and nobody is watching your games, it's over.— drbob1
- Who cares? They don't..— Ssteve115
- They have had some issues, no denying that. But they have been in every game and they are not dead yet. They win this game easy and put a beatdown on the midgets the next week. After that? They are going to have to depend on getting some help. I will tell you that nobody wants this team in the first round, they are to talented and dangerous. BTW, they were built to beat the Pack, and I hope they get a shot. GB was damn lucky to win that game last season, and things have a way of evening up over time.— Paul SoTX
- The Eagles should win this game...easily.Should being the key word.Even if they do,I just don't see the mental toughness on this team to make the playoffs.Undersized,athletic offensive lineman I can live with but on defense this team needs more nasty S.O.B.'s with some size.Linebacker would be a good place to start and unless a miracle happens,I'm thinking it's time for some new blood in the coaches as well....Andy's had plenty of time to get it done.— greenbloodVAEagle
Jon Gruden?!?! Seriously, Jon Gruden?!?!?- If they lose this game they need to really give there money to charity— joedig22
- Andy you have done a great job but I think it is time to bring in John Gruden to take us over the top!!!— hrlevine
Birds will win nfc least at 10-6, book it.— wolf 4- big wup IF they beat the cardinals.
who cares about the super bowl?
eagles already got the softie bowl locked up.— bloodymess - Occupy NovaCare— Paul G
- Let's GO BIRDS!.....the RED ones! Get us one step closer to a regime change!— The Dude Abides
Comment removed.- Larry Fitzgerald 35, Eagles 31. Sorry boys.— DHowardisdaman
- 31-10 Eagles and we will all get lathered up... only to be disappointed again next week in NY...— softballdude
- It's possible that Tiger Woods and the Eagles will post the same number on Sunday: a 63. Ha!— Seegs
- Seriously, do you writers really think they are still a player is this thing? MAYBE if the Giants had lost. Even so, what is the fate of a Playoff Bound Eagles team? A #4 seed against either Falcons/Lions/Bears/Saints, then if by some act of God, they win that, Green Bay in Green Bay. Is it really worth it at this point?— Lobo19722
- Seriously, do you writers really think they are still a player is this thing? MAYBE if the Giants had lost. Even so, what is the fate of a Playoff Bound Eagles team? A #4 seed against either Falcons/Lions/Bears/Saints, then if by some act of God, they win that, Green Bay in Green Bay. Is it really worth it at this point?— Lobo19722
- The Eagles aways win after they've dug a very deep hole. They'll end 9-7 and lose 42-6 in the first playoff game. Thus it will be a normal year.— 4thand10
- Birds 28-10 and another winning streak begins. Is it 5 o' clock yet??— athousandgods
- Just have that feeling that the Birds will make it more difficult than it should be...21-20 Birds.— SilliBilli
- Season is already over. Meaningless game.— gordon7
