Week 3: Eagles (2-1) vs. Cardinals (3-0) Recap
Final Score: Eagles 6 – Cardinals 27
Writer’s Pregame Prediction: Eagles 31 – Cardinals 13
Play of the Game: With 6 seconds left in the 1st half, and trailing 17-0, Michael Vick took the snap from the Arizona 2 yard line and dropped back to pass. On the play, Arizona safety Kerry Rhodes was coming on a blitz from Vick’s blind side, and was left with a free run to the quarterback, due to a mistake in the Eagles pass protection. Rhodes hit Vick without the quarterback ever seeing him, jarring the ball loose, which then subsequently bounced into the arms of the other safety James Sanders at the 6 yard line. Sanders raced down the left sideline following a convoy of Cardinals defenders 94 yards for the touchdown, extending the Cardinals lead to 24 at the half and all but ending any Philly hope of a comeback.
Stat of the Game: Michael Vick completed only 46% of his passes on the day, as he went just 17 for 37.
Eagles Player of the Game Offense: Damaris Johnson. The rookie wide receiver had 5 receptions for 84 yards on the day, while filling in for the injured Jeremy Maclin.
Eagles Player of the Game Defense: Jason Babin. He was able to apply consistent pressure on Kevin Kolb, totaling 1.5 sacks and 3 quarterback knockdowns.
Cardinals Player of the Game Offense: Kevin Kolb. His stat line for the game 17/24, 222 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no turnovers in his revenge game against his former team.
Cardinals Player of the Game Defense: Kerry Rhodes. A stand up tackle on DeSean Jackson at the 1 yard line with under a minute left in the 1st half kept the Eagles out of the end zone, and 3 plays later Rhodes’ strip sack of Michael Vick resulted in an Arizona touchdown and a 14 point swing.
Best Throw: With 7:40 remaining in the 2nd quarterback Kevin Kolb executed a beautiful play fake and found an open Larry Fitzgerald streaking down a seam for a 37 yard touchdown, extending Arizona’s lead to 17.
Best Catch: On 2 and 22 from the Arizona 39 late in the 3rd quarter, Michael Vick escaped a potential sack and stepped up in the pocket looking for wide receiver Jason Avant. Vick’s pass sailed on him but Avant leaped to make an amazing grab, catching the ball its apex, and turned an incompletion into a fabulous 18 yard reception.
Best Run: Cardinals running back Ryan Williams busted through a wide open hole with 8:21 left in the game, gaining 24 yards on the play, while converting a 3rd and 17 situation in the process.
Best Hit: Ryan Williams took an inside handoff at the 4:37 mark of the 2nd quarter and attempted to burst through the middle of the line but was met head on by Eagles safety Kurt Coleman who stopped Williams dead in his tracks and drove him backwards.
Best Kick: Philadelphia punter Chas Henry boomed a kick from his own 15 yard line that was fielded by returner Patrick Peterson at the Cardinals 26, totaling 61 yards on the punt at about midway through the 2nd quarter.
Game Quote: Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid when asked about his team’s preparedness, “I did a terrible job of getting my football team ready to play this week.”
Recap: While 2 teams both showed up for this game, only one team showed up ready to play. The Eagles were overmatched in every aspect of the game, as the Cardinals moved the ball well offensively, took care of the football, and forced Philadelphia into making crucial mistakes. The final score doesn’t quite reflect how one-sided this contest was, and Eagles head coach Andy Reid must have his player better prepared for next week; as the Giants could possibly be an even more challenging opponent then the Cardinals team that dominated them this Sunday.
Next Up: The Eagles (2-1) play their 1st primetime and divisional game of the season next Sunday September 30th, when they host the New York Giants (2-1), game time is set for 8:20.
Current NFC East Standings
1. Cowboys (2-1)
2. Eagles (2-1)
3. Giants (2-1)
4. Redskins (1-2)
