Nnamdi Asomugha and Eagles have to win

This year was supposed to be different for Nnamdi Asomugha. The star cornerback, who has won all manner of individual honors in his eight professional seasons but has never reached the NFL playoffs, joined a team with every expectation of playing meaningful games into the winter.

Instead, the Eagles are 3-5 and on the brink of losing any realistic postseason hope before Thanksgiving.

The situation is not lost on Asomugha.

"We've got to start winning. There's no way of sugarcoating that or make it seem like it's OK to lose a couple here and there; none of that is acceptable at this point. We have to start winning," Asomugha said. "The fact that we have the talent, the guys that are here that we have, it's crazy to think we have five losses at this point."

Especially when you add in the Eagles' having been ahead in the fourth quarter in seven of their eight games and pulling within a touchdown against Buffalo, the only game of the year in which the Birds didn't have a lead in the final 15 minutes.

"We're not playing our 'A' game, and yet we're still in all of these games - that's what's frustrating," wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. "If games were played on paper, we wouldn't lose to anybody. But games aren't played on paper."

One thing the Eagles have done is beat the softer teams on their schedule. They have defeated all three opponents with nonwinning records. And with the team desperate for a victory, in come the lowly Cardinals, with backup John Skelton likely to start for the injured Kevin Kolb, listed as questionable with turf toe.

Asomugha was asked whether the Eagles are looking past the Cardinals and their 2-6 record, but the cornerback pointed out that his team is only one win better.

"We have to start winning each game at this point, and there's no one that we're taking lightly," he said.

Asomugha himself has a huge task. The 6-foot-2 cornerback will spend time facing 6-3 receiver Larry Fitzgerald, one of the biggest threats in the NFL.

When they matched up last year, Asomugha covered Fitzgerald the entire game. Fitzgerald had two catches for 26 yards and one touchdown.

"He's one of the rare talents at receiver in the league," said Asomugha, noting that Fitzgerald, despite his size, has the quickness to sometimes play in the slot position usually reserved for smaller receivers.

DeSean Jackson, a fellow California alum, is the opposite of Asomugha in many ways. One of them is that the fourth-year player has been to the playoffs every season of his career. He doesn't know any different.

But Jackson, like Asomugha, is one of several big-name players who have not met their lofty expectations, and the Eagles' record reflects that. Still, the receiver pointed out that the Eagles get to play each of their NFC East opponents again this season, providing an avenue to bounce back.

"I'm sure guys on the team are frustrated," Jackson said, "but at the end of the day we control our own destiny."

But only if they win Sunday.

Jackson: Full effort. Jackson, who in the last three weeks has had no touchdowns and three or fewer catches each game, said his limited production is not for a lack of trying.

"Everybody in this locker room can say there's something they can get better at, so I'm not sitting here saying there's nothing I can get better at, but at the end of the day, I'm putting my best effort up and trying my hardest," Jackson said.

Injury update. Safety Nate Allen (concussion) and guard Evan Mathis (toe sprain) are out for Sunday's game. Defensive end Juqua Parker (ankle) is questionable. Allen said he banged heads with a Bears offensive lineman Monday night. He has not cleared the subsequent concussion tests. Allen believes this is his first concussion. Rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett is likely to start in his place. King Dunlap will play left guard for Mathis. . . . Asante Samuel said his "groin laceration" Monday came from a cleat. He wasn't sure whether it belonged to a teammate or an opponent, but said it was the worst pain he ever felt.