Eagles-Cardinals scouting report
Recent history: The Eagles lost to the Cardinals, 27-21 on Dec. 24, 2005, in Phoenix. The Eagles lead the series between the franchises, 53-54-5.
OFFENSE
Eagles: 349.5 yards per game (9th)
Cardinals: 390.7 yards per game (2nd)
Quarterback
Eagles: Andy Reid tried to kick-start the offense in the second half Sunday by benching struggling Donovan McNabb and going with Kevin Kolb. But that didn't work, and now he's going back to McNabb, who has turned the ball over seven times in the last six quarters and has a miserable .526 completion percentage in the last 5 games.
Cardinals: Kurt Warner's biggest weakness still is his propensity for fumbling. He's put the ball on the ground nine times this season and has lost six. He's as good as there is vs. the blitz. According to STATS Inc., he's been blitzed 135 times this season and has completed 96 passes, with 10 TDs, one inteception and four sacks.
PICK: CARDINALS
Running back
Eagles: The Eagles have only 1 healthy running back – Lorenzo Booker – and he's been inactive the last three games. The short week is only going to exacerbate Brian Westbrook's knee and ankle injuries. And backup Correll Buckhalter injured his knee Sunday and probably won't play. If they run the ball 15 times tomorrow, it'll be a lot.
Cardinals: Like the Eagles, the Cardinals throw the ball a lot more than they run it. Since Week 3, they've had just two games with 25-plus rushing attempts. Edgerrin James has been relegated to the bench. Rookie Tim Hightower is an effective short-yardage guy, and J.J. Arrington is a Brian Westbrook clone.
PICK: CARDINALS
Receiver
Eagles: Rookie DeSean Jackson has a team-high 47 receptions, but just one touchdown catch, and that came in Week 4. Collectively, Eagles wide receivers have 140 catches, but only seven for TDs. TE L.J. Smith was benched last week, playing mainly in two-tight end sets, which the Eagles only used about a dozen times.
Cardinals: Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are the best WR tandem in the game. They've combined for 145 catches, 1,889 yards and 17 TDs. Boldin is an outstanding yards-after-the-catch receiver. Fitzgerald is strong and athletic and is a nightmarish matchup for smaller corners.
PICK: CARDINALS
Offensive line
Eagles: Time and again in short-yardage situations, this unit has been unable to get any surge against opposing defenses. Last week's failed quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line was the latest example of that. Pass protection, for the most part, has been good. They're seventh in sacks per pass play (just 17 in 449 pass plays).
Cardinals: Cardinals' o-line struggled last week against the Giants' blitz packages, but only gave up one sack. Since giving up five sacks to the Jets in Week 4, Cardinals have allowed just seven in the last seven games. Cardinals are averaging just 24.3 rushing attempts per game, but have 13 rushing touchdowns.
PICK: CARDINALS
