Scouting the Eagles and Cardinals

The running game appeared rejuvenated in the Eagles' last two games, with 145 yards against the Rams and 203 yards against the Giants. LeSean McCoy's 149-yard outburst against New York was a positive sign after the defending rushing champion struggled early in the season. But the Eagles face what might be their toughest test yet against the NFL's No. 1 rushing defense, and they might have to do it without dynamic No. 2 running back Darren Sproles.

Sproles is questionable. Chris Polk is expected to play and will be the No. 2 running back if Sproles cannot go. Polk is a strong north-south runner. The key will be McCoy, who will again be the focus of the defense.

The Cardinals keep opponents to 72.5 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry, though they have played from ahead often and have not faced some of the NFL's top rushers. But they have a tough defense with multiple fronts and run blitzes to clog the gaps. Defensive end Calais Campbell, who is listed as questionable and has missed two games, is one of the NFL's elite linemen. Nose tackle Dan Williams is tough against the run. Inside linebacker Kevin Minter has also helped. Arizona's defensive coordinator is former Eagles coordinator Todd Bowles.

Nick Foles' inconsistency this season has affected the Eagles' passing attack, which ranks No. 7 in the NFL with 262 yards per game. There are times when Foles excels, but the turnovers and incompletions have been a problem. The Eagles will need a better performance on Sunday against the NFL's No. 31 passing defense.

Arizona allows 285 yards per game, with opposing quarterbacks completing 65.3 percent of their passes. Those numbers are skewed by Peyton Manning's 479 yards against Arizona. But the Cardinals need better play from cornerback Patrick Peterson, who is one of the top players in the league. They have received solid production from Antonio Cromartie, aside from the Denver game. Both Peterson and Cromartie are tall, rangy cornerbacks who help Arizona play man-to-man coverage. Peterson will likely be on Jeremy Maclin, and Riley Cooper should draw Cromartie. Their slot cornerback is Jerraud Powers, who is giving up six inches to Jordan Matthews.

The Eagles could find a potential mismatch at tight end. Zach Ertz had two touchdowns against the Cardinals last season, and the Arizona defense has not been much better against tight ends this year. Look for the Eagles to try to find Ertz in the middle of the field. Because of the man coverage, Sproles, if healthy, would be a big piece in the passing game.

Arizona's pass rush will be helped if Campbell returns. Alex Okafor, a new starter, had two sacks against Washington in Week 6. The Cardinals have only seven sacks this season, so Foles should have some time.

Arizona does not have an especially strong running game. Andre Ellington, who is nursing a foot injury, is the top running back. The Cardinals average 91.8 yards per game on 3.4 yards per carry. Their No. 2 running back is Stepfan Taylor, who is also involved. Their top run blocker is left tackle Jared Veldheer, and wide receiver Michael Floyd is a strong blocker when Ellington can get to the edge. Ellington did not play when the Eagles hosted Arizona last season.

The Eagles are No. 23 in rush defense and might be without Mychal Kendricks again. Their defensive line plays well against the run, but don't expect the Eagles to be in their base defense much on Sunday. The Cardinals often use sets of four or five receivers, so the Eagles will likely play in their sub packages. They will need DeMeco Ryans to help against the run, as well as safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Nate Allen.

The Cardinals like to stretch the field with a vertical passing game, and last week's return of quarterback Carson Palmer helps. The Cardinals have built a strong passing offense, although they are only No. 21 in the NFL with 226 passing yards per game.

The player to watch is Floyd. He averages 18.6 yards per catch and finished with five catches for 99 yards and one touchdown against the Eagles last season. Floyd has been inconsistent this season, but he has the talent for a big game. Larry Fitzgerald is not generating his usual production, but he has seven touchdowns in five games against the Eagles. Rookie receiver John Brown has become a factor, too, and leads the team with three touchdown catches.

The Eagles must be careful about Ellington's coming out of the backfield as a receiver. The running back has a team-high 25 catches.

The Eagles will likely have to use their nickel and dime packages often, so expect to see Brandon Boykin and Nolan Carroll joining Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher in the secondary. The Eagles have 18 sacks in three games, a benefit of having early leads. If they can get a lead Sunday, the Eagles could get to the quarterback. Arizona has allowed 11 sacks in six games. Fletcher Cox is doing a nice job rushing from the interior.

The Cardinals are taking care of the ball. They have thrown only one interception this season and are plus-7 in turnover margin.

The Eagles' special teams have helped carry the team to a 5-1 record, but the same is true in Arizona. Ted Ginn Jr. averages 13.5 yards per punt return and has a 71-yard touchdown. Rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro is perfect, 15 for 15, on field goals. The Cardinals have had one punt blocked, and the Eagles have blocked two and deflected another. If Sproles is absent, look for Jeremy Maclin to return punts for the Eagles.

The Eagles are playing the Cardinals off a bye week for the second consecutive season. They hung on to win last season, but now they must travel to Arizona. The Cardinals are 9-2 at home since Bruce Arians became the head coach, and the Eagles are winless at University of Phoenix Stadium in two games, including the playoffs.

Predictions