The Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) travel to Phoenix to play the Arizona Cardinals (2-0) in a surprise matchup of unbeaten teams; game time is set for 4:05 Eastern. Arizona holds the advantage in the series all-time 56-54-5 against their former division opponent. The 2 teams played against each other last season with the Cardinals coming out on top 21-17, crushing any playoff hopes the Eagles may have had.
Eagles Offensive Player to Watch: Dallas Reynolds
Starting center Jason Kelce tore knee ligaments last week against the Ravens and will likely miss the remainder of the season. He was an instrumental part of the Eagles offensive machine, and his blocking, exchanges with the quarterback, and pre-snap reads will be sorely missed. Kelce’s replacement is former BYU Cougar Dallas Reynolds, who had a very solid performance last week when he took over for the injured Kelce. Reynolds will be expected to perform just as well this week as he will be lined up against one of the better defensive tackles in the game, in Darnell Dockett. Reynolds will be counted on to execute quarterback exchanges without any hiccups, identify the blitzing linebacker in Arizona’s 3-4 defense, and protect Michael Vick from the multiple pass rushers that will be sent from all directions. If Reynolds can execute like he did last week against the Ravens, the Eagles offense should have no problem moving the ball and putting points on the board.
Eagles Defensive Player to Watch: Trent Cole
The Eagles defense will go up against one of the best players in the NFL on Sunday, when they face all-pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has shown over the course of his career that he can take the offense on his back and dominate football games (ex. 2009 playoffs). The key to slowing down Fitzgerald is to never let him get the ball, and the key to Fitzgerald not getting the ball is to apply pressure on the quarterback. Sunday the Eagles will look to apply pressure with their talented group of defensive ends, led by Trent Cole. Last week Cole had a strip sack on quarterback Joe Flacco and he will look to do more of the same this week against Arizona. If Cole and the Eagles defense are able to get pressure on quarterback Kevin Kolb, they should be able to keep the ball out of the hands of Fitzgerald and keep the Cardinals offense on the sideline.
Eagles Injury Report
Probable: (S) Colt Anderson – Shoulder, (WR) Jason Avant – Wrist, (WR) DeSean Jackson – Hamstring, (CB) Curtis Marsh – Hamstring, Out: (WR) Riley Cooper – Collarbone, (T) King Dunlap – Hamstring, (WR) Jeremy Maclin – Hip.
Cardinals Offensive Player to Watch: Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald is a dominant force on the offensive side of the ball. He has great athleticism, hands, and is also a great blocker in the run game; however his greatest strength may be his knowledge and understanding of the game. The mental preparation that goes into every week is not something that Fitzgerald takes lightly, and that work ethic and mental understanding shows each and every week. For the Cardinals to have success on Sunday, and for every game this season, they must feed Fitzgerald the ball early and often; and if the Cardinals are to pull off the upset against the Eagles, Fitzgerald must be able to take the offense on his back and dominant.
Cardinals Defensive Player to Watch: Patrick Peterson
The Eagles talented wide receiving corps will be missing a key member Sunday, as Jeremy Maclin is injured and will not play. This leaves Philadelphia without one of their biggest offensive weapons, and leaves DeSean Jackson as their only true big play wide out. Patrick Peterson will be responsible for shutting down Jackson, and taking away their biggest home run threat. Peterson has made a name for himself as an explosive punt returner, much like Jackson did earlier in his career, and this could be the most intriguing matchup of the game. Look for Michael Vick and the Eagles offense to try and make big plays through the vertical passing game, by trying to bait the youngster Peterson into becoming overly aggressive. Peterson however matches up very well with Jackson athletically and should have the upper hand on Sunday due to his strength advantage. If Peterson is on his game Sunday the Eagles may have to use Jackson as more of a decoy and look for other players to step up and make plays.
Cardinals Injury Report
Probable: (G) Daryn Colledge – Shoulder, (CB) Jamell Fleming – Shoulder, (TE) Jeff King – Knee, (S) Kerry Rhodes – Foot, (LB) O’Brien Schofield – Knee, (RB) Beanie Wells – Knee, (RB) Ryan Williams – Knee, Questionable: (TE) Todd Heap – Knee, (S) Rashad Johnson – Hamstring, (S) James Sanders – Calf, (QB) John Skelton – Ankle, (G) Adam Snyder – Ankle, (S) Adrian Wilson – Ankle.
Quote of the Week
Eagles corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie when asked what he remembered most about facing the Eagles in the 2009 NFC Championship as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, “I just have a memory of DeSean (Jackson) just going deep on me,” he said. “That hit me right (in the heart) because I see him every day in this locker room. And they’re always bringing that up, from (wide receivers coach David Culley) to the trainers, they always say, ‘Hey DR, remember when DeSean went past you?’ So that’s always the memory.”
Eagles 3 Keys to the Game
1) Put Kolb on His Back: For Arizona to have success on Sunday, Kevin Kolb must be on top of his game. Kolb has been known to get easily rattled by pressure and therefore allows this to dictate his overall play. To slow down the Cardinals offensive attack the Eagles defense must hit Kolb and hit him often during Arizona’s 1st few drives, thus taking away any confidence Kolb may have and force him into making bad decisions.
2) Make Larry Fitzgerald Beat You: Often when matched up against great players a team focuses too intently on that 1 player, this in turn allows other less heralded players to beat them. While Eagles game plan this week will revolve around shutting down Fitzgerald, they must keep the other skill players for the Cardinals in check and not give up long gains through busted plays and broken coverage’s.
3) Play Your Game: The Eagles need to not let the records or the analysts fool them into thinking this is a game between 2 evenly matched teams. Philadelphia has more talent on both sides of the football and should build off of last week’s win against a talented Baltimore squad, by playing their game and dominating the Cardinals on both sides of the ball.
Prediction
Eagles 31-13
Philadelphia comes into the game 2-0 for the 1st time since 2004 and should have no problem Sunday against the Cardinals. Look for Vick and the offense to play their 1st complete game of the season, while the defense creates pressure on Kevin Kolb, causing multiple mistakes.
Prediction Record 1-1
Looking Ahead
The Eagles host the Giants next Sunday at 8:20 in their 1st divisional and primetime game of the season.
Current NFC East Standings
1. Eagles (2-0)
2. Giants (2-1)
3. Cowboys (1-1)
4. Redskins (1-1)
